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Here it is. Gus Malzahn and the Auburn football team have released the season’s first official depth chart as we inch closer and closer to kickoff against Georgia Southern on Saturday.
Auburn's Week 1 depth chart pic.twitter.com/SssORBCHAL
— Wesley Sinor (@WesleySinor) August 29, 2017
That picture might be a tad small, so we’ll go ahead and write it out for you.
On offense...
QUARTERBACK
- Jarrett Stidham
- Sean White
RUNNING BACK
- Kam Pettway OR Kerryon Johnson
H-BACK
- Chandler Cox
- Spencer Nigh OR Keenan Sweeney
TIGHT END
- Jalen Harris
- Tucker Brown
WIDE RECEIVER
- Darius Slayton OR Kyle Davis
WIDE RECEIVER
- Nate Craig-Myers
- Sal Cannella OR Marquis McClain
WIDE RECEIVER
- Eli Stove
- Noah Igbinoghene
WIDE RECEIVER
- Ryan Davis OR Will Hastings
LEFT TACKLE
- Prince Tega Wanogho
- Bailey Sharp
LEFT GUARD
- Mike Horton
- Marquell Harrell
CENTER
- Austin Golson
- Casey Dunn
RIGHT GUARD
- Braden Smith
- Wilson Bell
RIGHT TACKLE
- Darius James
- Calvin Ashley
Looking at what we’ve got here, it’s pretty clear that there’s a ton of depth all around the offense. None of our starting wideouts are seniors, so that should be a position of strength for a couple of years to come, and the offensive line should be able to handle just about anything that comes its way in terms of injuries or a need to reshuffle. No surprises, obviously at the QB/RB positions, but with the number of times we see “OR” in the receiver listings, I think there are going to be a ton of different guys catching passes this season.
Let’s flip it around. Defense...
BUCK
- Jeff Holland
- Paul James III OR T.D. Moultry
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
- Dontavius Russell
- Byron Cowart OR Tyrone Truesdell
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
- Derrick Brown
- Andrew Williams
DEFENSIVE END
- Marlon Davidson
- Big Kat Bryant
STRONGSIDE LINEBACKER
- Darrell Williams
- Richard McBryde
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
- Deshaun Davis
- KJ Britt OR Chandler Wooten
WEAKSIDE LINEBACKER
- Tre’ Williams
- Montavious Atkinson
CORNERBACK
- Javaris Davis OR Jamel Dean
- John Broussard, Jr.
FREE SAFETY
- Tray Matthews
- Nick Ruffin OR Jeremiah Dinson
STRONG SAFETY
- Stephen Roberts
- Daniel Thomas OR Jason Smith
CORNERBACK
- Carlton Davis
- Traivon Leonard
On defense, the starters could combine to form one of the best units in the league. They did last year, and there are a ton of guys back. You’ve got to love our linebackers and even the secondary looks pretty deep despite the worries leading into fall camp. The 7th-best scoring defense in the country last year might just be better this season.
On to special teams...
PLACEKICKER
- Daniel Carlson
- Anders Carlson OR Sage Ledbetter
PUNTER
- Ian Shannon
- Aidan Marshall OR Tyler Stovall
HOLDER
- Tyler Stovall
LONG SNAPPER
- Ike Powell
- Bill Taylor
PUNT RETURNER
- Stephen Roberts
- Ryan Davis
KICK RETURNER
- Kerryon Johnson AND Javaris Davis
- Devan Barrett AND Noah Igbinoghene
First of all, Long Snapper U is going to produce another NFL prospect out of that position, but I am worried about our depth at holder.
In all seriousness, the only real surprise here is Javaris Davis at returner, since we haven’t seen that much. Gus says he might be the fastest guy on the team, and as long as he can hold onto the ball, I say let him go. Check out the two true freshmen on deck for kickoff returner, though. They must be nice and fast as well.