Settling in at Sam
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AUBURN, Ala. | Derrick MoncriefClick [rl]Here to view this Link. started one game at safety last season but most of his playing time came as a backup and on special teams.
The junior college transfer had bigger goals when he enrolled at Auburn last January. Now, a year later, he's got new coaches, a new system and a new opportunity.
Moncrief is working at Sam linebacker this spring. It's a position the senior feels is a good fit for his skill set.
"I feel real good (at Sam)," Moncrief said. "I have an advantage because receivers can't block me. I'm real physical. I can tackle real well and I can cover."
Up to 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, Moncrief has the size to play close to the line of scrimmage and take on blocks from tight ends, receivers and fullbacks.
"Playing boundary safety last year, I was in the box, too. It's a full-time job now," he said.
Now, Moncrief is working to become better when he's tasked to cover those players.
"I think he's done a nice job progressing," defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said. "Got to continue to work on some of the coverage things in space but a guy that certainly with the skill set to play in that position and be an effective player for us."
Muschamp and linebackers coach Lance Thompson have mixed and matched their linebackers throughout spring due to injuries and the need to build depth and versatility.
Senior Justin Garrett, junior JaViere Mitchell and sophomore Cameron Toney are a few of the players that have gotten work at Sam.
Thompson is looking forward to seeing what at least one incoming freshman, Jeffery Holland, can do at the position this fall.
"We're going to really count on some of these young guys coming in," Thompson said. "Jeff Holland, I talk to him every day. He's a guy that we're really excited about."
