linebacker camp preview: The contenders

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2020 Auburn linebacker football camp preview: The contenders

ByJason Caldwell

6-8 minutes

AUBURN, Alabama--We continue our look at the 2020 Auburn football Tigers with a breakdown of the linebacker position for Coach Travis Williams. With the recent announcement that senior Chandler Wooten has decided to opt out of the season to take a redshirt in return in 2021, the Tigers will be looking for someone to step up and complement the trio of K.J. Britt, ZaKoby McClain and Owen Pappoe in Auburn’s system.

The good news is that there are plenty of options for Williams and Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to work with. Let’s take a look at Auburn’s linebacker group heading into fall camp for the 2020 season:

K.J. Britt, 6-0, 243—One of the unquestioned leaders on the Auburn defense heading into the 2020 season, Britt is coming off an All-SEC season in 2019 when he finished third on the team with 69 tackles and was second with 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Nicknamed “downhill” for his style of play, Britt is an old school linebacker who plays the game the right way. Packing a punch between the tackles, Britt gives the Tigers the ultimate run stopper in the middle of the defense, but he is also explosive enough to make plays from sideline to sideline.

O.C. Brothers, 6-1, 236—A player who was athletic enough to line up at wide receiver during his playing days at Rockledge High School in Florida, Brothers is coming off a redshirt season that saw him have shoulder surgery to clean up some issues he arrived with last year. Now healthy and ready to go, Brothers brings a whole lot to the table because of his combination of size and speed. That could make him a good fit for Auburn’s defense and give him a shot to work into the playing rotation this season.

Kameron Brown, 6-0, 237—Another player coming off a redshirt season, the younger brother of departed All-American and first round NFL Draft choice Derrick Brown is looking to leave his own legacy with the Tigers. One of the most productive players in Georgia as a senior, he finished with 187 total tackles for Lanier High. Similar to Britt, Brown is a player that is more of a classic inside linebacker and his ability to get guys on the ground can’t be overlooked as he gets ready for his first shot at playing time.

Junior linebacker K.J. Britt (33) celebrates after a tackle in the second half vs. Alabama. (Photo: Adam Sparks / Inside the Auburn Tigers, 247Sports)

Tanner Dean, 6-3, 217—While he may not make a run at getting into the playing rotation for the Tigers, there is a reason why Dean is the only walk-on to make the list and it is because of his play on special teams. The former Mountain Brook High standout has shown that he is a playmaker and has the athletic ability to do big things in the kicking game already. Because of that Dean should be a valuable contributor for the Tigers in 2020, even if he never lines up on defense with a game on the line.

Josh Marsh, 6-2, 219—Another extremely productive high school player, Marsh was a one-man wrecking crew at Decatur High School during his playing days there. Finishing his senior year in the Top 10 in Alabama High School Athletic Associaiton history in single season and career tackles, Marsh missed his first spring with a knee injury after enrolling early, but he has two years of learning the defense under his belt. One of the fastest linebackers on the team, Marsh has a real shot at getting into the rotation this season.

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ZaKoby McClain, 6-0, 211—Speaking of speed, McClain has it to burn. Now wearing No. 9 for the Tigers, he will look more like a safety but he plays much, much bigger than his size would let you believe. In his first extended action, the Valdosta, Georgia native was fourth on the team with 55 tackles and also had a 100-plus yard interception return for a touchdown in the win over Alabama. With a full year of experience under his belt, McClain should only continue to improve his play for the Tigers.

ZaKoby McClain goes for six in the Iron Bowl. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Inside The Auburn Tigers, 247Sports)

Owen Pappoe, 6-1, 222—If you went into a lab and tried to create a prototypical college linebacker for the 2020 season, Pappoe would be what that would look like. At 222 pounds, Pappoe has the size to take on running backs in the hole, but with his speed he is able to make plays all over the field. Athletic enough that he played more of a nickel position as a senior at powerhouse Grayson (Georgia) High School, Pappoe gives the Tigers the option to move him all over the field. Don’t be surprised if that means more blitzing this season in year two, something he does very well.

Cameron Riley, 6-4, 209—Coming from Hillcrest High School in Evergreen, located between Montgomery and Mobile, Riley is another player who has all the tools to become a big-time player for the Tigers. While he willneed to continue to get bigger and stronger, he may remind Auburn fans of a young Karlos Dansby because of his ability to make plays at every level of the field. Lining up at safety, linebacker and even rushing the passer some in high school, Riley could easily play at 235-240 by the time he’s done at Auburn.

Wesley Steiner, 6-0, 227—While Riley likely needs time to get bigger and stronger, that is not the case for his classmate from Warner Robins, Georgia. One of the strongest players in the Peach State for the 2020 signee class, Steiner was a two-time state champion in the discus and also lettered in wrestling and basketball. Also with very good speed, Steiner is one of the guys who has a chance to make an early impact on defense for the Tigers because of his skill set.

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That is a ludicrously talented position group.