Auburn guard Alex Kozan out for the season with back injury

AUBURN – Tigers starting left guard Alex Kozan is out for the season due to a back injury.

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said Kozan, who started all 14 games last season, injured his back while lifting at home in Castle Rock, Colorado over the summer.

"He came back, we tried to rehab it, do some different things and he tweaked it," Malzahn said. "The doctors just felt like it was the best thing for him and his future to have surgery. He will miss the season.

"Obviously that's a big blow for our guys up front with the type of year he had and the type of player he is. With that being said, we do have quality depth up front. I'll take you back to the spring: Avery Young played some guard. That was good. We will kind of mix and match probably the first week or so, and we'll see what happens with that."

Kozan, a 6-foot-4 300 pound sophomore, was expected to return at left guard and be one of the future leaders of the line, if not the entire offense. He was one of the players, along with center Reese Dismukes, to travel to San Diego for Navy SEALS leadership training in May.

"Obviously that's not what you want to hear; one of your guys, especially you put a lot of work with, to go down," Dismukes said. "It's tough, and not like heartbreaking, but you ache and hurt for him knowing he wants to be out there with the guys. You've just got to be there for him and work with him and hope for the best for him."

Kozan was replaced by Chad Slade, who moved from right guard, with Young at right guard and Patrick Miller at right tackle on the first team offensive line on Friday.

It will be the second time in three years Kozan misses the season. He redshirted in 2012 after competing for a starting job as a true freshman.

"He's taking it well for what all has happened," Dismukes said "I think today is probably be one of the toughest days for him. Obviously watching all of us back out there and work. I think he'll do what the rest of us athletes do and he'll move on and keep working and keep getting better each and every day."