Predicting Auburn football's defensive depth chart entering fall camp
The Tigers' 2023 defense should look a little different than it did a season ago.
Head coach Hugh Freeze brought in defensive coordinator Ron Roberts after Auburn featured one of its worst defensive units this century. With the plethora of transfer portal additions, new scheme, and returning secondary, the Tigers should be much improved this fall.
Here's a look at what the defensive depth chart could be entering fall camp.
JACK
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Elijah McAllister
Jalen McLeod
Stephen Sings
Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister may get the start here, but App State transfer Jalen McLeod may come out of the fall as the most productive JACK linebacker the Tigers have.
Defensive Tackle
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Jayson Jones
Justin Rogers
Mosiah Nasili-Kite
Jones will get the nod at defensive tackle after playing nose throughout his career. Kentucky transfer Justin Rogers will back him up alongside Maryland transfer Mosiah Nasili-Kite. Marcus Harris can also rotate here.
The Tigers will be beefy up front. All jumbos.
Nose Tackle
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Justin Rogers
Zykevious Walker
Lawrence Johnson
Rogers will start at nose. Jayson Jones can slide over here, but Walker and Purdue transfer Lawrence Johnson will also rotate in.
Defensive End
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Marcus Harris
Keldric Faulk
Marcus Harris will likely start with talented freshman Keldric Faulk rotating in. Nasili-Kite will also rotate here.
Weakside Linebacker
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Wesley Steiner
Eugene Asante
Cam Riley
Steiner will start, with Riley and Asante getting reps with the first-team as well.
Middle Linebacker
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Austin Keys
Larry Nixon III
Our guess is that Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys starts here, but the uber-productive Larry Nixon could end up getting the nod.
Nickelback
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Keionte Scott
Austin Ausberry
Scott will be Auburn's primary nickelback.
Safety
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Jaylin Simpson
Donovan Kaufman
Converted cornerback Jaylin Simpson will be one of Auburn's two safeties, with the combination of Donovan Kaufman and Marquise Gilbert backing up.
Safety
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Zion Puckett
Marquise Gilbert
Puckett will start.
Cornerback
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DJ James
Kayin Lee
Auburn's strongest unit may be its cornerbacks, with DJ James starting in one of the best position groups on roster.
Cornerback
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Nehemiah Pritchett
JD Rhym
Pritchett will start alongside James, with Kayin Lee and JD Rhym backing them up. Both Lee and Rhym are primed to have solid seasons.
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