Position check: CB
AUBURN | Auburn returns one starter and a bevy of talented players. A look at the cornerback position before the start of spring practice on Feb. 28.
WHO’S GONE: Josh Holsey and his 31 career starts will be tough to replace. Also moving on is Marshall Taylor, who played in 12 games as a backup after joining the team as a graduate transfer last year.
WHO’S BACK: Junior Carlton Davis, who has started 19 games in his first two seasons, returns along with a number of sophomores including Javaris Davis, who started six games last fall, Jeremiah Dinson, who played played in nine games as a freshman in 2015, Jamel Dean and John Broussard. Walk-on Michael Sherwood returns for his senior season.
WHO’S NEW: Marlon Character redshirted last fall and was one of the stars of the scout team. Fellow redshirt freshman Jayvaughn Myers and true freshman Malcolm Askew join the mix this spring.
WHO’S COMING: 2017 signees Traivon Leonard and Jordyn Peters are expected to enroll May 28. Leonard is a definite corner while Peters could could a look at all three positions in the secondary.
OUTLOOK: The competition will be very intense for the starting position opposite Carlton Davis, who was a little inconsistent last season but should give the Tigers one of the SEC’s best cornerbacks in 2017. Javaris Davis is probably the favorite to be the other starter after putting up some impressive numbers last fall: 37 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups, 6.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack. That type of production would also work well at the nickel position if Auburn needs help there.
Dinson looked like a future star in 2015 before tearing ligaments in his knee and separating his shoulder on a questionable hit by Texas A&M receiver Ricky Seals-Jones. If Dinson can return to full health this spring, he could push for a starting position. Same with Dean, who was in a tight race with Javaris Davis last fall before going down with a knee injury and missing the season.
Character is a wild card in the race. He earned a lot of praise from his coaches and teammates during bowl practice. He’ll start at corner but could also help Auburn out at nickel or safety in the future. It’s unclear where Myers will lineup this spring. He is also coming off an injury. Broussard played in eight games last season and should have a bigger role in 2017. Askew played mainly offense in high school and may need some time to fully convert to a defensive back.
Cornerback is one of the deepest areas of the team and it’s very possible a couple could be moved to nickel or safety to compete and build depth.