Gus Malzahn speaks

Todd Van Emst/Auburn U.

Hey everyone.

So Gus Malzahn stopped by earlier to speak about … stuff. And in some ways, it was a great little talk.

The most notable thing in my mind is that he acknowledged the existence of Russell Wilson, whose dalliance with Auburn was notable throughout June and into July. Surely that was an uncomfortable period for Barrett Trotter and Clint Moseley. They each have designs on being the starting quarterback this season, so Wilson could have become an unexpected roadblock.

Malzahn said he talked to the quarterbacks about Wilson. Malzahn’s stance, he said, is to recruit guys who can make the team better.

“Every year, we’re going to recruit the best players at every position to make our team the best it can be,” he said. “So I don’t think it would be an issue at any position.”

The offensive coordinator also identified Quan Bray as someone who may help provide depth at tailback this season. Bray is in a difficult spot for a few reasons: He’s a true freshman and his mother was murdered earlier this month.

Malzahn said it’s been a difficult time for Bray, but he nonetheless expects Bray to be ready for two-a-days.

“We’ve just been trying to comfort him as best we can, been praying for him,” Malzahn said. “I can’t imagine anyone going through that. It’s a tough deal. Football’s kind of his outlet, and he’s had a great attitude and kept working. He’s one of those guys we’re rooting for.”

Other items of interest:

• Malzahn said he still expects LaDarious Phillips, who was 290 pounds at last check, to fight for the top job at fullback: “I think he’s lost a little (weight). When you battle an injury, it’s tough sometimes for those big guys to cut weight. But you get out in the heat of two-a-days, that’ll probably help out.”

• Malzahn likes what he’s seen so far from freshman center Reese Dismukes: ““I think it’s challenging for any true freshman in this league, but he’s a talented young man. Him and Blake Burgess are in a very heated battle for that position. I’d say the positive is, with what we do, being a shotgun-oriented offense, the snaps are so critical running game-wise, timing-wise, passing game timing-wise. To have two of those guys compete for the job, that’s a good thing.”

• Malzahn remained non-committal on Kiehl Frazier’s role this season: “I’ll have to actually get out there and work with him in the fall. I’ve been recruiting him for a long time, you see him on film, he’s very talented, but actually working with a quarterback in that system with the plays they’re going to have, it’s just a matter of being able to see and get a feel for that.”

VIDEO EVIDENCE OF COMMENTARY