Auburn football: Derick Hall on pushing Dylan Brooks to success

In 2021, Auburn football had a packed room at the edge position. Between T.D. Moultry, Derick Hall, Eku Leota, Romello Height, and more guys, there was plenty of depth at the position. However, with the loss of Moultry, Height, and Caleb Johnson, someone will have to step up in addition to position leaders Hall and Leota.

While the Tigers did bring in Western Kentucky transfer Marcus Bragg, this season will provide a clear opportunity for returning edge Dylan Brooks, who did not see the playing field last year, to prove himself as an impact player on the defense.

According to Derick Hall, getting Brooks on the field is more than an opportunity for the young player– it’s a necessity. Though tough and talented, Hall and Leota need teammates to lean on to avoid risking injury from playing all the time.

Hall has been working during the offseason to coach up Brooks and prepare him to be playmaker in 2022, per 247 Sports:

"“I tell him every day ‘Bro, you can be as good as you want to be and don’t hold yourself back from the things you can accomplish because you don’t feel like you’re ready or you’re too young,’” Hall said. “You’re never too young. I started four games my freshman year and I played in 11 of 13. The excuse for being too young or not being prepared or too small, that’s not the case. I played at 220 and I was small. I’m trying to show him the ropes and push him to his success. It’s coming to fruition. His mindset has changed and everything has changed about the way he operates.”"

Hall told Auburn Rivals that he and Brooks have become like brothers, training together, hanging out together, and identifying the common goals for the edge position group in the coming season.

Dylan Brooks isn’t the only new edge we could see on the field this fall, though. Transfer Marcus Bragg has been looking good in practice, as well, and will likely rotate in throughout the season. Between the four of them, Derick Hall feels confident about the position group heading into Bryan Harsin’s second year with Auburn football.