Unfiltered thoughts: Rundown of each Auburn defensive player
After three games, many of Auburn’s new faces (and the returning ones) are more well-known. Who is bringing what to the team? What have they done well? What have they not done well? We have provided quick-hitter notes from observations and takeaways so far. These are not long, drawn-out thoughts.
Some of it will be good, some will not. In the end, it will all be honest and unfiltered. Here are the analysis notes for each player who has played significant snaps on the Auburn defense.
Defensive line
DL – Marcus Harris
– The best player on the front
– Getting off the ball at a different speed than everyone else
– Great against the run/double teams
– Inconsistent as a pass rusher
– Gets off of blocks well
DE – Mosiah Nasili-Kite
– Missed a few tackles, but getting undeserved criticism
– The best DL at the point of attack
– Needs to be used to set the edge more, even as a jack
– Wins one-on-one matchups
– Can be just as effective as the three
– Has to finish plays and he will be an NFL player
DL – Jayson Jones
– Still inconsistent against doubles
– Made some improvement from a year ago on the inside
– Has become a much better interior pass rusher
– Plays soft on the inside at times
– Leverage and pad level are a struggle
DL – Justin Rogers
– Better against doubles than Jones, still somewhat inconsistent
– Gets off of blocks well, but seems to lose gap control
– Very difficult to move up front, needs to handle his job better and will be much more effective
– Despite inconsistencies, not playing bad at all
DE – Keldric Faulk
– Still hesitant at times
– Does not know how good he is
– He will have great success batting down the ball (Very underrated play)
– I think he was positioned correctly at first. Needs to play some JACK
– Getting close to the quarterback
– Raw in taking on blocks, but getting better
– Needs better get off at times.
DL – Lawrence Johnson
– Sometimes a non-factor when in the game
– Flashed serious potential on sack
– Capable of providing good help
DE – Zykevious Walker
– Playing defensive end, might be better for him
– Has had some good snaps in limited play
– Could be the edge setter Auburn is needing
JACK/Edge
JACK – Jalen McLeod
– Game changer for the defense
– Makes the entire defense better
– Very active, around the ball often
– Not full speed, but powering through opposing tackles pretty well
– Surprisingly effective in space. Needs to do that more.
JACK – Elijah McCallister
– Inconsistent
– Has had a few good sets on edge, but not enough
– Plays soft at times, pad level too high
– Capable as a pass rusher. Has had some good pressures
JACK – Stephen Sings
– Seems to be around the ball when in the game
– Capable of bringing good pass rush
– Plays in space good enough to be effective
– Needs to play more, can be an edge setter, too
Linebackers
Eugene Asante
– FAST
– Excellent on the blitz
– Not great in the box unless given an opening
– Great in space, locking on running back routes
– Perfect fit for Roberts’ defense
Larry Nixon
– Very good in the box. Physical
– Comes down hill appropriately.
– Not good in coverage.
– Not overly fast, but a quick reactor
– Good eyes, smart football player, good linebacker
Cam Riley
– Mind lapses too often in the box, eyes aren’t good
– Athletic, better in space
– Big, but not physical enough to play on edge
– Worthy of snaps, but not starter level and not in the box
Wesley Steiner
– Not playing as bad as the narrative
– Pretty good in covering backs
– Also has mind lapses in the box
– Physical enough, pretty fast
– Worthy of being the 3rd guy behind Asante, Nixon
Secondary
Nickel – Keionte Scott
– Huge loss
– Never saw his true potential this season
– NFL guy
CB – DJ James
– NFL player
– Elite cover corner
– Physical in every sense of the word
– Can’t find many problems with his game if any.
S – Jaylin Simpson
– Elite ball hawk
– Knows what he’s looking at
– Working his way toward a draft pick
– HIGH football IQ
– Tough and physical tackler, scrappy
CB – Kayin Lee
– Young stud.
– Going to be great during his time at Auburn
– Physical tackler, cover corner
– Twitched up. Very active all over the field
– Can win one-on-one’s
S – Zion Puckett
– Pretty underrated open field tackler
– Gets lost in the shuffle at times
– Not a man coverage player
– Sound in assignment
– Speed is questionable. In the right role right now.
Nickel – Donovan Kaufman
– Playing out of his mind
– In the perfect role, not a man coverage guy
– Elite blitz option
– Elite stripping ability
– Not speedy, but quick and high football IQ
– Excellent tackler
Nickel/CB – JD Rhym
– Football IQ is great
– Rangy
– Sound (So far)
– Will be a great blitzer when used that way
– Potential to be good man coverage player
– Important piece for depth and can help Auburn’s defense
Nickel/S – Caleb Wooden
– Eyes get lost in coverage at times
– Not a man coverage player
– Great tackler
– Good enough to contribute
– Not an overly sound player right now
CB – Champ Anthony
– Nasty competitor
– Scrappy, not too big, but plays big
– Looks speedy and quick
– Would like to see more, he can contribute in some way
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