Safety squeeze
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AUBURN | Safety Derrick MoncriefClick [rl]Here to view this Link. was re-purposed into a "Sam" linebacker after defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's arrival last winter and looked to have a lock on significant playing time this fall at his new position.
Still, that never felt right.
The Prattville native said Friday that he will transfer away from Auburn in search of a program that wants him as a safety. The news was first reported by the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser.
It's a major undertaking for a player with only one year of eligibility remaining -- Moncrief will have to sit out the 2015-16 season if he catches on with another Bowl Subdivision team -- but he believes a transfer is his only hope to feel whole on the field.
"I just want to play safety. That's what I'm supposed to be playing," Moncrief said when contacted by AuburnSports.com on Friday. "I can play in the box, I've done that and showed that I can be a versatile guy, but I feel like my best opportunities are at safety."
Though Auburn coach Gus Malzahn elected to forgo the release of a depth chart at the conclusion of spring practice, several observers identified Moncrief as the team's top option at SAM.
Rising junior Javiere Mitchell was competing with Moncrief and four-star prospect Jeffery Holland is expected to begin his career at SAM as well.
Moncrief said Muschamp was straightforward about how he planned to use Moncrief -- even before spring practice began. The rising senior decided to work through the spring at his new position and then make a decision about what to do next.
His choice? Go back to safety. With Rudy Ford and Tray Matthews in place, however, the road to playing time in the back was far from unobstructed on the Plains.
"Auburn has been good to me. I'm not mad at them at all," Moncrief said. "Coach (Muschamp) is a great guy. I've never had anything bad to say about him or Auburn or my brothers who played with me. It's just about what I want to do -- and I want to play safety."
Moncrief is the second scholarship defensive pack to announce transfer plans in as many days. Cornerback Kamryn Melton on Thursday said he's searching for a new program to call home.
