AUBURN AUTHORITY

Auburn 'trying to figure out' who will punt this season

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Jimmy Hutchinson is in a competition to be Auburn's punter this season.

AUBURN -- Steven Clark's departure creates uncertainty at Auburn this fall, but there are even more questions than expected.

Jimmy Hutchinson, who redshirted last season, is the lone scholarship punter on the roster but has apparently not secured the job for the upcoming season.

The Tigers focused on special teams before Wednesday's scrimmage and planned to during the latter two-a-day practice.

"Once again, just trying to figure out who's going to win the punting job, and really, just trying to give everybody an opportunity with that," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "It was good special teams work, too."

Hutchinson punted five times on A-Day, averaging 40.6 yards, though none of his attempts landed inside the 20-yard line. Walk-on Tyler Stovall had three punts averaging 40 yards on A-Day.

Hutchinson and Stovall are among four punters vying for the job in fall camp.

"We got four guys and we're letting them all get an opportunity," Malzahn said. "Hopefully we'll figure that out sooner rather than later but we're just trying to give people opportunities – and it's not just there, it's some other positions too."