Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Nose Guard

Nicholas Ian Allen

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;Auburn Tigers defensive linemen Montravius Adams (1) chases down the ball carrier in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Badgers defeated the Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Tigers have a new defensive coordinator and a new defense. So, our Auburn defensive depth chart projections takes a look at the new nose guard position.

As you know, Will Muschamp is the new defensive coordinator of the Auburn football team. With a new defensive coordinator comes a new defense, and projections and speculation as to who will play in what positions.

Following our first two defensive depth chart projections – Buck and Defensive End – we take a look at the nose guard position. Auburn has talent on hand already, and the Tigers will add a handful of new recruits to the mix as well.

“I think the front seven is very strong,” Muschamp said at his introductory press conference. “Just looking at some the guys up front. I recruited a bunch of them, so I am looking forward to coaching some of them who turned me down.”

With Carl Lawson back from his injury, starters Gimel President and DaVonte Lambert and reserve Elijah Daniel all expected to return in 2014, the Tigers will have depth on the defensive line.

That’s a good thing because Muschamp would ideally like to play between eight and ten defensive linemen each game. However, the Tigers will be inexperienced on the interior in 2015 with the losses of seniors Angelo Blackson, Ben Bradley, Jeff Whitaker and Gabe Wright.

Blackson, Bradley and Wright each played in all 13 games for the Tigers in 2014, while injuries limited Whitaker to nine games. With the senior quartet gone – as well as walk-on Brian Walsh, who had one year of eligibility remaining – finding the right mix inside is going to be tricky, especially when it comes to the nose guard position.

For those that don’t already know, generally, a nose guard is a space eater inside that takes on double teams with regularity and creates piles at the line of scrimmage, which frees up and allows the linebackers behind him to make plays.

Commonly, a nose guard weighs in at 300 pounds or more, and the Tigers roster is light (pun semi-intended) on players that big. However, there is a handful of players that are likely to factor in at the nose in 2015.

Next: Montravius Adams

Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) attempts a shuffle pass against Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The pass was incomplete. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Montravius Adams

One of the current Auburn football players that does fit the traditional mold of a nose guard – Montravius Adams – might actually be a better fit at the defensive tackle position, which would better take advantage of his athleticism.

However, Adams – who is the most talented interior lineman on the roster – may be asked to fill the role in 2015 if a better option doesn’t arise. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds, Adams is also one of the biggest defensive linemen available for the Tigers, which is why he could play nose if needed.

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As a sophomore in 2014, Adams started the first ten games of the season for the Tigers, and played in all 13 and played both defensive tackle and defensive end. The Georgia native recorded 43 tackles, 27 of them solo. He led all defensive linemen with eight tackles for a loss, added three sacks and tied Elijah Daniel for the team lead with 17 quarterback hurries while splitting time between defensive tackle and end.

Adams also caused a fumble and recorded an interception, which he returned 36 yards and came up just five yards short of the end zone.

“He’s an impact player, there’s no doubt,” head coach Gus Malzahn said following the Louisiana Tech game, in which Adams had his interception. “He’s athletic and made a great catch and run.”

Again, ideally, Montravius Adams won’t play nose guard and will start at defensive tackle instead. However, unless a top-notch recruit signs with Auburn, like Terry Beckner, Jr. or Daylon Mack (both long shots), or another player steps up to the task, Adams is the player most likely to start at the nose at the beginning of the 2015 season.

Next: Maurice Swain

Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of Auburn Tigers and Missouri Tigers fans during the second quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Maurice Swain

The Auburn football team has had great success with immediate impact junior college players in recent seasons.

Just to name a few, Nick Marshall started at quarterback in each of the past two seasons, D’haquille Williams and DaVonte Lambert played major roles on offense and defense last season, respectively. Also, Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy and Nick Fairley won the Lombardi Trophy in the 2010 National Championship season.

Will Maurice Swain be the next great junior college player?

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Swain was considered a top-50 JUCO prospect in the 247Sports Composite, and a three-star at defensive tackle. At 6-foot-4, and 295 pounds, Swain has the size to play nose guard in Muschamp’s defense, but he was athletic enough to play end as well at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Last season, Swain tallied 32 tackles and 6.5 tackles for a loss to earn MACJC All-State honors.

Like fellow JUCO signees Jovon Robinson and Jason Smith and early enrollee freshmen Tyler Carr, Bailey Sharp, Chandler Cox and Tyler Queen, Maurice Swain has arrived on campus and will begin classes Wednesday.

“I feel very good about them as a group,” Malzahn said after the early enrollees were announced. “All of the guys that are coming in, we feel like it will be to their benefit that they are coming in early. Most of them will have a chance to have an impact next year. It’s really good for us to get those guys here.”

With a semester of school under his belt, and the spring practice that comes with it, Swain will have a head start on any other incoming freshmen that will challenge him for playing time in 2015.

“Swain is a guy we’ve known about for a long time,” Malzahn said. “Coach (Rodney) Garner recruited him at Georgia. I talked to him before he went to junior college. He’s a big, athletic guy we feel can come in and make an immediate impact up front because we are losing so many guys. We’re tickled to death to have him.”

Next: Dontavius Russell

Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers taped football shoes on the field before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Dontavius Russell

With a severe lack of depth among interior defensive linemen heading into the 2015 off-season, expect redshirt freshman Dontavius Russell to be one of the first players to get a crack at the nose tackle spot this spring.

He had the talent to contribute at defensive tackle last season, but the Tigers weren’t desperate for his services and decided to save a year of eligibility instead.

“We have to decide what we’re going to do with the high school kids,” defensive line coach Rodney Garner said during fall camp in August. “That’s the struggle I’m having right now. To be honest, the most impressive kid out there is really Russell. He’s real good. He can be real good this year, but you don’t really need that position. You need the outside position. I’m still struggling, because he’s so good.”

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Russell has good size for the position, but he should also have added much needed strength during his redshirt year on campus. Also, one knock on Russell coming out of high school was his hand usage, which also should be improved with a year’s worth of practices under his belt.

A native of Carrollton, Georgia, Russell was committed to the home state Bulldogs but flipped to Auburn after he attended the 2013 Iron Bowl. A four-star prospect, Russell was ranked as the nation’s 12^th best defensive tackle in last year’s class by 247Sports.

Expect Russell to play early and often in 2015, especially if Adams plays defensive tackle instead of the nose. In that case, Russell would be in the mix for a starting spot.

Next: Jauntavius Johnson

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn speaks with an official to challenge a call during the first quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Jauntavius Johnson

When he was first hired, Muschamp was asked about the success he’s had as an SEC defensive coordinator, as well as the defensive success his Florida teams had when Muschamp was the head coach in Gainesville.

“We have been pretty good where we have been but we have also had some pretty good players,” Mushcamp said. “What it comes down to is players.”

As of now, the 2015 Auburn recruiting class is light on impact players on the defensive side of the football, especially on the defensive line. In fact, Jauntavius Johnson is the only high school defensive lineman currently committed to the Tigers.

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Nicholas Ian Allen