Ranking Auburn's top 50 players: 45-41

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Ranking Auburn's top 50 players: 45-41

JD McCarthy

5-6 minutes

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Ahead of 2021, Auburn Wire is ranking the top 50 players on Auburn’s roster

This list attempts to include past production and their assumed production in 2021. It is not a ranking of the 50 best players in order. If a freshman or newcomer is higher than a returning player his ranking is based more on the projection of his abilities and importance to that position group. 

The first group is players was 50-46.

Let’s look at the players that came in at 45-41. 

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Riley may be behind Owen Pappoe and Zakoby McClain on the depth chart, but he looks like the future at the linebacker position. However, that does not mean he won’t have an important role as he appeared in all 11 games as a true freshman and will be competing for the fourth linebacker spot behind the veterans Pappoe, McClain and Chandler Wooten. 

Riley has an athletic and lengthy frame at 6-feet-5 inches and is up to 219-pounds and he will look to continue to bulk up to better handle the duties of playing inside linebacker. 

He may technically be further down on the depth chart due to the return of Wooten but expect Riley to have an increased role as he and fellow sophomore Wesley Steiner compete for the fourth linebacker spot. 

Jake Crandall-USA Today Sports

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Pegues has made the move from tight end to defensive tackle, and we have likely seen the last of a 300-pound man spinning and hurdling over a defender for a big gain. 

The move may have taken those fun moments from us, but it has the potential to be a great change for his career. He certainly has the quickness, strength, and overall athleticism to play the position he just needs to learn the techniques and fundamentals that are so important to success. 

The injury of Jeremiah Wright has created an opening at defensive tackle for the beginning of the season and while he has far less experience than players like Tyrone Truesdell, Tony Fair, Lee Hunter, Marquis Burks and Dre Butler it seems foolish to doubt a player with his athleticism who is a proven playmaker, even if it was on the other side of the ball.

Jake Crandall-USA Today Sports

Johnson has increased his role each season at Auburn and that trend should continue in 2021. The junior appeared in all 11 games last season and has a path to an even bigger role this season. He started the A-Day game and with the departure of Jaren Handy he is behind just Derek Hall and T.D. Moultry in experience in the EDGE group. 

Hall desperately needs a running mate at the EDGE position and Johnson has all but guaranteed himself a chance to show that he is the No. 2 option the Tigers need. He has spent more time in the system than newcomer Eku Leota and significantly more experience than freshman Dylan Brooks. They may each have their own advantages over him, but he has been working for this moment the past three seasons and will look to take advantage.

Brian Miller/Democrat

Harvey was one of Auburn’s top signees in 2021 and will look to get his career back on track after an injury limited him in spring. Smoke Monday has locked up one of the safety spots, but Harvey will be looking to overcome the more experienced Bydarrius Knighten, Donovan Kaufman and Zion Puckett to see the field. 

Harvey is a playmaker in the secondary who attacks the ball like he is a wide receiver. Harvey, like all freshmen, will need to continue to add weight as he spends more time in a collegiate weight program.

It would be a surprise if Harvy were to pass Knighten or Kaufman on the depth chart but with the departure of Monday and Knighten looming Harvey ha

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of Knighten, he is next on our list. The four-year starter at Southeast Missouri State is looking to take advantage of his extra year of eligibility by competing in the SEC and potentially becoming a starter. His battle with Donovan Kaufman for the second starting safety spot will be one to watch in the fall as Knighten has overall experience but Kaufman who has prior experience in Derek Mason’s defense. 

Both have the versatility to play either safety or nickel, something Mason loves to have. Knighten may be hard pressed to replicate the success he had at the FCS level, but he isn’t being asked to do that. He is a reliable veterna who can play all over the field and is looking to show he belongs on the biggest stage in college football.