SPORTS

Auburn depth chart analysis: Right tackle

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Avery Young is back at tackle after spending time at guard last season.

AUBURN – After spending half of last season at guard and expecting to be there the rest of his career, Avery Young returns to right tackle.

The most versatile member of Auburn's offensive line, Young is capable of playing any position, though right tackle is where he has played best.

"He's a guy, and there's not too many of those guys around, they're very few, but in my opinion he can play all three positions," offensive line coach J.B. Grimes said. "He's got great value in a lot of different areas."

Young started the final nine games of 2013 and seven games last season at right tackle and should start every game there this fall.

"Avery Young was probably as consistent as anybody we got on the O-line (during spring), him and Shon Coleman, I would say those two - and they should be," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "That's two of the guys probably with the most experience for us coming back right now."

Will Adams appears to be the backup on the right side on paper, though Robert Leff would likely get the nod if either Young or Coleman tackle had to be replaced.

The Two-Deep

Avery Young (6-foot-6, 305 pounds, junior)
Will Adams (6-foot-7, 303 pounds, junior)
OR Robert Leff (6-foot-6, 288 pounds, junior)

Auburn offensive lineman Avery Young (56) and teammates celebrate with fans after Auburn defeated Ole Miss 35-31 on Saturday.

Starter

Young enters his fourth year as the most experienced and top performing O-lineman.

He played three positions last season and knows as much or more about the offense as any other member of the O-line and helps out when needed.

"It's amazing how much more I know (than a year ago) — just know about the game and know about this whole team and offense and how to execute in the game and handle myself in certain things," Young said. "I'm still myself. I ain't that loud, rowdy type of person, but when I see a guy that needs help, I'm able to help him now because I know the game so well now."

Grimes believes Young is a "Sunday type guy," much like his brother Willie and cousin Thomas Davis, but wants him to be as consistent in practice as he is in games.

"He's one of the best game players I've ever coached," Grimes said. "He is absolutely a phenom, and his grade proved that with 127 (scrimmage) snaps that he got during the course of the spring. His grade was exceptional, but I want him to be on his craft every day."

AUBURN OFFENSIVE LINE ANALYSIS:LT | LG | C | RG

Offensive lineman Will Adams during Auburn University football practice on Saturday August 2, 2014 in Auburn, Ala.

Backup

Adams and Leff both got a lot of reps during spring and developed to the point where Grimes is comfortable playing them.

"Will Adams is a guy that has come a tremendous distance since we came here in the spring of '13," Grimes said.

Adams started at left tackle with the second-team offense on A-Day, but was on the right side last year. He appears to be more likely as the backup on the right side since Leff has the backup left tackle spot nailed down, and is probably the top backup on either side.

Next Wave

Bailey Sharp (6-foot-5, 293 pounds, freshman) started at right tackle with the second-team on A-Day but is likely a redshirt candidate this fall.

Summer Arrivals

Mike Horton (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) is considered the most capable of playing tackle of the three incoming linemen in the summer.

Quotable

"I tell my guys this, I'm a terrible golfer. If I go out and hit a bad shot on the golf course it doesn't bother me. I'm a less than average fisherman and if I go out and don't catch very many fish that doesn't bother me, but if a guy misses a block that I'm coaching, that really bothers me. That is my craft; that is what I do. I think you can't be casual about your craft. You cannot do it and be where they want to pay you to do your craft. I really believe that you can't be casual about it and at times I thought Avery was causal and I told him that and you know what? He got better with that." – J.B. Grimes