Ad Disclosure
Johnson to Williams. Get used to hearing that call, Auburn fans.
Next year’s Auburn team is sure to look significantly different than head coach Gus Malzahn’s first two teams on the Plains. Several of the Tigers’ key components play their final game today in the Outback Bowl, and with coaching changes likely on the horizon under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, a new scheme will have to be learned.
Despite the losses — of guys named Marshall, Artis-Payne, Coates, Wright, Whitehead and more — Auburn returns two key playmakers. Quarterback Jeremy Johnson and wide receiver Duke Williams will return in 2015, and have the upside of being as explosive a tandem as there is in college football.
It’s hard to tell with the run-oriented offenses Malzahn has fielded during his time at Auburn, both as an offensive coordinator and a now head coach, but his “hurry-up, no-huddle” offense was a pass-heavy scheme in its infant stages. The second-year CEO does a masterful job at adapting his playbook to the personnel he has, and with Johnson and Williams returning in 2015, the offense should show glimpses of its conception.
Even as good as Johnson and Williams have the potential to be, Auburn still has questions at the skill positions. There will be a battle at running back this offseason as returners Roc Thomas and Peyton Barber compete with JUCO transfer Jovon Robinson and incoming freshman Kerryon Johnson for the starting role. Make no mistake, the run game will still play a huge role in the Tigers’ offensive packages, but without a proven back returning, Malzahn can lean on Johnson in the passing game to ignite a spark.
Of course. Williams needs help at receiver. The loss of junior Sammie Coates will be felt; he’s Auburn’s deep ball threat, ranking near the top of the the FBS in yards per reception the pass two seasons. Veteran leader Quan Bray, who has improved as a wideout this season, departs as a senior. The Tigers need players to step up behind Williams and compliment him, because after his breakout 2014 season, defenses will already being keying on him.
Perhaps the biggest renovations, however, will come on the opposite side of the ball. Malzahn made the hire of the offseason by luring the sought-after Muschamp after he was dismissed at Florida. He brings his 4-3 scheme and a long track record of top-10 defenses to the Plains, a place desperately in need of turnaround.
While observing bowl preparations this month, Muschamp has been vocal about the talent he’s inheriting from former coordinator Ellis Johnson. Muschamp — beginning his third stint at Auburn — has said the talent is there for the Tigers, leaving fans scratching their heads as to why the defense was so abysmal down the stretch.
Muschamp will install his scheme and preach discipline and mastering the details, areas at which Auburn appeared to struggle in 2014. Linebackers Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy are still weighing their decisions about whether or not to return, but the Tigers do get its best player from 2014 — cornerback Jonathan Jones — back.
As Auburn closes its 2014 season on Thursday, Tigers fans ought to soak in this team and its current state.
Because the construction begins on Friday, and come September, this team will look much different.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
