Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Defensive End

Nicholas Ian Allen

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

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.

Next: Gimel President

Nov 8, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen (1) throws a pass as Auburn Tigers lineman Gimel President (42) closes in during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Gimel President

Much like Lambert, Gimel President emerged as a surprising starter at defensive end for the Tigers in 2014.

He earned his first start of the season in Auburn’s 41-7 victory over LSU and he never surrendered the position, starting the next eight games as well. Not bad for someone that didn’t even see the field against Arkansas in the season opener.

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“He’s a tough guy, he’s a smart guy, and he’s earned it,” head coach Gus Malzahn said in October. “From a coaches’ standpoint, that really makes you feel good if you have a guy that’s really been consistent and earned his way out there.”

As a 6-foot-4, 259-pound sophomore, President took part in 30 tackles, 18 of which were solo, had five tackles for loss, a sack, six quarterback hurries and he batted down one ball at the line of scrimmage.

It was a productive season, though President understands despite his role as a starter, he is far from a finished product, particularly as a pass rusher.

“I need to get to the edge and flip my hips more and use my hands,” President said. “I think that’s my weakest point and what I should work on even more.”

With Lambert out this spring, President will have more opportunities to work with Muschamp and should get more reps during drills and scrimmages. Therefore, he’ll have a head start on Lambert in the race to retain a starting spot at defensive end.

Next: Elijah Daniel

Sep 6, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Elijah Daniel (97) defends San Jose State Spartans quarterback Blake Jurich (14) during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Elijah Daniel

Sophomore Elijah Daniel had some pretty hefty expectations placed upon him entering the 2014 season. The 6-foot-2, 263-pound former four-star recruit had nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries as a freshman, and appeared to be an option for considerable playing time in 2014. However, he was hampered by injury nearly all season.

“He got behind,” former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said midway through the season. “I think he’s still trying to catch up with some of those older guys. … He’s had some missed sacks, he’s lost contain on the quarterback a few times. He really hasn’t had but about three completely healthy weeks of practice. He’s a rep guy. He needs all the work he can get as a young player.”

Because of the injury to Lambert, Daniel earned his first career start on the biggest stage of the season: the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa. The previous week, he recorded seven quarterback hurries and a sack against Samford.

Despite some success as a pass rusher, Daniel may be a candidate to more to defensive tackle.

“He’s physical enough to play one-on-one with the guards we’ve got to play against, but he’s quick enough and fast enough and explosive enough to run the twists and get outside and control the quarterback and other things that our big tackles sometimes struggle with,” Johnson said in September 2013 after Daniel had worked as an interior lineman.

He’s got the talent to push Lambert and President not only for playing time, but also for the top spot on the depth chart. However, his services may be needed more inside with the loss of four senior defensive tackles.

Next: Justin Thornton & Andrew Williams

Nov 16, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; A general view of the stadium during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Thornton & Andrew Williams

In addition to players that saw a lot of playing time in 2014, there are two redshirt freshman that could be very much in the mix in 2015.

Justin Thornton was a solid pass rushing prospect in the 2014 Auburn recruiting class and was ranked as the nation’s 120^th player overall by 247Sports. The Prichard, Alabama native was very active as a high school senior with 56 tackles and eight sacks.

At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds however, Thornton was not quite thick enough to force himself onto the field as a true freshman. With a full year on campus to grow and mature physically, specifically to add weight and strength, Thornton should be ready to enter the rotation next season.

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Nicholas Ian Allen