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
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
Defensive tackle is the most difficult position on the defense to project for 2015, because the best candidates are likely to be involved elsewhere.
First of all, Montravius Adams is the best natural fit for the defensive tackle position because of his size and athleticism, but he also happens to be the best available option at nose guard. At 306 pounds, Adams has the size needed to play the nose, and right now, there just aren’t many players on the roster that weigh in at 300-plus.
Betsided
Therefore, Muschamp may have to look elsewhere, and DaVonte Lambert may be the best available option – once he returns from a torn ACL, of course.
Lambert started nine games and recorded 24 tackles and a team-high 3.5 sacks as a defensive end in 2014 before he injured his knee on the first defensive snap of the game against Samford in November.
The junior worked hard to drop about 20 pounds in 2014 after signing with the Tigers as the nation’s highest rated junior college defensive tackle prospect. Doing so put him at around 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, which allowed Lambert to help replace Carl Lawson (who also tore his ACL) as a much needed pass rusher.
However, with Lawson returning in 2015 along with fellow starter Gimel President, top reserve Elijah Daniel and with the possibility of bringing in a five-star recruit or two to play defensive end, Lambert may be best used as an interior lineman next season.
Lambert will not be fully recovered from his injury in time to participate in spring practice, but he will have an opportunity to learn Muschamp’s system – and the roles and responsibilities for both the defensive end and defensive tackle positions – in install sessions. Once he’s back on the field, and adds a little weight and strength, don’t be surprised to hear he’ll be an interior lineman.
Next: Elijah Daniel
Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback AJ McCarron (10) throws th ball as he is pressed by Auburn Tigers defensive end Elijah Daniel (97) at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Elijah Daniel
Similar to Lambert, sophomore Elijah Daniel projects well to the defensive tackle position.
Daniel was expected to push for a starting position at defensive end – especially once Lawson was lost for the year, and it was a disappointment to many fans when he did not emerge from fall camp with a starting job. There were many that felt Daniel was underachieving on his high potential.
However, it was Daniel’s own nagging injuries cost him practice time in fall camp and slowed the 6-foot-2, 263-pounder from making a major impact early in the season.
As the year progressed, Daniel finished strong and made a start in the regular season finale against Alabama, which in fairness was due in part to Lambert being unavailable. Still, Daniel seized the opportunity for increased playing time and earned the start with a solid performance as Lambert’s replacement against Samford with a sack and seven quarterback hurries.
With Lambert out this spring, Daniel will have an opportunity to show Muschamp what he can do at a couple of positions, including defensive end and defensive tackle.
If Daniel can play both, it’s an added bonus because Muschamp wants to field the best four starting defensive linemen and is very creative when it comes to putting his players in a position to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.
For example, towards the end of the 2014 season at Florida, Muschamp settled on a starting defensive line that included three players that were seen primarily as defensive ends. Therefore, it’s not out of the question to see Lawson, Lambert, Daniel and Adams all starting for the Tigers in 2015.
Daniel’s skill set as a solid pass rusher with good strength and adequate size makes him one of the four best linemen on the Auburn football roster. It’s just a matter of Daniel taking advantage of his opportunities and finding the best spot for him.
Next: Devaroe Lawrence
Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers and LSU Tigers at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Devaroe Lawrence
Two junior college defensive linemen joined the Auburn football program in 2014. DaVonte Lambert emerged as a starter and tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks. Davaroe Lawrence only appeared in four games and had just one tackle.
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Lawrence, like Daniel, got behind early in fall camp due to time missed with an injury, and never developed as a big time contributor as an interior lineman. However, with Muschamp on board and four seniors graduating, Lawrence can capitalize on his next two seasons of eligibility.
“I’m excited about him because he’s a three-for-three (three seasons of eligibility),” defensive line coach Rodney Garner said after Lawrence signed with the Tigers out of Georgia Military College. “He has a lot of ability. I think he can definitely help us in the rotation, especially with the athleticism he brings to the position. I think we got more athletic inside than what we were. I’m excited about his development.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 284 pounds, the South Carolina native has enough size to be a factor at either defensive tackle or nose guard. If Lawrence can put together a strong performance this spring, a starting role isn’t out of the question this fall. At worst, Lawrence should be one of the eight to ten linemen Muschamp wants to use up front each week.
Next: The Best of the Rest
Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman DaVonte Lambert (86) Ben Bradley (50) Gabe Wright (90) Jeffrey Whitaker (54) and Angelo Blackson (98) celebrate at the conclusion of the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn defeated Ole Miss 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
The Best of the Rest
Losing seniors Gabe Wright, Angelo Blackson, Ben Bradley, Jeffrey Whitaker to graduation is a blow to the depth of the Auburn defensive line. However, as for the other options at defensive tackle, there are plenty of players to choose from.
While the nose guard has some slightly different responsibilities, players like junior college transfer Maurice Swain and redshirt freshman Dontavius Russell are likely to cross train at the defensive tackle position – especially if neither wins the starting spot at nose.
Betsided
In fact, Swain or Russell could very well emerge as the starter at defensive tackle if they prove to be one of the best four defensive linemen on the roster.
Again, Muschamp wants to get the best players on the field.
Additionally, if redshirt freshman Andrew Williams adds weight to his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame, he could make an impact as an interior defensive lineman. When he signed as a four-star prospect from McDonough, Georgia, Williams was believed to be talented enough to contribute immediately. With a year on campus with practices, weight training and a dietary plan, he should be physically ready for 2015.
Finally, this weekend is one of the biggest Auburn recruiting events in recent memory, and a star-studded group of talented high school players will be in attendance. Auburn has a shot to land highly touted defensive end Byron Cowart, among others, which would impact what positions current Tigers will play in 2015.
The Tigers are long shots to sign five-star defensive linemen Daylon Mack, Terry Beckner Jr., and CeCe Jefferson, but doing so would add some much needed talent to defensive front seven, create depth for the unit, and put Auburn in a position to play solid defense in 2015 and beyond.
Next: Recruits: The Top 12 Uncommitted AU Targets & Odds They Sign
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