The Tigers held their annual pro day and it was well attended.
Auburn held its 2023 Pro Day Tuesday and it was a star-studded event.
Not only were [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], [autotag]Anders Carlson[/autotag], [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag], [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag], [autotag]Shedrick Jackson[/autotag], [autotag]John Samuel Shenker[/autotag], [autotag]Marcus Bragg[/autotag], [autotag]Killian Zierer[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Council[/autotag], [autotag]Marquis Burks[/autotag], [autotag]Caylin Newton[/autotag], [autotag]Morris Joseph[/autotag] in attendance but so was [autotag]Cam Newton[/autotag].
The former Heisman winner and national champion was a late addition and threw for his brother. Cam Newton hasn’t been on an NFL team since 2021 after a brief stint with the New England Patriots.
The event gave Auburn’s draft hopefuls a chance to show what they can do in front of NFL scouts and potentially move up draft boards. Here are the top photos from Auburn’s pro day.
Burks came to Auburn in 2020 after spending two seasons at Iowa Central Community College. The 6-foot-3, 302-pounder played in five games his first season before being a key reserve during the 2021 season.
He appeared in 12 games, making 13 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and forced two fumbles. He made 13 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and defended one pass last season.
The Chicago native appeared in 28 total games in his three seasons on the Plains, finishing his career with 30 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup.
Auburn was due for some attrition along the defensive line.
The Tigers had to many talented players for everyone to get enough playing time and when Nick Eason left for Clemson it only worsened the situation.
But losing six players to the transfer portal was unexpected and has thinned out Auburn’s depth.
The Tigers return their top defensive lineman in Colby Wooden and quality starter in Marcus Harris. Marquis Burks gives them another experienced player they will lean on.
After those four, Auburn has several promising players who have yet to carve out roles for themselves and are now in line for serious playing time.
Here are the Tigers projected to fill the positions on the defensive line.
The last few months have been chaotic for every aspect of Auburn football, especially the Tigers’ defensive line. New defensive line coach Nick Eason comes to Auburn after spending a season coaching the Cincinnati Bengals’ d-line. Eason steps in to replace Tracy Rocker who left after just 11 days for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The hardest task that lies ahead for Eason and DC Derek Mason is replacing two of the line’s biggest contributors from last season in defensive end Big Kat Bryant and defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk.
Bryant left Auburn to originally follow Kevin Steele to Tennessee but finally ended up at UCF with former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. He finished last season with 15 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 interception. Newkirk transferred to Florida and finished last season with 28 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Mason typically runs a hybrid defense that alternates between three and four man fronts. Here are the Tigers projected to fill the positions on the defensive line:
Defensive tackle:
Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Dre Butler 6’5, 304 lb junior
2020 stats: 14 tackles, 1 sack
Butler transferred to Auburn from Independence Community College in Kansas where he recorded 66 tackles, 22.0 TFL, and 11.5 sacks
Lee Hunter 6’4, 300 lb freshman
Senior statistics at Blount High School (Mobile, AL): 54 tackles, 20 TFL, 4.5 sacks
4-star recruit with high praise for his strength and athleticism along all aspects of the line
Jay Hardy 6’4, 300 lb redshirt freshman
2020 stats: early season leg injury sidelined Hardy throughout season, saw action in one game against Northwestern
Instinctually a very solid player with quick hands and big upside but will need to step up athletically this spring to fill the role
Zykeivous Walker 6’4, 266 lb sophomore
2020 stats: solid option for Auburn at DE, finished season with 14 tackles and 1 sack
Powerful and quick for his size, has the versatility and skillset to play on the edge and the interior
Marquis Burks 6’3, 312 lb senior
2020 stats: 4 tackles, 1 sack
Two years of experience at Iowa City Community College
Defensive end:
Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Colby Wooden 6’4 268 lb sophomore
2020 stats: 42 tackles, 3 sacks, 9.5 TFL
His 9.5 TFL ranked third best in the SEC and he finished the season on the SEC All-Freshman team
Zykeivous Walker 6’4 266 lb sophomore
2020 stats: 14 tackles, 1 sack
As mentioned before, his versatility is great and he’s a proven pass rusher
Jaren Handy 6’5 252 lb junior
2020 stats: 3 tackles, 1 sack
Reserve DE for the Tigers in 2020, plays aggressively and runs well in pursuit
