Auburn’s defense has been a question mark entering this season, but one list thinks it could shape out nicely.
ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg ranked Auburn 23rd in his list of the top 25 future defenses in college football for ESPN+ (subscription required). Auburn was one of six SEC teams represented on the list, and despite being the lowest one ranked, still cracked the list in an FBS that has over 120 teams.
Here is a little of what Rittenberg had to say about Auburn’s defense:
“The unit’s on-field performance in 2021 was decent, as Auburn allowed more than 24 points just three times. But after Auburn’s poor finish to the season, followed by the university’s inquiry into coach Bryan Harsin and [Derek] Mason’s departure to Oklahoma State, any forecast beyond 2022 is understandably murky. Still, the Tigers’ personnel jumps out, especially on the front seven.”
It’s true that Auburn’s front seven should shape up to be fearsome this year. Defensive end Derick Hall has been projected by numerous draft analysts to possibly be a first-round pick after his good year last year, defensive end Colby Wooden will be back on the other end and transfers like Jayson Jones, Marcus Harris and Jeffrey M’Ba could contribute on the interior line.
Auburn will suffer the loss of Roger McCreary, Smoke Monday and Zakoby McClain in the secondary and linebacking corps, but it will still return some starting players like Zion Puckett and Owen Pappoe. Overall, the questions remain around the Tigers’ defensive unit, but Bryan Harsin will certainly have hope that his defensive unit will be as solid as the list says it will be — his job could be hanging on it come 2023.
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