Tim Banks will have the fortune of a healthy Auburn safety room heading into his first year on the Plains. In reuniting with former Tennessee colleague Alex Golesh in the first year of the Tigers' new era, Banks is stepping into a bit of a pressure cooker situation.
On one hand, there aren't CFP expectations for year one. Golesh may have brought in a whole new offense that worked during his time at USF, including play-caller Joel Gordon and quarterback Byrum Brown, but turning around an entire culture into a CFP one is a tough ask in year one in the SEC.
On the other hand, though, there are expectations to be at least bowl-game-eligible this December.
The defense is expected to continue being the backbone of the entire locker room. And Banks has no excuses for not overseeing one of the unit's strengths.
Auburn's safety room clear of significant injuries
In a much different scenario than last season, Auburn's safeties are, for the most part, healthy.
AnQuon Fegans suffered an undisclosed minor injury at the beginning of fall camp but has largely not been held back. Kaleb Harris has been slowed down by minor injuries each of the last two years, but he is also expected to ramp up his reps and weight room work ASAP. Champ Anthony, who appears to be switching to the nickel spot on a consistent basis but is a free safety by trade, is finally healthy after several serious injuries in 2024 and 2025.
Then there's Sylvester Smith-Reed, who appears to finally be healthy overall but is still not fully participating in contact drills. Luckily, Eric Winters has no health concerns and is fully embracing being a leader during fall camp. Winters is using his strong linebacker-like frame to set a violent tone.
Banks' main players are ready. Is he?
Tim Banks has to answer for struggles at Tennessee last year
2025 was a complete turnaround year for Banks on Rocky Top. And not in a good way. The Vols' defense cratered to No. 92 in scoring defense, ceding just under 29 points per game. Tennessee was the nation's No. 7 scoring defense during their CFP season in 2024. The Vols gave up just 16.1 points per game that year. That defense arguably carried quarterback Nico Iamaleava to the CFP.
Maybe 2025 was an anomaly. Banks' early seasons working with Josh Heupel were affected by the pace at which Tennessee's offense played. There also wasn't as much talent in Knoxville during the early 2020s as there is now at Auburn.
If Banks's group struggles, the finger will naturally point at him. T. J. Rushing, now at Arkansas, did a great job with the Tigers' group last year. If Banks doesn't work well with defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, that's on the former.
Let's hope Banks makes Golesh look smart for hiring him after Banks was dismissed from Heupel's UT coaching staff. With fewer responsibilities now as a position coach, maybe Banks can focus on doing what he does best, and the results will follow with the players he's working with.
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