As game week approaches on the Plains, Auburn is still rotating players at several position groups, including the linebacker corps.
Led by second-year defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, Auburn is looking to build upon a solid 2024 campaign. The Tigers finished No. 31 in total defense and were in the top 50 in both run and pass defense, finishing No. 27 and No. 52, respectively.
A big reason for the Tigers’ run-stop prowess was that of senior linebacker Dorian Mausi Jr., who finished with a team-high 81 tackles. Additionally, gone are the days of hearing the beloved Eugene Asante yell “Let’s Work!” while racking up tackles all over the field. With Austin Keys and Jalen McLeod both out as key contributors, the Auburn linebacker corps was waving goodbye to 221 tackles from last year’s squad.
It left Durkin and his defensive staff with some questions about who would step up in the middle of the defense. There is no doubting the talent Durkin boasts in his linebacker room, but there wasn’t much proven experience after some key losses.
Key piece to the puzzle
After starting at the Power-Four level for the last three seasons at Maryland, Caleb Wheatland made his way to the Plains in the spring as a key pickup through the portal for Durkin.
His presence in the middle, at 6-foot-1 231 pounds, gives the Tigers a proven commodity – something that was vital as head coach Hugh Freeze and Durkin looked to replace the void left behind from the four aforementioned senior linebackers.
“We like our linebackers that we have, but it felt like the youth needed some experience. You go get a guy that started a bunch of games in Power Four football and is a really good kid and good player. You just felt like you needed somebody to add to that youth in that room,” Freeze said of Wheatland at the beginning of fall camp.
Freeze throws in the wildcard
When asked on Tuesday about the linebacker room, Freeze mentioned one name that a lot of Auburn fans, and personnel, are rooting for: Robert Woodyard Jr.
Woodyard was the second-highest rated recruit of Bryan Harsin’s 2022 class as a late flip from Alabama. A four-star recruit, per 247Sports’ recruiting rankings, Woodyard has waited his turn over the years and has been in the mix for starting reps throughout camp.
“I think Woodyard has been solid,” Freeze said. “He’s gifted at certain things and maybe not as gifted in some things. But he definitely can get us lined up, and he’s playing hard at a high level.”
Ones or twos? What’s the difference?
It’s been a nonstop rotation in the Auburn linebacker corps this fall camp, with lots of young guys making noise.
Demarcus Riddick is back after showcasing his talents as a freshman last season. The ultra-talented sophomore is the top-returning tackler from that group from a season ago. A trio of intriguing additions in Bryce Deas, Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins from the portal, and high school ranks, all seem to be contending for playing time.
It’s been a highly-competitive spring for the linebackers. And much like other position groups on the field, Freeze truthfully cannot tell a difference in his ones and twos.
“I don’t know the difference in the ones and twos, I really don’t,” Freeze said. “Matter of fact, they switch every day who goes out there first and who goes out there second. So really, I don’t really notice much difference. I think Woodyard has been solid. He’s gifted at certain things and maybe not as gifted in some things. But he definitely can get us lined up, and he’s playing hard at a high level.
“Riddick is back now, which adds good depth and athleticism to that group. Melendez, Deas, Atkins and Caleb. Those six guys have kind of been interchangeable, rotating in and out no matter what group runs out there first.”
