Position check: Safety/nickel
AUBURN | Three top players return but another key defender is NFL bound. A look at the safety and nickel positions before the start of spring practice on Feb. 28.
WHO’S GONE: Rudy Ford and his 34 career starts and 275 tackles has moved on leaving Auburn a big hole at nickel. Backup safety T.J. Davis has also used up his eligibility.
WHO’S BACK: Auburn returns its top three safeties from a year ago in seniors Tray Matthews, Stephen Roberts and Nick Ruffin. They have combined for 36 career starts at Auburn. Also back is junior Markell Boston, who established himself as a key backup in 2016.
Sophomore Daniel Thomas returns at nickel after replacing an injured Ford in the last two games. Depending how the competition shakes out at cornerback, a player such as sophomore Jamel Dean could also get a look at nickel.
WHO’S NEW: Marlon Character redshirted last fall and could get a look at nickel or cornerback this spring. Jayvaughn Myers is another redshirt freshman with positional versatility.
WHO’S COMING: Auburn signed one safety in the 2017 class, Carlito Gonzalez, and another defensive back, Jordyn Peters, that could project as a cornerback, nickel or safety. Both are scheduled to enroll May 28.
OUTLOOK: Even with the loss of Ford, safety, nickel and really the entire secondary should be a team strength for Auburn in 2017. Thomas performed at a high level filling in for Ford in the Iron Bowl with two interceptions. He’s probably Auburn’s starting nickel for the next couple of years.
Matthews, Roberts and Ruffin give the Tigers three experienced and talented safeties that can rotate into two positions. The biggest need at safety is developing some younger players that will be ready to play and start next season. Boston stepped out of the pack to be the fourth safety last fall and should maintain that role this year with eyes on being a starter in 2018. Auburn will need a couple of young safeties to start making a move this spring and fall.
The Tigers have some serious talent and depth at cornerback so don’t rule out one or more of those players moving to nickel or safety over the next year.