Smoke Monday’s confidence to begin fall camp is well earned. The senior safety is coming into his fourth year of play, and as a returning starter, he knows he will be a factor in leading the defense.
“Time went by quick for me," Monday said. "It feels like yesterday I was just a freshman, and now I’m a senior leading the defense. So it feels weird because I had a lot of guys when I first got here that taught me a lot, and I didn’t think I’d be in this position so quick. It feels good to be that older guy in the room.”
The Tigers only have the opportunity to practice in full pads nine times during fall camp because of new rules to the practice schedule. Regardless of the rule change, Monday says the team plans capitalize on each opportunity they are given.
Last season, Monday and Jamien Sherwood were Auburn's starters at safety, but the Tigers will have to find a new starter alongside Monday with Sherwood heading to the NFL. Monday’s focus in the preseason is setting the standard for anyone who might step up to fill the job.
“My goal is basically just to teach him everything I’ve learned here and just play my ball, do my job," Monday said. "By doing my job, it helps a lot of other guys do their job. There’s really nothing special about it. It’s just doing your job and everybody else should just follow along.”
A major factor in Auburn’s defense in recent years has been the early playing time for members of its secondary. Monday credits the incoming players with knowing their playbook in and out and building chemistry quickly.
Monday was specifically asked about transfer safeties Bydarrius Knighten and Donovan Kaufman. He credited their work ethic in practice and knowing the playbook thoroughly for having arrived so recently.
“He’s a great athlete. He’s fast. He’s physical,” Monday said on newcomer Kaufman, “By having somebody on my side like that, who loves ball like I love it, I can play with him any day.”
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Callie Stanford is from Springville, Alabama and is currently a sophomore at Auburn. She has been with The Plainsman since January 2021.
Twitter: @Stanford1Callie
