2022 Fall Camp Discussion Thread- Retired

Auburn DB position breakdown by Hoke:

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AUBURN – Despite the loss of Roger McCreary to the NFL, there are players in the Auburn cornerback room ready to make their own mark.

Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, A.D. Diamond, transfer D.J. James, freshmen J.D. Rhym and Austin Ausberry are all competing for snaps. The Tigers did lose Ladarrius Tennison and Ro Torrence to the transfer portal.

It’s hard to replace 14 pass deflections and 50 tackles from the cornerback position, but that’s what Auburn is faced with after McCreary headed to the Tennessee Titans.

Here’s what defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge said about the defensive backs in general during the spring:

“Those guys know what to expect when they hit the grass. When you go from Year Zero to Year One, trying to get in what you implement and Coach Harsin’s vision, it’s easier to execute. We’re way further than we were last spring. Guys can come in and speak the language. You can feel yourself growing and getting better.“

Let’s dive into the main players that will have to produce to make Auburn’s pass defense productive.

Projected Auburn starters

Nehemiah Pritchett: It’s now or never for Pritchett, a senior, to become an elite cornerback in the SEC. Etheridge said during the spring he loves Pritchett’s leadership qualities, and Pritchett himself said during the spring he’s working to hard to become that vocal leader on the football field for a group lacking an alpha dog after McCreary turned pro. Standing 6’1 and 185 pounds, and with elite speed, there’s no reason Pritchett can’t be a very productive player on Auburn’s defense this fall. Pritchett only had one interception and three pass deflections last season, so those numbers will have to increase.

Jaylin Simpson: The same story can be said for Simpson, who returns for his junior season. Standing 6’1 and 180 pounds, Simpson possesses elite athletic ability. Speed, quickness, and serious elevation are his best attributes, but like Pritchett, his production has to increase. Simpson also only had one interception and three pass deflections last season. In fact, Simpson and Pritchett both finished with 27 tackles. Etheridge said of both Simpson and Pritchett, their “potential is extremely high,” it’s just time to live up to the expectations.

In the mix for the Tigers

D.J. James: The Oregon transfer is listed here, but could very well start by the time the season begins. James is battling Simpson for the starting cornerback position opposite Pritchett. The rising junior played three seasons at Oregon, recording 70 career tackles, two picks and six pass deflections. The Mobile, Alabama-native is “back home,” and feeling more comfortable. Etheridge praised James’ ability to pick up the defensive schemes quickly, and his willingness to push his teammates during the spring. James possesses above average speed and quickness that will allow him to transition into the SEC without any hiccups.

A.D. Diamond: The redshirt freshman from Mobile, Alabama’s Blount High School will have his first opportunities to produce this fall after not seeing any action last season. Etheridge singled out Diamond during the spring as one of the players that worked really hard in the weight room developing his body. Diamond will be a key reserve this season adding depth to the secondary.

Freshmen focus

J.D. Rhym: Here’s the player we’re all keeping an eye on. The Valdosta, Georgia product came into spring and turned heads. Etheridge said of JaDarian Rhym, “he understands the game of football..he’s well coached…from a football intelligence standpoint, you know what you’re getting.” That was the common theme with Rhym: he gets it. The 4-star product stands 6’1 and 180 pounds, and isn’t afraid to be physical. People around the program love his attention to detail. Rhym is still a true freshman, but seems to possess everything it takes to play during his first season.

Austin Ausberry: Standing 6’0 and 200 pounds, the Baton Rouge, Louisiana-native is Auburn’s biggest cornerback, and he’s only a true freshman. Ausberry is a play-making defender with elite athletic ability, who also played receiver in high school. The Under Armour All-American could make important strides during fall camp to become a player Etheridge can rely on in a reserve role this fall.

Bottom line

Pritchett, Simpson and James have to stay healthy. It’s that simple. Auburn’s pass defense will rely heavily on the production of those three players. Sure, Rhym has tons of upside, and we’ll see how Diamond and Ausberry develop, but the Tigers simply can’t afford to lose any of those top three guys for extended periods of time this season. College football has become too offensive and spread out in nature to not have three to four elite athletes at cornerback at all times. If those three stay healthy, throw in Donovan Kaufman in the slot, and Auburn’s cornerbacks should have the ability and experience to create plays and help Auburn win football games.

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Wide Receiver Position Review AL.com

Departed: Demetris Robertson (graduated), Kobe Hudson (transfer), Caylin Newton (transfer).

Returning starters: Shedrick Jackson (40 receptions, 527 yards, one touchdown).

