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

Nicholas Ian Allen

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

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn with his players on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Ole Miss Rebelsat Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Tre’ Williams

On the current Auburn football roster, the player that has the best chance to lock down the starting position at weak side outside linebacker is Tre’ Williams. The Mobile, Alabama native played in all 13 games and started one last season as a true freshman, and he’s probably the most talented linebacker on the roster, pound-for-pound.

Williams is listed at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds. He’s quick enough to play in zone coverage or even to run with receivers or running backs in man-to-man coverage, as well as run sideline to sideline to rack up tackles.

Justin Garrett

Williams’ top competition at weak side linebacker is Justin Garrett. Entering his senior season, the Tucker, Georgia native will have an opportunity to prove his experience and maturity can overcome the pure talent Williams possesses and gives the Tigers the best chance to win.

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

Of course, Garrett is plenty talented as well.

Garrett played linebacker and Star (a safety/linebacker hybrid) for Ellis Johnson last season, though now that the Star position has been replaced in the Auburn defense, Garrett won’t have to pull double-duty anymore. But the reason he played both positions was an attempt by former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson to get his best players on the field.

“You can’t have Justin Garrett sitting on the sideline for 55 snaps,” Johnson said in October. “We’re trying to find a way to get the best 11 on the field on any one play.”

Garrett started the season opener against Arkansas because Robenson Therezie was in limbo with an eligibility issue until the day before the game, and he started the Outback Bowl as well. The 6-foot-1, 224-pounder played in all 13 games in 2014 in which he recorded 17 total tackles, half a tackle for a loss, a pass breakup and four quarterback hurries.

Next: Derrick Moncrief

Aug 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks receiver Cody Hollister (81) catches a pass as Auburn Tigers defensive back Jonathon Mincy (6) and Derrick Moncrief (24) make the tackle during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Moncrief

Entering the season as the nation’s top rated safety among junior college transfers and a JUCO All-American in 2013, Derrick Moncrief appeared to have the inside track on the starting spot at strong safety.

More from Fly War Eagle

Then, a couple of weeks before the August 30 season opener against Arkansas, Moncrief missed a few practices with an illness. Sophomore Rudy Ford, a converted running back, took the lead in the competition for the position and never looked back on his way to a team-leading 93 tackles.

Now Moncrief – who had 27 tackles in 13 games for the Tigers including a pivotal forced fumble in the fourth quarter against Ole Miss – could be in line for a position change heading into his senior season.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, the Prattville, Alabama native is a little lighter than one would ideally want in an outside linebacker, but he has the physical tools to handle the position. He’s known as a big hitter, but also has the speed of a safety, which could make him a big asset in passing situations.

Moncrief played about 25 snaps at Star in the Outback Bowl (Wisconsin ran 85 plays total), which could help him to transition to weak side linebacker if that’s where he fits best in Muschamp’s new defense.

Next: JaViere Mitchell

Jan 6, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers players and head coach Gus Malzahn run onto the field before the 2014 BCS National Championship game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

JaViere Mitchell

Derrick Moncrief may be a little on the light side for a linebacker, and JaViere Mitchell is even lighter. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, Mitchell has spent most of the last three seasons injured or on the bench, though he has increasingly played a bigger role on special teams.

Still, he’s got the talent and skill set to contribute on defense, or even to start.

More from Fly War Eagle

Nicholas Ian Allen