Tag: derick hall

Three Auburn defensive players named to NFL draft watch list

The Tigers could be well represented in the 2023 NFL draft.

Auburn could see another defensive exodus at the end of the season.

PFF dropped its list of defensive players to watch for the 2023 NFL draft, and the Auburn Tigers were well represented. The list, which wasn’t numbered, included defensive end [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag], defensive end [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] and linebacker [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag].

Hall has been a frequent name in NFL draft lists, often being projected to the first round in mocks immediately following the draft. The senior had a PFF pass-rush grade of 80 or higher in his last two seasons with the Tigers, and a great year this upcoming season should propel him as a prospect.

Wooden is on the other end of the defensive line, but he’d likely play a 3-4 role with his size. PFF mentions that Wooden could have declared for this year’s draft and likely been a day two pick, but his decision to stay could result in a higher placement if he can really impress NFL scouts with his play this year. Wooden finished the season with a PFF pash rush grade of 80.6.

Pappoe got praise from PFF’s list on his speed — the five-star prospect out of high school ran a 4.47 forty-yard dash, according to 247Sports, and NFL scouts are sure to enjoy that in an era where fast linebackers like Micah Parsons and Devin White have wreaked havoc in the past few seasons. The list mentions that Pappoe will need to bring some physicality to his game to fully impress scouts come his senior year.

The Tigers will play Mercer on Sept. 3 to kick their season off, and it will be the first opportunity for all these players to show their stuff.

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Auburn makes top 25 in “future defense” power ranking

The list particularly praised Auburn’s front seven.

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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Auburn defensive end picked in first round of 2023 mock

This Auburn player will need to make a big impression in 2022 to solidify his draft hype.

Thought we were done with mock drafts, huh?

Draft analysts never sleep, and neither does the hype for next year’s draft class. In ESPN analyst Todd McShay’s case, he may have given Auburn fans something to look forward to in his latest 2023 prediction mock (subscription required). McShay has Auburn defensive end [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] going in the first round to the Indianapolis Colts, who he predicts will hold the 18th pick.

Here is what McShay had to say about the Auburn prospect:

“Hall broke out in 2021, recording nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his first season as a full-time starter. Will he take another step in 2022? The Colts are coming off a 33-sack season, and while they traded for Yannick Ngakoue and should see more from Kwity Paye in his second year, you can never have enough productive pass rushers.”

If Hall steps up in 2022 like McShay would like him to, he would certainly give a lot of help to Auburn’s defense. The unit remains unproven after the departures of Roger McCreary, Smoke Monday and Zakoby McClain, and a dominant edge rusher would do a lot to alleviate the pressure off of a young and developing secondary. Nonetheless, Auburn may not be a great team next year with questions on both offense and defense, and so Hall may have to make a particular impression on the defensive side of the ball to boost his stock.

The Tigers will begin their season on Sept. 3 when they play the Mercer Bears at home.

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Derick Hall, Tar’varish Dawson Jr named Iron Man in Week 6

Auburn announced their Week 6 Iron Man of the Week.

In week 6, Derick Hall and Tar’Varish Dawson Jr took home the Iron Man of the Week honors.

Hall is heading into his fourth year in the program. The senior pass rusher finished out his junior campaign with 52 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and nine sacks in 2021. He also led the team with 43 quarterback pressures, just ahead of Colby Wooden.

Hall is expected to be the veteran to lead the defense once again. Jeff Schmedding will be the new defensive coordinator while Jimmy Brumbaugh will take over the defensive line for the departing Nick Eason.

Tar’varish Dawson Jr is among the young group of wide receivers that return to The Plains for the 2022 campaign. Shedrick Jackson is the most productive of the group and Dawson will be looking to step up for the offense.

He will be working under new wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, who was recently hired by Bryan Harsin. Hilliard has been coaching at the NFL level for the last decade after his 12-year NFL career.

Auburn has plenty of work to do ahead of spring football next month, but this duo is pushing them in the right direction. Spring camp officially opens on Mar. 14 and will conclude with the “A-Day” spring game on Apr, 9.

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Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

Auburn’s early defensive two-deep roster projection

Pre-spring football roster projection for the Auburn Tigers defense.

Heading into the spring portion of the 2022 College Football Season, the Auburn Tigers will have a new defensive coordinator. Derek Mason stepped down from his post and accepted the same role with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Jeff Schmedding was hired to run the Tigers defense in the upcoming season. He comes over from Boise State where he served as inside and outside linebackers coach. He accepted the role of linebackers coach before Mason stepped down, head coach Bryan Harsin promoted him to run the entire defense.

Harsin also promoted Roc Bellantoni to help with outside linebackers after Bert Watts left for the NFL. The team will be led by Derick Hall as the team’s best defender on the front end. Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson try to replace the production of Roger McCreary.

We break down the defensive depth chart.

Spring Football Preview: Living on the Edge

Auburn has plenty of talent but lacks depth.

Auburn’s edge position has some of the best talent on the roster but also has a concerning lack of depth.

The Tigers return seniors Derick Hall and Eku Leota, two proven veterans but only redshirt freshman Dylan Brooks to back them up.

