AU FOOTBALL: Fannin plays many roles for Tigers

Mario Fannin met his new coaches with a few added pounds and a bulked-up upper body.

Gus Malzahn took it as an indication that Fannin needed a new position — his third since arriving at Auburn and fifth of his career.

“I kind of bulked up on my own,” Fannin said. “That’s one thing coaches took into consideration because they saw I wanted, as far as a personal preference, to get bigger and at the same time be fast.”

Fannin has been moved to H-back this spring — the most versatile role in an offense that centers on versatility.

It’s right up Fannin’s alley, coaches say. The past two years have proven that.

“He’s got running back skills, he’s got receiver skills, and we’re asking him to do some blocking, too,” Malzahn said. “I think he’s one of the guys that provides us a lot of versatility to do a lot of different things.”

At this point last year, Fannin was also learning a new position.

Former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin saw his sophomore back’s versatility and tried him out at wide receiver. When Fannin hurt his shoulder in the spring’s first scrimmage, Fannin’s days at running back appeared numbered, as he started the 2008 season as a full-time
receiver.

But when Franklin was fired and Auburn reverted back to a more traditional offense, Fannin began lining up in the backfield again. In
Auburn’s November game against Georgia, Fannin had two highlight-reel touchdown runs, and appeared destined to challenge Ben Tate and anyone else for the 2009 starting tailback role.

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

Perhaps it was Fannin’s penchant for getting buff, or maybe Malzahn had his mind set on Fannin being the H-back all along, but it doesn’t appear Fannin will fill that traditional role the rest of his Auburn career.

Not yet, at least.

While Fannin is working exclusively with tight ends coach Jay Boulware and the rest of the H-back candidates for now, the plan is to get Fannin involved with the running backs at some point before spring practice ends.

“Mario’s going to play every position,” running backs coach Curtis Luper said.

“He’ll play running back, he’ll play slot receiver, you’ll see him everywhere.”

Luper said Fannin would carry the ball in Saturday’s scrimmage. But he still has to get a full grasp on this H-back business.

In a drill Sunday, Boulware had Fannin weave in between goalpost pads in a squatted position and only using tiny, 5-inch steps. Boulware stopped Fannin midway through the drill to explain the importance of keeping one’s back straight and feet equally set apart at the new position.

“I’m still working on it as far as blocking scheme goes,” Fannin said. “That’s something that I’m trying to work on, just trying to learn how to fit and block a D-end and things of that nature.”

The ball, coaches promise, will still be in Fannin’s hands plenty of times.

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.”

Though it’s not exactly what he came to Auburn for, Fannin, a high-school quarterback, running back, tight end and wide receiver, is OK with adding another place of occupation to his resume.

By now, it’s routine.

“It’s kind of like a bittersweet thing,” Fannin said. “It’s kind of sad not getting looks at one position rather than another one, but at the same time it’s worth it.”

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