Is Auburn football’s defense set to be one of the most formidable in the SEC? It’s looking very possible heading into the 2021 season. Newly taken over by former Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason, the defense will be extremely important to a successful season for the Tigers.
Smoke Monday, Roger McCreary, and Chandler Wooten all return to the defense this fall, each emerging as veteran leaders for the team. But perhaps the strongest part of Auburn football’s defense is an unstoppable linebacker duo that is getting all sorts of attention heading into the 2021 season.
Even ESPN analyst Cole Cubelic took notice of the pair, putting both Zakoby McClain and Owen Pappoe in his list of top-5 SEC linebackers and adding to their hype:
MY top 5 SEC inside linebackers for 2021: pic.twitter.com/Qelgm4hGWV
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) August 18, 2021
Senior Zakoby McClain made the #2 spot on the list, following in-state rival Alabama’s Christian Harris at #1. Florida’s Ventrell Miller took spot #3, followed by Owen Pappoe at #4, and Missouri’s Devin Nicholson took the final place on the list.
McClain and Pappoe were instrumental on the 2020 defense, hardly coming off the field due to K.J. Britt’s injury that kept him out for most of the season. McClain racked up 113 total tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in addition to three sacks and one forced fumble.
Pappoe was right behind him, recording 93 total tackles with six tackles for loss and four sacks. With a new defensive scheme and more experienced linebackers waiting in the wings, the Tigers should be able to cover all their bases this season with Pappoe and McClain shouldering less than all of the work:
"“I wasn’t out there on third downs, so, me, I’m going to be playing more third downs,” McClain said. “It’s going to make a big difference with me out there.”"
Though Auburn football may not have the top linebacker in the SEC according to Cole Cubelic, they have two of the best linebackers, and two heads are always better than one.