Auburn football recruiting: 3 urgent positions of need for Tigers

Auburn football recruiting position of need #2: EDGE

Between the top two pass-rushers on the Auburn Tigers defense, opposing QBs were downed a total of 16 times.

Derick Hall (nine sacks) and Eku Leota (seven sacks) more than have the position covered.

EDGE coach Roc Bellantoni certainly believes the pair is only scratching the surface:

"“I’d like their production to go up even more,” Bellantoni said. “I think they’re both capable of more than they did last year — and they’re going to have to be for us to be good.”"

With all of that said, AL.com’s Tom Green is reporting that EDGE recruiting is the primary item on the Tigers’ itinerary.

AU defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding certainly indicated as much in speaking to the media recently:

"“We understand how critical that position is, especially with a versatile defense,” Schmedding said. “Derick Hall, Eku Leota and Dylan Brooks are the primary guys right now… but we’re not waiting around to solve that depth problem. We’re out actively seeking it.”"

As Green pointed out, several depth pieces from last season have left for the big lights of the NFL (a good call by T.D. Moultry) and playing for USC’s new figurehead Lincoln Riley in Los Angeles (no comment).

Replacing those guys immediately will come from the transfer portal, since the Class of 2022 doesn’t feature any new additions at the position.