Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Defensive End
Oct 25, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Mike Davis (28) runs the ball past Auburn Tigers defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert (86) during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
DaVonte Lambert
Will Muschamp will have a veteran defense at his disposal in 2015, which includes eight returning starters. One of those is DaVonte Lambert.
When he signed with the Tigers as a junior college prospect in the 2014 recruiting class, most thought Lambert would be a defensive tackle at Auburn. The reason? He weighed roughly 290 pounds, which is generally too heavy to be a defensive end in a four-man front.
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“The biggest adjustment for me, I worked myself in shape,” Lambert said in Spetember. “I lost 20-something pounds. I feel good right now, I’m not getting tired.”
At that point, Lambert said he was below 270 pounds. The weight loss paid off and the junior became the Tigers’ most consistent pass rusher. He started nine games this season, recorded 24 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks.
Of course, like Lawson, Lambert suffered a torn ACL. Lambert’s injury occurred on the first defensive snap of the game against Samford. Because an ACL injury takes so long to recover from, Lambert is not expected to be available for spring practice. However, once he returns in the summer, he will make a case for the top spot at defensive end.
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