Running backs take their turn in Auburn scrimmage

Running backs take their turn in Auburn scrimmageRunning backs take their turn in Auburn scrimmage

Aug. 13, 2016

By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. -- Gus Malzahn said Saturday's scrimmage in Jordan-Hare Stadium was designed to develop depth, so he turned to running backs Kamryn Pettway, Kam Martin and Malik Miller to do it.

Those three got a lot of work in Auburn offense in a practice watched by donors and former players.

With running back Kerryon Johnson watching, Pettway got the majority of the carries with the first-team offense, Malzahn said.

"I thought he did some good things, broke a few tackles and just got used to the protection and everything that goes with that," Malzahn said. "Kameron Martin and Malik Miller got a lot of carries with the Blue (second team). We're just trying to develop that depth. That was pretty much the plan going in."

Malzahn said the quarterback race will continue, adding he won't name a starter, for sure, Sunday or Monda. Saturday was another day for Sean White and John Franklin III to perform in the stadium. Jeremy Johnson watched, but Malzahn said "don't read anything in-between that."

"It wasn't anything that was major."

And so it was that Sean White and John Franklin III took all the snaps that mattered.

"We're not ready to name a starter right now. That's not bad thing," Malzahn said. "The last two-a-day will be on Monday and then we'll start school. Maybe we'll know more by the time we start school, but as of today or tomorrow, there won't be any calls on the quarterback."


Malzahn also said...

**Defensive back Jamel Dean is out with a knee injury.

"He's going to require surgery and he's going to be out for an extended period of time. He was doing great. It was very unfortunate. A fine young man right there."

**"I felt like it was a solid day from a practice standpoint. Our ones did a lot of situational scrimmage things. Our twos and threes, at the end of that, did a lot more as far as just moving the football, playing football. We're still kind of in evaluation mode of those guys and just trying to develop depth."

**Defensive lineman Rasheed Kennion has left the team "to pursue politics."

"He's heading back home. We wish him nothing but the best with that."

**Veteran receivers Marcus Davis and Tony Stevens have done well.

"I'd say those are the two guys it really starts with. The young guys, man, they've got a great attitude and they're continuing to compete. You can see them improve each practice. We've got to get those guys prepared and, hopefully, they'll be ready to go sooner rather than later."

**H-back Chandler Cox is "one of our better all-around football players. He loves the physical part of the game. He's kind of a throwback. He's kind of an old-school guy. This summer, he's really emerged as a leader in the weight room. He's an unbelievable energy guy. Chandler Cox has no bad days. He one of those guys where, hey, you better bring it, because he's going to have his 'A' game. He's one of those guys who really leads the team and provides that energy."

Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine