Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Defensive Tackle
Nov 22, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (1) brings down Samford Bulldogs quarterback Michael Eubank (2) during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Under former Tigers defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson’s 4-2-5 scheme, Auburn used two defensive ends and two defensive tackles. As you can tell by our projections thus far, the roles of the front four are a bit more specialized in new coordinator Will Muschamp’s defense.
Now, we take a look at the fourth spot on the defensive line – defensive tackle – which happens to be the most difficult position to project at the moment.
The reason? The best candidates to start at tackle are also the best candidates for other positions, which makes things a bit muddled. Fortunately, Muschamp has a good track record of being creative with his personnel on the defensive line.
The defensive tackle is a run stopper, particularly on first and second downs. He should eat up space – similar to the nose guard, but farther from the center – and free up the other defenders to make tackles.
(Note: you’ll hear the term “three-technique” often when describing a defensive tackle, which refers to one of the primary spots where the defensive tackle will line up. It’s a quick way to indicate alignment on the outside shoulder of the guard. Keep in mind, however, that there are several spots where a defensive tackle will line up including a four-technique, a 4i, and a two-technique/G depending on the defensive call).
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Controlling the running game should put the defense in an advantageous position on third down by creating third-and-long situations that are not only difficult to convert, but are also obvious passing conditions.
Combined, solid play up front will give the Tigers a better chance to give the ball back to the Auburn offense, which is a primary goal, according to Muschamp.
“I think regardless of what you are trying to stop, you better make it one dimensional,” Muschamp said at his introductory press conference. “When teams can stay balanced on you, it is really difficult to stop them. The key to everything is: number one turnovers and getting the ball back to your offense. That is your job.”
In order to succeed, new faces will need to step up for Muschamp. With the loss of four senior defensive tackles from the 2014 roster, Auburn will be very inexperienced on the interior defensive line in 2015.
So who will rise to the occasion at defensive tackle?
Next: DaVonte Lambert