Auburn’s first week in full pads wrapped up with a serious jolt on Saturday, as two major players were nowhere to be seen during practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center. With the 2026 campaign less than a month away, and new head coach Alex Golesh kicking off his inaugural season, these early absences are a massive red flag.
The “Elite Shape” Demand Hits Hard with Absences
The biggest surprise from Saturday’s public viewing window? Neither running back Bryson Washington nor defensive lineman Malik Autry were present. This isn’t just a casual missed day either. Washington, a transfer from Baylor, was widely expected to step up and follow Jeremiah Cobb in the Tigers’ backfield, a crucial role. His condition has been a hot topic since the end of spring, and Coach Golesh wasn’t holding back when he spoke in Tampa. “We’ve been hard on him and the demand in this offense is hard,” Golesh stated. “Like, there’s not a whole lot of time in between plays to catch your breath and figure out what’s going on. You’ve got to be in elite shape.” That’s a direct message, and it tells you everything you need to know about the stakes for Washington right now.
Then there’s Malik Autry. This guy is a former five-star prospect and a rising sophomore, already a contender for a starting spot on that defensive line. His absence, alongside Washington’s, screams a potential early season struggle, especially when the team is trying to gel under a new regime. You gotta wonder what’s going on behind closed doors.
O-Line Takes Shape, a Receiver Rises From Nowhere
While two key guys were missing, other position groups offered some clarity. The offensive line, always a critical unit, broke into two distinct groups early on. One collection of linemen, specifically hitting an individual sled indoors, gave us a pretty clear look at Auburn’s interior offensive line. It didn’t include Jo Simmons or Stanton Ramil, but featured familiar names like Cole Best, Cole Skinner, and Deryc Plazz. They were joined by Bear McWhorter, Jacobe’ Ward, Kail Ellis, Kenneth McManus IV, Mason Mathis, and Mykall Lundy-Foster. Seeing those groupings already forming hints at some early decisions taking hold up front.
Over with the pass-catchers, the quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end rotations had few surprises, with Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton leading the receivers, and Jake Johnson as the first tight end. Arlis Boardingham followed at tight end, with DeShawn Spencer and Sam Turner at receiver. But here’s the kicker: Sam Turner. This rising sophomore didn’t record a single stat last fall, yet he’s already pushing high up the rotation. That’s the kind of unexpected jump that makes fall camp so exciting, and it shows the new coaching staff isn’t afraid to shake things up based on current performance.
With the 2026 season opener staring them down in less than a month, these early glimpses are more than just practice reports. They’re laying the groundwork for how this team will look under Coach Golesh. The big questions now are how Washington and Autry’s situations resolve themselves, and if Turner can solidify his surprising ascent. This is just the beginning, but already, the picture is getting interesting.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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