Can Auburn Recruit Malik Blocton Make An Immediate Impact?

Defensive lineman Malik Blocton has a chance to contribute early for the Auburn Tigers

How quickly can Auburn Tigers 2024 recruit Malik Blocton make an impact? 

He's a talented 6-foot-4 and 280-pound defensive tackle who's been recruited by the heavyweights of the SEC. While not easy for a freshman to come in and compete right away, the chance to do so is there for the Pike Road (Ala.) High School recruit. 

The Tigers certainly need help along the defensive trenches. Check out the following 2023 statistics for Auburn.

The Tigers are allowing 159.2 yards on the ground, including 4.4 yards per carry. That's overall, and it's worse for specific games. LSU went for 238 yards and Ole Miss 223. Those are indicators that both talent and depth are needed on the Plains. 

Similarly, Auburn's pass rush needs more talent to get after opposing quarterbacks. Auburn has 28 sacks. A solid number, ranking Auburn #46 in the nation. It's still far from where Hugh Freeze and his staff would like to be.

Interview: Auburn DL Commit Malik Blocton

So how can Blocton make an impact? Let's talk about his skills from two specific points of view, run defense and rushing the passer.

First off, he has the size as mentioned above. That cannot be taught. What's even better would be his first-step quickness which helps Blocton maximize his opportunities. 

Watching Blocton's senior highlights, he uses his hands well to quickly disengage from offensive linemen and play downhill. Once he's penetrated into the backfield, his athleticism allows Blocton to sink his hips and change directions to tackle running backs behind or at the line of scrimmage. That will translate well to what Auburn likes to do.

Point blank, Blocton fits the one-gap scheme that most SEC teams like Auburn tend to operate. Even if just a reserve for the Tigers, there's no reason that a player with Blocton's natural physical skills cannot be a part of a rotation of defensive linemen that helps lower the rushing average the Tigers currently sit at come the 2024 season. Now let's talk pass rush.

His film is eye-opening because he plays defensive tackle, a standup outside linebacker position, and defensive end. He showed the propensity to get into the backfield from any of those spots. Impressive, but there's going to be a change for Blocton at Auburn.

Blocton has made it clear that he expects to play defensive tackle, long-term, for Auburn. That could be a problem for interior offensive linemen as Blocton learns his craft and becomes more efficient with technique.

He's quick enough to play 5-technique, a.k.a. strong-side defensive end, but will be going against interior offensive linemen built for power. Look for Blocton to take that speed inside and create pressure from the interior. 

He's already showing the ability to shock offensive linemen with his quick hands and power, and he often adds a swim or rip move to finish off the play and get into the backfield. 

While Blocton is going to add many different moves to his repertoire as a Tiger, those traditional moves will give offensive linemen fits when combined with his natural athleticism. Keep in mind, that Blocton is probably going to rotate with other Auburn defensive linemen quite often. Fewer snaps mean more juice to turn it up a notch when rushing the passer.

Yes, Blocton can make an immediate impact for the Tigers. The physical ability is apparent on film and there's a need for big bodies that make plays in the backfield. Look for the Auburn coaching staff to find ways to place Blocton in packages that get him meaningful reps during his freshman season.

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