Every year, programs must replace key players.
The next three weeks I’ll take a look at 13 SEC programs (Chip Towers and Seth Emerson have UGA covered) and a key player who must be replaced this season.
Austin Golson (at left) started at Ole Miss before transferring to Auburn. (AP photo)
Who replaces Reese Dismukes? Let's get this right.
A walk-on without a scholarship who sat out last season and just switched positions is in line to replace an All-American at center.
Yeah, that’s right.
To be fair, Austin Golson transferred from Ole Miss, where he played 12 games at guard in 2013 and was considered the starter at right tackle for the Rebels after spring 2014.
But the native of Prattville, Ala., walked on at Auburn to be closer to his grandparents and hadn’t been awarded a scholarship as of last month.
Golson had to sit out last year because of NCAA transfer rules and then moved to center in December.
Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes has said Golson, who is 6-5, 310 pounds, has NFL potential.
Golson is competing with Xavier Dampeer.
