What we know, don’t know about linebackers

[aubiefifty 18,231]

montgomeryadvertiser.com

Summer School: What we know, don’t know about Auburn’s linebackers

Josh Vitale, Montgomery Advertiser Published 7:00 a.m. CT June 16, 2020

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EDITOR’S NOTE:This is the seventh in a nine-part series breaking down Auburn’s 2020 roster position by position now that the team has resumed workouts for a potentially pandemic-affected college football season.

AUBURN — At this time last year, linebacker was the least experienced position group on Auburn’s defense.

The defensive line returned Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson. The secondary returned Noah Igbinoghene, Javaris Davis, Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas. The linebacking corps, however, had lost its top three players from the 2018 season — Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams and Montavious Atkinson, who combined to total 85.2% of the tackles made by that position.

Today, though, the exact opposite is the case. There may not be a position group anywhere on the entire roster, not just the defense, that is as deep and as experienced as coach Travis Williams’ linebackers.

Here’s what we know and don’t know about that group going into the 2020 season:

The lineup

K.J. Britt (Sr.), Chandler Wooten (Sr.), Zakoby McClain (Jr.), Josh Marsh (So.), Owen Pappoe (So.), O.C. Brothers (R-Fr.), Kameron Brown (R-Fr.), Cam Riley (Fr.), Wesley Steiner (Fr.), Desmond Tisdol (Fr.)

What we know

What we know is that Auburn is absolutely loaded at linebacker. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s defense typically calls for only two to be on the field at a time in his base nickel package, Mike (inside) and Money (outside), and the top two players at both positions are back this season.

Britt and Wooten will again man the middle after picking up right where Davis left off as an emotional and vocal leader of the Tigers’ defense last season. The former finished third on the team with 69 tackles to go along with 10 tackles for loss, 2 ½ sacks and a forced fumble during an All-SEC junior season and is regarded as one of the top NFL Draft-eligible inside linebackers going into his senior season. The latter totaled 27 tackles, 4 ½ tackles for loss and an interception last year.

MORE: How Travis Williams got Auburn’s linebackers back to an All-SEC level, and why they’re poised to stay

Pappoe and McClain will again man the outside. The former wasn’t named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, but certainly made a strong case after totaling 49 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble as a five-star rookie. And the latter might have been even better, ranking just behind Britt with 55 tackles to go along with 5 ½ tackles for loss and a 100-yard interception return against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

In fact, Pro Football Focus graded McClain as the second highest-rated outside linebacker in the SEC last season. Britt ranked first on the inside, with a 91.1 grade against the run. Auburn’s defense, as a whole, ranked 25th nationally surrendering only 3.5 yards per carry in 2019.

MORE: Auburn linebacker, leader K.J. Britt puts football and coronavirus in perspective

“I believe we're the best linebacker crew in the nation because we're all good,” McClain said in December. “We all make plays."

And Williams continues to recruit a tremendous amount of talent at the position — Steiner is the No. 7-ranked inside linebacker and a top-100 recruit in the 2020 class, and Tisdol and Riley were also four-star recruits ranked top-20 at their respective positions.

“They are all unique in their own way,” Wooten said. “Wesley is strong and extremely smart. Desmond is athletic. Cam is athletic. I’m excited to see how all three of those fit in especially now that we’re in the challenge of this pandemic. It’s going to be interesting how they pick up scheme and stuff like that, but I don’t have any worries. They’re going to fit in just fine.”

What we don’t know

There really isn’t much that we don’t know in regards to the 2020 season specifically. But here’s one: We don’t know what Pappoe’s ceiling is.

We know it’s high, of course. The Loganville, Georgia, native was the No. 25 prospect nationally and No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2019 class. He’s the 10th highest-rated recruit and second highest-rated linebacker in program history. He started all 13 games as a true freshman and ranked sixth on the team in tackles.

MORE: ‘Freak’ Auburn LB Owen Pappoe’s standout freshman season isn't surprising to anyone who knows him

“He's even better than we thought, recruiting,” Williams said last year. “Like, he’s just above his years on his focus. You don't get a lot of kids come in and just be focused. And all freshmen, they’re going to hit a wall at some point. And now you’ve got to get them over that hump. But he’s so focused and locked in, it's like he's been here.”

Imagine what he might be able to do as a sophomore with a year in the weight room — strength and conditioning coach Ryan Russell said he had the body makeup of an Olympic weightlifter — and of on-field experience under his belt. Or a junior, after Britt and Wooten have graduated and he’s the face of the position.

“He’s a physical guy in the box, but he’s also very fluid in space, quick, had good instincts, feels concepts, understands concepts, knows where the stress point in the defense is. I mean, he’s a smart guy but he also has the tools,” Steele said.

“I’d say surprising, but I’ve done it a long time. I’ve seen it before. Ironically, most of those guys that did that went on to become first-round draft picks. I’m not saying that’s what he is, but I have seen it before in terms of guys who just their freshman year they walked out on the field and they ran the show. It’s just a personality trait — confidence, just the understanding of the game, advanced understanding for their age of the game, and relentless work ethic.”

Breakout candidate

Steiner. There probably won’t be much room for younger players to contribute at a position where Britt, Wooten, Pappoe and McClain will surely dominate snaps, but if there is one who could make his presence felt as a true freshmen, it is probably Steiner. The 6-foot, 226-pound Warner Robins, Georgia, product recorded 81 tackles and six tackles for loss as a senior at Houston County High and put up the top SPARQ score in the country at The Opening. At the very least, he should be an immediate contributor on special teams. “Really think he's got a chance to be an outstanding player,” head coach Gus Malzahn said.

They said it

“We are the most experienced group, but as a linebacker in our defense, you got to set everybody, make the calls, so that's our natural job description anyway. Definitely, you know, when we get back want to be leaders, but also right now be leaders right now too because you have your leaders off the field as well. That'll definitely be a part of it." — Wooten

[McLoofus 35,182]

2 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

What we know is that Auburn is absolutely loaded at linebacker. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele’s defense typically calls for only two to be on the field at a time in his base nickel package, Mike (inside) and Money (outside), and the top two players at both positions are back this season.

Huh.

So excited about this group. Britt could be the best we've had since Bynes. Love to see the optimism for Steiner, as he's a future man crush for me. (I don't officially crush on rookies.) I've been excited about his athleticism since we recruited him but I'm even more excited now for the kind of person and teammate he might be. Pappoe is a sleeping giant, but he's already brought another dimension on blitzes. McClain will bring that thump that Davis had from the outside. Scary stuff. Love it love it love it. 

[gravejd 3,304]

If our DL can give the LBs some space then this will be a fun year to watch these guys play. I love the talent and experience we are returning at this position. Britt, Wooten, McClain, and Pappoe are all extremely talented players with lots of experience. I do wonder what the rotation will be. Britt is a straight up thumper in the middle. But i have thought as the other 3 as more outside guys. Wonder who will be the second in line in the middle? I know Pappoe played the middle by himself when we went nickel so maybe he would be the guy?