Auburn Spring Football Preview: Offensive Line
Auburn Spring Football Preview: Offensive Line
Spring practice is underway at Auburn, and it's time to preview another position group ahead of A-Day, which will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The next position group that we will examine in our spring breakdown series is the offensive line, which will feature many fresh faces. The Tigers return a few familiar names from the 2024 team, and will welcome two new players from the transfer portal. Tackle Percy Lewis left the team after the season and is now an Ole Miss Rebel. The unit allowed 27 sacks last season, with quarterback Payton Thorne being sacked 26 times. The group did well in the rushing attack opening running lanes for Jarquez Hunter and made it possible for him to gain 1,201 yards. They will welcome tackles Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC).
Here is a look at what the Auburn offensive line looks like as spring practice continues on the Plains.
Center
No. 71 Dylan Senda
Dylan Senda should be the backup center for this Auburn team coming up this fall. He will get plenty of reps during the spring though with Connor Lew being out due to injury. Senda was only in for 13 snaps last season.
No. 75 Connor Lew
Hugh Freeze mentioned during his opening press conference to begin spring practice that Connor Lew was out. He should be the expected starter at center for the Tigers. He played in 748 snaps last year and PFF gives him a grade of 75.7. That ranks fifth from the 2024 Auburn Tigers.
Tackle
No. 65 Xavier Chaplin
Xavier Chaplin comes to Auburn by way of the transfer portal after two seasons with the Virginia Tech Hokies. Chaplin played in 587 snaps last season for the Hokies and only gave up two sacks on the season. PFF gives him a grade of 69.8, and he graded better as a pass protector at 72.7.
No. 72 Izavion Miller
Izavion Miller is a returning player for the Tigers on the right side. He has been a starter for the Tigers for the last two seasons after arriving from junior college. He won SEC Lineman of the Week last year in the 24-10 win over Kentucky where Hunter rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 76 Mason Murphy
Mason Murphy played the last three seasons at USC and spent most of 2024 at right tackle with 771 snaps played. He did play 45 snaps at left tackle. He allowed three sacks last season and 11 hits on the quarterback.
No. 79 Tyler Johnson
Tyler Johnson is a left tackle that started as a freshman last season against Alabama A&M and appeared in every game. He played 92 snaps last season and should give the Tigers some valuable depth at tackle. Other tackles on the roster:
No. 53 John Henry Flatt
No. 56 Seth Wilfred
No. 67 Broderick Shull
No. 70 Favour Ebuka Edwin
Guard
No. 52 Dillon Wade
Dillon Wade has started the last two seasons for the Tigers and moved from tackle to left guard last season. He also played 16 games in two seasons at Tulsa before transferring to Auburn in 2023. He is one of the most experienced players on the offensive line and the locker room. According to PFF he grades better as a run blocker.
No. 55 Bradyn Joiner
Bradyn Joiner was selected to the All-SEC Freshman team, and became a starter beginning with the Kentucky game. He played 470 snaps at left tackle and allowed three sacks.
No. 77 Jeremiah Wright
Jeremiah Wright was a started at right guard in 2024, and was a team captain. He is a senior that brings a lot of experience to the offensive line. PFF grades Wright with 73.4 as a pass blocker.
No. 78 DeAndre Carter
DeAndre Carter played as a true freshman in 2024. Played just 40 snaps last season and needs to improve on his run blocking skills. Other guards:
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