2022 Auburn football preview: Offensive Line
The offensive line has been one of the most criticized units on the roster for the past several seasons. However, with nine upper-classmen competing for spots it is also one of the most experienced units on the team.
Starters Nick Brahms, Brandon Council, keiondre jones, and Austin Troxell all return and veterans Alec Jackson, kilian zierer, brenden coffey, Kam Stutts, and Jalil Irvin are pushing hard.
Offensive line coach Will Friend has his work cut out for him trying to find the best starting five to help pave the way for Tank Bigsby and the rest of Auburn’s running backs. While the group flashed at times last season, they need to become more consistent for Auburn’s offense to take a step forward.
Departed
Jake Crandall via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Brodarious Hamm (graduated)
Tashawn Manning (transfer)
Projected Starters
(AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
LT: Kilian Zierer
This battle is far from settled as Auburn is still trying to figure out not only who will be their two tackles, but which side they will start on. Zierer started the final three games at left tackle to end last season and if he is fully healthy he could give the Tigers a prototypical left tackle.
LG: Brandon Council
Council has battled injuries throughout his seven-year career but when he is on the field the offensive line is better. If he can stay healthy he should be able to lock this job down, but that is far from a given with his history and the physicality it takes to play in the trenches.
C: Nick Brahms
Having made 33 starts and appeared in 53 games, Brahms is one of the most experienced centers in the country and will be a calming presence for whoever wins the quarterback job.
RG: Keiondre Jones
Jones is perhaps the best offensive lineman on the roster and was the only one to start every game last season. He is fully healthy after some minor injuries that he suffered during the spring and he should once again be one of the Tiger’s most dependable linemen.
RT: Austin Troxell
Troxell was the starter at left tackle last season but the emergence of Zierer may force him to move to right tackle. He is entering his sixth year and while he will face competition for this spot his experience should carry the day.
Returning Players
Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Alec Jackson: He has appeared in 45 games and spent time at both tackle and guard. He is battling Troxell for the starting spot at right tackle but if he lies out he could be the No. 2 at several spots.
Brenden Coffey: He will likely be backing up Zierer at left tackle and providing valuable depth.
Jalil Irvin: He has backed up Brahms the past two seasons and that should once again be the case.
Kam Stutts: He has never started a game but has appeared in 25 games throughout his career and it seems like he is making a push for Council’s spot.
Tate Johnson: He has impressed early in his career and maybe the future at right guard but he is currently blocked by Jones.
Avery Jernigan: He is behind Brahms and Irvin at the center position and gets two learn from two veterans.
Garner Langlo: The redshirt freshman provides more depth at the guard spot as he continues to learn from the veterans ahead of him.
Colby Smith: At 6-foot-8 and 324 pounds he has the chance to become a monster along the offensive line.
Newcomers
Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
E.J. Harris: He is set to redshirt in his true freshman season as continues to develop his game. He looks like a future guard.
Projected two-deep
Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
LT:
Killian Zierer, senior
Brendan Coffey, super senior
LG:
Brandon Council, super senior
Kameron Stutts, senior
C:
Nick Brahms, super senior
Jalil Irvin, senior
RG:
Keiondre Jones, junior
Tate Johnson, junior
RT:
Austin Troxell, super senior
Alec Jackson, super senior
