Major Surprises on Auburn’s 2016 Depth Chart

The official depth chart was released by coach Gus Malzahn and the Auburn staff. And it revealed some very interesting moves, though some should not have been unexpected. 

First, the positions that were not surprises: No backup clearly marked for Sean White. At this time, it is Franklin or Johnson. 

The offensive line has been solidified as expected. From left to right, Golson, Kozan, Dampeer, Smith, and Leff. This is a unit that has gelled together and could become a very good offensive line. Darius James is listed behind Golson, but that is because Golson can play any position, opening the left tackle slot to James as the first man off the bench. 

Kerryon Johnson is listed ahead of Kam Pettway. No surprise here, nor will it be a surprise if Pettway out touches Johnson on Saturday.

There are some interesting moves elsewhere, starting with Landon Rice. Rice doesn’t come in as a starter as the first tight end. Instead, Rice is listed as an “OR” to Jalen Harris. However, Rice is listed as second on the depth chart to Chandler Cox at H-back. That should mean that despite not being the starter at either position, Rice’s flexibility will put him in the game at some point as he is a versatile and physical player.

The truly surprising things begin at the receiver position. There are four starting receiver positions listed on the depth chart. Neither Jason Smith nor Tony Stevens are listed as a starter. Smith is actually listed third behind Marcus Davis and Nate Craig-Myers. Stevens is listed second behind Darius Slayton. 

Many writers have speculated for months on which of these two receivers would have that “breakout year.” Of course, you might consider that the same thing has been written for Stevens and Smith for the last two-three years. Meanwhile some believe that the both would eventually be replaced by talented freshmen. The surprising thing is, it happened faster than anyone thought.

Instead of replacing these players in the mid-season, perhaps after a crucial stretch against SEC West foes Texas A&M and LSU, Gus Malzahn and position coach Kodi Burns made the move far earlier than expected. 

I have often said the more talented freshmen, whether it be redshirt or otherwise, would be on the field as starters, supplanting the older players. Even so, it was extremely surprising to see Smith and Stevens slide out of the starting slots and behind the young freshmen before the season even starts.

The young players were more talented and polished out of high school and they all posses the elite size needed in the SEC. However, the most important aspect of this decision may have come down to first year coach, Kodi Burns. In what has been determined to be a very crucial year for Gus Malzahn, Kodi Burns likely made the decision long ago that he would rather take a chance with young guys he coached and developed over upperclassmen who have shown to be unproductive. 

Those upperclassmen have done little in the way of production in the last few years. Several players have been complimentary players to guys like Sammie Coates and Duke Williams, but when forced into an active role in 2015, they showed little in the way of ability as a unit. It was painfully obvious in games against Ole Miss and Arkansas, as the receivers were unable to make plays when called upon. 

Conversely, Auburn brought in the best trio of receivers in the class of 2016. The day they stepped foot on campus, Kyle Davis, Nate Craig-Myers, and Eli Stove were likely better players than anything Auburn had on campus, save for Darius Slayton, who redshirted in 2015 due to injuries.

Sophomores Ryan Davis and Stanton Truitt, and senior Marcus Davis hold down three of the four starting slots, the fourth is manned by Slayton and two of the three second teamers are Stove and Craig-Myers. Kyle Davis mans that spot just behind Tony Stevens as the third man behind Slayton, but don’t expect that to last very long. Slayton is extremely talented and it seems unlikely that Stevens can beat him out, though Kyle Davis could supplant Stevens as second string. Kyle Davis, who may be the best all-around of the group as reported by Track Em Tigers, didn’t make any practices during fall camp due to an injury. However, his ability and size make it all but impossible for him to remain third string.

The fact is, Marcus Davis is Auburn’s returning statistical leader in catches from last year with 30 catches for 180 yards and a single TD. Truitt and Ryan Davis have three career catches between them. Neither Davis or Truitt are over 5-9, which is drastically undersized for an SEC receiver, especially for any playing as a deep threat. Smith and Stevens were Auburn’s only legitimate deep threats in 2015. To be honest, they weren’t that good. Smith’s lone highlights were a called back touchdown in the first game of the season against Louisville and a tipped pass in the last game of the season against Alabama. Stevens has been unable to reach the endzone against anyone other than Idaho. 

With Sean White as a starter, Auburn looks to be a much more balanced attack, using downhill running and play action passes. In order to accomplish this, Malzahn needs balanced receivers. That means players that can dominate while blocking at the point of attack, running disciplined routes, providing big bodies in the red zone, and most importantly, catching the football. The young freshmen already fit the bill while the upperclassmen have proven unable. In the middle are Truitt and Ryan Davis, who seem destined to eventually be supplanted. If the freshman have done all of this in a few scant months of practice, who knows what they can do during games.

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