Auburn Football: Can Tigers be SEC’s surprise team in 2020?

Next man up mentality on defensive line

Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson wrecked havoc in the SEC for the past couple of seasons but are now set to wreck havoc in the NFL, leaving some big shoes to fill along the Tigers’ defensive line.

The name that literally sticks out to fill this void is Big Kat Bryant. Yes, you read the right. Heading into his senior season, Bryant looks to take on the bigger role as he tries and improves his draft stock.

In the second line of the defense, the linebackers are led by senior K.J. Britt, who totaled 69 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in his first year as a full-time starter in 2019. The linebackers are the backbone of this Auburn defense and will be its biggest strength against the SEC this season.

As for the secondary, it resembles that of the Tigers’ offensive line issues with the departures of safeties, Jeremiah Dinson and Daniel Thomas, and cornerbacks, Noah Igbinoghene and Javaris Davis. The Tigers play some of the country’s top receiver tandems this season and will need some fresh faces to step up and make an immediate impact if Auburn wants any shot at competing for an SEC title in 2020.

Once again another name that literally sticks out, Smoke Monday, a junior safety out of Atlanta, GA, looks to be a name that will be known around the college football world for more than just its uniqueness, but for the play of the player behind the name.