Auburn Recruiting Profile: Demarcus Riddick Brings Unique Talent to the Tigers

Demarcus Riddick’s versatility will help him play early for the Auburn Tigers

Going into the home stretch of the Auburn Tigers’ 2023 football schedule, the defense is showing promise. There’s also more reason to be optimistic about the 2024 season and beyond because of linebacker commitment Demarcus Riddick joining the Auburn football program.

It’s time to dig deep and break down this young man’s game and how he can truly become a difference-maker on the Plains.

Demarcus Riddick

Position

: Linebacker/Athlete

Size

: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds

High School

: Clanton (Al.) Chilton County

Recruitment: Originally a Georgia Bulldogs commitment, Riddick made the official flip to Auburn on July 26, 2023. Offers galore for this man, as Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida State, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, and Notre Dame are just some of Riddick’s other football scholarship offers.

Athleticism: Notice above where it says “Linebacker/Athlete” after position? That’s not by coincidence. He used his hands as a big-bodied receiver for Chilton County and scored touchdowns in the process, just as one example. Here are the more specific reasons that happened.

Riddick’s tremendous lateral mobility, hitting top gear quickly, and his hand-eye coordination, and quick hands, are some of his best physical attributes. He could play numerous sports and be successful.

Not that he’s interested, but as a mixed-martial arts competitor, Riddick would be a stud. The quickness, speed, size, and power are obvious (see film notes below).

In particular, Riddick shows the quickness to maneuver away from offensive linemen and he could do the same in the octagon. Now back to football.

When watching Riddick make a lateral cut, that’s when it’s obvious why the likes of Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, Mike Norvell, and many other college football head coaches went after this young man in addition to Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

Especially while playing linebacker, being able to run across the field to make a play in the screen game or chase a mobile signal caller down from behind is the difference between good and great. Riddick’s explosiveness places him in the great category.

Frame: Riddick has the length a college football coach wants to see from a linebacker’s arms. His shoulders are also broad enough to carry 230 pounds without any concerns. He’s also already muscular enough to pack a punch when coiling to strike a ball carrier.

Instant Impact For Auburn: College football is about matchups. The nickel package, the dime package, Auburn fans probably know the terminology. With Riddick, he can stay on the field and match his talents versus a tight end or running back on a seam route or screen pass just as easily as he bangs in the box against a lead fullback on fourth down from inside the one-yard line.

That rare combination of all-around skills also allows him to be an impact player, potentially speaking, on any other given play. There’s one catch.

How quickly does Riddick not only pick up the Auburn defensive playbook, but also are the Auburn coaches willing to put a true freshman at linebacker and let him learn on the fly? No doubt, some mistakes will be made.

As a rule, college coaches are really stubborn about players not knowing the full playbook before seeing significant action. Somehow, in some way, Auburn has to find opportunities for Riddick to get on the field even if he’s not completely ready to understand the playbook in full (this is a common argument about recruits playing early).

Perhaps he’s used as a blitzer off the edge at the beginning of the 2024 season, at the very least. Maybe Riddick plays against 22 personnel, i.e. two running backs and two tight ends, because he’s better against run-heavy formations. Whatever it might be, the Auburn staff has to find a theme where Riddick can be on the field.

Yes, he’s going to be a freshman. Riddick is a special player, however. There’s no reason for him not to at least be contending for a starting spot by the middle of next season. Riddick is that gifted.

Auburn football is improving this season, and Riddick is a big reason why the future is bright in 2024 and beyond. Now, here are those film notes mentioned above.

Film Notes: If you watch Riddick’s junior Hudl film, it’s a good idea to pay particular attention to the following times inside the video.

0:00 - Riddick diagnoses a reverse, changes direction in full stride, and makes a tackle for loss.

0:08 - Punt return for a touchdown.

0:28 - Interception for a touchdown.

0:40 - Another punt return for a touchdown.

1:09 - Makes interception while playing free safety.

1:49 - Takes a pop pass from a jet motion and scores.

2:44 - Runs down a wide receiver from behind to prevent a touchdown.

---

Recruiting pages to bookmark

2024 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

2025 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!

Join the Locked on Auburn Discord

Follow Auburn Daily on Twitter

Like Auburn Daily on Facebook

Subscribe to Locked On Auburn on YouTube