Tracking the Depth Chart: August 5

We will take our best shot at a depth chart based on what we have seen and heard in Auburn fall camp so far. This will be fluid as fall camp continues on. We will update this chart every Monday until the season kicks off.

Quarterback

QB1: Payton Thorne
QB2: Hank Brown
QB3: Holden Geriner
Fourth string: Walker White

Without having watched the quarterbacks intently, Payton Thorne is certainly way out in front as the leader in the room. There is an ongoing battle for the backup job, but it seems like Hank Brown has it for now. Will Walker White take a step up the depth chart this fall camp? In just a few short practices, we still think he is behind the others, but could easily move up soon.

Running back

RB1: Jarquez Hunter
RB2: Damari Alston
RB3: Jeremiah Cobb
Fourth string: Sean Jackson and Justin Jones

This group looks nearly identical to a year ago. The pecking order remains the same minus Brian Battie who is still recovering. Jarquez Hunter is the clear leader with Damari Alston being a reliable No. 2. Cobb is listed as the third back, we think, but will have a bigger role this season. Each back will have a role that will keep them rotating in the game situation. Sean Jackson is back and new scholarship back Justin Jones should be mentioned here as well.

Tight end

TE1: Rivaldo Fairweather , Luke Deal
Backups: Micah Riley , Brandon Frazier , Rico Walker

Fairweather and Deal are our top two picks at tight end. They are both in the top group because they will have different roles. Fairweather will be the Flex/Y receiver hybrid at tight end while Deal will be the H/in-line tight end. Both could be in the game at the same time. Depending on the personnel sets, Riley and Frazier could also be in the game in different roles. We have seen Riley working a lot at the H position while Frazier has backed up Fairweather. Rico Walker seems to be working as a Y as well, but is behind the others for now.

Offensive tackle

OT1: Percy Lewis (LT) and Izavion Miller (RT)
Backups: Tyler Johnson (LT) and Ronan Chambers (RT)
Third string: Favour Edwin (LT) and Seth Wilfred (RT)

Offensive tackle is where we are taking our first real guesses. We have seen a lot of Favour Edwin and Seth Wilfred cycling in and out of team drills, but they are probably behind others right now. Ronan Chambers being in the second group is a guess based on his experience. There has been no clear-cut second or third group while watching practice that we can tell. Tyler Johnson has been limited in the first few practices, but is surely the first tackle coming in from the bench when he is full speed (and should be this week). Lewis and Miller seem to be solidified as the starters at left and right tackle.

Offensive guard

OG1: Dillon Wade (LG) and Jeremiah Wright (RG)
Backups: Bradyn Joiner (LG) and Jaden Muskrat (RG)
Third string: Tate Johnson (LG) and E.J. Harris (RG)

Offensive guard has been the same as tackle–guys are rotating pretty reguarly behind the supposed first teamers. Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright look to be locked in at the top. After those, Bradyn Joiner has been a regular rotation guy while usually leading drills. We have observed Jaden Muskrat being intense in drills and team work. He is probably working his way back up after an injury in the spring. Deandre Carter will more than likely move into this group before long, but it’s a safer bet to add Tate Johnson, who is a veteran and can play all of the interior offensive line spots. E.J. Harris has been seen rotating in as well.

Center

C1: Connor Lew
Backup: Tate Johnson
Third string: Dylan Senda

Connor Lew has the starting center spot locked down with Tate Johnson being a solid backup. Dylan Senda is an interesting case. He has been working primarily at center from what we have seen. He is behind Tate Johnson there, we believe. Senda could probably cross-train at guard, but we have not seen it.

Wide receivers

WR1: KeAndre Lambert-Smith , Cam Coleman , Robert Lewis
Backups: Camden Brown , Caleb Burton
Third string: Bryce Cain , Sam Jackson , Perry Thompson , Malcolm Simmons

After watching the wide receivers in various drills, it seems the top three are somewhat set: KeAndre Lambert Smith, Cam Coleman, and Robert Lewis. Keep in mind, Fairweather is often inserted out in the slot in certain sets and personnel groupings.

