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Auburn football: 3 Tigers in line for big games in Week 1

By Cole McCauley

AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 23: Running back D.J. Williams #3 of the Auburn Tigers stiff arms linebacker Jaleel Laguins #48 of the Samford Bulldogs during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Auburn, AL. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 23: Running back D.J. Williams #3 of the Auburn Tigers stiff arms linebacker Jaleel Laguins #48 of the Samford Bulldogs during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Auburn, AL. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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CJ Verdell #7 of the Oregon Ducks and Roger McCreary #23 of the Auburn Tigers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
CJ Verdell #7 of the Oregon Ducks and Roger McCreary #23 of the Auburn Tigers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

I was a bit surprised when former Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. Well, he ended up being a first-round pick so it was definitely the right decision for him.

With Igbinoghene gone, someone needs to take over as the team’s No. 1 cornerback and junior Roger McCreary is the likely candidate to do so.

Not really regarded as an elite prospect coming out of high school, McCreary has proven the doubters wrong and has made an impact every season so far. The 6-foot, 188-pound defensive back took a big step in 2019 and recorded 36 tackles and nine passes defended as a reserve cornerback.

Like I said in an earlier slide, Kentucky likes to run the ball a lot. However, that was mainly due to the team losing starting QB Terry Wilson Jr. in only the second game of the season. The Wildcats also fail to return much talent at wide receiver as their leading returning player at the position, Josh Ali, recorded only 233 yards and three TDs last season.

While Kentucky will still focus on the run, McCreary and the rest of the Auburn secondary shouldn’t have too much trouble shutting down the Wildcat passing attack.

Despite not being a starter, McCreary is one of the SEC’s leading returning cornerbacks per Pro Football Focus and should be in line to prove in to start the season.

It may not always show up in the stat sheet but I expect McCreary to shut down whoever he’s matched up with.

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