Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Strong Side Outside Linebacker

Nicholas Ian Allen

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Kris Frost (17) tackles Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Continuing our series of Defensive Depth Chart Projections for the 2015 season, we take a look at the strong side outside linebacker position – which is often referred to the SAM linebacker, or abbreviated SLB.

In case you missed any of our defensive line projections, check them out here:

So, what is the “strong side” anyway?

In most defenses, there are three ways to determine the strong side of an offensive formation, and therefore which side of the formation the linebacker will line up: If the ball is in the middle of the field, the strong side is (1) the tight end side of the offense or (2) the side that poses the strongest passing threat. If the ball is on either the right or left hash mark, the strong side is (3) the wide side of the field.

For example, from the perspective of the linebacker, a formation that has two running backs in the backfield, a wide receiver to each side and a tight end to his left (the quarterback’s right), the tight end side is the strong side, and the SLB will align to that his left, while the WLB will line up on the right.

However, if there is a tight end to the left, two backs in the backfield and two wide receivers to the right, the strong side of the offense is the right because of the stronger passing threat.

Make sense? If not, maybe Brian Billick can explain it better (video via FoxSports):

In a base defense, the strong side linebacker’s top priority is defending the run and he also usually has outside containment responsibilities. He has to take on blocking tight ends (and occasionally cover them man-to-man depending on the coverage called), fullbacks and pulling guards – though of course responsibilities change with each defensive call.

A SLB must often defend the flats in zone pass coverage, but may also be called upon to run with a wheel route out of the backfield. He may also be a pass rusher.

Simply, it’s a diverse role and very important.

As it relates to our depth chart projections for the 2015 Auburn defense, it will honestly be somewhat difficult to project both the strong side and weak side outside linebacker positions prior to spring football because the Tigers are changing their base defensive scheme. New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will install a multiple 4-3 defense to replace the 4-2-5 system that Ellis Johnson utilized over the past two seasons.

However, given the general roles and responsibilities of the position to play near the line of scrimmage on the tight end side, we can make an educated guess as to which Tigers best fit the traditional mold.

Next: Kris Frost

Kris Frost

The most talented outside on the Auburn football roster is Kris Frost, and that makes him the prime candidate to step in on the strong side for his senior season.

Frost is athletic enough to drop into zone coverage when necessary (which is less of a responsibility for an SLB than a WLB when facing traditional pro-style teams like LSU, Arkansas and Georgia), but physical enough to play close to the line of scrimmage, work against a tight end and take on blocking backs and pulling guards that try to kick him out on power running plays.

Anthony Swain

After Frost, the depth chart gets a little murky. Upcoming sophomore Tre Williams has elite talent and is likely to emerge as a starter on the weak side – though he’ll have to beat out Anthony Swain for the position. Even if Williams wins a spot in the starting lineup, Swain will have plenty of opportunities to play as a backup middle linebacker or on the strong side.

That said, it’s important to note this isn’t NCAA Football 14. You can’t just insert a player at any spot and expect he’ll do just fine. It’s a lot to ask for a linebacker to learn the roles and responsibilities of three different positions, even if they are all called “linebacker.”

Still, Swain might be called upon to do exactly that.

Auburn vs. Texas A&M Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4

Betsided

2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballot South Bound & Down

SEC Football: Florida, LSU rise in Week 4 2023 power rankings South Bound & Down

SEC Tailgating: Where should you go in each town? South Bound & Down

SEC football standings based on yards per play through Week 2 FanSided

Auburn Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season Busting Brackets

At 6-foot-2 and 249 pounds, Swain is a big linebacker. His measurables fit the middle linebacker mold, but he’s also got the physical tools to play close to the line of scrimmage and take on tight ends in a “nine-technique,” as well as pulling guards or fullbacks.

But in order to play such a diverse role and multiple positions, he’ll need to avoid the trouble that cost him 15 practices in the spring of 2014. Whatever team rules Swain broke in order to be suspended last spring were never disclosed, but it put him at the bottom of the depth chart in fall camp.

However, he stepped up then to work his way back in to his coaches good graces, and can step up again for the new defensive coaching staff.

“He’s responded well. He’s earned his way back,” head coach Gus Malzahn said in October. “He’s got experience, he’s got some big-game experience.”

Swain played in all 13 games in 2014, including his first career start in the LSU game, and finished the season with 18 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack. Surprisingly, he tied for the team lead with 17 quarterback hurries, which also makes him a very intriguing option on the strong side.

In fact, it’s possible that the Gadsden, Alabama native may impress Muschamp enough with his pass rushing ability that he earns the starting spot on the strong side, which would in turn move the more athletic Frost to WLB.

Next: Kenny Flowers

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers players take to the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Flowers

Kenny Flowers is in a similar situation to Anthony Swain. He’ll be a senior in 2015 and has some experience playing for the Tigers, but is looking up at two senior returning starters and a possible sophomore star on the depth chart.

A native of Lilburn, Georgia, Flowers came to Auburn following a season at Hutchinson (KS) Community College. He admits he struggled to learn Ellis Johnson’s defense, but he also showed some flashes of big time potential.

Playing middle linebacker, Flowers made a big impression during the spring of 2014 and earned defensive MVP honors in the annual A-Day Game. During the spring scrimmage Flowers recorded nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack while pulling double-duty playing with both the starters and the second-teamers.

He entered fall camp with a lot of buzz and momentum following his spring performance, but that didn’t translate to a ton of production in the fall.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder played in all 13 Auburn football games last season, but registered only five tackles and one tackle for a loss. He also forced a fumble. In 2013, Flowers had four tackles.

Given his history struggling to digest the playbook, it appears unlikely that Muschamp and Thompson will overload Flowers by training him at multiple positions like they may do with Swain. The coaches will likely find the best position for his skill set, coach him up as the primary backup there, and ask he continue to play well on special teams.

However, because he – like the rest of the players on the roster – has a clean slate with the new defensive coaching staff, it’s also an opportunity for Flowers to overcome his past and emerge as a major contributor in his senior season.

That said, being an upcoming senior is a difficult spot for Flowers. He’ll be asked to learn a new defense, and possibly a new position. He’ll be asked to lead his younger teammates, but he’s also in danger of being passed over for playing time as the coaching staff aims to develop a talented group of linebacker recruits.

Unfortunately, that could make Kenny Flowers the odd man out in 2015.

Next: Freshmen

Aug 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Deshaun Davis (57) walks onto the field for the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Freshmen

We’re still over a week until National Signing Day, but we’ve got a relatively good idea of the new recruits that will join the linebacker depth chart next fall based on the players currently committed to this year’s Auburn recruiting class.

But, in addition to the true freshmen that will enter the fray this fall is a redshirt freshman that will have a leg up by going through spring practice.

Deshaun Davis, a 5-foot-11, 230-pound three-star signee from the 2014 class, overcame a torn ACL that cost him his senior season in Mobile, Alabama but he didn’t see the field for the Tigers in 2014. Still, Davis could make an impact on his new coaching staff before the new guys arrive, and put himself in the mix for a reserve spot on either the strong or weak side.

More from Fly War Eagle

Nicholas Ian Allen