A matter of trust: Auburn specialists share bond on, off field

AUBURN, Ala. – It’s a matter of trust.

To perfect the precision needed to properly snap, hold and kick requires hundreds of hours of practice, but beyond the mechanics of doing it over and over – until you can’t get it wrong – it all comes down to trust.

“I think it’s the bond,” said Anders Carlson, who ranks second in Auburn history with 72 field goals and third with 164 extra points. “The connection off the field, hanging out and growing together. I think that’s what makes a great team, having a tight-knit group.”

Long snapper Jacob Quattlebaum snaps to holder Oscar Chapman, who positions the ball, laces facing the goalpost, for Carlson to kick. The entire operation takes a tidy 1.3 seconds.

“It all comes back to having confidence in not just yourself and your abilities, but the guys you’re working with,” Quattlebaum said. “We’re very close in and out of the locker room, and on and off the field.”

The specialists get together each week for dinner after repeatedly refining their individual skills during practice.

“This year? Thousands of times,” Quattlebaum said. “Oscar and I will go over to the side. Reps with Anders? Probably a couple hundred live reps. When you have a two-hour practice and defense and offense are working on schemes, I’m fine turning those small things with Oscar.”

THE KICKER

Younger Auburn fans likely can’t recall watching an Auburn kicker not named Carlson. For nine seasons (2014-22), Daniel and Anders Carlson have skillfully handled Auburn’s placekicking duties, rewriting the record book in the process.

“A lot of discipline,” Anders said. “I’m just here to help the team the best way I can and put points on the board when my name is called. My brother had an incredible career here and it’s fun to chase that but I’m here to win the next field goal.”

With each passing week, Carlson, a 2020 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, receives recognition for his academic accomplishments, community service and kicking exploits.

Carlson was recently named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented annually by the National Football Foundation to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.

A week before, he was named to the 2022 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team for his community contributions including mentoring high schoolers and fundraising for pediatric cancer patients.

“It’s a huge honor,” Carlson said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to be here. I can’t credit the people here at Auburn enough for that.”

Carlson came back for a fifth season after injuring his knee vs. Mississippi State in 2021. With 380 career points, only his brother Daniel (480) ranks ahead of Anders on Auburn’s all-time list. 

THE PUNTER/HOLDER

In addition to holding for Carlson on field goals and PATs, Chapman handles Auburn’s punting duties, ranking No. 6 in the NCAA and first in the SEC in net punting with 44.11 yards through five games.

Chapman ranked No. 2 in the SEC last season averaging 44.1 yards per punt after arriving on the Plains from Australia before preseason camp in 2020.

“When I first got here, I didn’t really understand anything,” Chapman said. “Sitting back watching and learning.”

Auburn’s 20 percent stadium capacity in 2020 still represented the largest attendance Chapman had competed in front of while playing Australian football. Then came last season, featuring a road trip to Penn State and the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium.  

“This is the peak of everything,” Chapman said. “This is insane. I was so happy to be here.”

As punters from Australia have excelled in college football in recent years, Chapman decided to try to follow their path, despite his limited knowledge of American football.

“Living with teammates and watching football all the time,” Chapman said. “Teach me everything I can learn. I know it better now. Didn’t really know much when I first got here. I miss the physicality of Australian football, running around catching balls, kicking balls and tackling, doing everything.”

Traveling nearly 10,000 miles from Australia to Auburn also meant adapting to a new diet, including plentiful barbecue options.

“You guys have briskets and pulled pork, all these meats I love,” he said. “Green beans or collard greens, that’s on every meal that I’ve ever eaten here. I didn’t know what this is but I guess I’ll eat it.”

THE SNAPPER

Jacob Quattlebaum was in middle school in Enterprise, Alabama, when he began long snapping, attending camps in the summer to hasten his development.

“It kind of took off from there,” said Quattlebaum, who snapped for his high school’s varsity team beginning in ninth grade.

Quattlebaum declined a scholarship offer from an American Conference School to walk on at Auburn.

“Auburn was always a dream of mine to play here,” he said. “Once Auburn offered a preferred walk-on spot, I couldn’t turn it down. Once I got here I knew it was something I wanted to run with.”

Last season before the Tigers traveled to Penn State, Auburn coach Bryan Harsin awarded Quattlebaum a scholarship, renewing the offer again this season.

“It’s an honor,” Quattlebaum said. “If I do decide to come back, hopefully we can make it a third year.”

Quattlebaum graduated in electric engineering from Auburn University’s Ginn College of Engineering in May. He’s on track to complete his MBA in December of 2023.

While firing 14-yard fastballs aimed at Chapman’s right hip in seven-tenths of a second for punts, and 7-yard lasers using a different grip for kicks, Quattlebaum made time to lead, serving as president of Auburn’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

“Working on Auburn Athletics as a whole so that student-athletes have the best experience,” he said. “I love Auburn. I wouldn’t trade anything that I’ve done here, very blessed to be here, and I love the Auburn family.”

Whether they traveled two hours from Enterprise like Quattlebaum or across the country from Colorado like Carlson or halfway around the world like Chapman, they’ve all found a home on the Plains.

When it comes to Auburn’s specialists, it’s all about the bond.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer