AUBURN NOTEBOOK: Franklin pleased with quarterbacks after first practice

It’s been almost exactly four months since Auburn wrapped up spring practice on April 2.

When it comes to the Tigers’ quarterback race, not much has changed.

Sophomore Kodi Burns and junior Chris Todd are still fighting for the top spot. The race is still too close to call.

With the first preseason practice officially in the books, the competition might be closer than ever.

“I thought they both performed well,” offensive coordinator Tony Franklin said. “They both led well.

“I was pleased with both of them. I thought they looked like guys who could win in this league.”

Both players threw 80-yard touchdown passes against the first-team defense during 11-on-11 drills Saturday.

“I’m throwing the ball fine, and I’ve just got to keep improving,” Burns said.

Todd looked comfortable after struggling with a sore shoulder throughout spring practice. He says he’s not yet 100 percent healthy, but he believes he’s close enough.

“For the first day, I was very pleased with it,” Todd said. “I thought I held up pretty well.”

Injury report
Defensive tackle Tez Doolittle practiced Saturday, less than a year after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon. The former Opelika star participated in position drills with the other defensive linemen, but was held out of team drills.

Tuberville said Doolittle is actually entirely recovered from the Achilles’ injury, but has strained his hamstring and could be slowed for a few days.

Sophomore Chaz Ramsey, who started 10 games at right guard as a true freshman last year, didn’t attend Saturday’s practice. Ramsey missed most of spring practice with a back injury and later underwent surgery.

Ramsey isn’t expected to return anytime soon. Tuberville said Ramsey “is going to be fine,” but when asked when he’d be back, responded, “the good Lord only knows that.”

Sophomore Byron Isom worked with the first team offensive line

Freshman defensive end Andre Wadley also wasn’t at practice Saturday. Wadley was hospitalized after collapsing at a team workout in July. Tuberville said the Hernando, Miss., native isn’t expected to be at practice in the next few weeks, but will be in school when classes begin Aug. 18.

Defensive end Antonio Coleman sat out of team drills with what Tuberville called a hamstring injury. Coleman missed all of spring practice after spraining his neck while being blocked by offensive tackle Lee Ziemba.

Freshman defensive back T’Sharvan Bell (ankle) and freshman walk-on wide receiver Justin Albert (knee surgery) spent most of Saturday’s practice on stationary bikes.

Freshman safety DeRon Furr was one of several defensive backs involved in a fight early in practice. Furr, a former quarterback, was helped from the field by trainers and did not return to the workout.

Tailback Mario Fannin participated in every drill, but wore a set of shoulder pads to protect his right shoulder. Fannin had surgery on the shoulder after dislocating it during spring practice. The rest of the team, in accordance with NCAA rules, worked out in helmets and shorts, without pads.

CB Williams back with team
Cornerback Ryan Williams practiced with the team Saturday. Academic troubles had Williams in Tuberville’s doghouse this summer; the sophomore spent most of June back home in Mobile.

But he is back on campus now, and Tuberville said he expects Williams to be academically eligible when the season begins.

With his grades apparently no longer a problem, Williams has to focus on his conditioning, according to Tuberville.

“He’s just not in great shape right now,” Tuberville said. “He hasn’t been here, so we’ve got to get him in better shape.”

An Auburn spokesman said Williams was off-limits to the media and couldn’t be interviewed after practice.

RB Hunt still awaiting word from NCAA
The final piece of Auburn’s 2008 signing class is still in limbo. Tailback Reggie Hunt is still in Mobile, waiting for word from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

The Clearinghouse, which approves the academic eligibility of incoming recruits, has been evaluating Hunt’s transcripts for weeks. Tuberville isn’t sure what is causing the delay.

“I haven’t heard anything,” he said. “They’re on vacation up at the NCAA.”

Hunt can still join AU if he receives approval from the Clearinghouse before the first week of classes. If he isn’t cleared, he will enroll in junior college.

cmickle@oanow.com | 737-2561