Auburn football A-Day: 4 things I'm watching for in 2022 spring game
AUBURN — Fan reception of Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin was enthusiastic at home basketball games this February. The cause for celebration? Harsin had been retained at the end of a university investigation into his program.
Football was a footnote at those games. Now Harsin's Tigers will be the center of their own public extravaganza for the first time since the tumultuous month. Here are four things to watch as spring practices culminate Saturday (1 p.m. CT) with the A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
How will Harsin format scrimmage with limited roster?
Auburn seems almost as injury-afflicted as a team can be at this point. It's not a long-term concern — the Tigers are playing it safe with several minor tweaks. But it does present a fascinating situation in terms of how Harsin conducts the public scrimmage. Coaches often have different mindsets regarding spring games.
"I don't know if we're going to have a chance to divide the squad, just with the numbers," Harsin said. "So it could be O and D. You always like to do that. It's fun to have the squad when you have, like, 100-something guys, or at least your 85. So we'll see.
"What I really want to get done on A-Day is I want to make sure we finish up. That's our last practice. We don't have the extra practice after A-Day. We go out there and we accomplish what we need to in that scrimmage. We get the live work, we also get the situations. ... I know the spring games, there's a lot around them. It kind of becomes just about the game, but you're still trying to work on things. You're trying to get some of those last, final touches. Because this is the last time we'll do real football until August."
DEFENSE'S TOP GOAL: Jeff Schmedding keeps Mason's scheme, but new emphasis emerges at Auburn football spring practice
AUBURN BASKETBALL: 'Did it peak too soon?' Bruce Pearl reflects on Auburn season, early NCAA Tournament exit
Robby Ashford's vital quarterback reps
When Zach Calzada transferred, it was widely expected the quarterback competition would be him vs. T.J. Finley. But Calzada remains non-contact with a shoulder injury.
In crept Robby Ashford, an Oregon transfer with high upside taking the second-most reps this spring.
This is his first impression in front of the fanbase and his last chance until fall to ensure that he's firmly in the mix once Calzada is healthy. If he takes advantage of his live reps, it'll be harder to dismiss him in August.
Tank Bigsby behind reserve offensive line
Running backs coach Cadillac Williams has been showing Tank Bigsby NFL film of Dalvin Cook to prepare Bigsby for Auburn's zone looks. The junior running back's blockers Saturday won't be the alignment this fall. Auburn has four returning starters injured, so there's a good chance the first-team line includes Alec Jackson, Kameron Stutts, Jalil Irvin, Tate Johnson and Kilian Zierer. (Zierer has been more than suitable at tackle a few times.)
If Bigsby can barrel through the defense and look elite on A-Day, imagine what he'll be able to do when Auburn has the full front back.
Edges showing off progress with stat goal on horizon
On the other side of the trenches, Auburn's defensive front should have a field day. Edge starters Derick Hall and Eku Leota combined for 16 sacks last season. This year, they've set a new goal: double-digit sacks each.
They realistically should have that chance: Auburn's edge depth is so thin that they'll be playing a ton of snaps. They're bulking up for the grind: Leota has gained 10 pounds.
"I really want to work on being more consistent with my power moves," Leota said. "I feel like I’m more of a finesse guy, but I really need to be more consistent with the speed to power as well, especially in the SEC because those guys are big."
A-Day is an opportunity for he and Hall to show off their progress, with Dylan Brooks coming off the bench.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football A-Day: 4 things I'm watching for in 2022 spring game
