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Mar 29, 2024
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Football Preview: Offensive Line
With four returning starters on the offensive line, the unit expects to turn things around with help from a veteran coach with a proven track record.

After working for Gus Malzahn last season as his offensive line coach, J.B. Grimes is set to coach the same unit at Auburn. A 30-year veteran at the collegiate level, Grimes has experience coaching in the SEC with stints at Mississippi State and Arkansas. Other stops include Kansas, East Carolina, Virginia Tech and Louisiana-Monroe.

Last season under Grimes, Arkansas State's offensive line allowed just 15 sacks and helped set a school-record with 481.8 yards of total offense per game.

Grimes' job is to get Auburn's offensive line better prepared to face tough defenses in the SEC. The unit was the main reason why the offense averaged just 2.6 yards per carry against conference opponents. The unit also allowed 37 sacks last year, which ranked 109th in the country.

Luckily for Grimes, Auburn's line is young but returns four starters who have a good amount of playing time experience with 70 career starts. That experience should go a long way as Malzahn has promised the Tigers will feature a power running game.

Greg Robinson will be counted on to provide leadership when he lines up as the starter at left tackle in the fall. Robinson had his share of growing pains and lacked leadership in 11 starts last season as a redshirt freshman at the same position.

Redshirt freshman Alex Kozan spent some time at center during the spring but Grimes moved him back to left guard where he is listed as the starter. Junior college transfer Devonte Danzey could earn a few starts at one of the guard spots.
Reese Dismukes
Reese Dismukes
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

With 23 career starts under his belt, Reese Dismukes is set to anchor the center position. After off-the-field issues caused him to miss last year's season opener, Dismukes plans to be a leader for a unit that has no seniors.

Chad Slade has played every position on the offensive line other than center but seems to have settled in at right guard. He started all 12 games last season, mostly at right guard. Slade has added around 15 pounds and plans to add more muscle to be in better shape for Malzahn's up-tempo offense.

Patrick Miller and Avery Young are expected to battle in fall camp for the starting job at right tackle. Young started the first three games of the 2012 season before suffering a season-ending left shoulder injury. Miller started the final nine games when Young went down.

With the grind of preseason camp in August, any of the projected starters could go down with an injury. If that happens, backups Jordan Diamond, Tunde Fariyike, and Shon Coleman are capable to step in and play at any position along the line.

Phil Marion

Next week: Defensive Line

Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers

Running Backs