re: Fall Camp Discussion- Bo Nix Named Starting QB

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I don't think you guys really understand what the phrase "see ball, get ball" means.

Tray, while physically very gifted, lacked a lot when it came to being able to learn plays and read offenses. So generally, every single play, his responsibility was "see ball, get ball".

the OP's point is that Pappoe, while being just as physically gifted, is a much better student of the game and capable of a much more complex role at LB. It had nothing to do with his ability or inability to not make plays.

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They basically told Tray to just go get the guy with the ball.

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That is Eltro Freeman.

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AUBURN, Alabama — One major position battle is still up for grabs at Auburn.

The Tigers have figured out their much-discussed quarterback race by deciding to start freshman Bo Nix. Other rotations across the offense and defense are taking shape, especially with a multitude of starters returning.

But there is one position Auburn coach Gus Malzahn is still trying to find a winner: punt returner.

The Tigers lost starter Ryan Davis last season, and though it's usually normal for him to simply promote the backup to starter the following year, that might not be the case this fall.

"We’re still working through that," Malzahn said Wednesday. "It’s still the same three guys. As a matter of fact, even (kick returner and cornerback) Noah (Igbinoghene) returned a couple today."

The three-man race among Javaris Davis, Christian Tutt and Matthew Hill has been raging since the spring. Preseason camp has been filled with a lack of a consistent option. Davis fumbled the ball in small windows of practices open to the media, and live-action returns didn't result in huge plays in scrimmages.

Tutt appears to be the safer option as a sophomore. He was second on the team with five punt returns for 65 yards last season behind Davis, who only averaged 9.9 yards per return. The Tigers have not cracked the top 25 nationally in punt-return average since 2016, and ranked as high as No. 4 in the Malzahn era in 2014.

Auburn was 39th nationally in 2018, though the Tigers have returned a punt for a touchdown in each of the last two seasons.

But being the punt returner is about much more than just running up field and gaining 10 yards or more to flip field position. Ball security is crucial, and so is decision making when standing near your own 10-yard line.

"We spent a lot of time in practice [Wednesday] specifically on that, different scenarios, a lot of different kicks with people running at them, having to make decisions — fair catch, not fair catch, 10-yard line," Malzahn said. "This will be a big week for that."

Auburn's other contenders for the job have no experience returning punts on the college level. Jordyn Peters and Smoke returned three punts combined last season, but have not been in the mix during preseason camp or during the beginning of preparations for the season opener this week.

No. 16 Auburn opens the season Aug. 31 against No. 11 Oregon inside the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The Advocare Classic features the only ranked-against-ranked matchup in Week 1 and kicks off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

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