With only five weeks until their showdown with Baylor, the Auburn Tigers still have several key position battles to settle. A major focus is determining who will make up the offensive line protecting Cobb, who has extra motivation after being omitted from College Football Report’s top 30 running backs list for 2026.
The hope is to identify the starting five this week, and recent updates have already started to bring some clarity to the situation.
Auburn will have to wait on one of its promising young players, as Tai Buster may not return until midway through the season. Golesh indicated the underclassman “should be available halfway through the year,” meaning his debut could come around Week 7. This is a setback for Buster, who impressed during the spring and was in contention for a starting role.
The absence impacts his development, as valuable playing time will likely shift to upperclassmen such as Jacob Strand, though that situation is still unsettled.
“It’s unfortunate for him because he’s had an incredible summer and he’s working his tail off to get back,” Golesh said.
However, this doesn’t mean Tai’s opportunities are completely off the table. He could still see action when Auburn hosts LSU or travels to face Ole Miss later in the season. That potential return could provide a much-needed boost for a team likely to be tested during that stretch.
Some good news after the bad
Golesh was asked about Stanton’s health and what he can bring as Auburn continues sorting out its starting offensive line. He also shared insight into how Ramil’s offseason has progressed, saying:
“He’s had a really strong summer. What stands out about Stanton is how his confidence has grown as he’s settled into the locker room. You’re starting to see his leadership qualities come through, and it’s clear why he was a team captain as a sophomore at his previous school. That’s something we really need in that group—experience and leadership—and he’s done a great job providing both.”
That’s encouraging news for a unit that still lacks certainty along the offensive line. If Ramil can stay healthy and contribute, it would be a major boost for a team eager to silence its critics.
Golesh also provided more detail on Stanton’s recovery, saying:
“His versatility at tackle is going to be very important, and how we manage his workload will matter a lot. Missing spring changes things in terms of conditioning and reps. Even though he’s been around all summer, it’s about gradually working him back into full action. We have to be smart with him, especially early in camp, but it’s going to be big for his development.”
Golesh ultimately provided a straightforward update, saying, “he feels healthy and feels strong.”
Auburn will be hoping for continued positive updates on Stanton and other key players who are expected to play major roles in the team’s success this season.
