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Auburn football: Zac Etheridge expects this Tiger to step up at safety

By Mary Kate Hughes

Auburn footballApr 9, 2022; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Cayden Bridges (20) drops back to cover during the Spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn footballApr 9, 2022; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Cayden Bridges (20) drops back to cover during the Spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
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When it comes to Auburn football’s secondary, the Tigers lost significant talent following the 2021 season. Cornerback Roger McCreary and safety Smoke Monday both left the Plains for the NFL, and now the Tigers will be looking for someone to step up in their absence.

Safety Zion Puckett has received a lot of praise from the coaching staff during the offseason, taking mental reps during spring practice when he was limited due to injury and still making sure his voice was heard by the team. It seems likely that Puckett is locked in as a starter for the Tigers this fall, but an underclassman is fighting his way up to starting opposite Puckett.

Cayden Bridges joined ranks with Auburn football as a member of the class of 2021 and is working his way to becoming a starter. The Tigers’ assistant head coach Zac Etheridge praised Bridges for his showing during fall camp, per Auburn Live:

"“Just a maturity standpoint for Cayden. Coming in as a freshman, he has a lot of talent, and a tremendous upside to be an elite guy. He’s probably one of the most athletic guys back there with his size, his speed. Very smart kid just about understanding the urgency and maturity of what it takes to play the game. He’s been very impressive this whole camp, getting his hands on the ball, doing things that can help us in the secondary. We’re counting on him to step up.”"

However, there is still plenty of competition for the starting spot alongside Zion Puckett. Key portal pickup Craig McDonald has plenty of in-game experience, and freshman Caleb Wooden worked with the first team a lot during spring training.

Auburn Rivals reports that Zion Puckett has been working with the group a lot, on and off the field, to help them prepare for the season. Among all the options, none have played yet in the SEC, if at all on the collegiate level.

Despite some lack of experience, the Auburn football’s secondary will have no lack in talent no matter who lines up to start on September 3.

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