Bryan Harsin asks more from center group, Tate Johnson

The center position for the Auburn Tigers is still a topic of discussion as the team moves towards the end of fall camp and into preparation for Week One. Head coach Bryan Harsin discussed his centers on Saturday during his press conference.

Auburn Live reported last week that the current health of returning starter Nick Brahms is a concern. He’s questionable for the opener against Mercer on Sept. 3, and his status for the season is a fluid situation.

Harsin has been rotating junior Tate Johnson and seniors Brandon Council and Jalil Irvin at the position during fall camp.

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“We split the practices the first two days and that was hard,” Harsin said. “I can see the improvement. They’re more comfortable with the calls, more comfortable with the quarterbacks because we had a little bit of center-quarterback issues early on, and the worst thing that you can do is have center-quarterback exchange issues when you’re trying to compete.

“The center has to understand that this is important… You got to have some confidence now. You might be wrong but if we’re all wrong together we have a chance. We’ve made some mistakes but we’ve lessened the mistakes.”

Harsin specifically addressed the progress he’s seen from Tate Johnson as well.

“I think, one, physically he’s changed,” Harsin said. “That was the biggest thing I thought when we got here. He’s physically changed, which has changed his mentality as well. Now he can go out there and hold his own, his mindset is different. He’s more coachable… he’s able to handle the pressure out there… he’s just taking ownership of what he’s doing.”

Tigers turn to Tate Johnson after injury to Nick Brahms

Sixth-year senior Brandon Council had high praise for his teammate when discussing how far he’s come. He loves the progression he’s seen from Johnson over the last two years.

“It’s night and day,” Council said. “I remember when we got here in 2020, you think Tate was a guy that you thought, ‘man, is he going to play here?’ The progression has been unreal from him.”

If Johnson is called on to start at center, Council believes he’ll hold his own.

“We’re proud of him as a unit. He’s added another tool the offensive line,” Council said. “He’s gotten stronger, he’s very quick, one of the shiftiest linemen off the ball. Absolutely. We have confidence in Tate Johnson.”