What we've heard as Auburn hits the second half of spring practices

Let's unload the notebook from Auburn's first scrimmage and Tuesday's ninth practice of spring ball, with details on 30-plus Tigers.

(Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers)

AUBURN — At the end of Auburn’s ninth spring practice Tuesday, new head coach Alex Golesh kept pointing over his shoulder toward Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Golesh stressed the importance of getting things right inside the football facility first, so that they can go well down the street when it matters the most.

Auburn doesn’t play a football game that counts for four months and some change, but this first spring under Golesh has been one that has constantly looked ahead with a clear goal in mind — what’s going to happen on Saturdays.

It’s a mindset that covers the new-look program, one that is dying to end its streak of losing season. But there are specific instances that stand out as well, from an “Iron Bowl period” in every practice to Golesh’s desire for the first scrimmage to be under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

That scrimmage, which was held last Thursday night, was a rather star-studded one. Two of the biggest names the program has ever produced — Cam Newton and Takeo Spikes — were on the sidelines and spoke to the team. Their message?

“This place is special, man,” edge rusher Jared Smith said. “Every time you step on the field, make it count. You know what I mean? Just make it count.”

Entering the fourth of five weeks of spring practices Tuesday, it’s clear that the intensity on the fields at the football performance center hasn’t let up from that first time out. The speed, the energy, the volume — all of it continues to be cranked up. It’s even more than what the USF transfers who followed Golesh and this staff anticipated.

“Same kind of practice schedule that we had in Tampa, but it's a more energetic group,” offensive guard Cole Skinner said. “We have a lot of energy, offensively and defensively. We're really bringing the whole group together as a team. The offense and defense is spending a lot of time together in the locker room, a lot more than you would expect.”

Now in the second half of spring practices, there’s a lot to unpack for the Tigers as they get closer to the annual A-Day Game next Saturday inside Jordan-Hare.

Since The Observer was on the scene in Indianapolis last week for the basketball team’s NIT run, let’s catch up and unload the notebook of what we’ve heard about Auburn football over last Thursday’s scrimmage and Tuesday’s return to practice.