Preview: Interior defensive line

[aubiefifty 17,487]

Auburn spring preview: Interior defensive line

ByJason Caldwell

4 minutes

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Fast Break: Auburn basketball honors well-deserved

 

AUBURN, Alabama—There is good news and some not-so-good news for former Auburn standout Jimmy Brumbaugh as he prepares to take over the defensive line heading into his first spring back on the Plains. Starters Colby Wooden and Marcus Harris are back along with top reserve Marquis Burks, but there is a serious lack of depth because of departures from the group following the 2021 season.

When you look at the group you have to start with Wooden. A force the last two seasons for the Tigers, the Lawrenceville, Georgia native has 103 tackles, nine sacks and 18 tackles for a loss in 24 games over the last two years. With the capability of playing inside or outside, Wooden’s versatility is a big deal for Auburn because of the way they mix up their fronts on defense.

Transferring in from Kansas last season, Harris immediately jumped into the starting lineup and finished with 27 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for a loss. A native of Montgomery, Harris gives Auburn the same type of player as Wooden because of his combination of size and quickness. Don’t be surprised to see him both inside and outside for the Tigers at times during the spring.

Before you can talk about who else returns for this group, you have to talk about who all is gone. The biggest loss of the bunch is sophomore J.J. Pegues, who went back home to Oxford, Mississippi to play for Ole Miss after making 17 tackles a season ago. Also gone is UAB transfer Tony Fair, who is done with his eligibility. In addition to Pegues, Auburn also lost Dre Butler to the portal along with 2021 signees Lee Hunter (UCF) and Ian Mathews (Missouri).

Without much depth Auburn needs Marquis Burks and Zykeivous Walker to both be ready to step up this spring. Last season Burks made 13 tackles in 12 games, but had a pair of sacks. Walker played in eight games and finished with six total tackles for the season.

Walk-on Garrison Walker also got some experience last season, playing in three games and making two tackles. He gives Auburn more quality depth to work with on the interior.

Two of the biggest guys to watch, literally and figuratively, will be newcomers Jayson Jones and Jeffrey M’ba. Coming from Oregon where he saw limited action last season for the Ducks, Jones is a 6-6, 320 native of Calera that Auburn is counting on to come in and provide immediate help in the middle of the defense.

3COMMENTS

M’ba is another player the Tigers are looking for immediate help from. The top junior college defensive tackle in the country, the 6-6, 300+ M’ba had some shoulder issues to clean up when he arrived on campus, but is expected to be able to go through the spring in at least a limited capacity. That’s a big deal for a guy that will have to learn a college defense for the first time and as someone that could be called on to play both inside and outside.

Auburn opens spring practice on March 14 with the A-Day game scheduled for April 9 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

[maryland tiger 616]

Please, please, please, put Jeremiah Wright back on the D-Line where he belongs. You don't take a budding star and place him on the bench. 

[oracle79 3,569]

4 minutes ago, maryland tiger said:

Please, please, please, put Jeremiah Wright back on the D-Line where he belongs. You don't take a budding star and place him on the bench. 

We are going to be extremely desperate for offensive lineman that can play in the SEC for the 2023 season. Not sure where he will be needed the most.

[bigbird 60,624]

18 hours ago, oracle79 said:

We are going to be extremely desperate for offensive lineman that can play in the SEC for the 2023 season. Not sure where he will be needed the most.

You're right, but we are doing such a disservice to the kid.  Probably could be a star if left alone to shine but we keep moving him around, not allowing him to develop his substantial potential.

[W.E.D 11,070]

3 hours ago, bigbird said:

You're right, but we are doing such a disservice to the kid.  Probably could be a star if left alone to shine but we keep moving him around, not allowing him to develop his substantial potential.

We moved him to OL in Bowl practices. Have to wonder if we would have done that if the coaches knew how many DLs would leave

[bigbird 60,624]

13 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

We moved him to OL in Bowl practices. Have to wonder if we would have done that if the coaches knew how many DLs would leave

With the ones that were brought in, I'd say they still would

[Tigerpro2a 5,650]

On 3/12/2022 at 4:53 AM, bigbird said:

You're right, but we are doing such a disservice to the kid.  Probably could be a star if left alone to shine but we keep moving him around, not allowing him to develop his substantial potential.

Seems to me this could end up on a portal departure down the road if not careful. The kid has to realize this is detrimental to his career and development if he is not able to stay at a spot and truly develop whether it be on the OL or the DL. He seems to be a team player though and I hope he shines, but I'd be lying if I said this type of thing doesn't scare me. 

[auol72 188]

Wright has NFL ability at OT. We did not know that four kids would decide to take their extra year. We will need him desperatly in 2023. He can develop completely make sure he is totally ready physically and be in a position to start at a position of desperate need in 2023. Rather than a disservice they are giving him a chance to make it to the League.

[W.E.D 11,070]

23 minutes ago, auol72 said:

Wright has NFL ability at OT. We did not know that four kids would decide to take their extra year. We will need him desperatly in 2023. He can develop completely make sure he is totally ready physically and be in a position to start at a position of desperate need in 2023. Rather than a disservice they are giving him a chance to make it to the League.

I feel like after striking out on the portal, there was a real hard sell to get our OL to return.  If he's that good, he should take over some spot...any post and make us better.