Louisiana Tech vs Auburn Football

Auburn punter Matthew Shiel kicks behind the blocking of offensive lineman Devonte Danzey against Louisiana Tech at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. (Mark Almond/malmond@al.com)

(MARK ALMOND)

Seven backup players have left Auburn's football program since the end of the 2014 season.



Matthew Shiel, a punter from Doncaster, Australia, recently transferred to Mercer, where he signed to play in February, to push that number to seven following the news Tuesday linebacker Anthony Swain and punter Jimmy Hutchinson, who punted nine times in 2014, left the program after the season.



Shiel punted twice in his Auburn career. He managed to save a bobbled snap and recover in time to punt the ball 35 yards on what could have been a disastrous special teams play against Kansas State. The Tigers won 20-14.

The most recent departures at punter open the door a newcomer or walkon to possibly win the role. Auburn signed Ian Shannon out of Marietta, Georgia on signing day to help alleviate those concerns.

"We had a few issues last year in our kicking game," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in February. "We feel he has a chance to come in and compete for the job. He's got a big leg. He can do all the kicking duties, but primarily he will be punting next year."



Daniel Carlson handled most of Auburn's kicking and punting duties in 2014, but stamina was a concern and some players believed the extra workload was a factor when he missed a game-tying field goal in overtime against Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.

Carlson was 18-of-24 on field goals and hit all 57 point-after-attempts to score 111 points in his debut season, tying for the second-most points by a kicker in Auburn history. He also punted 41 times.



At least seven backup players and two former starters have left Auburn's football program since the end of the 2014 season. Hutchinson and Shiel join linebackers Anthony Swain and Khari Harding, defensive backs Mackenro Alexander and Kalvaraz Bessent, and receiver Dominic Walker among the departures. Junior receiver Sammie Coates and junior offensive tackle Patrick Miller declared for the NFL Draft in December and January, respectively.



Harding left Auburn and transferred to Tulsa to be closer to his father, who is battling cancer for the second time.

Malzahn said Tuesday he will address changes to the roster when the Tigers open spring practices March 10.