Auburn Football: Outback Bowl Practices Will Offer Sneak Peek of 2015 Stars
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Sep 28, 2013; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs safety Tray Matthews (28) breaks up a pass intended for LSU Tigers wide receiver Kadron Boone (86) in the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 44-41. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
The secondary will look very different in 2015. Jonathon Mincy and Trovon Reed – two of the team’s top three corners – will be gone, as will long-time starting safety Jermaine Whitehead and star Robenson Therezie.
Rudy Ford has been a pleasant surprise at safety and is the team’s leading tackler. Ford should be considered a front-runner to keep his spot next season, but Derrick Moncrief and Georgia transfer Tray Matthews will compete to either replace or start alongside him.
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Joshua Holsey has played safety and corner in his career, and will make his case to enter spring practice atop the depth chart somewhere, most likely opposite All-SEC second teamer Jonathan Jones.
Others like Stephen Roberts, T.J. Davis, Nick Ruffin, Mackenro Alexander, Khari Harding, JaViere Mitchell, Kalvarez Bessent, Joe Turner, and Markell Boston will aim to impress Malzahn and the coaches returning to the staff next season and should remember any incoming coaches are likely to review the film from bowl practices as well.
Overall, there are a lot of players that will benefit from the 15 or so bowl practices the Tigers will have leading up to the January 1 date with Wisconsin in Tampa. They’ll have an extra opportunity to show what they can do before the Tigers begin game-planning for the Badgers, outside their scout team and special teams responsibilities, and they can create both individual and team momentum heading into spring practice.
From there, they’ll have a chance to become stars on the filed in 2015.
Next: Plan B: Who Will Be the New Defensive Coordinator if Muschamp Says No?
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