Auburn football: 2 young LBs due for increased roles in 2022

As the Auburn football team gears up for its second season under head coach Bryan Harsin and several new members of the coaching staff, the team will see several significant roster changes for the 2022 season.

One position group with notable changes will be the Tigers’ linebacker corps, operating under the new leadership of former Florida coach Christian Robinson. While making a big impact on recruiting, Robinson will also be charged with filling the shoes of former linebackers Chandler Wooten and Zakoby McClain, who were key pieces of the Tigers’ 2021 roster and who are now preparing for the NFL Draft.

Though veteran LB Owen Pappoe is expected to be ready to hit the field come fall, he is currently still sidelined as he recovers from a last-season injury, leaving room for several of Auburn football’s younger linebackers to step up to the plate.

According to AL.com, juniors Wesley Steiner and Cam Riley were two of last year’s reserve linebackers that made waves at this spring’s A-Day game:

"Auburn’s young linebacker corps impressed throughout the spring, with Steiner and Riley in particular shining in their increased roles with the first-team defense. Steiner led all players with six tackles on A-Day, making four solo stops during the scrimmage, while Riley took home defensive MVP honors after totaling five tackles and a sack at Jordan-Hare Stadium."

The performances of Steiner and Riley, in addition to the contributions of sophomore Joko Willis, indicate that the linebacker position will still be one of strength in the upcoming season, as confirmed by defensive lineman Colby Wooden:

"“We had Wesley and Cam Riley step up,” defensive lineman Colby Wooden said. “Joko Willis came in the Star role for us. They came in and did what we asked them to do, which was to help fill the gap for Owen while he’s making his return. They did a great job of that. There wasn’t any drop-off.”"

Despite losing team leaders like Wooten and McClain, young linebackers like Steiner and Riley are hungry for their chances to shine for Auburn football in 2022.