Other returning players: Ja’Varrius Johnson (19 receptions, 274 yards, two touchdowns), Malcolm Johnson Jr. (six receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown), Landen King (five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown), Ze’Vian Capers (six receptions for 54 yards), Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. (redshirted last season), Jay Fair (freshman early enrollee), J.J. Evans (did not see the field last season)

Summer arrivals: Dazalin Worsham, Miami transfer; Koy Moore, LSU transfer; Omari Kelly, four-star freshman; Camden Brown, three-star freshman.

Outlook: Auburn’s wide receiver corps will be one of the more intriguing groups to watch in fall camp, given what the Tigers lost from last year’s roster, what they bring back and what they’ve added to the room.

Projected two-deep:

Wide receiver/X:

Shedrick Jackson, super senior (6-foot-2, 202 pounds)

Ze’Vian Capers, junior (6-foot-4, 192 pounds)

Wide receiver/H:

Koy Moore, redshirt sophomore (6-foot-1, 192 pounds) OR

Ja’Varrius Johnson, redshirt junior (5-foot-10, 160 pounds)

Tar’Varish Dawson Jr., redshirt freshman (5-foot-10, 161 pounds)

Wide receiver/Z:

Malcolm Johnson Jr., junior (6-foot-1, 195 pounds)

Landen King, sophomore (6-foot-5, 220 pounds)

Keep an eye on: LSU transfer Koy Moore, whose name has been a prominent one this summer since his arrival on the Plains.

Edge Defenders Fall Camp Preview by Al.com:

Auburn’s edge defenders put together a productive 2021 campaign thanks to the trio of Derick Hall, Eku Leota and T.D. Moultry, who combined for 30 tackles for loss and 20 sacks last season. One of those three — Moultry — is gone now after exhausting his final year of eligibility, but the Tigers’ edge position, despite lacking some depth, should still provide quite the punch for Jeff Schmedding’s defense this fall.

We understand how critical that position is, especially with a versatile defense,” Schmedding said in the spring.

Departed : T.D. Moultry (graduated), Romello Height (transfer).

Returning starters : Derick Hall (54 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, nine sacks), Eku Leota (23 tackles, 10 for a loss, seven sacks).

Other returning players: Dylan Brooks (redshirted in 2021), Joko Willis (two tackles, one for a loss).

Summer arrivals: Marcus Bragg, a transfer from Western Kentucky.

Outlook: The top line of Auburn’s depth chart at the edge position has to have the Tigers feeling confident heading into the season. The duo of Hall and Leota provides the defense with a formidable pass-rushing combo, as the two combined for 22.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks last season). The 16 combined sacks were the most by a pair of Tigers teammates since 2010, matching the combined total by Nick Fairley and Antoine Carter from the program’s most recent national title campaign.

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matching the combined total by Nick Fairley and Antoine Carter

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Damn. Our DBs better give these two some of their NIL money.

It's almost football time. Players report Thursday. First practice Friday.

Hoke article on the preview of the DL:

AUBURN – Despite being impacted by the transfer portal during the offseason, the defensive line for Auburn is still in good shape entering the fall.

Colby Wooden, Marcus Harris, Marquis Burks, Jeffrey M’ba, Jayson Jones, Marcus Bragg, Marquis Robinson, Tobechi Okoli, Morris Joseph Jr., Zykevious Walker, Enyce Sledge and more make up a fairly deep group of capable players in the trenches.

New defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh has an opportunity to field a really good SEC unit during his first season at Auburn. Here’s what Brumbaugh said about his approach during the spring:

“I never pretend that guys know anything. I want them on the same page. I want to build a foundation. They are listening, they want to be good, they take the drills and try to get better. There’s tape to back it up. When you get them to believe that way, then they’re going to run through a brick wall for you.“

Let’s dive into the main players as we preview what the depth chart might look like.

Projected Auburn starters

Colby Wooden: Along with Derick Hall, Owen Pappoe and Tank Bigsby, there isn’t an easier player to project as a starter than Wooden. Wooden has over 100 career tackles and is coming off 4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss last season. He’s a second-team All-SEC preseason selection by the media, and will be drafted inside the first three rounds of next year’s NFL Draft. Caleb Wooden, the younger brother, expects an All-American-type season from Colby. Standing 6’5 and 290 pounds, Wooden has the athletic ability and size to play anywhere along the line, and can cause problems for both offensive guard and offensive tackles alike. It’s simple: Wooden has to be an anchor and an All-SEC performer on this Tigers’ team. Superstars have to play like it, if you’re going to meet and exceed expectations.

Marcus Harris: A transfer defensive lineman, Harris recorded 23 tackles for the season, including recovering an Arkansas fumble in the endzone for a touchdown, along with 6 tackles, and finishing the season with his best game, notching two tackles for loss and four tackles against Alabama. Harris said during the spring that he and Wooden have grown really close, almost like brothers. That relationship should help both excel playing alongside each other this fall. Standing 6’4 and 300 pounds, Harris could be poised for a breakout season after getting acclimated to the SEC last fall.

Jayson Jones: The transfer from Oregon recorded 19 tackles and two sacks last season. Originally from Calera, Alabama, Jones wanted to return closer to home, and Auburn had a need. It worked out. Jones is an imposing-looking player. He’s 6’6 and 328 pounds. The biggest question facing Jones surrounds reaching the potential that he clearly possesses. Jones can be, and might be expected to be, an anchor in the middle of this Auburn defense, but he has to earn it. Jones will certainly play an important role in short-yardage situations, and should help replace the role Tony Fair played last season, in terms of clogging up the middle. The bonus is at 6’6, Jones could really use his frame to deflect passes or disrupt passing lanes for quarterbacks looking over the middle.

In the mix for the Tigers

Zykevious Walker: The junior from Georgia is a bit of an enigma. Walker is a talented player at 6’4 and 300 pounds, and finished his true freshman season with 14 tackles. However, he recorded just six tackles last season as his playing time diminished. If Walker is going to take next steps and reach his full potential, this fall camp and season seems like as good a time as any to make that happen.

Marquis Burks: The senior lineman who arrived at Auburn after a stint at junior college, Burks started the 2021 season really well. He’s a veteran defensive lineman who recorded three tackles and two sacks against Akron, forced an Alabama State fumble, along with three tackles and a TFL, then followed that up with two tackles and forced fumble at Penn State. Burks was defensive lineman of week (Akron, Alabama State), and game captain (Georgia State). As the season went on, Burks’ production fell off. Standing 6’3 and 300 pounds, if Burks can create consistency in his game, he can really add quality depth during SEC play at the tackle position.

Tobechi Okoli: The reserve lineman saw action against Alabama State, but has an opportunity to make a move this fall. Standing 6’5 and 265 pounds, Okoli drew praise from coaches and players during the spring. Harris said of Okoli, “when he came back from break, I had to look at him twice. I said, ‘that can’t be Tobechi?’ He put on some muscle. He took that serious.” Okoli has some quick-twitch ability and range to earn playing time this fall.

Marcus Bragg: A graduate transfer from Western Kentucky, where he played three seasons, Bragg recorded 38 total tackles … played in all 14 games during 2021 campaign … played two seasons in the junior college ranks at Mississippi Delta Community College and Arizona Western, recording 35 tackles and two sacks … prepped at Miami Jackson High, where he also played basketball. Standing 6’5 and 260 pounds, Bragg adds depth at the defensive end position.

Marquis Robinson: Interesting player in Robinson, who entered the transfer portal after his freshman season, but decided to remain at Auburn. Was that decision due to lack of opportunities or a recommitment to Auburn and Bryan Harsin? We’ll find out. Robinson has the ability to make an impact along the defensive line. Standing 6’5 and 310 pounds, the potential is there. Fall camp will be an important time for Robinson.

Jeffrey M’ba: Another fascinating player for Auburn. M’ba comes to Auburn as the No. 1-ranked junior college player in the country. He’s long, athletic, tough, relentless and physical. M’ba has the tools to become one of the best defensive linemen in the country. He recorded 50 tackles, 15 TFL in two seasons at Independence Community College. After missing spring camp, the sophomore will be one to watch during fall camp.

Morris Joseph Jr.: Standing 6’2 and 280 pounds, Joseph Jr. was a late addition from the transfer portal. The transfer from Memphis was fourth-team all-AAC … started nine games in 2021, making 38 tackles (20 solo), 4.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a QB hurry … made 10 starts in 2020 for the Tigers, totaling 52 tackles, 39 solo stops, 10.5 TFL, 7 sacks and 2 QB hurries … season-high 10 tackles in the Montgomery Bowl win over FAU … (Memphis) … played in all 14 games in 2019 as the Tigers won the AAC championship, posting 27 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks that season.

Godwin Owolabi, Jackson Kelly, Garrison Walker: All three will add depth along Auburn’s defensive line. Owolabi and Kelly are redshirt freshmen, while Walker is a junior.

Freshman focus

Enyce Sledge: Big defensive lineman who is tough and athletic with great quickness, Sledge played multiple positions in high school. Standing 6’2 and 315 pounds, Sledge has the tools to provide depth in his first year, and can develop into a dominant SEC defensive lineman.


Jang: It will be interesting to see who all steps up here in fall camp. I remember when young 300+ pound body of Tyrone Truesdell made his presence known during the sweltering days of fall camp. We need a couple coming out parties this camp.

