Auburn Football Spring Practice INTEL | Latest Update from Locked On Auburn's Zac Blackerby

In this episode of Crain & Cone, hosts David Cone and Blaine Crane dive into Auburn football's spring practice updates with special guest Zach Blackerby from Locked On Auburn. The conversation centers on the palpable shift in culture and leadership under new staff, particularly head coach Alex Golish and defensive coordinator Byron Brown, which fans are describing as a stark contrast to the recent years of underperformance. Blackerby emphasizes the heightened accountability, attention to detail, and a new winning mentality—evident in player quotes like 'We should be beating your ass by the fourth quarter'—that signals a cultural reset. The discussion then turns to key positional concerns, especially the lack of proven pass rush depth on the edge after losing several key players, though promising young talents like Jared Smith and Deshaun Womack are generating excitement. On offense, the focus is on quarterback Byron Brown’s unique, non-traditional throwing motion and his physical running style, with optimism that he can thrive in the SEC despite limited passing volume. The offensive line is heavily reliant on transfers, particularly from South Florida, and while depth is strong, consistency remains a question. The team’s early schedule, with multiple new quarterbacks across the SEC, creates a potential path to a 5-0 start, and the group debates whether Auburn can exceed the six-and-a-half-win over/under. Overall, the tone is cautiously optimistic, rooted in belief that culture change is the foundation for future success.