Hand 'very pleased' with Dampeer
Xavier Dampeer has impressed his coaches and teammates this spring as he competes for the starting center position.
AUBURN | Xavier Dampeer’s decision to return for a fifth season is paying off in a big way this spring.
With Austin Golson’s move to left tackle looking more likely to be permanent, Dampeer is on track to lock up a spot as Auburn’s first-team center.
“Dampeer is playing at a pretty good level at center right now,” Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand said. “He's another guy that I've been very, very pleased with.”
Dampeer, who earned a degree in public administration in December, played in just one game last season. He missed the final two months of the season and bowl practice after breaking his jaw during an altercation with former wide receiver D’haquille Williams in October.
Dampeer's return from his injury along with his play and attitude this spring has earned the respect of his teammates.
“Xavier has stepped up,” junior left guard Alex Kozan said. “He’s really battled, especially after his misfortune last year. I think the positive attitude he has had has been really great to see, and I’m glad it’s finally paying off for him. He’s doing a great job for us at center. He’s really stepped up.”
Dampeer is still building up experience playing center. He signed with Auburn in 2014 out of Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He played defensive line his first year at Co-Lin before switching to center as a sophomore.
He has played very limited snaps in six games at Auburn over the past two years.
“For Xavier, he’s pretty strong and he’s pretty fast,” Kozan said. “But for him, it’s kind of been on the mental side; he’s really come along mentally as a player, really gotten his calls down, done a good job of helping direct the unit, so that’s where I’d say I’ve seen the biggest improvement.”