The expected departure of T.D. Moultry (graduation) and transfers of Romello Height and Caleb Johnson mean Auburn will need to add a player or two to this position group. That can be either adding a transfer or someone changing positions.

Here is a look at Auburn’s current edge players.

Auburn has a good amount of talent returning in 2022

Despite the mass exodus, Auburn has plenty of production returning in 2022.

As we begin to look ahead to the 2022 College Football season and spring football, returning production is the topic at hand. According to Bill Connolly of ESPN (subscription required), the Tigers have plenty coming back next season.

The football team, despite a mass exodus to the transfer portal, ranked among the top half of FBS in returning production.

Overall Returning Production: 65% (No. 66)

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

It will be a different team in 2022 when Auburn takes the field. While you will see some familiar faces such as running back Tank Bigsby, there is no Bo Nix under center. It could be former LSU transfer TJ Finley or Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada. Or it could be former Oregon Duck Robby Ashford. The team also has Dematrius Davis and Holden Geriner.

The quarterback competition could be wide open. As should be the wide receiver position after losing a lot of production at the position.

Offense: 65% (No. 65)

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Key Returners: Tank Bigsby, Jarquez Hunter, John Samuel Shenker, Shedrick Jackson, Nick Brahms, Keiondre Jones

As we noted the quarterback position could be wide open. Finley obviously has familiarity with the system after he joined the team following spring ball at LSU last season. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter will provide the one-two punch at running back. Their success may fall on the wide receiver group that is relatively raw. They do return Shedrick Jackson, who finished second in receptions on the team behind Kobe Hudson.

Defense: 65% (No. 74)

Gary Cosby / USA TODAY NETWORK

Key Returners: Colby Wooden,  Derick Hall, Eku Ieota, Nehemiah Pritchett, Owen Pappoe

While the defense is returning just as much production as the offense, they are only ranked No. 74 overall in FBS. The best of the group will be Derick Hall and Colby Wooden. Last season Hall finished with nine sacks, 12.5 TFLs, and a team-leading 43 quarterback pressures. Wooden finished with 4.5 sacks, 8.5 TFLs, and 41 quarterback pressures. Pritchett will have big shoes to fill with Roger McCreary heading off to the NFL.

Giants make some interesting decisions in latest Draft Wire mock

The New York Giants make some interesting selections — including a CB and WR — in the latest three-round mock from Draft Wire.

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The latest Draft Wire 2022 NFL mock has been released and here is who they see the New York Giants selecting in the first three rounds.

5. New York Giants | Alabama OT Evan Neal

Another team with multiple top-10 picks, the Giants have plenty of needs to fill, but they have to start up front on offense. Andrew Thomas has been better this year than he was as a rookie, but that improvement shouldn’t stop New York from spending this pick on an elite prospect in Neal, should he fall to this spot.

Couldn’t agree more. They need to build this team from the inside out and Neal is a great start.

8. New York Giants (from CHI) | Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner

There may be bigger needs elsewhere, but corner might be a more significant one than many realize for the Giants. After landing a cornerstone offensive lineman earlier, New York opts for one of the nation’s most dominant corners in Gardner, who has a rare blend of physical and mental traits, and didn’t allow a single touchdown catch in his entire college career.

This sounds like Deandre Baker’s profile. Look how that turned out. As tempting as Gardner may be, the Giants need to stay disciplined here and take either Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis, Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum or Utah linebacker Tyler Boyd.

Here’s how the Giants’ next three picks went:

36. New York Giants | Alabama LB Christian Harris

67. New York Giants | Auburn EDGE Derick Hall

79. New York Giants (from MIA) | Nevada WR Romeo Doubs

We can debate all day about the needs of this team, but they need a center and at least one interior lineman and Draft Wire is bypassing that for other positions — that they also have needs at but to a lesser degree.

This is all going change dramatically over the next three months, so stay tuned as players climb and drop in the order in these mock drafts.

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Three Auburn football players listed on All-SEC teams

All three of Auburn’s All-SEC selections are defensive players.

Auburn put three players on the All-SEC teams.

Eleven SEC schools had at least two all-conference selections and 10 had three or more.

The 2021 list includes nine student-athletes who have now made multiple appearances on the All-SEC Team in their career: Treylon Burks (Arkansas), Jake Camarda (Georgia), Jordan Davis (Georgia), Jerrion Ealy (Ole Miss), Darian Kinnard (Kentucky), Bumper Pool (Arkansas), Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M), Jalen Wydermeyer (Texas A&M) and Cade York (LSU).

The SEC individual award winners will be released Wednesday and the All-Freshman Team will be announced Thursday.

Here are the three Auburn selections for the 2021 All-SEC teams.

Tigers of the Game: Auburn falls to Alabama 24-22 in overtime

Man, these Tigers played their tail off.

Auburn nearly pulled off a stunning upset. 

For the first time ever, the Iron Bowl needed overtime to determine a winner. Ultimately, Auburn was unable to pull off the upset, falling 24-22 to Alabama. 

Auburn led 10-0 going into the fourth quarter but the defense ran out of gas and Alabama scored on a last-minute drive to force overtime. In the fourth overtime, Auburn failed their 2-point conversion and Alabama completed theirs for the victory. 

Here are the Tigers of the Game from yet another classic showdown in this storied rivalry.