Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Defensive End

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Gimel President (42) defends during the first quarter in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In our second edition of the 2015 Auburn defensive depth chart projections, we take a look at the players that should factor in at defensive end for the Tigers.

As you know, the Auburn football team was not very good defensively in 2014. With a 34-31 loss to Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl, the Tigers have now allowed 31 points or more and at least 400 yards in seven consecutive games against FBS opponents.

Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was fired after the Auburn allowed 26.1 points per game, 388.7 total yards on average, 149.1 yards on the ground and 239.2 passing yards through the 12-game regular season. Those numbers put the Tigers in the bottom third in the SEC in scoring defense, total defense and one spot out of last place in pass defense.

In an effort to fix those issues, head coach Gus Malzahn hired Will Muschamp to replace Johnson, and to whip a struggled yet talented defense into shape. In his introductory press conference, Muschamp discussed how he planned to do that.

“In our league and our division, you better win the line of scrimmage or you will not have a chance,” Muschamp said. “In terms of that, you must be able to stop the run with most of the teams we are going to face and stay away from explosive plays.”

The first line of defense (literally) when it comes to controlling the line of scrimmage and stopping the run is the defensive line. In Muschamp’s defense, the Tigers will utilize four linemen in their base scheme, two defensive ends (one called the “Buck,” which is the hybrid defensive end/linebacker position that allows Muschamp’s multiple defense to show both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments with the same personnel on the field), a nose guard and a defensive tackle.

Simply put, there is more specialization among the front four in Muschamp’s defense than there was in Johnson’s regime.  Looking ahead to the 2015 season, we dive into our defensive depth chart projections for the standard defensive end position.

Note: Our projections assume Carl Lawson will get the nod at “Buck,” Therefore, today we discuss the defensive end position that will start opposite Lawson.

Next: DaVonte Lambert