Hubbs
08-08-2007, 05:53 PM
True freshman Lee Ziemba was to go into Wednesday's practice as Auburn's No. 1 right tackle.
So said offensive line coach Hugh Nall.
"I'm going to put him with the first team and see how he performs getting more reps," Nall said as he finished off lunch in his office. "Even though he made some mistakes yesterday, the mistakes he made were very correctable mistakes. He showed he could get the job done. He certainly has the talent to get it done, so I want to see him get more reps with the first team."
Ziemba, listed at 6-foot-7 and 297 pounds was regarded as one of the nation's top offensive line prospects as a high school senior in Rogers, Ark. The son of Auburn graduates, he signed with the Tigers and reported to campus in June.
Nall has started three true freshmen on the offensive line in his previous eight Auburn seasons - Marcus McNeil and Troy Reddick in 2002 and Danny Lindsay in 2001.
"I've been real fortunate," Nall said. "I've coached some good guys. I've had very few start for me in a 24-year coaching career as freshmen. Lee Ziemba has a chance to do that."
Ziemba, Nall said, has the talent and temperament to be a great one before his Auburn career is over.
"Lee Ziemba is a very talented young man," Nall said. "He's a good kid, a yes-sir no-sir guy. He comes from a good family and he's aggressive. He has a chance to be special."
Sophomore Andrew McCain, who was No. 1 after spring practice, was No. 2 going into Wednesday's practice. Sophomore Oscar Gonzalez was No. 3.
Ziemba isn't the only young offensive lineman who was to get an opportunity with the first team Wednesday.
Nall said redshirt freshman Mike Berry would share first-team snaps with senior Leon Hart at right guard and Byron Isom, another redshirt freshman, would share snaps with junior Tyronne Green at left guard.
"I'm still trying to find the best five," Nall said.
So said offensive line coach Hugh Nall.
"I'm going to put him with the first team and see how he performs getting more reps," Nall said as he finished off lunch in his office. "Even though he made some mistakes yesterday, the mistakes he made were very correctable mistakes. He showed he could get the job done. He certainly has the talent to get it done, so I want to see him get more reps with the first team."
Ziemba, listed at 6-foot-7 and 297 pounds was regarded as one of the nation's top offensive line prospects as a high school senior in Rogers, Ark. The son of Auburn graduates, he signed with the Tigers and reported to campus in June.
Nall has started three true freshmen on the offensive line in his previous eight Auburn seasons - Marcus McNeil and Troy Reddick in 2002 and Danny Lindsay in 2001.
"I've been real fortunate," Nall said. "I've coached some good guys. I've had very few start for me in a 24-year coaching career as freshmen. Lee Ziemba has a chance to do that."
Ziemba, Nall said, has the talent and temperament to be a great one before his Auburn career is over.
"Lee Ziemba is a very talented young man," Nall said. "He's a good kid, a yes-sir no-sir guy. He comes from a good family and he's aggressive. He has a chance to be special."
Sophomore Andrew McCain, who was No. 1 after spring practice, was No. 2 going into Wednesday's practice. Sophomore Oscar Gonzalez was No. 3.
Ziemba isn't the only young offensive lineman who was to get an opportunity with the first team Wednesday.
Nall said redshirt freshman Mike Berry would share first-team snaps with senior Leon Hart at right guard and Byron Isom, another redshirt freshman, would share snaps with junior Tyronne Green at left guard.
"I'm still trying to find the best five," Nall said.