AUBURN, Ala. – With four weeks to prepare for a high-profile season opener, Auburn kicked off preseason camp Friday.
"I really felt like our guys were excited about practice," head coach Gus Malzahn said. "There was a lot of positive energy out there. One thing I told them after we were done, we got a little tired toward the end. First time out, we had an extended time period off. Tomorrow, we've got to come out here and we've got to finish practice better. That was the take on it. But I loved our positive energy."
The Tigers split practice into two sessions, Malzahn said, with newcomers observing the first part before participating in the final nine periods.
"We're just trying to build the foundation these first few days of fall camp," he said. "Trying to give our young guys a chance to compete, show what they can do, and find out in fall camp who can help us, and who needs a little more time."
🏈 Practice No. 1️⃣ for @AuburnFootball
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) August 2, 2019
(Feat. some fleet-footed WRs & a 🎥 💣 from CFB HOF member @CoachPatDye_ ) pic.twitter.com/MuXVheTtTH
Speaking of those young guys, freshmen quarterbacks Joey Gatewood and Bo Nix handled the reps with the first-team and second-team offense, the first round of their competition for the starting position.
"We threw a lot at them. I think it's good. For the most part they handled the installation pretty well," said Malzahn, who said Auburn expedited that process this year by adding more base plays compared to previous first days. "You can tell that they've really done a lot of work on their own this summer. That was encouraging to see.
"They're both competing extremely hard. Like I told you before, they're desperate to win the job, and I saw that desperation today. We're straining both of them. The way they handle it is important."
The young QBs have impressed fifth-year senior offensive lineman Marquel Harrell with their maturity.
"When they walk around the complex, you can just tell they walk with a sense of maturity," Harrell said. "They're already young leaders already. As a veteran, I can sense their leadership, which is important as a quarterback because when you take the field all eyes are on you, especially at that position.
"There's a lot of pressure and a lot of criticism that you will take but those young guys are ready for it. They both do a great job of taking command. I'm excited for both of them. Either way we go, I feel like we'll be fine."
Auburn will practice in full pads for the first time on Tuesday.
The Tigers begin the season Aug. 31 against Oregon in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"We're challenging them. Can't be satisfied," Malzahn said. "From a coaches' standpoint, coaching our top players harder than everybody else, that's our philosophy, that's how we're operating, because we've got to take the next step in a lot of areas.
"There's a fine line between winning a championship and almost. And winning versus the good teams and almost. It's all about taking that next step."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer