Auburn Football: Projecting Tigers' Post-Spring 2-Deep Depth Chart

AUBURN, Ala. — The most crucial spring camp of head coach Gus Malzahn's Auburn tenure is officially in the books, and the Tigers are now transitioning to the long summer months of workouts and new arrivals ahead of what will be a make-or-break 2016 season.

Auburn's spring finale inside Jordan-Hare Stadium provided some more clarity to a potential two-deep depth chart, which Malzahn said he wanted to establish by the end of practices. 

While there are still some question marks at key positions, here's a position-by-position projection of what Auburn's depth chart should look like heading into the summer.

This depth chart does not include members of the 2016 recruiting class who haven't enrolled yet—such as defensive tackle Derrick Brown and wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers—and graduate transfers such as linebacker T.J. Neal and defensive back Marshall Taylor, who haven't arrived on campus.

These projections are based on who was on the Plains at the end of spring camp and where they lined up the most, according to interviews, media viewing window observations and A-Day performances.

First Team: John Franklin III (Junior, 6'1", 174 lbs)

Second Team: Jeremy Johnson (Senior, 6'5", 240) or Sean White (Sophomore, 6'0", 200)

Although Auburn's spring game didn't seem to bring any more clarity to its quarterback situation, John Franklin III is still the perceived front-runner as the Tigers head into the summer months.

Franklin, who wowed teammates and coaches alike with his speed in practices, wasn't able to fully showcase his talents in the A-Day Game due to the non-contact status of the quarterbacks. With more time to develop in the Auburn system, Franklin should continue to be the favorite if Malzahn (who spent a fair amount of hands-on time with Franklin this spring) elects to go back to the run-first style of 2013 and 2014.

As for Auburn's former starters, Jeremy Johnson and Sean White, neither looked ahead of the other by the end of spring camp. They will continue to rotate with Franklin, but they're at a disadvantage because of their inconsistencies from last season and their lack of speed compared to the JUCO transfer.

First Team: Jovon Robinson (Senior, 6'0", 230)

Second Team: Roc Thomas (Junior, 5'10", 203)

Jovon Robinson turned on his game late last season as the Tigers elected to give him the ball more, and he capped his return to the Plains with an MVP performance at the Birmingham Bowl. This spring, the all-around senior star continued to impress, as he led all rushers with 84 yards at A-Day.

The speedy Roc Thomas had a stronger grip on the second-team running back role this spring with Kerryon Johnson recovering from shoulder surgery, but he might have a tweaked role in the offense come the spring. At A-Day, Thomas lined up a good amount in the slot. Auburn could use more established playmakers at receiver, and the position would allow Thomas to impact the game in rushing and receiving.

If Thomas transitions to more of a receiver/running back hybrid this fall, look for Johnson to take over as Robinson's primary backup. He had some strong spurts as a freshman last season and has the explosiveness Auburn will want as a complement to Robinson in the running game.

First Team: Chandler Cox (Sophomore, 6'1", 232)

Second Team: Kamryn Pettway (Sophomore, 6'0", 242)

Chandler Cox earned most of the starts at fullback/H-back for Auburn last season as a freshman, and there's no reason to expect him to lose that job this year. Cox became a valuable weapon in lead blocking and has the potential to be a factor in the passing game with his receiving ability.

Kamryn Pettway got a good amount of snaps last season at fullback, too, and he laid some memorable licks while paving the way for Auburn's ground game.

The big story from the fullbacks this spring, though, was their use in the backfield as running backs. The Tigers cross-trained the two in order to build up quality depth behind Robinson and Thomas, and the early returns were quite positive. Both Cox and Pettway rattled off long runs at A-Day and could be strong short-yardage options as power backs this fall.

First Team: Tony Stevens (Senior, 6'4", 205)

Second Team: Darius Slayton (Redshirt Freshman, 6'2", 182)

It's now or never for Tony Stevens, as the senior wide receiver has 20 career receptions and two touchdowns to his name. In his final season, he must step up or risk getting beat out by the younger crop of receivers already on campus and those coming in this summer.

Stevens has the size and the physical gifts to be an ideal vertical threat in place of the departed Ricardo Louis, but consistency was an issue for him under former position coach Dameyune Craig. He repped with the first team this spring at a thin group, but the competition will heat up this summer with the arrival of the highly touted Nate Craig-Myers. 

Another freshman has already pushed Stevens for playing time at split end—Darius Slayton, who took a redshirt last season with the Tigers. Slayton has great speed and received rave reviews from his teammates during spring practices, and he'll look to carry that momentum into an important fall camp.

First Team: Marcus Davis (Senior, 5'9", 180)

Second Team: Kyle Davis (True Freshman, 6'2", 208)

A former slot man, Marcus Davis is the most reliable receiver on Auburn's campus heading into the 2016 season. He developed a reputation for being a sure-handed wideout as a true freshman in 2013 with a clutch catch against Texas A&M, and he's steadily progressed over the last two seasons.

Davis was a co-MVP at A-Day with three receptions for 88 yards, which was a large chunk of Auburn's passing production in the game. The senior can make big plays happen for the Tigers, and he should be a key figure wherever he lines up this fall. (Most of his snaps this spring were at flanker.)

Another in a long line of Davises who impressed Auburn this spring was true freshman Kyle Davis, who commanded attention from the moment he stepped onto the practice field because of his size and smoothness in drills. He was held out of contact this spring, but he'll push for serious playing time during fall camp once he gets the infamous orange jersey off of him.

First Team: Ryan Davis (Sophomore, 5'9", 164)

Second Team: Jason Smith (Junior, 6'1", 180)

The slot receiver position is still up in the air between sophomore Ryan Davis and junior Jason Smith, but Davis was the one who emerged from spring practices with more buzz. 

Davis had rushing attempts (the 5'9" receiver pulled off Malzahn's "Woody" trick play against Texas A&M) but no receptions as a true freshman last season, where he lined up as a slot receiver for the Tigers. A former quarterback, his electrifying speed and versatility make him a potential breakout star in 2016, and he showed it at A-Day with a long touchdown that was called back for a penalty.

Smith, who also played quarterback prior to arriving at Auburn, had 13 receptions for 203 yards and two scores last season after his move to receiver. He'll still figure into the rotation this season for the Tigers, but Davis' breakout spring should have him climbing the depth chart.

First Team: Jalen Harris (Sophomore, 6'4", 250)

Second Team: Landon Rice (True Freshman, 6'5", 246)

Auburn's traditional tight end position has been somewhat overlooked since the departure of C.J. Uzomah to the NFL. The Tigers have two options there this fall in a pair of underclassmen, and each has his own unique role in the offense.

"Both Harris and Rice worked at the traditional blocking tight end spot during spring practice," James Crepea of AL.com reported. "[Tight ends coach Scott] Fountain said Harris, who appeared mostly on special teams during 12 games last season, was ahead in the blocking role while Rice leads at the split-5 receiver role."

Harris' edge in the primary blocking role will give him the advantage on this projected depth chart, but don't be surprised to see both of them split the duties of the traditional tight end this fall in Malzahn's offense. They each bring their own set of skills to the table for an offense that could use more production at the position.

First Team: Austin Golson (Junior, 6'5", 304)

Second Team: Darius James (Junior, 6'4", 332)

New offensive line coach Herb Hand's plan to shake things up on the O-line to build depth at different positions appears to have caused a permanent position switch for a former starter. Austin Golson inherited the starting center job from Reese Dismukes last season, but he ended the spring as the first-team left tackle.

Golson, who transferred to Auburn from Ole Miss, has the versatility to play any position on the line. As one of the best blockers on the team, Hand moved him to left tackle to protect the all-important blind side of Auburn's competing quarterbacks. So far, the position looks like it'll be his this fall.

Texas transfer Darius James pushed for playing time at both tackle spots this spring, and he'll most likely be the "sixth man" for Auburn's offensive line this fall. Like Golson, James has versatility and starting experience at multiple positions at the Power Five level.

First Team: Alex Kozan (Senior, 6'4", 300)

Second Team: Marquel Harrell (Redshirt Freshman, 6'3", 325)

Alex Kozan's Auburn career hit a bump prior to 2014 with a neck injury that kept him out for the entire season, but he bounced right back last season by locking down the left guard position again.

Kozan was a freshman All-SEC selection at the position in Auburn's 2013 run to the national championship game, and he also earned some All-American nods. He is the unquestioned leader of the offensive line and should be a difference-maker up front for another season.

Behind Kozan is Marquel Harrell, who took a redshirt last season for the Tigers. Harrell carved out a spot on the second team this spring, and he's known for his agility for a 325-pound lineman. He'll learn behind Kozan this season and should be ready to take over as the starter in 2017.

First Team: Xavier Dampeer (Senior, 6'2", 305)

Second Team: Kaleb Kim (Redshirt Freshman, 6'4", 284)

Golson's move to first-team left tackle opened the door for veteran Xavier Dampeer to become a potential starter for the first time in his career. Dampeer, who transferred in from the JUCO ranks prior to the 2014 season, backed up Dismukes and Golson but missed a chunk of the regular season after reportedly getting his jaw broken by former receiver Duke Williams.

This spring, Dampeer has managed to take over as the starting center for the Tigers, which is a huge responsibility in the fast-paced Malzahn offense. He should know the ins and outs of the position, though, after learning behind a pair of strong starters in the last two seasons. 

Redshirt freshman Kaleb Kim has the ability to play multiple positions on the offensive line, but he looks to be Auburn's center of the future after primarily repping there this spring. Kim was the second-team center in practices and has great potential for the future.

First Team: Braden Smith (Junior, 6'6", 286)

Second Team: Mike Horton (Redshirt Freshman, 6'4", 312)

The most physically dominant offensive lineman on the roster, Braden Smith has established himself as the top right guard on the Plains again after starting there last season. The Kansas native is known for his freakish strength, and former offensive line coach J.B. Grimes once said Smith was in the "99th percentile" of elite offensive linemen.

With Smith locking things down as a starter, the big question entering the spring was who would back him up in 2016. Redshirt freshman Mike Horton, who starred in preseason camp last fall but ultimately sat out 2015, is the answer after continuing his progress this spring.

"Mike's doing a great job, he really is, for a guy who is a freshman," Hand said. "From what I understand, last year he got a lot of reps working with the two group, and you can tell. Mike is a guy we're expecting really big things from as we move forward."

First Team: Robert Leff (Senior, 6'6", 288)

Second Team: Darius James (Junior, 6'4", 332)

Entering spring ball, Robert Leff was the projected favorite to take over for Shon Coleman at left tackle. But with Golson moving there during practices, Leff flipped to the right side, where he's set to take the reins from another NFL-bound tackle—Avery Young.

Leff is a longtime backup at Auburn who is ready to take full advantage of his starting opportunity. He's played behind the likes of Greg Robinson, Coleman and Young, so he should be fully prepared to step into a lead role this fall.

James, who made a splash early in the spring for his dominant work on the offensive line, should settle in as the backup option at right tackle as well. The Texas transfer may need more time to get used to Auburn's offense before becoming a surefire starter, and Hand wants a top backup he can plug in anywhere.

First Team: Marlon Davidson (True Freshman, 6'3", 281)

Second Team: Byron Cowart (Sophomore, 6'3", 277)

The breakout of all breakouts this spring on the defensive side of the ball came from early enrollee Marlon Davidson, who is the younger brother of former Auburn defensive lineman Kenneth Carter. Even through the signature tough coaching of defensive line assistant Rodney Garner, Davidson finished the spring as a first-team defensive end.

"He's a competitor," defensive tackle Montravius Adams said. "Everything he does, he competes. In this league, that's just what you have to do. I think with him doing that, he's just going to keep getting better. The sky is the limit."

Davidson moved ahead of sophomore defensive end Byron Cowart, who failed to impress after his heralded arrival as a 5-star recruit in the class of 2015. Cowart should continue to improve and be a valued member of Auburn's deep rotation on the defensive line, but Davidson clearly took the top spot this spring.

First Team: Montravius Adams (Senior, 6'4", 296)

Second Team: Maurice Swain (Senior, 6'5", 295)

Montravius Adams elected to come back and play for the Tigers this fall instead of going to the NFL, saying he had some "unfinished business" left on the Plains. When Adams is on, he's one of the best defensive tackles Auburn has had in quite some time, and he'll be a leader down the middle this fall.

Adams should be written in ink as a starter on Auburn's depth chart for 2016, but his backup will be quite intriguing over the next few months. Fellow senior Maurice Swain repped mostly with the second-team defense at nose tackle by the end of spring, but there are plenty of players who could come in and take the role.

"I don't think you have too many [defensive linemen]," Adams said this spring. "And how Coach [Garner] rotates us, it just makes it better. He always wants us to be fresh in the fourth quarter. With that depth, we will be."

First Team: Dontavius Russell (Sophomore, 6'3", 295)

Second Team: Devaroe Lawrence (Senior, 6'2", 281)

Dontavius Russell broke out last year as a redshirt freshman, taking over a starting defensive tackle job next to Adams during the regular season. Russell finished the campaign with the second-most tackles for loss on the team and most on the defensive line, as he showed an ability to puncture backfields from down the middle.

Devaroe Lawrence will be a valued, experienced member of the rotation in 2016, and he has huge goals for himself as a senior interior lineman. He progressed well in spring practices and could have a bigger role on the team this fall.

And while he wasn't on campus this spring, look out for 5-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown to potentially fight his way into the two-deep this offseason. Brown has a college-ready game and might be able to bring even more juice to an already-ferocious defensive line.

First Team: Carl Lawson (Junior, 6'2", 257)

Second Team: Jeff Holland (Sophomore, 6'2", 240)

One of the biggest questions for Auburn heading into the 2016 season revolves around the health of pass-rushing specialist Carl Lawson. When he's on the field, the Tigers just play better as an entire defense, as he brings energy to the whole unit with his immense talent.

However, Lawson hasn't played an entire year healthy since 2013, and this spring was the first time he was able to play in an A-Day Game. He's the prototypical "Buck" defensive end, and he'll continue to be a leader there under new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele as much as he was for Will Muschamp.

Behind Lawson, Jeff Holland emerged as a key pass-rushing weapon this spring. He moved from an outside linebacker to a Buck in practices and positional meetings, and he was able to flash some of his skills during the A-Day Game. He's a natural pass-rusher who could have a standout sophomore campaign.

First Team: Darrell Williams (Sophomore, 6'2", 234)

Second Team: Richard McBryde (Redshirt Freshman, 6'1", 227)

Auburn's linebacker depth is quite thin, so the Tigers needed several names to step their games up this spring. One of those was sophomore Darrell Williams, a product of Alabama high school powerhouse Hoover who lined up with the first-team defense in pace drills late in the spring.

"Last year he was kind of struggling in some places, and you can tell he's been working and it showed out there today," linebacker Tre' Williams said at A-Day, per Wesley Sinor of AL.com. "He gives a lot of speed. He's very athletic, and that's what we need at the linebacker position."

Another name to watch behind Darrell Williams is Richard McBryde, who took a redshirt last season with the Tigers. New linebackers coach Travis Williams said McBryde was continuing to get better in the spring, and he lined up as a second-teamer toward the end of camp.

First Team: Tre' Williams (Junior, 6'2", 238)

Second Team: Deshaun Davis (Sophomore, 5'11", 236)

This is the position that could have a big shake-up later this offseason, depending on the progress of Illinois transfer T.J. Neal. Right now, Tre' Williams looks to be the man in the middle for Auburn's defense as the only linebacker with solid experience in 2016.

Williams has the ability to play both on the inside and the outside, so if Neal comes in and claims his favored spot of middle linebacker in the 4-3 defense, look for Williams to bounce to the outside as a starter. However, with the 4-2-5 looking like more of the base scheme under Steele this spring—due to the spread nature of Auburn's offense and plenty others on the 2016 schedule—expect Williams to be one of the top two linebackers.

Travis Williams identified third-year sophomore Deshaun Davis as someone Tigers fans "will see a lot this year," and he was proud of how far he had come in the offseason. Another rangy linebacker with power, Davis will be crucial to a thin linebacking corps this fall.

First Team: Rudy Ford (Senior, 6'0", 203)

Second Team: Tim Irvin (Sophomore, 5'9", 194)

If Auburn's primary defense is a 4-2-5 nickel this season, expect to see Johnathan "Rudy" Ford line up as the all-important fifth defensive back. Ford, a running back-turned-safety, started at the nickel last season for the Tigers and reclaimed the top spot there after missing the first half of spring practices.

Ford's primary skill is his quickness, and Steele said he wants to see that out of his nickel this season. Running back Jovon Robinson called Ford "one of the fastest guys in the SEC" after he brought down quarterback John Franklin III from behind in a scrimmage.

The primary backup for Auburn at the nickel should be sophomore Tim Irvin, who actually started Auburn's season opener last season at the position. The South Florida native mainly lined up there as a second-teamer during spring ball and could move around this fall.

First Team: Carlton Davis (Sophomore, 6'1", 190)

Second Team: John Broussard Jr. (True Freshman, 5'11", 163)

One of Auburn's lone bright spots in 2015, Carlton Davis emerged as the team's lockdown corner last season as a true freshman. Davis is lanky and physical at the cornerback position, and he gives the Tigers an established force to line up against the bigger receivers who populate the SEC.

"You're out there on an island and it's hard," Steele said this spring. "He has the physical tools. He's very technically sound. ... I think he's really bought into that style, and he's progressed very nicely."

Early enrollee John Broussard Jr. also progressed nicely for the Tigers this spring. If the native of nearby Phenix City, Alabama, can continue to add weight and strength to his 163-pound frame in the offseason, he could see quite a bit of playing time in 2016.

First Team: Jamel Dean (Redshirt Freshman, 6'2", 205)

Second Team: Javaris Davis (Redshirt Freshman, 5'10", 180)

Speaking of big, physical cornerbacks, Ohio State transfer Jamel Dean looks like the total package for the Tigers heading into the upcoming season. Now eligible, Dean wasted no time in taking over a first-team cornerback spot in practices, as he inherited a spot that was once held by the smaller Jonathan Jones.

"I have speed, too, and I bring more length," Dean said earlier this spring. "It gives the receiver a hard time at the line of scrimmage. Throws off the offensive rhythm."

Now with more depth than the last few years in the secondary, Auburn has a number of names it can use at backup cornerback this fall. Javaris Davis, another Florida product, had one of the better springs of any defensive reserve and will most likely take that No. 2 spot heading into the summer months.

First Team: Tray Matthews (Junior, 6'1", 213)

Second Team: Stephen Roberts (Junior, 5'11", 187)

Tray Matthews missed the entire spring thanks to an offseason shoulder surgery, but it's hard to imagine the former Georgia transfer not starting for the Tigers this fall. He started at strong safety for the Tigers in 10 games last season and came up with big interceptions against Louisville and Memphis.

With Matthews held out, it was a big spring for Stephen Roberts, a junior from nearby Opelika, Alabama. Roberts took over as a first-teamer for the Tigers at strong safety after repping at a number of positions, including star and cornerback.

While Roberts might not be locked into the strong safety position once Matthews is cleared to play again, he should have a key reserve role somewhere in Auburn's two-deep depth chart. As a junior, this is a crucial season for him.

First Team: Nick Ruffin (Junior, 6'0", 191)

Second Team: Markell Boston (Sophomore, 6'0", 200)

With Roberts at strong safety and Ford at nickel this spring, a spot opened up at free safety. Nick Ruffin took advantage of that opportunity and emerged as a first-teamer in pace drills toward the final few weeks of spring ball. He gained an advantage from the rest of the pack in the eyes of new defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff.

"The guy that's really having a good spring camp is Nick Ruffin," McGriff said. "He has really got a good football IQ, he's tough, really good contact skills, does a good job of providing leadership, he's been fairly consistent and we like what he's bringing to the table."

McGriff also spoke highly of sophomore Markell Boston, who is "very physical" and has "exceptional speed." If Boston can solidify himself as part of the two-deep by the end of fall camp, Auburn will have a pair of physical safeties it can rely on to shore up a pass defense that has been an issue in recent seasons.

First Team: Daniel Carlson (Junior, 6'4", 213) and Kevin Phillips (Senior, 6'0", 185)

Second Team: Ian Shannon (Redshirt Freshman, 6'3", 209)

The most secure starting job on the entire depth chart might belong to Daniel Carlson, who drilled several long kicks in the A-Day Game. "Legatron" was a Lou Groza Award finalist last season for his power and consistency in the kicking game, and he'll be a top candidate to take home the award in 2016.

Kevin Phillips will be back to handle punting duties this season, and the Tigers will hope for a bit more improvement after he averaged just a shade over 40 yards per boot in 2015. 

Both specialists should be backed up by redshirt freshman Ian Shannon, whom Auburn lists as both a kicker and a punter on its official roster. If anything happens to either Carlson or Phillips, Shannon is the next in line, as he has repped extensively at both positions.

First Team: Rudy Ford (Senior, 6'0", 203) and Kerryon Johnson (Sophomore, 6'0", 195)

Second Team: Kyle Davis (True Freshman, 6'2", 208) and Stanton Truitt (Sophomore, 5'9", 184)

Auburn has no shortage of kick return weapons for 2015, and it returns the top two in that category from last season—Rudy Ford and Kerryon Johnson.

Ford averaged 28.73 yards per return last season, and Johnson was at 27.57. Both have tremendous speed and could be potential game-changers after getting more experience in the special teams game last season. Auburn hasn't had a kick return for a touchdown since 2013, when both Tre Mason and Corey Grant each ran one back.

The top backups among the large amount of players who repped at kick returner this spring are Kyle Davis and Stanton Truitt, who both wore non-contact jerseys this spring. Although they didn't get any live action, Davis and Truitt represent the next wave of speed for the special teams unit on the Plains.

First Team: Marcus Davis (Senior, 5'9", 180)

Second Team: Ryan Davis (Sophomore, 5'9", 164)

After taking over punt return duties last season from "Rich Homie" Quan Bray, Marcus Davis feels like he has the position locked down ahead of the 2016 campaign. There were times in spring practices where Davis was the only one returning punts in special teams drills.

"I think I had a solid season last year, and I gained a lot of experience from that," Davis said earlier this spring, referencing his first season as a starter after backing up Bray and Chris Davis in 2013 and 2014.

The name that appeared the most behind Marcus Davis in the punt return game this spring was Ryan Davis, who has the explosiveness needed to be a top-notch special teams weapon. If Ryan Davis can become consistent with how he handles punts, he could have a bright future in the third unit.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Stats courtesy of CFBStats.com.

Justin Ferguson is a National College Football Analyst at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.