Following the departure of multiple starters on the Auburn defense, Kevin Steele and company are looking for their slew of younger players to step up and fill the newfound void.
After recording 49 tackles and two sacks in thirteen starts as a true freshman, Tiger linebacker Owen Pappoe is ready to elevate his game.
“Really, last year was more a year getting my feet wet and trying to get comfortable with the system,” Pappoe said on Thursday. “I think I found myself last year just trying to do my job.”
The sophomore mentioned the experience from his freshman year, and his work in the offseason has allowed him to gain confidence in his abilities.
“Now that I’m familiar with the coaches and the system, I just feel more free when I’m out there,” Pappoe said. “I play way faster and make a lot more plays.”
Pappoe accredits much of his progression to Auburn’s linebackers coach Travis Williams.
“He’s never changed,” Pappoe said. “He would let me know when I’m messing up and the ways I can get better...he pushes me to be the best person I can be.”
The sophomore hopes that his leadership abilities will grow this season as he works to become a more vocal leader on the team.
“Right now, I’m more leading by example,” Pappoe said. “But coach T-Will and all them are challenging me to be a more vocal leader, that’s something I’m going to work on.”
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