SPORTS

Braden Smith wants to be named 'starter'

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn right guard Braden Smith has declined to speak about whether he'll return for the 2017 season.

AUBURN – Braden Smith, the young man of many nicknames, is also one of few words.

Former center Reese Dismukes referred to the 6-foot-6 300 pound Smith as Drago, the Russian boxer from Rocky IV. There was also the Hulk moniker from offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, freak, a monster and the terminator.

But the soft-spoken Smith thinks the cognomens were "just a freshman year thing."

Entering his sophomore season and competing for the starting right guard spot, where he's been taking first-team reps during spring practice, Smith goes simply by "Braden" or "71."

Smith appeared in 12 games as a true freshman last season, starting at right tackle in the Outback Bowl and made cameos as a blocking tight end on several occasions en route to be being an SEC All-Freshman honoree.

He's moved inside from tackle to guard, taking over on the right side where Chad Slade started for the last four seasons.

"It's a different experience," Smith said. "Any time you're at a new position it's a whole different world."

Smith was projected as a guard coming out of Olathe, Kansas, but his brute size and strength had him at tackle in high school. He is picking up on the nuances and techniques required on the interior of the offensive line that he wasn't accustomed to doing while taking on quicker defensive ends.

"On double teams you're setting the point, you pull, you don't really do that as a tackle," he said. "You're not really dealing with speed rushers."

Through five practices before spring break Smith was adapting well to the change.

"He wants to be good," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "He practices extremely hard. He's a smart guy. I haven't seen the film yet, but just looking (last Tuesday) on the practice field it looks like he took a step forward as far as his execution."

The physical traits that put Smith in the "99 percentile in the country" as a freshman by offensive line coach J.B. Grimes' estimation, haven't diminished in the slightest, so moving some bigger bodies won't present much of a challenge to him from a strength standpoint.

For Smith, his goal to "earn a starting spot" is more a mental challenge.

Smith's move inside also sent Avery Young, who thought he'd remain at guard the rest of his career, back to tackle.

The musical chairs on the line appears to have settled for now, but Smith and Young both know the door isn't closed on further change.

"We'll see as the future goes on," Smith said. "Can't be for sure. … Whatever gets me on the field, I'll do it. Anything on the field is good with me."

With perhaps an exception for name calling.