AUBURN, Ala. – Developing chemistry on the fly, Auburn's offensive line is making up for lost time.
The coronavirus pandemic canceled spring practice, delaying first-year offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr.'s opportunity to identify four new starters.
Preseason camp brought further complications, with a combination of COVID-19 contact tracing and injuries costing offensive linemen practice reps.
Last week, for the first time, Auburn's starting five practiced together during the Tigers' heavy preparation days of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
"We've been able to establish a bond," said right tackle Brodarious Hamm. "The chemistry of playing next to the same person is really helping us get better every week, getting used to playing next to each other."
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn noticed the difference on game day, when the Tigers rushed for more than 200 yards for the second straight week while converting 7 of 16 third downs against the SEC's leader in third-down defense.
"They go out there and take the next step forward, we can build on that," Malzahn said. "That's very encouraging.
"It's so important up front. The guy beside you, defenses do all kinds of different things, but you communicate and make calls and actually get some continuity. There's nothing like actual game time in the heat of the battle. You can't simulate that in practice. It's making adjustments as you go, communicating, understanding, working together on double teams, working together on twists when you pass it off. Just that communication. That's encouraging as far as moving forward."
Left tackle Alec Jackson, left guard Tashawn Manning, center Nick Brahms, right guard Brandon Council and right tackle Brodarious Hamm form Auburn's starting O-line. Against Arkansas, Keiondre Jones started at right guard with Council sliding to right tackle.
"You get to know the person next to you and how they play," Hamm said. "You can adapt to how they play and they can adapt to how you play. That's how we build chemistry with each other."Brodarious Hamm (left) and Brandon Council pass block vs. South Carolina
"I think we played a lot better," Brahms said. "It proved well for us and I think we're going to keep going."
Jackson won the starting left tackle position in a hotly contested competition with Austin Troxell.
"He's a freakish athlete," Brahms said of Jackson. "He's big, he can move. He's growing each week, getting better each week."
Troxell overcame multiple knee surgeries and an early-season injury to provide depth at both tackle spots.
"A big-time player," Malzahn said. "He had that injury two weeks ago that kind of put him back. He's still a guy that we have a lot of confidence in that's ready to go when needed. Austin's a veteran guy. He can play both tackles. He's played guard before in big games. He's a guy you can move around."
Whether pass protecting for Bo Nix or opening running lanes for Tank Bigsby to go over the 100-yard mark in two straight games, Auburn's offensive line strives for versatility.
"I see us being able to do some of everything," Hamm said. "Everybody comes to work every day, gives it 100 percent, I feel like we'll be able to be good in all aspects of the game."
"A lot of times when you're evaluating your offensive line, once they stick together, you can start figuring out their strengths," Malzahn said. "Zone, gap, a little bit of outside zone, too - I think you'll see the whole thing kind of come together as the year moves forward."
Auburn plays at Ole Miss Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network, the next opportunity for the Tigers' offensive linemen to demonstrate their togetherness and toughness.
"Getting back to playing good, hard-nosed, blue-collar, physical Auburn football," Malzahn said. "That's really my mindset right now. We've got to keep getting better up front, and I really believe we'll do that. I'm looking forward to going to Ole Miss. Our goal is to improve each week. We have the ability to do that."Nick Brahms (left), Tashawn Manning and Alec Jackson pass protect for Auburn QB Bo Nix
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
