Challenging Auburn football fall camp increasing confidence in sophomore safety

Oct 19, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (1) runs with the ball against Auburn Tigers safety Sylvester Smith (19) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (1) runs with the ball against Auburn Tigers safety Sylvester Smith (19) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

This fall, over 15 players will be competing for playtime on Auburn football's secondary. The talented group has spent fall camp competing with Auburn's top-tier wide receivers and also competing with each other for a spot.

Between sophomore Cam Coleman and transfer Eric Singleton Jr., the Tigers have one of the most talked-about wide receiver groups in the country. But the Tigers' secondary has not backed down from the challenge, and for sophomore safety Sylvester Smith, all the healthy competition has been a bonus.

“I get beat a bunch and I win, but it’s made me a better player. Once we get playing other guys, I think it all speaks for itself,” Smith said, per AL.com. “Just this receiver room we got, it forces you to be on your craft every single day. You can’t take a day off or a play off. So, I think it’s definitely been a bonus.”

Smith has primarily been going up against Malcolm Simmons and Singleton in practice.

“I think us adding [Eric Singleton] has been the best thing for me personally,” Smith said following Thursday’s practice. “I have to line up across from him every single play. So just seeing my game evolve by lining up across from a guy like Eric, it’s truly been a blessing.”

With Smith at the nickel position, the secondary is rounded off with Jay Crawford and Kayin Lee at cornerback and Champ Anthony and Kaleb Harris at safety. The Tigers return to action on August 29 against the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas.