Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Cornerback

Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (9) runs off the field with teammates after catching an interception against the Missouri Tigers during the second quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Davis and Nick Ruffin

Should Holsey be a better fit for Muschamp at safety in 2015, the top two candidates to start across from Jones are rising junior T.J. Davis and sophomore to-be Nick Ruffin.

Davis appeared in all 13 games last season for the Tigers, and as the season wore on, the 6-foot-1, 196-pound Tallahassee native received more playing time as a backup cornerback. Davis recorded six tackles and also had half a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup last year.

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Nick Ruffin played 11 games and about 12 defensive snaps on average as a true freshman in 2014, primarily at the hybrid linebacker/safety Star position. He also played some safety.

A 6-foot, 180-pound four-star prospect in the 2014 recruiting class, Ruffin came to Auburn ranked among the nation’s top ten high school corners according to 247Sports.

“I started at corner, all summer long I learned that position at summer meetings and stuff like that,” Ruffin said. “The day we reported is when they asked me, hey, can you learn Star?”

Ruffin recorded nine tackles and broke up two passes for the Tigers in 2014. He’s a natural corner that can return to the position if necessary.

Next: Kalvaraz Bessent and Joseph Turner