Throughout the offseason, the Auburn football coaching staff worked hard to bolster the talent on the defense and added recruits from both the high school ranks and the Transfer Portal.
With so many additional players in the position group who are more than capable of taking the field, head coach Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin are approaching the defense a little differently this year.
"The days of a D-lineman -- interior D-lineman -- playing 60 snaps a game, it just shouldn't happen," said Freeze, per Auburn Undercover. "The Jay Hardys, Dallas Walker, Darrion, Z (Zykeivous Walker) has had a good camp. James Ash, once he learns what to do, he is heavy-handed. I like the depth in there. Just buy in to giving fanatical effort on your given plays."
Malik Blocton, a sophomore defensive tackle, is returning for his second season after an impressive freshman campaign that saw him put up 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He was also named to ESPN's freshman All-American team. He is eager for a second year with a more strategic approach.
“I knew I didn’t want to play 50, 60 snaps a game,” Blocton said, per Auburn Sports. “In the SEC, that’s gonna build up on you. Then, with me trying to get to the NFL in three years, I ain’t trying to beat my body up that much. If I can get 25 good, high-speed reps in a game, that’s gonna be sufficient for me and for the team.”
Freeze went on to say that the depth will provide more opportunities for everyone on the defense, and as long as everyone buys in it will be great for the team.
The Tigers return to action against the Baylor Bears in a Friday night season opener on August 29 in Waco, Texas.