Auburn football: Smoke Monday warns opponents, says keep doubting

Smoke Monday woke up today and chose violence. Or at least that’s what it seems like if you look at the Auburn football player’s Twitter. The returning safety spoke out this morning, declaring that he has a lot to prove in the coming season, but by the end of it everyone will remember him.

Monday debuted as a starter at safety his junior year but saw game action in each of his seasons on the Plains. In his career at Auburn, Monday has played 37 games and recorded 108 total tackles with four sacks, four interceptions, and two touchdowns.

The safety was instrumental on the Tigers’ defense in the 2020 season, racking up the fourth-most tackles behind 2021 NFL Draftee Jamien Sherwood and returning starters Owen Pappoe and Zakoby McClain.

Despite the massive culture change taking place in the program due to the hiring of Bryan Harsin and a completely new coaching staff, Monday established himself as the clear defensive leader for Derek Mason heading into the new year. In an early press conference, Mason spoke highly of Monday’s communication skills and ability to lead the group.

Though the defense has recently taken a few hits with departures to the NFL and the NCAA transfer portal, the Tigers should be heading into the 2021 season with a defense chock full of experience and hungry to prove themselves.

Smoke intends to make every team remember #21 from Auburn football next year, and hopefully the upperclassman leader can get all of his teammates to feel the same way, especially in the upcoming season where the Tigers are expected to look like a team that just got a new coach, not a championship team.

With leaders like Monday, Pappoe, and McClain donning orange and blue this fall, Auburn football is sure to surprise everyone.