Auburn Football: Defensive Depth Chart Projections – Safety

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

Joshua Holsey and Derrick Moncrief

Two players capable of starting at safety – or maybe even at another position on the 2015 Auburn defense – are Joshua Holsey and Derrick Moncrief.

Holsey, a rising senior with 18 career starts under his belt, played safety primarily last season. He filled in for senior Jermaine Whitehead during a mid-season suspension and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his 11-tackle performance against Kansas State.

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Overall, the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Georgia native started seven of the 12 games his played last season and had 41 tackles. However, because of the lack of experience returning at cornerback, Holsey may be asked to return to corner.

Ideally, Holsey (or Ford) will make the switch back to corner and give the Tigers two senior starters at the position. Either way, expect the versatile defender to contribute a lot in the secondary next season.

RELATED: The Importance of Cover Corners in a Will Muschamp Defense

Moncrief also saw significant playing time at safety in 2014, and played some Star as well in Ellis Johnson’s 4-2-5 scheme. The 6-foot-2, 218-pound junior college transfer played in all 13 games and tallied 27 tackles – five of which came covering kicks on special teams.

Looking ahead to next season, with safety being one of the deepest positions on the roster and with Muschamp intent on putting the best 11 players on the field at the same time, there could be a position change in order for Moncrief as well. Purely speculating, the Plattville, Alabama native may be a candidate to move to outside linebacker.

Moncrief has the size for the position and would give the Tigers a big boost in team speed if he can handle the transition. But if he stays at safety, Moncrief will compete again for a starting spot and will certainly be in the rotation.

Next: Stephen Roberts and Markell Boston