Oct. 23, 2013
Ryan White moves from cornerback to safety for Auburn (Anthony Hall photo)
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. - The guy who had to play safety without a lick of practice time is getting work at the position this week.
Ryan White, who was pressed into emergency duty at safety against Texas A&M after Josh Holsey suffered a knee injury last Thursday, is settling into his new position.
"He never had any practice reps and played a big game at safety and did some good things. I think he'll get more comfortable as he goes and he'll get more comfortable each game," said coach Gus Malzahn after Wednesday's practice.
White is ticketed for more on-the-job training against Florida Atlantic at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Despite various injuries, Auburn feels good enough about its secondary that is leaving swing man Kiehl Frazier at receiver rather than moving him back to defensive back where he practiced for three weeks. The return of Jonathan Jones and the availability of Jonathan Ford provide depth.
Also...
-Kris Frost and Jake Holland are listed as co-starters at middle linebacker. Frost started in place of Holland against Texas A&M. Holland was slowed with an injury in practice last week. Frost made six tackles against A&M, including running down Johnny Manziel late in the game.
"He did a good job, obviously," Malzahn said. "The big play on the sideline was a huge play. That quarterback hadn't been tracked down very often in that situation before."
-Quan Bray is listed again as a kickoff returner with Corey Grant. Bray is subbing for Tre Mason, who played last week with a sore heel. Malzahn said Mason will still return kicks "from time to time."
"We got some other guys we feel very good about. He'll be a part of that moving forward."
-C.J. Uzomah is listed as a starting wide receiver and tight end. He's been there before.
"We're expanding things and moving things around. He's a guy that we have a lot of trust in," Malzahn said.
-Malzahn said Avery Young, who has started the last two games, and Patrick Miller, who started the first five, shared time at right tackle at practice.
-Malzahn said Auburn "responded better today" in practice than in Tuesday's workout.
-Video: Gus Malzahn talks Auburn football after Wednesday's practice:
Charles Goldberg writes for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine