The good news for new Auburn head football coach Alex Golesh was that he was able to talk DJ Durkin, who was also in the running for the head coaching job following last season, into staying as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.
The bad news, much like on offense, is that Auburn lost a massive load of talent on that side of the ball, including soon-to-be first-round NFL pick Keldric Faulk.
Don’t despair, Auburn fans, as Durkin and his assistant coaches have gone out and found some experienced and talented players who will be productive from the start on the Plains as they try to replicate what last season’s defense was able to do, including keeping Auburn in most games thanks to an inept offense.
But who are some newcomers who will be able to make the Tigers’ defense fearsome again? Here are three players to watch out for.
Da’Shawn Womack (DE/EDGE)
Womack arrives from Ole Miss, where he spent some time living in opposing backfields last season, putting up seven quarterback hurries, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one fumble forced to go along with 27 total tackles. He adds much-needed experience to this group that includes Jared Smith, who played in 11 games for Auburn last season as a freshman.
Cody Sigler (DL)
One of the few assistants that Golesh kept, Vontrell King-Williams, has nothing but great things to say about the Arkansas State transfer.
"He's a dog, man," King-Williams said. "The competition stuff, there's no excuse. He's taking double reps, taking someone else's reps, not making any excuses about it, and still winning. He's a dog.”
For the Red Wolves last season, Sigler recorded 35 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss, five sacks, six passes broken up and six quarterback hurries.
Andre Jordan Jr. (CB)
With Rayshawn Pleasant returning, Jordan, a transfer from UCLA, will likely fill out the other cornerback spot ahead of sophomore Blake Woodby. For the Bruins last season, Jordan recorded 10 passes broken up and 19 tackles for a defense that struggled. The Federal Way, Wash., native was productive during his first two seasons at Oregon State as well.