Oct. 4, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- If you've watched Austin Golson play this season, you might think that if you can play one position on the offensive line, you can play them all.
That's not how it works, though. It's much harder than it looks.
"That's definitely not something easy to do," fellow Auburn offensive lineman Braden Smith said. "Assignment-wise and technicality, you switch out your stance. People don't realize how difficult that really can be. He's done a really good job.
"That ain't something everybody can do, for sure."
And yet, it's been no big deal to Golson. He began the year at center -- the same spot where he had started the previous nine games coming in and where he spent the majority of the 2015 season. However, after Darius James went down with an injury against Mercer, Golson moved out to right tackle and replaced him in the middle of the game.
The position was relatively new for Golson, who had spent time at center, guard and left tackle during his collegiate career. However, his stint there was short-lived. Once James was healthy enough to play, the Auburn coaches moved Golson from right tackle to left tackle and gave him the start against Mississippi State this past weekend.
For those counting at home, that's three different positions in five games.
"I would say if I were still young, it would probably be pretty hard," Golson said. "But I've got a lot of experience and I know our offense pretty well, so it's not that bad. You just have to adjust a few different techniques and fundamentals and stuff like that.
"Flipping the scheme and flipping everything in your head is what I would say is the hardest part (about moving from right tackle to left tackle), but it's really not a huge difference."
It looks as if Golson might have found his new home at left tackle. He started four games there last year, and following Saturday's game, he was given a grade of 82.2 by Pro Football Focus and named to their SEC Team of the Week for Week 5.
On Tuesday, Auburn released its depth chart for the Ole Miss game. Golson was still at left tackle with James at right tackle and graduate transfer Casey Dunn in line to start his third straight game at center. Meanwhile, Smith and Mike Horton will continue to man the two guard spots.
If that group stays intact, it will be only the second time this season that Auburn has started the same starting five up front in back-to-back games.
"Being able to play with different people and in different places and people knowing how to play different spots, it's very important," Smith said. "But I think it will solidify pretty soon."
Maybe that means Golson's days of moving around and playing all over the offensive line are over. But the fact that Auburn has a player who has that kind of versatility can only help the Tigers going forward.
Plus, it can't hurt Golson's chances at the next level.
"I would like to think it will help," Golson said. "I try not to worry about that right now. I know that will take care of itself. I just have to do the best I can. But I would like to think that versatility is something that is looked as a good [thing]."
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf