Jake Thornton has 'high expectations' for Auburn's offensive line

AUBURN — The spring is all about fundamentals and technique, Auburn offensive line coach Jake Thornton explained on Wednesday. Schemes and everything that accompanies that will come later as the season inches closer, but for now, it’s about developing and improving the base set of skills that will carry his offensive line next fall.

Entering his second season and second season with many of his players, Thornton’s expectations are raised from last spring, that much is clear.

“The expectations are higher for this O-line because they were here last year and they already know those base fundamentals and techniques. I expect us to be further along in that regard,” Thornton said.

“The one thing about this O-line is we have a new left tackle (Percy Lewis), we have a new left guard (Dillon Wade), center is a constant (Connor Lew), right guard with Jeremiah (Wright), although he’s played, he has to take that over, then Too Tall (Izavion Miller) at right tackle coming into this second year, he should be further ahead.

“The overall communication part of it is…we’ve taken a lot of strides with that. You could tell there were new people are new places, the communication wasn’t as great. As we gelled together, that’s become better the last couple of days. The expectations are higher because they were here last year.”

Auburn finished fourth in the SEC in rushing at 189 yards per game in 2023, but allowed 2.6 sacks per game, only good for 10th in the league. Thornton expects more.

“Something about me and the O-line — we’re never going to be satisfied. We want to win the Joe Moore Award, we want to win the SEC, we want to win the national championship. Hopefully, when we get to that one day, we’ll go do it again next year,” Thornton said.

“We’re always working and striving to get where we want to be. We’ve covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. That’s a testament to the whole program. At every position, I can highlight a young dude and an old dude that’s made strides at every position because of Coach (Hugh) Freeze and the culture he installs in our program. I feel like we’re on our way.”

Here are a handful of notes from Jake Thornton on Auburn’s offensive line personnel:

On Izavion Miller…

“Too Tall coming into last year, he was a limited experience guy coming out of JUCO. He won the job coming out of fall camp because he had good weight on him and he was explosive. He battled some ankle stuff during the season, but once he got healthy, I thought he performed well down the stretch, particularly in the run game against Alabama.

“He’s built off that coming into the offseason. He needs to continue to gain weight, but his weight is in good shape right now. He’s carrying it well, he’s strong. He was the best one of any of those guys that self scouted himself last year and said this is what I have to work on and this is what I need to do. It’s paying off for him right now. The competition in that room is really pushing him and he has risen to that level. He’s not scared of that competition. I’m excited about where he is.”

On Eston (EJ) Harris…

“I threw him in there (Tuesday) with the ones and he did a good job. EJ is the most coachable guy on the offensive line. He craves that coaching, he wants to be really, really good. He’s doing a nice job.”

On Seth Wilfred…

“Seth Wilfred is doing a nice job. He’s young and inexperienced. I relate him to where Too Tall was last year, but he’s younger than Too Tall. Big body with some athletic body and some traits that I believe when we get more time underneath us, he’s going to shine on the offensive line.”

On Favour Edwin…

“Favour Edwin is doing a good job. When we took him, everybody labeled him as a project, which he is, but he’s of much further ahead than what I thought he would be. I’m really excited about the trajectory of him as well. I see him as a tackle, that’s what we’re going to develop him as. He’s shown real progress there.”

On Bradyn Joiner…

“Another guy that’s stepped up is Bradyn Joiner. Bradyn has done a really good job. He struggled last spring and he acknowledged he struggled. He knew what his downfalls were and attacked those. He’s doing a great job of competing right now. When someone goes down in the first or second group, Bradyn is sprinting in there to get reps. I know what guy wants to do it and I can work with that.”