Observations: Day 10 of Auburn football spring practices

A closer look at a constantly shifting OL and the standouts at WR, DL and DB headline our notes from the Tigers' Thursday practice.

(Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers)

AUBURN — A few questions into his post-practice interview Thursday, a media member pointed out that Jourdin Crawford had blood on his white jersey.

“I'm not sure where this came from,” the massive defensive tackle said, looking down.

Is it your blood or someone else’s?

“Definitely not mine,” Crawford replied.

A spring that has been defined by that level of intensity for Auburn football hit double-digits in the practice count Thursday. The Tigers are now also single-digit days away from their annual A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, which will return to a traditional format and — in a smart move by the administration — have free admission.

One of the other defining characteristics of this first spring under Alex Golesh was how much Auburn has emphasized bringing former standouts back to campus. Last week, Cam Newton and Takeo Spikes made their massive presences felt.

On Thursday, standing tall in the midst of a large number of visiting prospects and coaches, Derrick Brown came back home. After practice, the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year and top-10 NFL Draft pick took time to talk to the next generation.

“It means a lot, because he's been here before, and he played on the same field,” Crawford said. “He’s just helping us try to get to where he’s at.”

Brown won 35 games in his four seasons at Auburn. In the six seasons since he left, Auburn hasn’t even hit that total yet. It’s a cold spell for a program that isn’t used to this much losing in a row — and that’s on the minds of every Tiger, both old and new.

“I felt like I owed it to these boys to come back,” cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant said Thursday. “I owed it to these fans. It's been a long drought, and they've been supportive of us. … I feel like I owed it to the fanbase and the coaching staff. I was a big fan of Coach Golesh, me being a G5 guy.

“I feel like it was only right for me to give them a chance to get my best and stay there for them.”

For the second time this week, media members were allowed to watch the first three periods of practice and then talk to a handful of players afterwards.

While the action is mostly individual drills for position groups with a little bit of offense vs. defense crossover, there’s still plenty to get from what is a new-look program.

Here’s everything we saw and heard Thursday at the football performance center, starting with an offensive line that has commanded plenty of attention this spring.