two-deep roster projection

[aubiefifty 18,237]

Auburn's early defensive two-deep roster projection

Patrick Conn

2 minutes

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Heading into the spring portion of the 2022 College Football Season, the Auburn Tigers will have a new defensive coordinator. Derek Mason stepped down from his post and accepted the same role with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Jeff Schmedding was hired to run the Tigers defense in the upcoming season. He comes over from Boise State where he served as inside and outside linebackers coach. He accepted the role of linebackers coach before Mason stepped down, head coach Bryan Harsin promoted him to run the entire defense.

Harsin also promoted Roc Bellantoni to help with outside linebackers after Bert Watts left for the NFL. The team will be led by Derick Hall as the team’s best defender on the front end. Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson try to replace the production of Roger McCreary.

We break down the defensive depth chart.

AP Photo/John Raoux

1. Derick Hall
2. Eku Leota

AP Photo/Matthew Hinton

1. Colby Wooden
2. Zykeivous Walker

AP Photo/Michael Woods

1. Marcus Harris
2. Jayson Jones

AP Photo/Butch Dill

1. Marquis Burks
2. Jeffrey M’ba

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

1. Owen Pappoe
2. Wesley Steiner

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

1. Eugene Asante
2. Cam Riley

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

1. Zion Puckett
2. Cayden Bridges

Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

1. Marquise Gilbert
2. Donovan Kauffman

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

1. Nehemiah Pritchett
2. Donovan Kauffman

AP Photo/Andy Nelson

1. DJ James
2. Nehemiah Pritchett

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jaylin Simpson
2. Ro Torrence

Jake Crandall-USA TODAY Sports

1. Oscar Chapman
2. Marshall Meyers

Edited February 23, 2022 by aubiefifty

[aubiefifty 18,237]

What is Auburn football roster outlook on defense heading into spring practice?

Bennett Durando, Montgomery Advertiser

Tue, February 22, 2022, 9:00 PM·4 min read

In this article:

Bryan Harsin

American football player and coach

AUBURN — On paper, Auburn football's 2022 defensive depth chart appears to be in better shape than the offense entering spring practice, which starts March 16.

But the Tigers have holes to fill and potential position battles approaching. It will all transpire with the backdrop of a new defensive coordinator, Jeff Schmedding, who was promoted from linebackers coach after Derek Mason left for Oklahoma State. Schmedding is one of coach Bryan Harsin's former Boise State assistants.

What are his roster strengths and weaknesses? Here's a look at every position group ahead of spring practice.

Defensive line

Georgia State quarterback Darren Grainger (3) is tacked by Auburn defensive end Colby Wooden (25) as he carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

The starters: Colby Wooden, Marcus Harris, Marquis Burks

The backups: Zykeivous Walker, Tobechi Okoli, Jayson Jones, Jeffrey M'ba, Enyce Sledge

The departed: Tony Fair, Dre Butler, J.J. Pegues, Lee Hunter, Daniel Foster-Allen, Ian Mathews, Marquis Robinson

The outlook: Defensive line coach Nick Eason's move to Clemson created a series of transfers that will affect Auburn's depth. What was expected to be a loaded position group remains solid, anchored by returning starters Wooden and Harris. Wooden's breakout sophomore season featured versatile success in pass rush and run defense.

But the backups are more of a question mark now, highlighted by three intriguing newcomers: No. 1 overall junior college prospect M'ba, Oregon transfer Jones and three-star Sledge. When Auburn deploys a nose tackle, the returning senior Burks will likely line up there.

Edge

The starters: Derick Hall, Eku Leota

The backups: Dylan Brooks

The departed: T.D. Moultry, Caleb Johnson, Romello Height

The outlook: Hall was a force of nature down the stretch in SEC play. The Northwestern transfer Leota was Auburn's most impactful newcomer. They combined for 16 sacks. Flanking Wooden and company help form a defensive front that might be Auburn's greatest strength next season ... if worthy backups are added. Depth became a major concern as Moultry's eligibility ended and Height transferred.

Linebacker

The starters: Owen Pappoe, Wesley Steiner

The backups: Joko Willis, Cam Riley, Desmond Tisdol, Kameron Brown, Robert Woodyard, Powell Gordon, Eugene Asante

The departed: Zakoby McClain, Chandler Wooten

The outlook: Auburn loses its two leading tacklers from last season, McClain and Wooden. Pappoe's decision to return was a big boost. If he stays healthy, the captain has a chance to be a team MVP. Behind him, there's less certainty. Steiner fills the second starter spot for now by virtue of familiarity. But Woodyard is Auburn's highest-rated 2022 signee. The Alabama flip from Mobile doesn't arrive on campus until summer, so spring practice is the time for others to prove themselves worthy. Asante is a key transfer addition from North Carolina.

Safety

The starters: Zion Puckett, Donovan Kaufman

The backups: Marquise Gilbert, Tre Donaldson, Caleb Wooden, Cayden Bridges

The departed: Smoke Monday, Bydarrius Knighten, Ladarius Tennison, Ahmari Harvey

The outlook: If Auburn continues to use nickel packages with Schmedding in charge, Kaufman will likely start at that position unless Auburn pulls from its deep cornerback options. Gilbert is another junior college recruit who will become a starting candidate as the Tigers lose Monday and Knighten. Donaldson and Wooden (brother of Colby) are valued signees, but Donaldson seems more likely to be all-in on playing basketball for Bruce Pearl. The Tigers might also want to cross-train some of their new corners, especially the versatile Ausberry.

Cornerback

Texas A&M wide receiver Demond Demas (1) catches a pass as Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The starters: Jaylin Simpson, Nehemiah Pritchett

The backups: Ro Torrence, Keionte Scott, JaDarian Rhym, Austin Ausberry, A.D. Diamond, Eric Reed Jr., D.J. James

The departed: Roger McCreary, Malcolm Askew, Dreshun Miller

The outlook: The bad news: Auburn is losing a first-team All-American in McCreary, who became perhaps college football's best cornerback in 2021. The good news: Defensive backs coach (and now associate head coach) Zac Etheridge recruited so well that Auburn's secondary isn't a long-term concern. Simpson and Pritchett are listed as starters entering spring practice because of their experience, but this feels like an offseason of open competition.

Scott was the top junior college cornerback prospect. Rhym and Ausberry are four-stars arriving in summer. James is a compelling Oregon transfer. Torrence is a returning backup. The Tigers will naturally take a step back without McCreary, but they have the talent and coaching to mold more of his kind.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football roster outlook on defense before spring practice

 

 

this is from montgomery and might be more indepth.