One scan down Auburn’s newly minted depth chart reveals just how diverse an H-Back in Gus Malzahn’s offense needs to be.

On the first team is Eric Smith, a player who sure looks like a bruising running back, but can also catch passes in tight coverage. Behind him is freshman Shaun Kitchens, a linebacker-turned-wide-receiver who will now be asked to play his third position in as many seasons. On the third team, but by no means an afterthought, is highly touted freshman Trovon Reed, a speedy wide receiver who can also return punts and just might be Auburn’s Wildcat triggerman this season.

“They’re all kind of different in their own right, but at that position when they’re in the game, they could all be at very different places,” coach Gene Chizik said. “And I think that’s where it gets interesting.”

Mario Fannin and Smith shared H-back duties in 2009. Fannin’s role typically involved pass-catching out of the backfield or from the slot. Smith, meanwhile, focused on blocking, but was also a dangerous pass-catcher, particularly on third downs.

With Fannin now exclusively at tailback, Malzahn said he’s going to use the abilities of each member of the trio “to its best.”

“That gives us that versatility to do some different things with each one of them,” Malzahn said. “They each have their own talents and skills.”
Smith, obviously, brings the most experience to the position. He won’t be just at the H-back, either, as running backs coach Curtis Luper said Smith could get carries as a running back or a fullback.

“He knows the offense as well as anyone on the field, other than Malzahn I suppose,” Luper said. “He can do a lot of different things. He brings a toughness to the offensive unit, something that we really don’t have in a lot of places.”

Kitchens said he was in no position to oppose yet another position switch. In fact, he embraced it. It’s become his identity.

“I’m big, I’m fast, I’m able to do so many things, and I do,” Kitchens said. “Whatever helps is my job to do.”

Injury report
Chizik said Reed would be a gametime decision Saturday, as he continues to battle back from a bone bruise on his left knee.

“He’s really kind of in a situation where we’re just trying to get a full day’s work and work him into that role,” Chizik said. “Right now, I don’t know if he’s quite there but he’s getting better.”

Malzahn said Tuesday that he expects Reed to play.

Linebacker Eltoro Freeman (turf toe) is “getting close,” Chizik said, and has been “running around” in the past few practices.

Fullback Ladarious Phillips, who was ruled out by Chizik on Tuesday, is probably “a week or so away,” Luper said. Phillips sprained his ankle in a scrimmage in late August and was recently sporting a walking boot.

“You just never know with the type of injury that he has,” Luper said. “He is 300 pounds and it will probably take him a little longer than it would (Onterio) McCalebb to get healthy with a similar injury.”

Luper said Auburn would “have a couple surprises” when it came to filling the void left by the 287-pound Phillips.

Defensive tackle Derrick Lykes (knee) “is not going to be back anytime soon,” Chizik said.

Offensive tackle Roszell Gayden, who is not listed on Auburn’s depth chart, is in good spirits, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. Gayden was recruited specifically to compete for the Tigers’ opening at right tackle, but was hampered by a knee injury throughout camp.

All hands on deck
Defensive line coach Tracy Rocker said it at the beginning of camp and repeated it Wednesday.

All of the players under his umbrella should expect to see the field at some point Saturday.

“I don’t know when,” Rocker said. “All I want is that they’re prepared and ready to do what they need to do when they go out there. The biggest thing is to understand that you’re going to make mistakes. Just play hard, and after that we can adjust and overcome the mistakes.”

The lone exception might be junior college transfer Joel Bonomolo, who missed some time in August with an unspecified injury.

“I think that before this year’s over, with ain’t no doubt, he’ll contributing in some form or fashion,” Rocker said.

| 737-2561