junior defensive backs ready to take the lead

[aubiefifty 18,231]

Auburn’s junior defensive backs ready to take the lead after loss of four starters

Updated Aug 20, 2020; Posted Aug 20, 2020

Smoke Monday (21) Auburn football practice in helmets on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU AthleticsTodd Van Emst/AU Athletics

 

 

By Giana Han

When Noah Igbinoghene declared for the draft, the only starter in the secondary who could return as a senior disappeared from the 2020 roster, leaving a quartet of rising juniors as the most experienced defensive backs on the team.

Luckily for Auburn, Jamien Sherwood, Roger McCreary, Christian Tutt and Smoke Monday each played in all 13 games of 2019 and have experience to draw on. They combined for 131 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions. Sherwood and Monday also played in all 13 games of their freshmen seasons, while McCreary gained seven games of experience and Tutt appeared in 11 games.

“We were put in the fire real fast,” Monday said. “So I feel like it’s better for us to be the leaders we are today and we can lead the defense in a really good way this year.”

 

With safeties Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas and cornerbacks Javaris Davis and Igbinoghene gone, Monday said he’s had to step up “in a big way.”

“I know a lot of the young guys are depending on me to be a leader and show them the way,” Monday said. Others are moving into those vacated leadership roles, too.

Sherwood is a lot quieter and doesn’t say much, Monday said, but he’s become a leader through his actions. Despite his lack of words, he has the ability to get the team’s energy up.