Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Auburn Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Kamryn Pettway #36 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Austin Roberts #95 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Kamryn Pettway #36 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Austin Roberts #95 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 15: Tre’ Williams #30 and Carlton Davis #18 of the Auburn Tigers celebrate after Davis intercepted a pass in the endzone against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 15, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – OCTOBER 15: Tre’ Williams #30 and Carlton Davis #18 of the Auburn Tigers celebrate after Davis intercepted a pass in the endzone against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 15, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

Starting outside linebacker: Deshaun Davis
Backup: Montavious Atkinson

Some would argue that Auburn has one of the best linebacker situations in the entire SEC. The team is returning a couple of starters and another who could easily fill in as the No. 1 at his position. Although we included the “Buck” position on the defensive line slide, it could easily be moved to this one, as well as nickelback — which is on the defensive back slide.

All four positions combine to make up one extremely rock-solid unit. Starting with outside linebacker, Deshaun Davis returns as a starter for his junior season after finishing fourth on the team with 63 total tackles and third with seven tackles for loss. He also showed his ability to defend against the pass with three deflections. Montavious Atkinson is a capable backup, also entering his third year.

Starting middle linebacker: Tre’ Williams
Backup: Darrell Williams

The middle linebacker position is arguably the most important on the entire side of the ball. It’s basically the quarterback of the defense and starting there is reliable senior Tre’ Williams. He really doesn’t get enough love or respect for how solid he has been, finishing second on the team with 67 tackles in 2016 to go along with 3.5 for loss, one sack, two pass deflections and a forced fumble.

Backing him up will likely be junior Darrell Williams who got some starting time last season. He finished sixth on the team with 52 total tackles and added three for loss. It’ll be interesting to see if he can outperform Tre’ Williams and maybe swipe some playing time at middle linebacker. If both play well, the staff will have to find a way to start them.

Home/Auburn Tigers