Auburn Football: Five Redshirt Freshman Ready to Contribute

Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn congratulates his players after LSU turned the ball over on downs during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn beat LSU 41-7. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Markell Boston, DB

Similar to Dontavius Russell on the defensive line, Markell Boston redshirted in 2014 because the Tigers were well-stocked with veterans in the secondary.

A 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back, Boston watched from the sidelines as seniors Jermaine Whitehead, Robenson Therezie, Trovon Reed and Jonathon Mincy logged a lot of playing time in 2014 and juniors Joshua Holsey, Jonathan Jones and sophomore Johnathan “Rudy” Ford emerged as starters.

It appeared that Boston might be called into action as a reserve or special teamer when Whitehead was suspended prior to the Kansas State game, but an injury in training camp stalled his early progress and the coaching staff was content with the veterans, as well as newcomers Derrick Moncrief, Stephen Roberts and Nick Ruffin.

With the four seniors gone and a new defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach this season, Boston has an opportunity to shoot up the depth chart this spring. He has good size for a safety, and proved very active in high school with 105 tackles and four interceptions as a senior.

Boston is unlikely to unseat Ford or Georgia transfer Tray Matthews in the starting lineup, but he’ll compete for a spot in the two-deep and could be a factor at nickel back as well.

Next: Kamryn Pettway