Due to heavy rotation behind the top three, the backups and third group are a guess at this point. The backup group seems to be Camden Brown and Caleb Burton strictly due to seniority at this point. Cain is probably the third option in the slot behind Caleb Burton. Burton seems to be moving around from slot to outside receiver, so he makes sense in the second group for now.

The third group is made up of newcomers and Sam Jackson, who is still learning the ropes as a receiver. The receivers are the most fluid group on the team at this point, it seems.

Defensive tackle (3/4i-technique)

DT1: Gage Keys
Backup: Philip Blidi
Third string: Quientrail Jamison-Travis , Darron Reed , Malik Blocton

One of the more fluid groups, Gage Keys has been the starter in drills. He is picking up from going through spring. I think Philip Blidi may take over by the time the season arrives, but this should be a tight rotation regardless. Blidi has been behind Keys in drills that we have seen.

Jamison-Travis and Reed have been the backups at this position with Blocton also working in at times. Blocton and Reed have also played some 5-technique.

Nose (0/Shade)

N1: Jayson Jones
Backup: Isaiah Raikes
Third string: Trill Carter

Jayson Jones is holding down the top spot at this time, but Isaiah Raikes will more than likely begin a push in the coming weeks. He has been physically impressive as he is getting his feet wet at Auburn. Trill Carter is listed as the third guy, but will probably have a role.

Defensive end (5-technique, strong-side)

DE1: Keldric Faulk
Backup: Zykeivous Walker , Amaris Williams
Third string: TJ Lindsey

Faulk has his positioned fully locked down, we think. He has earned that right very quickly. Behind him, Zykeivous Walker has the slight edge right now, but is being pushed by freshman Amaris Williams. That will be an ongoing battle. TJ Lindsey has rotated in along with Darron Reed and Blocton as well.

Buck/Edge (Standup)

B1: Jalen McLeod
Backups: Keyron Crawford
Third string: Jamonta Waller , Joe Phillips

McLeod is healthy and has his spot locked down as well. Arkansas State transfer Keyron Crawford has gotten rave reviews and seems to have the backup/rotational spot locked down. Waller and Phillips are working in at the third spot with Waller having an edge over Phillips for now.

Linebacker

LB1: Austin Keys (MIKE) and Eugene Asante (WILL), Dorian Mausi (WILL/MIKE)
Backups: Fa’Najae Gotay (MIKE), Robert Woodyard (WILL)
Third string: Demarcus Riddick (WILL), DJ Barber (MIKE)

I expect there to be some shakeup with the backers, but this is our best guess from what we have seen so far. Keys and Asante have their spots locked down with Mausi being the first option behind them. We have listed him in the first group because he will rotate with them. Mausi should play both Will and Mike.

Gotay is new, so he is still learning the ropes. Woodyard has been around for a while and seems to be playing well enough to earn a spot in the rotation. However, Demarcus Riddick is coming on strong and could easily jump into the second group by the next update. For now, we think Barber is behind the others.

Cornerback

CB1: Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee
Backups: Jay Crawford and Antonio Kite
Third string: JC Hart and A’Mon Lane-Ganus

Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee are locked in as the starters. After those two, it is a total guess. Crawford very well could be the first option off of the bench with Antonio Kite slightly behind him. Hart could easily move into the backup group soon as well. Lane-Ganus is behind the others as he is just getting started.

Nickel

N1: Champ Anthony
Backup: Sylvester Smith
Third string: Laquan Robinson

Nickel took a hit when Tyler Scott was lost for the season. This should be a “by-committee” position this season. Champ Anthony is the only clear-cut leader in the clubhouse. As for the backups, we will need to study that more as Smith and Robinson are pure guesses.

Safety

S1: Jerrin Thompson and Caleb Wooden
Backups: Sylvester Smith , Terrance Love
Backups: Kensley Louidor-Faustin , Kaleb Harris , Jahquez Robinson , Laquan Robinson , CJ Johnson

Jerrin Thompson and Caleb Wooden have things solidified at the top for now. Sylvester Smith seems to be coming on strong while Terrance Love looks to be in the mix, too. Watch out for Kensley Louidor-Faustin and Kaleb Harris. Those two could be on the rise. Also, we have seen Colorado transfer Jahquez Robinson inserted at times. There will be some moving around in the group soon.

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