Auburn is looking for some players to step up in Bryan Harsin’s first season in charge on the Plains.
After spring practice and the annual A-Day Game, USA TODAY Sports recognized two players who could take the leap for the Tigers this fall.
Emerging offensive player: Elijah Canion, sophomore wide receiver. Ja’Varrius Johnson was the talk of spring practice, but it was the 6-foot-4 Canion who shined with six catches for 51 yards and a touchdown on A-Day, building on his breakout three-catch, 80-yard, one-touchdown performance in January’s Citrus Bowl.
Emerging defensive player: Ladarius Tennison, sophomore safety. Tennison became a starter at nickelback late last season, moved to safety this spring and instantly became one of the players Auburn’s new coaching staff is the most excited about on defense. He has a great chance to start next to senior Smoke Monday.
Canion’s performance in the Citrus Bowl was certainly something that the Tigers can build on as he tries to fill the shoes of Seth Williams as Bo Nix’s go-to receiver.
Tennison is part of a loaded secondary that should be a strength of the Tigers this season. He finished last season with 21 total tackles (13 solo) and should be even more productive in 2021.