Zion Puckett is ready for anything when the 2021 season begins.
The versatile defensive back has been playing nickel and safety in the past, but now he is taking it up a notch.
“I am trying to learn all positions,” Puckett said. “You never know during the season. As of right now, I can be mixed in everywhere, wherever they want to put me. Wherever they need me, I’ll do it.”
Puckett arrived on Auburn’s campus three years ago as a four-star defensive back from Georgia. Three years later, Puckett has played sparingly but has been ready when his name is called. Puckett had a career-high four tackles last year against Arkansas, a game that came down to literal inches in the end.
This offseason, Puckett has been playing mostly with the safeties, a departure from playing as a nickel corner. Learning from senior Smoke Monday and senior graduate transfer Bydarrius Knighten at safety, has been key to Puckett’s understanding of the position as a whole he said.
“I feel like I fit in perfectly with them,” Puckett said. “Just knowing the scheme and learning the scheme, having Bydarrius and Smoke has been terrific for me.”
Puckett mentioned that the biggest hurdle for himself when moving strictly to safety has been analyzing the field before the play.
“What I have mainly been focusing on is getting in the right position at the right time, mainly knowing what I need to do pre-snap,” Puckett said.
Auburn has a loaded defensive backfield, with names like Monday’s and Rodger McCreary taking up the limelight. It is safe to say Auburn fans should be on the lookout for Puckett, wherever he may play.
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Henry Zimmer is from Jacksonville, Florida, and is currently in his fifth year with The Plainsman. He is currently the Sports Reporter and can be followed on Twitter here: @henryzimmer
