Five Most Important Players for Auburn in 2017
By Chris Roush
3. Defensive tackle Dontavius Russell
With the loss of Lawson and Adams, Auburn will need a new leader on the defense. There are many candidates, including linebacker Deshaun Davis and safety Tray Matthews. Dontavis Russell has started during both his freshman and sophomore seasons, and with Adams gone, I see Russell becoming the massive presence in the middle of the line for Auburn, taking on double teams that will allow other Tiger defenders to rush the quarterback and clog up holes in the line. Russell needs to step up and be that presence. If not him, then Marlon Davidson is the likely replacement for Lawson as Auburn’s sack leader.
