Nick Brahms injury: Auburn starting center out for year, ending football career
AUBURN — Auburn football will be without its sure-handed starting center in 2022. Sixth-year senior Nick Brahms is out for the season because of an accumulation of injuries, ending his college career.
He is "officially done with football," Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said Monday.
Junior Tate Johnson is expected to start the Tigers' season opener Saturday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+) against Mercer. Avery Jernigan, Jalil Irvin and Brandon Council have all taken practice reps at center also.
Brahms will continue to live in Auburn and be involved with the team as he works toward his dream career as a commercial airline pilot.
"Some of the greatest moments of my life have been on the field, and I will always cherish them But football has taken a toll on my body," he said in a message to fans posted on social media Monday night. "I have endured through pain, injuries and surgeries to be out there on Saturdays and play the game we all love. But I’ve reached a point where my injuries impact my level of play. Although I love football, my body simply cannot absorb the damage anymore.
"So it’s time for me to hang up my cleats and enjoy the next chapter of my life. Unfortunately, I’ll have to accept that I’ll be shaving of my beard for good in the near future – this will be a sad day.”
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Brahms took over the starting center job for five consecutive games in 2018 then won the job back the next season. He has started 33 games in his career but missed the Birmingham Bowl last season because of a knee procedure.
After the season, he announced his decision to return to college for his last season of eligibility.
"It's a bittersweet moment," Brahms said before Auburn's 2021 senior day. "I've been here for five years, and I love Auburn. And I love playing football here, and I love the coaches. I love my teammates. Really, what stands out the most is just everybody in the locker room and all the comradery we have. If I don't come back, then just losing that – staying in touch with my teammates and stuff – but losing that comradery is going to be kind of big.
"But that's what stands out the most. The guys in the locker room are great people, and I've created friendships that'll last a whole lifetime for me."
Brahms was among the Auburn players who spoke in support of Bryan Harsin during the university's inquiry into the coach's treatment of players and staff in February. Brahms publicly sought out an audience with the AU Board of Trustees and university president, saying, "I’m inviting you to speak with the player leaders on our team. Your decisions will impact us and this program for years to come. We have valuable insight as we spend every day with Coach Harsin and his staff. We love Auburn just like all of you do."
Brahms did not participate in Auburn's preseason scrimmages, but he stayed with the team and took on a pseudo-coaching role from the sidelines. Aside from Johnson, the rest of Auburn's starting offensive line has at least a year of starting experience. All five starters are upperclassmen, including three seniors.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football: center Nick Brahms injury is season ending
