Liberty transfer edge Stephen Sings is more than just depth for Auburn
Auburn football is now closer to having the depth needed at edge with the additions of former Liberty edge Stephen Sings.
The Tigers had to have it, and they got it in a player who had nearly 4 sacks a year ago. Not only did he have some big plays, he played for a top-notch defense, and for Auburn’s current coaches.
While Sings is a depth piece, he is also more than that. I think he’s a nice upgrade as the 3-4 edge in place of Dylan Brooks.
We gathered some film on him to break down his game–something you only get at Auburn Live.
Sings plays on both edges in these clips and wears the No. 3 jersey.
Opportunistic
Opportunity sounds like luck, but opportunity does not happen to those who cannot handle their assignments. Sings is sound in his assignment (good job, Jeremy Garrett).
In the clip above, Sings is playing the edge at the bottom of the screen. He takes on the split zone block like a champ. Then, he keeps working through that block on the back side and is rewarded by a running back who falls into his lap.
There is a reason he was in the right place at the right time, and it was not luck. Sings earned this opportunity.
Again, if you do things correctly, you will be rewarded. That will always be true in football no matter how many rule changes the NCAA makes.
Sings is the edge at the top. He does not get a great pass rush, but does keep containment. When the play breaks down and the quarterback tries to evade, there is Sings waiting on him to keep QB enclosed.
He did get credited with .5 sack here.
Sings, in the clip above, came off of the edge without checking up before he even realized the ball being snapped over the quarterback.
Because he was so heavy in pursuit, he once again is opportunistic with a vicious sack and huge play.
These opportunities aren’t available for someone who isn’t giving full effort to get to the ball, even if the play is away from them.
PBU
There are a few stats that are often overlooked in football. One of them is the pass breakup from defensive linemen. A ball batted down at the line of scrimmage is a momentum killer for an offense.
Sings was able to do it in a few games, and at important moments.
It is a reactionary skill more so than just being tall and lengthy. You can see that Sings has his eyes on the quarterback as he’s bull rushing the tackle. As soon as he sees the quarterback pull back to throw, he goes up and takes away what would have been a completion, and probably a first down.
Taking on the lead blocker
This is my favorite.
Sings does something that only Derick Hall had mastered on Auburn’s 2022 team: he can set the edge with nastiness.
Sings throws his shoulder into the pulling guard and completely annihilates this play from the beginning. Check out the reaction from the guard who gets stonewalled. This is good, sound football.
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