August ushers in excitement as the college football season quickly approaches. Along with the excitement comes uncertainties and one of the biggest unknowns heading to the beginning of the season is the state of the Auburn defense. The Tiger offense has lead the way to two national title appearances since 2010, but in each of those magical seasons the defensive performances have been lacking. For a program that has seen four defensive coordinators since 2010, consistency on the defensive side of the ball is all that Auburn coaches, players and fans could ask for.
For the first time in several seasons, the Auburn defensive line looks to be equally talented and deep heading into the season. Perhaps the most exciting part of the 2016 Auburn defense starts up front with the defensive line.
Depth has been an issue for Auburn defensive fronts in the past, specifically the past two seasons. This fall, much of the defensive line is returning, thanks to NFL prospects Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams returning for another season on the Plains. Adams called this defensive front "the strongest we have seen" since his time at Auburn.
“Defensively, we do have a lot of experience back, which I think is very important, we played well in the second half of the season," head coach Gus Malzahn said. "There's a lot of carryover, as far as our defense last year and defense this year, which I think is important. And I think we got a chance to have one of the best, if not the best, defenses we've had at my time at Auburn, which I think is very important.”
Adams and a finally healthy Lawson could be two of the most dangerous players in the conference this season. The two veterans are expected to start alongside Dontavius Russell and true freshman Marlon Davidson.
“I feel like we recruited well. We have a lot of talent. We need to execute, and that’s what we’ve been doing this past spring," said Lawson. "Everybody has talent. When we get to the season, we’ll see how we stack up.”
Byron Cowart, the nation’s highest rated recruit in 2015, also looks to step up in his sophomore season and lead an impressive second string of linemen. With tackles Devaroe Lawrence and Maurice Swain joined by Jeff Holland and Cowart, the second wave of Tiger defensive lineman could be more talented than most starting groups of linemen in the country. True freshman and five-star tackle Derrick Brown is also likely to see playing time in 2016 and will provide even more depth at tackle for the Tigers.
With coaching from former Auburn great Rodney Gardner and new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, the 2016 Auburn defensive line has the ability, skill and coaching to be one of the more dominant defensive fronts in the country.
The defensive front will be tested early and often, starting on Sept. 3 as they face Clemson and early Heisman favorite Deshaun Watson.
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