The Auburn Tigers are poised to being their journey back to the top of the SEC this season and will rely heavily on several players to get there.
Pro Football Focus recently released their Preseason All-SEC team and feels that three players will be instrumental in Auburn’s success this season. PFF has placed transfer defensive lineman [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] on the second team, with running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] finding places on the third team.
Rogers, a transfer from Kentucky, joins Auburn after appearing in 13 games last season for the Wildcats. In 450 snaps, he made 35 total tackles and 11 total pressures. His final grade was 70.9, which was 9th highest among Kentucky defenders.
Joining Rogers on defense this season is D.J. James. James recorded 37 tackles last season, which was 10th highest among Auburn defenders. He was Auburn’s highest-graded defender at 82.3 and was best at coverage by grading out at 85.7. He allowed opposing receivers to catch 40.7% of passes, and he gave up just two touchdowns.
Finally, Hunter is Auburn’s lone representative on offense to make the team. Hunter is projected to be the Tigers leading rusher this season after spending time in [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag]’s shadows for the last two seasons. He rushed for 668 yards and seven touchdowns last season and graded out at 80.1.
Check out the entire 2023 Preseason All-SEC team from Pro Football Focus here.
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