Auburn freshman linebacker Demarcus Riddick has enjoyed a late-season breakout after starting the year playing limited snaps for DJ Durkin’s defense. The Clanton, Alabama native has registered at least one tackle for loss in his past three games, including sacks in each of the last two games, which have both been Auburn victories.
That late-season breakout has turned the freshman into one of the key cogs in Auburn’s vastly improving front seven, in turn giving Riddick the confidence to become an elite pass rusher in the SEC. That belief in himself was on full display in the freshman’s recent session with the media.
After being asked how important it would be to contain Alabama Jalen Milroe’s dual-threat ability next Saturday, the linebacker relayed “It’s going to be real[ly] important this Saturday, he is a good quarterback… he’s fast, but he’s not faster than me”. Riddick continued, “he will not get out [of] that box this week, and that’s something I’m going to have to work on all week at practice, and some of the guys are going to have to help me with”.
He was also asked to compare himself to fellow Crimson Tide freshman, and at one time Auburn flip candidate, receiver Ryan Williams. Riddick was succinct, explaining “He ain’t really nobody to me… Ryan Williams is himself, he ain’t no big time player to me”.
The comments from the Auburn freshman may be viewed by some as “cocky,” but Riddick seemingly feels fully comfortable in his ability to become a great player in the conference. Now entering the final chapter of his best month as a collegiate athlete, Riddick seems completely ready to help the Tigers attempt to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa for the first time since Cam Newton’s National Championship team accomplished the feat in 2010.
Auburn has failed to lose by less than two possessions in every road Iron Bowl since 2014. The No. 16 ranked Tigers lost by 11, 55-44, to No. 2 ranked Alabama that season.
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