Spring Soccer Preview: Projecting the line of defense

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Auburn was due for some attrition alongside the line of defense.

The Tigers needed to many proficient gamers for everybody to get sufficient enjoying time and when Nick Eason left for Clemson it solely worsened the state of affairs.

However shedding six gamers to the switch portal was sudden and has thinned out Auburn’s depth.

The Tigers return their high defensive lineman in Colby Wood and high quality starter in Marcus Harris. Marquis Burks offers them one other skilled participant they’ll lean on.

After these 4, Auburn has a number of promising gamers who’ve but to carve out roles for themselves and at the moment are in line for severe enjoying time.

Here’s a have a look at the group.

Colby Wood

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports activities

Wood was Auburn’s high defensive lineman final season and it was not that shut. He completed with 61 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and blocked a kick.

His determination to return for his junior season was a large pickup for the. He has lined up at a number of positions alongside the road in his time at Auburn and could also be pressured to do once more, however his finest work is from the inside and that’s the place he must be used this season.

Auburn will want Wood to be a pressure alongside the road as his teammates get snug of their new roles, there isn’t a motive to count on he is not going to rise to the event.

Marcus Harris

(AP Photograph/Michael Woods)

Harris made a direct affect for Auburn final season. The Kansas switch shortly gained a beginning job and was considered one of Auburn’s high linemen. He completed with 27 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and recovered a fumble. He and Wood make a powerful core for Auburn’s line of defense and are the unquestioned leaders of the group.

Marquis Burks

(AP Photograph/Butch Dill)

Burks determined to make use of his additional season of eligibility to return for one final season and is now in line for a a lot bigger position. He performed in 12 video games final season and completed with 13 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and compelled two fumbles.

He has risen from a participant with a restricted position to a possible starter and may have an opportunity to have his faculty profession along with his finest season but

Zykeivous Walker

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports activities

Walker arrived as a top-100 recruit however has but to carve out a job in two seasons at Auburn. he appeared in 9 video games final season and made six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

He has the potential to play a number of positions alongside the line of defense and Auburn might have that as a result of lack of depth. He may have an opportunity to make the most of extra enjoying time in 2022 and Auburn might use the emergence of somebody along with his potential.

Tobechi Okoli

Tobechi Okoli is the final returning defensive lineman for Auburn. He appeared in a single recreation as a freshman and didn’t file a stat. At 6-foot-5 and 252 kilos he’s a defensive finish and will probably see time at edge to get essentially the most out of him.

Newcomers

Offsetting a few of the departures for Auburn had been the additions of Jayson Jones, Jeffrey M’Ba, and Enyce Sledge. All three have promising ability units and their growth shall be value watching.

Jones, a switch from Oregon, appeared in 13 video games for the Geese final season and had 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

M’ba was the No. 1 JUCO participant within the nation and may have an opportunity to make a direct affect for Auburn. He’s nonetheless uncooked as he began enjoying soccer three seasons in the past however has super upside.

The ultimate addition was Sledge. Coming in at 6-foot-4 and 305-pounds, the previous three-star recruit will present depth alongside the inside of the line of defense.

Depth Chart

Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports activities

Auburn has two confirmed starters in Wood and Harris however the depth behind them is missing. The Tigers will want a number of gamers behind them to step up of their new roles. Here’s a depth chart forward of spring practices.

Defensive Finish

  1. Colby Wood, junior

  2. Zykeivous Walker, junior

  3. Tobechi Okoli, redshirt freshman

Defensive Deal with

  1. Marcus Harris, junior

  2. Jayson Jones, sophomore

  3. Enyce Sledge, true freshman

Defensive Deal with

  1. Marquis Burks, tremendous senior

  2. Jeffrey M’ba, junior

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