Auburn University’s football program took a decisive step toward the 2026 season on August 8, when the Tigers donned pads for their first preseason practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center.
Early Insights from the First Pads
Under new head coach Alex Golesh, the team is already feeling the pressure of a schedule that demands elite conditioning, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
The session was marked by notable absences: running back Bryson Washington sat out, his availability still uncertain after a spring that left him behind on conditioning, while defensive lineman Malik Autry, a former five‑star recruit, also missed the field, raising questions about his readiness for a starting role.
Coaches took the opportunity to sort out the offensive line, stripping away the designations of Jo Simmons and Stanton Ramil and promoting a core group that includes Cole Best and Cole Skinner, among others, to anchor the front.
In the passing drills, the first wave of receivers was led by Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton, followed by Jake Johnson as the initial tight end, while Sam Turner made an early appearance in the receiver rotation, a development that surprised many given his lack of statistics in the previous season.
Head coach Alex Golesh repeatedly stressed that the Tigers’ offense will only function at its best if every player meets the physical standards he has set, a message that hung over the entire practice.