Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Cornerback
Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Christion Jones (22) is runs against the Auburn Tigers defense during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Kalvaraz Bessent and Joseph Turner
One of the most highly recruited defensive backs in the 2014 Auburn recruiting class, Kalvaraz Bessent was a four-star prospect ranked 10th nationally among corners in the 247Sports Composite and was a Top 125 player overall.
“[Defensive backs coach Melvin Smith] identified [Bessent] as one of the best corners early on,” head coach Gus Malzahn said on National Signing Day 2014. “We feel we have a guy that can help us immediately. He’s got very good ball skills and is a good cover guy.”
Except Bessent didn’t play immediately. Rail thin at 6-foot and 170 pounds, Bessent redshirted last season in order to gain weight and strength, and perhaps to mature.
An Under Armour All-American from St. Mary’s, Georgia, Bessent was arrested two days after signing day last year on drug charges. With a year on campus to grow mentally and physically, Bessent could make a big impact in 2015.
UPDATE: Bessent Has Left the Auburn Football Program
Another 2014 newcomer that has yet to play for the Auburn football team is Joseph Turner. A junior college transfer from College of San Mateo in San Mateo, California, Turner redshirted last season.
A 6-foot, 165-pound junior, Turner also played wide receiver at CSM. He was ranked 12th nationally among JUCO cornerbacks in the 2014 recruiting class.
“He’s a very talented young man that has the ability to play corner, play safety, good cover skills, can run,” Malzahn said after Turner signed in February 2014. “He is a guy that we feel like has a lot of potential.”
The best news for Bessent and Turner, as well as Davis and Ruffin, is that all four players enter 2015 with a clean slate because of the coaching changes. It will be very interesting to see which players take advantage of their opportunity to impress the new coaches.
Next: True Freshmen