Auburn is rebuilding its offense this year. New head coach Alex Golesh brought in a lot of fresh faces. Only one starter is sticking around from last year. That is running back Jeremiah Cobb so fans are watching the young players closely. These are the guys who could shape the team for years to come.
First is quarterback Tristan Ti’a. He is a sophomore who came from Oregon State. He only made one start there. But he made it count. He threw for 240 yards and one touchdown. During the spring game, he looked sharp. Some fans think he even looked better than Byrum Brown. Brown is still the starter for now. But Ti’a is close behind. If Brown struggles, Ti’a is ready to step in.
Next is tight end Jonathan Echols. He is also a sophomore. He transferred in from USF. He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 235 pounds. He is fast. He can run past linebackers. He is tall. He can out jump safeties for the ball. Three seniors are ahead of him right now. So he may not play much this year. But once they leave, he should take over. He looks like the future at tight end.
Then there is offensive guard Mason Mathis. He is a true freshman. He is already 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds. That is the exact kind of body Golesh wants up front. It is rare to get excited about a freshman guard. But people who have watched him play say he is special. He may not start this year. But he is a building block for next year and beyond.
There is one more name to know. His name is DeShawn Spencer. He is a freshman receiver. He stood out in the same spring game as Ti’a. The two looked like they had real chemistry together. Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman Williams praised him at SEC Media Days. The two played high school ball together at Saraland. Coleman Williams said their old team “breeds workhorses.” That is high praise from a player on a rival team.
So here is the big picture. Auburn’s offense is new and still finding its footing. But the future pieces are already here. Ti’a, Echols, Mathis, and Spencer may not be big names yet. But they could be the players running this offense very soon.
