Roster outlook: DE and Buck

AUBURN | The next in a series of position-by-position looks at Auburn’s roster in 2019 is defensive end and Buck linebacker. It should be one of the deepest and most talented positions on defense regardless of the decision Marlon Davidson makes over the next several weeks.

Davidson has started 38 games over the last three seasons, missing just one with an injury. He has 17.0 tackles-for-loss, 9.5 sacks and has blocked three kicks in his career. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2016 and was named third-team preseason All-SEC this fall.

Davidson, who has a year of eligibility remaining, has until Jan. 14 to decide whether or not to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Nick Coe has already indicated he will return after a breakout sophomore season in which he tallied 27 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, which was second on the team, and a team-high 7.0 sacks. He also tied the team-high with two forced fumbles.

Coe played mostly Buck linebacker this fall after playing both Buck and defensive end as a redshirt freshman in 2017. He’s also worked inside at defensive tackle in pass rushing situations.

Another versatile returning defender is junior Big Kat Bryant, who served as Coe’s backup this season including two starts. He worked mainly at defensive end as a true freshman in 2017. He was tied for second on the team with 3.5 sacks this fall.

Two more Buck linebackers to watch are junior T.D. Moultry and sophomore Richard Jibunor, who has played in nine games as a true freshman this fall.

Moultry looked like the heir apparent at Buck after serving as the backup in 2017, but hit a wall in his development this fall, tallying just 1.5 sacks. Moultry is one of Auburn’s most talented defenders and could move back to linebacker if he can’t make a bigger move at Buck.

Jibunor had two sacks in very limited play as a true freshman this fall, but a strong offseason could move him into a bigger role next year. He brings a lot of speed on the edge and may have the highest upside of any of Auburn’s pass rushers.

At defensive end, walk-on Gary Walker is scheduled to return for his senior season after playing in five games as a backup this fall. Redshirt freshman Caleb Johnson will get an opportunity to earn a spot in the playing rotation next year after getting work in two games this fall.

Auburn has three defensive ends committed with Colby Wooden a potential pass rusher from the Buck or defensive end position, depending on how much weight he adds in the next couple of years.

Both Jaren Handy and Jamond Gordon could play defensive end or defensive tackle depending on their development.