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AUBURN, Alabama — Auburn's quarterback is out, its best pass rusher and its leading running backs from the last two seasons are at the NFL Combine this week and depth is a question for at least two units on offense and defense.

Yes, it's that time of year again. Spring practices begin today for the Auburn Tigers, and like every year, there are positions to be filled and questions to be answered over the course of the next 30-plus days.

Auburn hits the field today at 4 p.m. CT, but will do so without quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who will nurse a surgically-repaired shoulder for at least the next three weeks. Meanwhile, sacks leader Jeff Holland is at the NFL Combine and so, too, are 1,000-yard rushers Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway. Then there are the questions of depth at safety, where the Tigers lost two starters, and along an offensive line trying to replace future NFL star Braden Smith and Austin Golson, the most versatile offensive lineman in recent Auburn history.

Should Auburn be concerned? Perhaps not. After all, attrition is part of the game and the Tigers face it every spring.

"We feel good about our depth on both sides of the football," sixth-year Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said matter-of-factly in January.

The battles at running back, along the offensive line and in the secondary will begin in earnest today. Some portions of depth chart will not be clear or settled when spring drills end a few days after the annual A-Day game on April 7. Still, there are things to iron out during the stretch of 15 practices.

On defense, coordinator Kevin Steele believes Auburn is well equipped to combat the losses of Holland, All-American cornerback Carlton Davis, and safeties Tray Matthews and Stephen Roberts.

"Are we sitting here today and fast forward to a press conference in the spring, are we sitting here going, 'What are we going to do?'" Steele said in late December. "No, we are not."

Auburn has done well on the recruiting trail of late by filling needs in the secondary. Three newcomers will get a crack at finding a spot in the rotation: Christian Tutt, Smoke Monday and Jamien Sherwood. Veterans Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas will also compete. "We’re recruiting those guys to come in and help us, and they know it, and they all three have a skill set that they can," Malzahn said.

Those three newcomers, along with sophomores and redshirt players, will receive a crash course in playing safety, Nickel and cornerback starting today. Secondary coaches Greg Brown and Marcus Woodson will be tasked with moving players throughout the secondary to see where they fit this spring and beyond.

"We may have to fast-forward some development of some guys," Steele said. "We may have to simplify — I don’t know how you can be much more simple than we are. We may have to adjust some things so younger guys can play. ... We’ll be OK. We’ll be OK."

Meanwhile, Auburn must replace its top pass rusher for a second straight spring. Carl Lawson left for the NFL after a double-digit sack season in 2016, but Holland stepped in and replicated that success in 2017. Auburn hopes the next man up (T.D. Moultry or Big Kat Bryant) is ready to repeat history.

"As long as (defensive line coach) Rodney Garner is here, it will never be a question mark for me," linebacker Deshaun Davis said. "He recruits the best of the best and the guys that he get who are not 'the best of the best' out of high school, not the five stars, he knows how to develop players. His resume speaks for itself. If you question what he can do, then you actually don’t know football."

Moultry was Holland's top backup and showed promise with a quick burst off the edge, accumulating 2.5 tackles for loss in limited playing time.

"[Holland] can be replaced," Davis said. "He’s an extreme talent, but if he has to be replaced, he’s going to be replaced. We just got to move on."

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Moving on is what the spring is all about for college football programs. It's when the roster takes shape and coaches get a sneak peek at the next chapter. It's a time to evaluate, refine technique and fundamentals, and provide a dance floor for those in the darkness to step in the spotlight and perform.

On offense, it will be an avalanche of running backs of different sizes and styles attempting to prove they're worthy of replacing Kerryon Johnson and becoming an every-down 'back: junior Kam Martin, junior Malik Miller, sophomore Devan Barrett, redshirt freshman JaTarvious Whitlow and freshman Asa Martin.

RELATED: Projecting Auburn's spring depth chart

Backup quarterback Malik Willis, who averaged 13.8 yards per run behind Stidham last season, will try to fend off newcomer Joey Gatewood for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. They will receive more practice time as Stidham sits out at least the first four practices of the spring. It might also be a sneak preview of the battle for the starting job in 2019.

They're both dual-threat QBs and strong runners, but Willis has the edge as a passer after a strong spring and fall camp in 2017 with the Tigers. Meanwhile, Gatewood's formidable frame (6-5, 235) and hard-charging running style will certainly evoke praise from coaches after the 4-star prospect threw and rushed for more than a combined 2,500 yards last season in high school.

Auburn's coaches will get their first glimpse at the puzzle today as they attempt to piece together the 2018 Auburn Tigers.

"I think the future is really bright," offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said.