We’re taking a look at each position group as Auburn prepares to open spring practice on March 16. The fifth of a 10-part series looks at the offensive line.

Auburn’s offensive line will undergo a nearly complete makeover in 2020 following the departure of six seniors with starting experience — including four who started most of last season — as well as the departure of former offensive line coach J.B. Grimes.

The change? Gus Malzahn hired veteran assistant Jack Bicknell Jr. to replace Grimes, who stepped down in January, and the Tigers signed a five-man class along the line as part of their seventh-ranked recruiting class. Between those two things, the return of several key backups from last season and the lone constant from last year’s unit — starting center Nick Brahms — Auburn will begin its process of reshaping its offensive line at the start of spring practice, with four starting spots up for grabs heading into the fall.

Projected depth chart:

Left tackle

Austin Troxell, redshirt junior, did not play last season while recovering from ACL tear

Alec Jackson, redshirt junior, appeared in all 13 games in 2019

Kilian Zierer, junior, three-star JUCO signee

Prince Michael Sammons, redshirt senior, did not see the field while battling injury in 2019

Left guard

Tashawn Manning, redshirt junior, appeared in five games last season

Kameron Stutts, redshirt sophomore, appeared in 12 games last season OR

Keiondre Jones, redshirt freshman, did not play last season

Justin Osborne, redshirt freshman, did not play last season

Kamaar Bell, redshirt freshman, did not play last season

Tate Johnson, freshman, three-star signee

Center

Nick Brahms, redshirt junior, five starts last season

Jalil Irvin, redshirt sophomore, played in four games last season

Avery Jernigan, freshman, three-star signee

Right guard

Jalil Irvin, redshirt sophomore, played in four games last season

Keiondre Jones, redshirt freshman, did not play last season OR

Kameron Stutts, redshirt sophomore, appeared in 12 games last season

Justin Osborne, redshirt freshman, did not play last season

Kamaar Bell, redshirt freshman, did not play last season

Tate Johnson, freshman, three-star signee

Right tackle

Brodarious Hamm, redshirt junior, appeared in 11 games last season

Alec Jackson, redshirt junior, appeared in all 13 games last season

Departed:

Prince Tega Wanogho, 32 career starts

Marquel Harrell, 31 career starts

Mike Horton, 32 career starts

Jack Driscoll, 45 career starts between UMass and Auburn

Kaleb Kim, 17 career starts

Bailey Sharp, one career start

Due to arrive in the fall:

Brenden Coffey, three-star JUCO tackle

Jeremiah Wright, three-star tackle from Selma

Outlook:

Auburn has a lot to replace along the offensive line, losing a combined 158 games of starting experience from its six graduated seniors as well as the loss of longtime assistant J.B. Grimes. While Grimes’ departure came as somewhat of a surprise in January, the Tigers were bracing for a changing of the guard in the trenches and, after a few years of misses on the recruiting front, made an emphasis with the 2020 class to replenish numbers on the line.

The Tigers signed five players with the 2020 class, including two JUCO prospects, though neither of them will go through spring practice. Brenden Coffey is set to arrive in the summer, while Kilian Zierer is recovering from a knee injury he sustained last season at College of the Canyons. Auburn does have two freshmen in the fold this spring, in interior linemen Avery Jernigan and Tate Johnson, so them getting a head start should eventually pay dividends down the line.

As for the returning linemen, there’s one spot along the line all but locked up for 2020: center, where Nick Brahms returns as the starter after taking over for Kaleb Kim for the final five games of the season. Brahms is the only sure thing for Auburn’s offensive line this season, which is at least promising when it comes to his rapport with quarterback Bo Nix, while the remaining four jobs will be hotly contested throughout the offseason.

Of course, there are some names to watch at each of those positions, especially at the two tackle spots where Auburn must replace mainstays Prince Tega Wanogho and Jack Driscoll. At left tackle, redshirt junior Austin Troxell will be the favorite to take over—assuming his return from a third ACL surgery goes smoothly and he can remain healthy. Troxell played in 12 games at right tackle in 2018 and his skillset and potential are still highly regarded within the program; it’s just a matter of being able to keep him healthy and on the field. At right tackle, redshirt junior Brodarious Hamm is the likely choice to step in for Driscoll after appearing in 11 games last season and seriously pushing for more playing time than that. Hamm’s development has been promising, and he has been described as a “mauler” up front. He should earn a starting job this fall, though it could come at either tackle or at right guard, where he also spent some time last season. A lot of that could hinge on the progress made by former converted defensive lineman Alec Jackson, who will also be in the mix at tackle after impressing in his transition from defense a year ago.

If Hamm remains at tackle and isn’t asked to slide inside to guard, Auburn has several options at both right and left guard. Jalil Irvin saw time in four games last season, and while he will likely be Brahms’ immediate backup at center, he should compete for the starting spot at right guard after an impressive offseason a year ago. Redshirt freshmen Keiondre Jones and Kameron Stutts could also be in the mix at right guard this spring. At left guard, redshirt junior Tashawn Manning, who served as Marquel Harrell’s backup last season, will be the favorite to earn the starting job after seeing time in five games last year. Both Jones and Stutts could also see time competing at left guard, as the Tigers have some interchangeability on the interior of the line with several of its younger developmental players up front.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.