re: FPRC's 2014 Auburn Tigers Football Preview

2014 Defense Preview



Projected Defensive Line-up (Subject to change)
DE: Gabe Wright/Davonte Lambert
DT: Montravius Adams/Jeffrey Whitaker
DT: Angelo Blackson/Ben Bradley/Devaroe Lawrence
DE: Ladarius Owens/ Elijah Daniel

LB: Cassanova McKinzy
LB: Kris Frost

CB: Jonathan Mincy
CB: Josh Holsey/Jonathan Jones

FS: Jermaine Whitehead
BS: Rudy Ford/Derrick Moncreif

Star: Justin Garrett/Robenson Therezie


Auburn runs a Base 4-2-5 with additional packages.

This could arguably be the biggest wildcard of any top ranked SEC team. Auburn's defense lost them a national championship last year as Jameis Winston treated this defense like an intoxicated Co-Ed. How much of that was due to being the first year in a system with young players? How much was due to a certain linebacker who is now graduated? Ellis Johnson has a lot to prove going into his second year and has a number of question marks that need to be addressed.

Defensive Line

This unit is the tale of two cities. At defensive tackle, there is talent and depth, returning every DT from last year
with significant playing time, adding JUCO players and returning Jeffrey Whitaker. Auburn experienced tremendous success with an extremely deep rotation that kept players fresh. While there may be only one dominant player in Monty Adams at defensive tackle, it is a strength due to depth and should provide as a formidable front.

Defensive end is in the exact opposite situation as DT. Missing are guys like Dee Ford (NFL) and Carl Lawson (due to injury). Missing is the depth provided by smart recruiting. Missing is the speed needed to get to the passer. Since 2011, the only bright spots for Auburn's DL has come from the DE position. Guys like Corey Lemonior, Dee Ford and Carl Lawson played above the level of a struggling DL. Guys like Gabe Wright, a converted DT, are poised to start at DE and there are no speed rushers that have stood out.

Linebacker



For the first time in 3 years, Auburn will not be starting Jake Holland. This unit will be vastly improved. Also of note, Anthony Swain has recovered from his devastating injury last year against Arkansas. Cassanova McKinzy
and Kris Frost should be able to hold their own out on the field. Freshman 5* Tre Williams has been making a strong push for a spot on the 2 deep. If he isn't redshirted, expect to see him getting some PT.

Cornerback

Following the theme of not knowing what you are going to get, Auburn's cornerback position is in a state of flux. Off to the NFL is a solid performer in Chris Davis but back are injured players Josh Holsey and Jonathan Jones, both who would have played significantly last year. With returning starter Jonathan Mincy and both Jones and Holsey, Auburn will have a solid defensive backfield but likely will not be considered "elite". Of note, former 5* Louisiana bred player Trovon Reed has moved in his senior year from WR to CB. Look for him to be on the field after rave reviews.

Safety

Auburn's safety position is the one position on defense that Auburn fans feel confident about. Multi-year returning starter Jermaine Whitehead is a rock at field safety. At the boundary safety, Rudy Ford and Derrick Moncrief are both ultra talented and highly praised. For the first time since the Tuberville era, Auburn will have safeties that will rank in the upper echelon of the SEC.

Star

Robenson Therezie came out of nowhere last year as an elite defender in the SEC. Unfortunately, eligibility concerns loom over his head and it appears that his backup Justin Garrett will get the nod. While this may seem like a downgrade for Auburn, Garrett was Ellis Johnson's first choice at Star last year before a freak injury sidelined Garrett for a medical redshirt. After being the Spring Game Defensive MVP, Garrett is looking to provide size and speed to the star position that should be scary for opposing defenses

2014 Schedule



Aug 30 vs Arkansas
Sept 6 vs San Jose State
Sept 18 @ Kansas State
Sept 27 vs Louisiana Tech
Oct 4 vs Louisiana State
Oct 11 @ Mississippi State
Oct 25 vs South Carolina
Nov 1 @ Ole Miss
Nov 8 vs Texas A&M
Nov 15 @ Georgia
Nov 22 vs Sanford
Nov 29 @ Alabama

Yeah, Auburn didn't catch much of a break with this schedule. Opening with a very hungry Arkansas squad then traveling to Manhattan, KS to face a solid Kansas State team on a Thursday night is not the ideal way to start the first month of the season. Unfortunately, that's the easiest month on Auburn's schedule. Auburn will have to face not only the full slate of SEC West opponents, but also the two front runners in the SEC East (Georgia and South Carolina). Just to top it all off, both Georgia and Alabama are away games this season. If the Tigers can navigate this schedule with only one loss, I don't see how they could be left out of the Playoffs.