Film Room: The Year of the Auburn Tight End hits a new high point vs. Ole Miss

The Tigers have used tight ends on virtually every offensive play in 2021. But they took it to a different level against a vulnerable defense Saturday.

TE Tyler Fromm (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

It’s one thing for Auburn’s tight end room to live up to the preseason hype. Honestly, any sort of semi-consistent passing to the position would have been enough for most fans.

But it’s a completely other thing for the Tigers’ tight ends to do what they’re doing this season under first-year head coach Bryan Harsin, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and position coach Brad Bedell.

Auburn’s tight ends aren’t seldom-used sidekicks in this offense anymore. They can be downfield passing targets. They can be constantly game-changing blockers. They can also be key components of the entire offensive game plan.

That was the case Saturday night in Auburn’s 31-20 win over Ole Miss. The Rebels’ struggling defense plays a lot of three-man fronts, and the majority of its tackles are being done by linebackers and safeties this season.

Strategically, this was an open invitation for Auburn to turn to its deep tight end room. And the Tigers obliged.

Excluding the…