07/30 at 03:10 PM

Andrew Gribble | OANow.com

Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in an eight-part series highlighting Auburn starters who don’t exactly generate many headlines, but make irreplaceable contributions in a game that goes beyond “the stars.”

Since they began their respective auditions in March, one has gotten bigger, the other smaller.

One has learned an entirely new position, the other a slightly modified version of his old spot on the field.

Both Brandon Mosley and Roszell Gayden have gone through major transitions since they collectively arrived on campus in January. Their paths toward winning the one open spot on Auburn’s veteran-heavy offensive line, right tackle, have certainly differed, but their presence alone has set up the Tigers for the 2010 season better than it would be without them.

“Both those guys look the part,” offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said.

When one finally emerges as a first-teamer sometime this August, his ability to develop chemistry with his fellow linemen, all of whom have played next to each other for the past two seasons, will be vital toward solidifying Auburn’s front five as one of the best in the conference.

Their resumes
By the time Auburn opened spring camp, Mosley had already gained nine pounds from his original playing weight of 285 pounds. As of Wednesday, Mosley had gained five more to put himself one shy of 300.

Mosley will hit his ideal weight when the scale reads “310.” If he proves capable playing his fourth different position in as many years before that happens, it won’t matter what his waist size is.

Mosley played tight end and linebacker in high school and tight end and defensive end at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

“It’s not that much different, but there’s still some stuff I have to learn,” Mosley said in March. “It’s more technique and pass setting and all that stuff I didn’t do when I was a tight end.”

Gayden, meanwhile, was immediately sent to strength and conditioning coach Kevin Yoxall to slim down and reposition some of his weight. Gayden is now down to 315 pounds and is expectedly in better spirits than when he finished the spring.

Mosley appeared to be ahead of Gayden when spring ended, as he worked with the first-team linemen throughout April’s A-Day game. Gayden, who was hampered by a few nagging injuries during the spring, didn’t play a single snap at right tackle at A-Day, instead lining up with the second-team group at his old position, left tackle.

“(Before the injuries) I felt like I was getting in my groove, actually,” Gayden said. “I was a little nervous at first but I felt like I was coming along.”

Why they are important?
At left tackle, Lee Ziemba is considered one of the best in the nation at his position.

At left and right guard are Byron Isom and Mike Berry, who have combined to start 39 games through their first three years.

Conducting the group at center is Ryan Pugh, who, like Ziemba, has been starting since he was a freshman.

No matter who wins the job between Mosley and Gayden, there will be a big goose egg at right tackle when the season opens in September.

Defensive coordinators will scheme to exploit any weakness they can find. A disconnect at right tackle would stand out like an open wound.

Gayden or Mosley’s ability to adapt and mesh will be absolutely vital, though the elder statesmen don’t think it should be too difficult.

“It’s awesome to see how fast they’re learning and how eager they are to learn,” Ziemba said.

Who’s behind them?
There’s a reason why Gene Chizik saw it as essential to bring at least one tackle capable of starting onto the roster before spring practice.

To be safe he brought in two, because there wasn’t much confidence in the rest of the depth chart when the 2009 season ended.

Auburn’s touted class of freshman linemen took a hit when five-star Shon Coleman came down with cancer, which will keep him away from football for at least this season. In a perfect world for Grimes, freshmen Chad Slade, Ed Christian and Eric Mack would probably all redshirt the 2010 season.

Sophomore John Sullen, though much slimmer at 312 pounds, and redshirt freshman Andre Harris still could be a year or two away from seeing real playing time with the first team.

That leaves the ball squarely in the courts of Gayden and Mosley.
May the best tackle win.

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