AUBURN, Ala. — For nine weeks last year, Auburn linebacker Jonathan Evans was largely irrelevant, a freshman deemed too inexperienced to be trusted in big-game situations.

The first-year linebacker got his chance by necessity — starter Eltoro Freeman hurt his foot — but he stepped up, making 12 tackles in the final two games and earning his first career start in the Iron Bowl.

“He knows how to get to the stadium now,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof joked. “I’m glad we busted him into Tiger Walk because I don’t think he knew how to get there last fall.”

Evans, a rising sophomore, has carried his progress to the spring, working with the first team on the strong side while the Auburn coaches tinker with their linebacker rotation.