The Auburn Tigers offense will look much different under new head coach Bryan Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. That being said, there are plenty of talented playmakers and scoring threats for the offensive brain trust to take advantage of this season. They are looking to improve on an offense that ranked ninth in the SEC in total offense, and struggled finding any kind of consistency.
Top Five Auburn Tigers: Offense
#5. Anders Carlson, Kicker
Typically, if a kicker is in a top five offensive players list it is not a good sign for the offense. That is not the case here. Anders Carlson is one of the very best kickers in all of college football and without question has one of the strongest legs in the nation. If the Tigers happen to pass midfield, they are in scoring range with Carlson. After some shaky performances in his first two seasons, Carlson was money in 2020. He made 20 of 22 field goal attempts and only missed one extra point out of 25. On kicks from 40-49 he was a perfect five for five and on 50 yards or more hit two of three.
#4. Demetris Robertson, Wide Receiver
Auburn lost 145 receptions, 1,755 yards, and ten touchdowns at the receiver position with exits of Seth Williams, Eli Stove, and Anthony Schwartz. That is 72% of Auburn’s passing yards in 2020. While Auburn had talent behind those three on the depth chart it was a big add getting Demetris Robertson on campus. Robertson played the last three seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs catching 42 passes for 443 yards and just three touchdowns. He started his college career at Cal where he totaled 50 receptions for 767 yards and seven touchdowns in his freshman season. The Georgia offense mostly was a running offense and being in a more wide-open attack could showcase his potential he displayed as a freshman.
#3. Bo Nix, Quarterback
Anytime Bo Nix lands in a top players list there is going to be a split among the Auburn faithful. Some believe he still has untapped potential and others believe he is a complete bust of a player. Despite some of the naysayers he is one of the best players on this Auburn team heading into the 2021 season. Nix can wow with both his arms and legs. In short, Nix is a playmaker. The key this season we be not being a playmaker for the opposition on occasion. Both Harsin and Bobo are looking for Nix to take that step he could not under Gus Malzahn, and if he does, he could become the top Auburn Tiger on offense.
#2. Shaun Shivers, Running Back
Shaun Shivers is one of the more physical runners in college football. One may not think that when seeing his measurables at 5-7 and 189 pounds, but he delivers just as much punishment as he gets. Just ask former Alabama defensive back Xavier McKinney. In his three seasons at Auburn, Shivers has run for 933 yards and seven touchdowns plus a 5.0 average. He will not be the starter or the focus of the Tigers offense, but this team’s success could depend on how Shivers performs in the new offense.
#1. Tank Bigsby, Running Back
Any doubt who would be number one? Tank Bigsby should be the focus of the Auburn offense and have a huge year. Auburn has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2017 when Kerryon Johnson was in the backfield. Bigsby won SEC Freshman of the Year after totaling 834 yards and six touchdowns last season. Those numbers are impressive since he was not putting up big numbers in his first few games. Tank totaled just 46 yards against Kentucky and Georgia to open the season. He also averaged six yards per carry and already has a reputation as one of the toughest backs to tackle. Bigsby will be on a lot of award watch lists heading into the season, and looks to lead the Tigers to many victories.
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