AU FOOTBALL 12 TO 1: How will Tigers incorporate Fannin?

Editor’s Note: As a daily running feature, Auburn beat reporter Andrew Gribble will pose a question surrounding the Auburn football team as it heads into fall practice, which kicks off Wednesday. He’ll do the best he can to predict an outcome, though he does not vouch for his accuracy.

8. What will Mario Fannin’s role be in Gus Malzahn’s offense?

For what Mario Fannin lacked in eye-popping statistics last season, he made up for in mouth-watering potential.

Any fan who caught Fannin’s performance in last season’s game against Georgia can attest to that.

Fannin finished that game with 107 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, with both of them coming on highlight-reel plays.

His 52-yard touchdown reception included a tippy-toe dance down the right sideline before he cut across the field and leapt into the left corner of the end zone. He used his strength on a 35-yard touchdown run, breaking multiple tackles at the line of scrimmage before darting down the middle of the field.

It provided a brief showcase of Fannin’s No. 1 strength: versatility. Though it may also be his biggest enemy.

Fannin, who played four positions in high school, was a running back his entire freshman season at Auburn. He was moved to wide receiver at the start of last season, largely as a means to take the burden off his ailing shoulder. That experiment came to a halt when offensive coordinator Tony Franklin was fired, moving Fannin back to backfield.

Now in his junior season and under his fourth offensive coordinator, Fannin could be found anywhere when the season kicks off.

Fannin, when he wasn’t battling a minor ankle injury, spent the bulk of his time this spring with tight ends coach Jay Boulware and the H-backs. It’s a position new to Auburn fans, but it promises to be the most versatile role in an offense built around versatility.

Fannin, who has beefed up considerably, will be expected to block some, catch some passes and take a few handoffs. And if Gus Malzahn’s track record stays constant, Fannin will become more of a presence on the stat sheet.

In Malzahn’s offense last season, Tulsa H-back Brennan Marion led the Golden Hurricane with 43 catches for 1,112 yards — the only Tulsa receiver to crack four digits.

“That’s what we’re looking for from Mario,” Boulware said. “We’re looking for that type of productivity.”

It seems like almost too perfect of a fit, especially considering that Fannin has said all the right things about his third position switch in three years.

But there’s still an every-down tailback inside of Fannin.

“That’s something I came here for,” Fannin said this spring.

And that hasn’t gone unnoticed by Auburn’s coaches, either.

Running backs coach Curtis Luper promised all spring that Fannin would get some work with the running backs, though it’s unclear just how much time it was because of his injury. With all indications pointing toward Ben Tate becoming Auburn’s every-down tailback, Fannin could face an uphill battle if he wants one more shot at the job he came to Auburn for.

Plus, he just fits that H-back mold so darn well.

“Mario’s going to play every position,” Luper said. “You’ll see him everywhere.”

Andrew Gribble covers Auburn University sports for the Opelika-Auburn News. He can be reached at 737-2561 or .