But as player after player went down with an injury at his position — defensive end — the Oklahoma freshman knew he might be called upon to come out of redshirt in 2005.
Two years later he doesn't have much to show for it. Three games played, no tackles.
Still, he's in position to be a starter, and possibly the Sooners' best option at defensive end as a sophomore, despite playing behind a pair of seniors last spring.
Alonzo Dotson and John Williams seemed to be the obvious starters, but defensive coordinator Brent Venables made it clear at Friday's media day that's not the case.
"We've preached to them, like we have every guy, that it's not an inherited position just because the other guy left and you're the next guy on the depth chart,” said Venables, who called English a starter "on paper,” and added freshman Jeremy Beal as a candidate for significant playing time.
In 2005, injuries necessitated English pulling off his redshirt, but last season, with Larry Birdine, C.J. Ah You and Calvin Thibodeaux all in their senior seasons, the opportunity was minimal for English to see the field.
"I knew the situation when they had to burn my redshirt as a freshman,” English said. "I knew we weren't really ready for me, but I had to step in and play a little bit here and there. When it came around, I knew we'd have those seniors back the next year and I'd have a good possibility of redshirting.”
So he did, saving a year of eligibility and doing all the other things you're supposed to do when you redshirt — get bigger, better, faster, smarter.
"Auston, last fall camp, was playing better and more consistently, and making more plays than any of the defensive ends,” Venables said. "We were fortunate to be able to redshirt Auston.”
Now, they're just fortunate to have him at the position that's possibly the biggest question entering fall practice.
"I think Auston English has a chance to have a great year for us,” head coach Bob Stoops said. "He has played well since he's been here. He looks to be in great shape. He ran the best of anybody. Heck, he played for us as a true freshman. That says a lot.”
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