Auburn Football: Five Redshirt Freshman Ready to Contribute

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers players take to the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Dontavius Russell, DT

If it weren’t for four seniors and a sophomore starter in 2014, Dontavius Russell probably would have played at defensive tackle last season. In fact, Garner called Russell the “most impressive kid out there” during fall camp last August, but with so much depth at the position, the coaching staff decided to preserve Russell’s extra year of eligibility.

Montravius Adams is a virtual lock to start at either defensive tackle or nose guard (and will likely play both), but new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and defensive line coach Rodney Garner will have to rebuild the interior defensive line following the departure of Ben Bradley, Gabe Wright, Angelo Blackson and Jeff Whitaker from last season’s squad.

That opens the door for the 6-foot-3, roughly 300-pound redshirt freshman to seize playing time and potentially a starting spot. 

“He’s a really talented guy,” Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said of Russell before spring practice began last week. “There was talk about not redshirting him. He has a chance with a good spring to be a really good player for us.”

Russell will compete with JUCO transfer Maurice Swain to start alongside Adams in 2015. DaVonte Lambert is expected to see playing time this year as well after playing end last season, and Devaroe Lawrence should be in the rotation as well. Andrew Williams, who has reportedly added about 30 pounds since arriving on campus last year, should also have a chance to make an impact at defensive tackle as a redshirt freshman.

But Russell has the most upside of the group, and he should play early and often in 2015.

Next: Myron Burton, Jr.