Auburn football: Roc Bellantoni expects this defender to be team leader

Auburn football spring practice has begun, and the early camp storylines are starting to develop on both sides of the ball.

The QB battle is as unsettled as ever. Realistically, four different Tigers (T.J. Finley, Dematrius Davis, Zach Calzada, Robby Ashford) could end up being the guy under center. Sean Jackson is an early RB room standout, and Ja’Varrius Johnson’s return is one of the most positively feel-good developments of the offseason.

On the less glamorous side of the pigskin? Well, Roc Bellantoni already has eyes on one of the key returning upperclassmen morphing into one of the main motivators for the entire team.

That’d be EDGE Derick Hall, the team leader in sacks (nine) during the 2021 season (via 247Sports):

"Bellantoni said senior edge rusher Derick Hall can be the top dog not only on the defensive front, but “the leader of this entire football team.” He’s been alongside Bellantoni, who was a defensive analyst last season, often in practice when instructing drills and exercises, as the Tigers have just three scholarship players at the position.“Everyone likes and respects him, so he should be able to get out of his comfort zone and be more of a leader for the entire team,” Bellantoni said."

The Gulfport native has steadily grown into a pivotal role over his three seasons on the Plains and was tied for the 26th most sacks in the country during his only campaign in Derek Mason’s defense.

After two years working with Travis Williams, Hall has dealt with some overhaul recently. Clearly, that hasn’t stopped him from being a positive presence in the Auburn football locker-room.

As A-Day approaches, we’ll start to hear about the possible contributors that could help things turn around after an underwhelming first season of the Bryan Harsin era last year.

Bellantoni clearly has faith Hall could be such a pillar for not only his side of the ball, but for the entire mission.