Keiondre Jones: Auburn offensive line going to be 'pretty damn good'

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“I think we are going to be pretty damn good,” Jones said of the offensive front, which includes players with starting experience at all five positions. “A lot of people are saying a lot of stuff about us, some good, some bad. I really don’t care. Nobody cares. They could never do what we do. We are going to prove a lot of people wrong and prove ourselves right by shocking a lot of people this season.”

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“I got better last year, and I think I am going to be a lot better this season with it being my second year in the system,” Jones said. “I have really kind of come into my own and I am really taking care of my body, which I wasn’t doing in the past. I am trying to focus on doing the little things right.”

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“Everybody has been working from the top to the bottom,” he said. “The freshmen have been working, the seniors have been working. That is a good thing to see. At times you have seen some guys kind of shying away from it, but this summer everybody has bought in.  It is going to show once we hit the field. I am really excited to see it.”

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“There is competition everywhere,” Jones said. “That is what Coach Harsin brings ,so you never feel safe. I don’t feel safe at my position. I have to work my butt off in the next couple of weeks to feel secure and even if I am named the starting guy I am still not safe for the rest of the season.

“I have got people behind me like Kam (Kameron Stutts), (Brandon) Council, Tate Johnson and A.J. (Alec Jackson),” Jones pointed out. “Those other guards are pretty damn good themselves. That is what I love about Coach Harsin and Coach Friend. They have made us so much better to the point where I can’t get comfortable. Going into the season, I can’t have a bad practice or a bad game. I like that, though, because I don’t want to get comfortable. I like to feel like if I mess up I can go out. I like feeling like somebody is on my tail.”

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"It is going to fall on our shoulders,” Jones said. “Whoever plays quarterback, whoever plays receiver, we have guys – plenty of guys. We have plenty of talented guys. We have two of the best running backs in the country in my opinion. Whoever the quarterback is is going to be is going to be a great guy and we have plenty of receivers around him. We can do what we need to do to protect the passer and move people off the ball. We want to play hard and dominate people all year.”

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“When teams come here or when the Auburn Tigers come to your house, we are not coming in to lie down,” he said. “No matter what your ranking is when you come to our house you are going to be in for a fight, and if we come to your house you are going to be in for a fight. I am not worried about that.”

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From Rivals team

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We are set to speak with offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau here in a few moments. Stay tuned for all updates.

KIESAU

- Excited about guys getting going. You don't get a lot of time with them face to face during offseason.

- On OL competition: The 2s and 3s got invaluable reps this spring due to some 1s sitting out and recovering/resting. "It's going to be a strong group for us up front."

- On receivers: A lot of new faces. A lot of turnover at that position which, for Kiesau, is exciting. Excited about the guys that are coming back as well. Three freshmen and two transfers coming in.

- How challenge was the adjustment to Auburn? "The job has been crazy. But I think doing this for 22-23 years, you kind of go with the flow." Says he loves it down in the South. It took a while to get used to though. Says a different thing is that people say hello to each other down here.

- QB battle: "it's going to be exciting. It's a good problem to have. The flip side is you have one guy." Competition starts on Day No. 1.

- The QBs overall knowledge of the offense has grown this summer.

- "He has the earn the right to be on the field. When you get here, if I just put it out there just because he is talented and doesn't know the plays, he's going to let 100 guys down."

- Says Landen King has crossed the bridge to receiver. Said he was a tweeter last season. "He's so tall, so athletic, has great hands."

- Coaching staff is more comfortable in their second year.

- On Shenker coming back: "You love Shenks ability to run routes. He's so athletic. He ran run, he can create mismatches with linebackers. He's so smart. He has that professional mentality to him because he is older."

- On Koy Moore: "It was a needed position. Koy provides that for us. He's had SEC experience."

- On Shed Jackson's development: "The big thing for Shed is he has changed his body. He's slimmed down. Not that he was big before, but he's in shape. He's in really good shape. He's running well. He's done a lot of training. He's mentally there."

- On establishing the run being more of an emphasis: "A lot of people can say that but you have to pick a lane and find the foundation you want it to be. We have talent at running backs and you can set up a lot of things."

- On Tar'Varish Dawson: "He might be the most improved young player on the entire offense. Last year when I had him he was fun, always smiling. In the middle of the season, he was getting down." Says what happened was he thought he would come here and start immediately. A talk from Kiesau helped change his attitude. "He's taking a better approach." He's starting to study the game.

That's it for Kiesau.

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"I'm not going to get up here and say they aren't doing enough." - on NIL and boosters

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But I will imply it…

Well his comment on NIL might explain why we are missing out on some of these we thought we had a good chance with early on. We may just be coming up short on the money.