True freshman to start at defensive end

AUBURN | It’s rare for a true freshman to win a starting job on the defensive line, especially when you consider Auburn’s depth at the position this year.

But there’s nothing ordinary about Marlon Davidson.

“He had a very good spring,” Gus Malzahn said. “He got here early, and anytime a freshman gets here early, they got a chance to show what they can do. He made an immediate impact in the spring that’s carried over into fall camp. He’s got an opportunity to start as a true freshman, which is rare up front.”

Davidson, the younger brother of former Auburn defensive lineman and current staff assistant Ken Carter, graduated from Greenville (Ala.) High in December and enrolled at Auburn in January.

He beat out sophomore Byron Cowart and junior college transfer Paul James III for the starting position although Cowart and James are expected to be an important part of the playing rotation.

“Its very impressive,” senior defensive tackle Montravius Adams said. “It just shows the type of guy he is and how he always wanted to get better and win that starting job.”

Davidson is one of three true freshmen on the two-deep depth chart on defense joining defensive tackle Derrick Brown and cornerback John Broussard Jr., both listed as backups.

Two redshirt freshmen, starting cornerback Javaris Davis and backup linebacker Richard McBryde, are also listed on the two-deep.

DEFENSE DEPTH CHART

BUCK 55 CARL LAWSON (6-2, 253, Jr.)

4 Jeff Holland (6-2, 250, So.)

DT 95 DONTAVIUS RUSSELL (6-3, 308, So.)

90 Maurice Swain (6-5, 314, Sr.) — OR —

79 Andrew Williams (6-4, 289, So.)

DT 1 MONTRAVIUS ADAMS (6-4, 309, Sr.)

5 Derrick Brown (6-5, 330, Fr.) — OR —

94 Devaroe Lawrence (6-2, 303, Sr.)

DE 3 MARLON DAVIDSON (6-3, 273, Fr.)

9 Byron Cowart (6-3, 276, So.) — OR —

10 Paul James III (6-4, 271, Jr.)

MLB 57 DESHAUN DAVIS (5-11, 239, Jr.) — OR —

30 TRE’ WILLIAMS (6-2, 240, Jr.)

WLB 48 MONTAVIOUS ATKINSON (6-1, 211, So.) — OR —

17 T.J. NEAL (6-0, 235, Sr.)

SLB 49 DARRELL WILLIAMS (6-2, 231, So.)

51 Richard McBryde (6-1, 231, RFr.)

CB 31 JAVARIS DAVIS (5-10, 182, RFr.)

15 Joshua Holsey (5-11, 195, Sr.)

FS 23 RUDY FORD (6-0, 204, Sr.)

19 Nick Ruffin (6-0, 203, Jr.)

SS 28 TRAY MATTHEWS (6-1, 207, Jr.)

11 Markell Boston (6-0, 200, So.)

CB 6 CARLTON DAVIS (6-1, 195, So.)

22 John Broussard Jr. (5-11, 168, Fr.)

NICKEL 23 RUDY FORD (6-0, 204, Sr.)

15 Joshua Holsey (5-11, 195, Sr.)