Josh Aldridge interview takeaways: Eugene Asante praise, LB depth, infectious energy and more

AUBURN — Auburn football linebacker coach Josh Aldridge met the media on Thursday as the Tigers inch closer towards their first fall camp scrimmage on Saturday inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here are the highlights of what Aldridge said, including serious praise for some his linebackers, high-motor players, growth in learning the defense and more.

“I think we’re getting a lot better in terms of picking things up in this defense,” Aldridge said. “The linebacker, there’s a lot on his plate. What I want to see is things carry over from the spring and slowly, but surely we’re not making the same mistakes and that’s what I’m seeing. We have quality depth, a lot of guys competing, which is good.”

We’ve heard Eugene Asante‘s name quite a few times during fall camp and Aldridge confirmed the chatter. The former North Carolina transfer is making waves and is apparently a “joy” to be around. He’s going to be an impact player on defense.

“From the time I got hired, I don’t know that anybody had better energy than he did, maybe on our whole team. He works so hard in the weight room, changed his body. Someone told me he was like 205-ish, he’s over 220 now. He’s what we like in a will linebacker that can cover and do multiple things. He’s big enough. He doesn’t have a bad day in terms of his attitude ever. He plays the next play. He’s made those guys around him better. Because Eugene brings it every single day, those guys have no choice but to bring it every single day. It’s been a good domino effect with Eugene.

“I don’t want to air out anything about Eugene’s personal life, but Eugene had a tough year last year. He had a tough year. I think he’s cleared his head. He’s really caught onto it. He’s a joy to coach. He’s a fun kid. I think he’ll have a great season, regardless of whether he’s in the starting role. I think he’ll definitely help us a lot this season and Auburn fans should be keeping an eye out for him.”

Speaking of Asante’s high motor, toss transfers Stephen Sings and Jalen McLeod into the mix of guys whose energy elevates their teammates’ level of play.

“Sometimes they make other guys look bad. They are moving at a certain speed and then here comes everyone else chasing the football. It’s a way to hold people accountable. It’s infectious. It’s not a coincidence that the first day of practice Eugene is chasing the football and we have a few guys that don’t, and the next day a few more guys are chasing the football. This is how it looks. It’s great.”

Speaking of Sings, Aldridge said don’t be fooled by his pedigree coming from Liberty. “He’s a Power Five football player.”

“I recruited Steve. He was committed to Virginia Tech, had some academic problems, Covid hit and they waived everything academically, and we swooped him and signed him at Liberty. Steve is so genuine and grateful. You’re going to see a crazy motor. He and Jalen, regardless of their athletic ability, they play so flipping’ hard. It’s fun to watch. You’re going to get a high-motor guy.”

Larry Nixon III is right in the mix after arriving from North Texas. His experience and football IQ is showing up according to Josh Aldridge.

“I can tell how experienced he is by how quickly he picks things up. The biggest concern you have when you take a transfer that isn’t midyear is how quickly can he pick up the defense. I wasn’t comfortable taking one after spring, unless it was a guy like Larry who had the production and played a lot. It’s easy to install and teach him things. He can translate. I’ve been impressed with his football knowledge. He’s got alot of composure, can tell he’s played a lot of football.”

Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys is poised to start at the mike linebacker spot. It’s not always perfect, but that’s OK with Josh Aldridge.

“You can tell he’s got a SEC build already. On top of that, he knows how to practice like a SEC player I’m enjoying his tenacity. He’s not played perfect by any means, but you can tell he understands the physicality it takes to play in this conference. That’s what I like about Austin.

“He’s dynamic. He’s not a one-trick pony. He can run, he’s physical, he’s smart, all those things. We don’t want the old-school, neck roll mike linebacker in this defense. You can’t win that way. You have to have guys who are multiple.”

What about veteran Cam Riley? The long, rangy linebacker has all the tools, but is learning a new position in Ron Roberts‘ defense. Keep an eye on Riley playing in specific packages where he’s on the edge rushing the passer. Whether starting or not, Josh Aldridge believes you’ll see plenty of Riley this season.

“He’s competing for that starting spot. He’s splitting those one reps a lot. Cam is probably, if we were to move one of those guys down to a jack spot, he’d be the first guy to move there. (Cam) probably has a good chance to play the most snaps of anyone in the room because he’s doing multiple things. You need those dynamic guys. Cam, it’s experience and he’s playing in a different spot than previously. He’s getting a feel for that natural linebacker spot. Cam is probably our best candidate when we want to put one of those guys down on the edge, he and Austin. He’s so long, good at using his hands. He’s had a good camp.”

Former 4-star linebacker signee Robert Woodyard was injured last season. It impacted his ability to play, ultimately redshirting in 2022. Woodyard’s youth is holding him back some at the moment, but the flashes of solid play are there.

“Robert is just so young. I know he redshirted last year, but he was hurt. He wasn’t full speed. To say that he redshirted and learned a lot, he was hurt. He’s our youngest guy in that room. Robert’s big thing is consistency. He puts things on tape where he looks like a SEC mike linebacker. Three players, he won’t. That comes with coaching a young guy, and he knows that. He’s getting better every day. He’s had his best two practices the last two practices, but he’s just young and growing.”

Does Josh Aldridge feel good about his linebacker depth? Not yet, it seems.

“In a perfect world, that’s what I want to do, but I’m not putting anyone out there that I don’t think can help us. If we have to play with four, we’ll play with four. I’d like to think we’ll have at least five, hopefully, but we need to roll.”

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