Cole Best Gives Auburn Football a Major Advantage on Offensive Line

As the Auburn Tigers continue through the opening days of fall camp, there is still plenty to figure out along the offensive line.

However, one position that doesn't have nearly as many questions, if any, is center.

Cole Best followed Alex Golesh from South Florida this offseason and has quickly become one of the most important pieces of Auburn's new-look offensive line. While plenty of attention will be on the battles at offensive tackle, Best gives the Tigers an experienced player in the middle who already knows exactly how this offense is supposed to operate.

That's something starting quarterback Byrum Brown certainly appreciates.

"It's phenomenal," Brown said about having Best at center. "I call him Cap. I mean, he takes care of everything left, right, got the guys on one accord."

Having the first player that touched the ball on every offensive snap be familiar with the new offensive scheme is very important, considering how quickly Auburn wants to play this year under Alex Golesh. 

Brown said earlier this week that players need to know the offense "like the back of your hand" because of the tempo. Best has already spent multiple seasons operating inside Golesh's system, meaning Auburn has someone at center who can help make sure everyone else is lined up, communicating and ready to go.

And Best is already seeing growth around him.

After Auburn's first practice of fall camp, the veteran center said the offensive line initially needed some time to adjust to practicing in the summer heat before finding its rhythm.

"Once we kind of got that second wind, everyone kind of took a deep breath and settled in," Best said. "I thought, man, like the detail was where it needed to be."

That word continues to show up around Auburn.

Detail.

And while Golesh is working tirelessly to set the standard with his new roster here at Auburn, the veteran players that followed him, like Best and Brown, are helping refine the skills to make sure they're ready to compete at a high level immediately. Starting week one against the Baylor Bears 

Best also pointed toward the growth of several players around him, including Cole Skinner, Deryc Plazz, Jack Leyrer and Kenneth McManus. More importantly, he believes the entire group is bought into what Auburn is trying to build.

There are still plenty of questions to answer before week one, and Auburn needs to determine its best combination at offensive tackle and continue developing depth throughout the month.

But having the middle of the offensive line be an anchor for the brand new looking position group is huge. Having Best at center gives Brown someone he already trusts and gives the rest of Auburn's offensive line someone who understands exactly what Golesh expects.

With the type of offense Golesh plans to bring to Auburn, one that was successful while he was an offensive coordinator inside the conference at Tennessee, the familiarity of some of the key players and some of the weapons that are already on this offense, if the offensive line can do their job effectively, Auburn will have one of the most dangerous offenses in the country.