Auburn Football: Four Under the Radar Players to Watch This Spring

Raashed Kennion, Defensive End

Leading up to the 2014 season, true freshman Raashed Kennion was not only a man without a position, he was called into action earlier than expected.

The 6-fooot-6, 235-pound Florida native signed with the Tigers as an under the radar three-star prospect with a lot of potential, and with the frame of a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive system. Unfortunately, the Tigers didn’t utilize a 3-4 under former defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson.

Still, because Johnson was desperate to find pass rushers because of the departure of Dee Ford to the NFL and the loss of Carl Lawson to a knee injury in the spring, Kennion played in four games as a skinny defensive end last season while also missing time with an ankle injury. He recorded one tackle and one quarterback hurry on the season.

Now with Will Muschamp running the Auburn defense, Kennion has an opportunity to show his natural talents as a long, rangy pass rusher. Expect him to work at the hybrid defensive end/linebacker Buck position in Muschamp’s multiple 4-3 system (which often utilizes three-man fronts) this spring, likely as a backup to Carl Lawson.

With five-star defensive end Byron Cowart, the nation’s top recruit in the most recent class, not enrolled in time for spring practice, Kennion has a chance to get a jump on the competition and impress Muschamp and the rest of the Tigers coaching staff over the course of 15 practice sessions before Cowart arrives.

Next: Justin Garrett