Auburn fans have heard one word surrounding this year’s team: speed. Tony Franklin promises a high-octane offense built on speed, but lost in the shuffle of all the talk is a defense built on speed.
Tommy Tuberville has long favored undersized athletes with speed in order to cause havoc for the opposing offense.
The star of the linebacking corps, known by some as the “ball of hate,” Tray Blackmon is favorably measured as 6 feet tall in the Auburn Media Guide.
The team’s leader in sacks, Antonio Coleman, is more of an oversized linebacker than defensive end.
Taking over as coordinator for Will Muschamp, Paul Rhoads inherits a squad short on experience with Chris Evans projected as the team’s only starting senior.
Despite key losses, the defense is expected by many to repeat last years success where they ranked sixth in total defense.
Secondary
The secondary will be the big question mark for the defense, losing three of four starters to graduation. Jerraud Powers and Walter McFadden will step into the role as starting corners vacated by Pat Lee and Jonathan Wilhite.
Powers was seemingly all over the field for the Tigers in 2008, tying for the team lead in interceptions and coming in fourth in tackles.
McFadden saw little time on the field until late in the season, while safeties Zac Etheridge and Mike McNeil saw significant time in the secondary. Aairon Savage figures to see time at corner when he returns.
Defensive Line
Junior defensive end Antonio Coleman heads a line, holding what may be the key to the entire defense. If Coleman and the rest of the line can get in the backfield and cover up for an inexperienced secondary, expect similar results as last year.
Pat Sims’ early departure to the NFL will hurt, but Sen’Derrick Marks has already found himself in many All-SEC team predictions moving from defensive end to tackle.
Jake Ricks will man the middle with Marks, boasting a 300-pound. frame to clog up running lanes. Junior college transfer Raven Gray, who Tuberville called one of the most talented players he’s ever recruited, could cause quarterbacks headaches in his first year.
Linebacker
The rock of the defense, the linebacking corps could have many opportunities in Rhoads’ defense.
Tray Blackmon, who has played in all of 15 games in his three years at Auburn because of injury and off the field problems, has become the emotional leader of the defense. Blackmon is poised to take All-SEC honors if he can stay on the field.
His speed and hitting ability is quickly becoming legend among Auburn fans.
Craig Stevens and Chris Evans figure to start on the outside with Blackmon, but the depth is the key for this group. Josh Bynes may be the fastest linebacker in the SEC, while Merrill Johnson could find himself starting early in the year.
Special Teams
Opponents began to salivate when Auburn’s kickoff team came on the field last year. Special Teams coach Eddie Gran hopes to wipe away the mistakes that saw opponents regularly start with the ball around the 35 yard line.
A healed ankle on Wes Byrum should get the ball in the endzone and aid kick coverage.
Field goals may be another issue. The hailed Byrum for his ice cold demeanor for kicking two game-winning field goals on the road, is fighting hard to hold on to the starting job.
Robert Dunn and Brad Lester team up with the return of a healthy Tristan Davis to give Gran three home run threats at kick return.
