Shane Callahan transferring 'closer to home' in Colorado

DESTIN, Fla. -- An Auburn offensive lineman is transferring from the program.

Tackle Shane Callahan, a sophomore, is leaving Auburn to play "closer" to his home in Parker, Colorado.

"Wish him nothing but the best," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "Great kid and very good person."

The move was not unexpected, and in fact had been rumored for several weeks. Both offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and offensive line coach J.B. Grimes deferred comment to Malzahn regarding the status of Callahan in recent weeks.

Malzahn was not sure if Callahan would land at Colorado, Colorado State or elsewhere.

Callahan was buried on the depth chart of a stacked Auburn offensive line.

The Tigers are particularly strong at the tackle position, with Shon Coleman and Patrick Miller competing for the starting job on the left side after the departure of Greg Robinson and Avery Young returning on the right side. Robert Leff and Will Adams are also back and Auburn is adding former Prattville star Austin Golson, who is walking on this summer after leaving Ole Miss last week.

"Last year, we felt like the offensive line was one of our strengths," Malzahn said last month. "The fact that we lost Greg Robinson, an outstanding player, but we do have some guys we feel very good about. You know, we're hoping that our offensive line will be our strength again. I really look at it, we have a little more depth than we did this time last year, which is always good, because we're a run, play-action team. We need to run the football to be effective."

The 6-foot-4 306 pound Callahan saw time against Western Carolina and Florida Atlantic last season after redshirting in 2012.