Position check: LB
AUBURN | It’s one of Auburn’s most talented positions, which got even stronger with three more signees in the 2017 class. A look at the linebacker position before the start of spring practice on Feb. 28.
WHO’S GONE: Auburn only loses one linebacker, T.J. Neal, who came from Illinois as a graduate transfer with high expectations but only started one game last season and finished 15th on the team with 29 tackles. It’s not that Neal was a disappointment, it was several returning players stepping up to give the Tigers one of the best linebacker corps in the SEC.
WHO’S BACK: All three of Auburn’s starters — senior Tre’ Williams, junior Deshaun Davis and junior Darrell Williams return — along with junior Montavious Atkinson, senior Cameron Toney and sophomores Richard McBryde and Tre’ Threat.
WHO’S NEW: True freshmen K.J. Britt and Chandler Wooten were part of Auburn’s 2017 linebacker class and enrolled in January.
WHO’S COMING: Tadarian Moultry might be the most talented linebacker Auburn has signed since Karlos Dansby. He reports on May 28.
OUTLOOK: This is probably as much talent and depth Auburn has had at the linebacker position in more than a decade. Davis was one of the best stories of the 2016 season, rising from near obscurity to start all 13 games and finish with 63 tackles and 7.0 tackles-for-loss. Tre’ and Darrell Williams had equally impressive campaigns with Tre’ manning the inside and Darrell mostly working outside.
Atkinson was productive as the fourth linebacker in the playing rotation with 30 tackles and 4.5 tackles-for-loss. Toney was used in short-yardage packages while McBryde and Threat mainly worked on special teams and as backups.
I’d look for a similar playing rotation this fall although Toney and possibly Threat are expected to get a look at Buck linebacker.
There could be a lot of turnover at linebacker following the 2017 season so it’s imperative that underclassmen get as much experience as possible this year to prepare to be starters or key backups in 2018. And it’s certainly possible one or two of the freshmen, especially Moultry, could be a key contributor right away.