Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Weak Side Outside Linebacker
Sep 27, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Justin Garrett (26) and defensive back Jonathon Mincy (6) tackle Louisiana Tech Bulldogs running back Kenneth Dixon (28) during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Continuing our series of Defensive Depth Chart Projections for the 2015 Auburn football season, we take a look at the weak side outside linebacker position – which is often referred to the WILL linebacker, or abbreviated WLB.
In case you missed any of our previous defensive projections, check them out here:
If you followed our description of what determines the “strong side” and the “weak side” of the formation in our SLB depth chart projections, you’ll correctly assume that the Will linebacker will line up away from the tight end in most traditional formations when the ball is in the middle of the field, or away from the passing strength of the formation.
The weak side outside linebacker may also line up towards the boundary if the ball is placed on either hash mark, since the strength of the formation can be assumed to be the wide side of the field (there are cases in which that may change for a given opponent, but we won’t get into all of that here and now).
However, if you assumed that the weak side outside linebacker is generally the opposite of the SLB and therefore has a mirrored role and set of responsibilities, that’s not exactly the case. In fact, in Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp’s multiple 4-3 defense, the Buck is more similar to the SAM than the SAM is to the WILL.
Make sense? If not, in it’s simplest terms a SAM is generally a run defender and pass rusher that plays close to or on the line of scrimmage. The WILL is more of a coverage player in the “traditional” linebacker alignment that is backed up five yards or so from the line of scrimmage.
Also, the weak side linebacker is usually your fastest linebacker that will play a lot of zone coverage and may also be asked to cover slot receivers at times as well as running backs coming out of the backfield.
So, who is most likely to play weak side linebacker for Auburn in 2015?
Next: Tre' Williams