On SI's Terrance Biggs used a very bold label while praising Auburn football's defense but specifically honing in on the Tigers' secondary: "DBU." Biggs used it to merely ask the question, but the connection is a questionable one.
The On SI writer insinuated Auburn's secondary could soon compete with Ohio State and LSU with two blue-chip in-state stars on their way in 2025.
"While LSU and Ohio State battle for secondary supremacy, all Auburn does is turn out quality defenders from a depth standpoint. Anquon Fegans and Eric Winters will bring skillsets that balance each other. Fegans will move closer to the line of scrimmage while Winters can body everyone from backs to receivers to tight ends," Biggs wrote.
"The SEC stays a pass-heavy offense. With coaches like Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin, and Kalen DeBoer, they want to throw the ball. As a result, you can never have enough defensive backs to patrol the field."
Maybe they could. But what have the Tigers done for anyone lately?
Auburn football is not the 'U' of any position right now
Auburn doesn't dominate the top of the NFL draft board anymore. Bo Nix was No. 12 in 2024. That was because of his time at Oregon, though. 2020 was the last time the Tigers had a first-round draft pick.
As good as the DBs DJ Durkin, Charles Kelly, and Wesley McGriff are about to coach up, assuming the group even stays together, there haven't been any recent results to suggest Auburn is DBU. And since AU doesn't have much in the way of recent NFL draft success, they are not the "U" of any position.
In due time, with consistent winning, Auburn's resources could pump out NFL products every April. But it's a claim that's only going to shatter the fanbase's expectations as long as the losing is still happening.