Auburn’s offense has been in a lull for the better part of five seasons, and it has been due to an array of miscues – turnovers and missed opportunities in the red zone being the detriment to the Tigers’ offensive success a season ago.
But with Auburn seeking improvements on the field in year three of the Hugh Freeze era, its roster makeup is the best since Freeze arrived on the Plains.
One of the position groups looking to take the biggest leap next season is the offensive line. With the additions of Xavier Chaplin and Mason Murphy at the tackle spots through the portal, and returnees Connor Lew, Jeremiah Wright and Dillon Wade, Freeze believes this is the best group he has had along the frontline since he arrived.
“There’s no reason with the offensive line – I love – this is my favorite offensive line, when I look at it on paper and experience, size, length. So we’d better be able to run the football and protect the quarterback because I think we’re pretty talented up there,” said Freeze.
Auburn defensive lineman Keldric Faulk has seen firsthand in practice what the group is capable of and says that their versatility is what has made them a tough matchup throughout the offseason.
“They're a lot more versatile. So we have a lot of guys, they can play everywhere across the O-line. And those guys are long and athletic. Like, our tackles are 6-foot-8 and have seven-foot wing spans. They can move pretty well. I feel like this has been the best O-line we've recruited so far,” said Faulk.
The additions of Chaplin from Virginia Tech and Mason Murphy from USC have given Auburn a set of tackles that not only look the part but play like they belong in the SEC. Lew said the two were a huge boost to the room in the spring and that their transition to the Tigers’ offensive line room was smooth sailing, and it made everyone else’s jobs easier.
“Just how both of them come in with experience at other places. It was really cool to see them pick up the offense fast, and made our jobs easier. We didn't have to spend a lot of time on coaching up. We could get straight into the technique. But the calls and stuff they picked up and that made it easy on us. So it was really cool,” said Lew.
Representing Auburn at SEC Media Days and looking to build upon a strong sophomore campaign as a first-year starter, Lew says he is ready to take on the role of being a starter and leader for his offensive line.
“I'm honored to be in the center position and get the play started at every time, I'd be in and all that stuff. I take pride in that stuff. It's awesome here,” said Lew.
Auburn will open up its season on August 29 at McLane Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on Fox.
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