AUBURN, Ala. – It's been a different offseason for Shaun Shivers and not just because of COVID-19. The Auburn running back has become a celebrity around town since his game-winning touchdown run in the Iron Bowl last fall. The run, in which Shivers ran through an Alabama defender and knocked his helmet off, will go down in Auburn lore.
"When I go out to Walmart or get food, people always stop me like, 'How does it feel to be a legend here at Auburn?' That's been kind of crazy," he said. "I didn't know it was going to blow up like that. People still talk about it to this day."
For Shivers, the focus has turned to the 2020 season where the junior is the most experienced player returning in a running back room loaded with talent.
The room also features sophomores D.J. Williams and Harold Joiner, redshirt freshman Mark-Antony Richards and true freshman Tank Bigsby. However, of that group, Shivers and Williams are the only two backs who saw more than 12 carries last year. The two freshmen, Richards and Bigsby, have yet to play a game for Auburn.
So Shivers, the elder statesman of the group, has taken it on himself to lead the others.
"That's something I've always wanted to do," Shivers said. "Be a leader for the team and the program and just let people feed off my energy. I knew I wanted to step up because it was time. This year I just took on a big role. It's time to step up and lead the team and just do what I've always done since growing up – be a leader."
"We see what kind of player he is on the field, but off the field he's just incredible to be around," new offensive coordinator Chad Morris said. "When you walk in, he just lights the room up. I've really enjoyed getting to know him. And then when you get to watch his work ethic and watch him perform out on the field, he's a guy that it means something to him. There's no doubt about it. He wants to be great."
'A BIG JUMP'
Every year, there's a player who seemingly comes out of nowhere. Somebody who played little to none the year before and then takes a big jump in the offseason.
You saw it last year with linebacker Zakoby McClain. As a true freshman in 2018, McClain played in 13 games and recorded just four tackles. Last year, he broke through with 55 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one interception that he returned 100 yards for a touchdown against Alabama.
This year, sophomore defensive end Colby Wooden could be that guy.
With Marlon Davidson off to the NFL, Wooden slides in behind Big Kat Bryant at the defensive end spot, and if the fall camp is any indication, he should see more action this season.
"Colby Wooden is one of the guys that has taken a big jump from last year to this year," Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. "He's a smart guy. He's worked hard in the weight room. He's done all the little things. That and he's very, very competitive. He realizes every play has a life of its own. Every drill that he does, there's a winner and a loser. It's just the way it is. It's the business we're in.
"So when you line up 1-on-1 in individual drills on practice 13 against an offensive lineman, it's not just a drill. There is a winner, and there is a loser. You either get your job done or he gets his done. He is the kind of guy that will fight you until he drops. He goes about every drill, every play, to try to be the best he can be."
Because of his work with strength coach Ryan Russell, Wooden has bulked up some and also has the ability to shift inside like Davidson did at times last year.
FAMILIAR FACES
In 2011, Chad Morris left Tulsa after one year to become the offensive coordinator at Clemson. Who was the defensive coordinator on that Clemson staff? None other than Kevin Steele. Now, nine years later, the two have reunited as coordinators at Auburn.
"I don't know how many coordinators have ever worked together at two different places," Morris said. "That's probably pretty unique across the landscape of college football.
"Kevin is a great friend, a guy that's extremely knowledgeable, has had great success. He and I have done a lot of talking. He wants to hear about offense. I want to hear about defense. So we've really got a great opportunity during our down time to talk some ball and be able to share ideas back and forth with each other. That's been great.
"And then also, to be able to lean on Kevin a little bit at times. He's been here. He's been at Auburn. He understands the dynamic at Auburn. I've asked him a lot of questions about Auburn and moving forward, and he's done a great job of helping me out with that."