Auburn's offseason was far from normal. Second-year coach Bryan Harsin's job status stood in limbo for two weeks, a medium-sized village of players transferred out of the program, multiple assistant coaches bailed and instability has emerged as the signature theme of Harsin's second year on the Plains. It's no secret that the chefs in the kitchen on the booster side of the program could win every show on the Food Network, and they undoubtedly will be judging every move Harsin makes not only throughout the offseason, but the entire fall as well.
There's still reason for hope, though, because of some key returning players. Running back Tank Bigsby, one of the best players at his position in the country, decided to stay for his junior season rather than enter the transfer portal. Defensive lineman Derick Hall emerged as a star last season and stud linebacker Owen Pappoe opted to return to the program after missing seven games due to injury during his junior year.
So what should you expect this spring from the Tigers? Let's break down the key players, scheme changes and what needs to be accomplished in order for Auburn to contend in 2022 as the Tigers begin spring practice.
Offseason changes
Auburn will be replacing both coordinators this season -- one by choice and another by necessity. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was let go after the season, and Eric Kiesau will take control. Kiesau is a longtime assistant on Harsin's staffs, so expect the two to play off of each other in what should be a fluid and consistent approach to the offense. That means that the Tigers will use more tempo and make more of a point to solidify Bigsby and sophomore Jarquez Hunter as multi-purpose weapons out of the backfield.
The decision to move on without Bobo was Harsin's, but ex-defensive coordinator Derek Mason's decision to leave for the same role at Oklahoma State came as a shock to the college football world. Linebackers coach Jeff Schmedding, another one of Harsin's longtime assistants, was elevated to replace Mason. His defenses at Boise State and Eastern Washington were founded on pressure off of the edges based mostly on a 4-2-5 scheme. That should suit Auburn well since Hall and Pappoe are back. Yes, the Tigers lost eight defensive linemen as well as linebackers Zakoby McClain and Chandler Wooten, but there's at least some talent for Shmedding to build around.
Meanwhile, the quarterback position has changed dramatically this offseason. T.J. Finley started the final three games of the season after Bo Nix's season-ending injury, but was a bit inconsistent and had to fight through a leg injury himself in the four-overtime loss to Alabama. Zach Calzada transferred to Auburn after starting the final 10 games of the season for Texas A&M. That experience included a 285-yard, three-touchdown performance over that same Crimson Tide squad. Robby Ashford, a former four-star from just up the road at Hoover High School, transferred in from Oregon and can provide a threat on the ground as well as through the air. Fellow dual-threat, four-star weapon Dematrius Davis and four-star freshman Holden Grenier will also see battle for snaps in the crowded race.
Names to know
- Shedrick Jackson, wide receiver: Auburn's wide receiving corps is a mess after multiple transfers and graduations. As a result, the Tigers will be counting on Jackson, a fifth-year senior, to shoulder the load. He had 40 catches for 527 yards and a touchdown last season, so there's a reason to believe that he can be the focal point. But he's going to have to have some of the more inexperienced players take some pressure off of him. Luckily for Auburn, Ja'Varrius Johnson exited the transfer portal and has returned to the team after 274 yards and two touchdowns last year.
- John Samuel Shenker, tight end: Shenker, another fifth-year senior, had the most productive season for a tight end in program history last season with 33 catches for 413 yards. The 6-foot-4, 249-pounder is the perfect safety valve, tough over the middle and can be used up the seam creating mismatches all over the field.
- Donovan Kaufman, safety: Kaufman had 34 tackles and an interception in his redshirt freshman season, and will get the first crack at replacing former star Smoke Monday. The Vanderbilt transfer, who played safety and nickel last year, will be pushed by Marquise Gilbert -- who was the top junior college safety in the country last year. Filling Monday's shoes will be tough, but there are plenty of options for Schmedding.
Spring outlook
While Harsin is entering his second year at Auburn, this spring practice session is going to look and feel a lot like his first one on the Plains. The massive turnover and instability has forced him to hit the reset button despite being on one of the hottest seats in the country following February's booster shenanigans. As such, his 15 spring sessions will focus on getting players acquainted with the new schemes and expectations rather than fine-tuning and building championship-level depth.
It is imperative for Harsin to at least develop a rough draft of the quarterback depth chart following the April 9 A-Day Game. The last thing that Auburn needs is to let the five-man battle drag out and limit the number of snaps that the eventual winner will get in practice. Don't get me wrong, Harsin won't -- and shouldn't -- make a decision this spring. But he needs to know what he has, what he requires and if he needs to hit the portal again following the close of camp.
Hot takes will fly after the SEC's spring games wrap up, and it's unlikely that Auburn will be receiving a ton of buzz. That's OK, though. Harsin made it through the booster revolt and has another chance to develop the roster in a way that's uniquely his. It's going to take a lot of work though.
