Evan Woodbery

Auburn opened preseason camp well below the 85-man NCAA

scholarship limit, which was good news for three walk-ons.

Long-snapper Josh Harris, linebacker Wade Christopher and defensive back Woody Parramore were awarded scholarships at a team meeting Monday night.

"It was a great thing to see and they earned it," coach Gene Chizik said.

Todd Van Emst, AuburnWade Christopher

All three players are contributors on special teams. Injuries forced Christopher into the two-deep last year.

ZAC OUT: Senior safety Zac Etheridge did not participate in Tuesday's scrimmage. He has not participated in a full-contact practice at any time this camp.

Etheridge, who suffered a serious neck injury last season, announced last month that he had been cleared to return to football. Chizik said he is merely following the advice of Auburn's medical staff.

"I just simply follow medically whatever the situation is right now," Chizik said. "And when we get to that point, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. But right now, medically, we're following the instructions of our staff. They're on top of it."

BERRY BACK: Starting offensive guard Mike Berry said he missed spring practice due to shoulder surgery, not knee surgery, as was reported at the time.

Berry said he played through pain at the end of last season.

"I knew I was going to have to sit out the spring, but it was for the best," Berry said.

BRIEFLY: Seniors Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens are among 51 players on the watch list for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation's top linebacker. ... Defensive coordinator Ted Roof spoke at length with former Auburn coach Pat Dye after the scrimmage.

Related topics: Auburn football, Josh Harris, Wade Christopher, Woody Parramore