Auburn Tigers Football: Predicting the Defensive Starters for 2011

The 2011 Auburn defense will have big shoes to fill when kickoff occurs this September. Auburn was not a lockdown pass defense last season but the rushing defense was one of the best in the country. The pass rush was something that made opposing quarterbacks tremble as well.

A new season brings new faces to every team but this season erases the majority of the playmakers from a year ago. Even the most diehard fans will have a difficult time picking out names that they recognize early. By the end of the season however, Auburn will have plenty of defensive stars.

Auburn will have the most talented defense that it has fielded in recent memory. The large cloud looming over the Tigers is the experience issue. The talent is some of the best in the country but few of these guys have played any meaningful snaps at the collegiate level. They will be tested early and often this year as the Tigers hit the ground running with Mississippi State at home in week two and Clemson on the road in Week 3.

The most important game on the schedule right now is Utah State however. Deciding who takes the field in that game will be a task but the Tigers coaching staff will be up to the challenge. Here are the most likely starters for the season opener 2011. 

Defensive End

The defensive end position may be the most talented of any position group for the Tigers on defense this season. On one side of the line fans will find the cornerstone of the defense this season in Nosa Eguae. Eguae was a shoe in for playing time as a true freshman in 2009 but fell to a foot injury before the season opener and earned a redshirt.

Last season Eguae came on strong and finished with 3.5 sacks on the season. Look for his stats to increase and his leadership to be visible from day one. Eguae knows that his experiences will be a pivot point that he can use to coach up the younger defensive players this season.

In the backup role to Eguae will be Craig Sanders and Joel Bonomolo. Sanders was an electric player on kickoffs last season and will look to bring that passion to the defense this season. His talents will earn him time somewhere.

Bonomolo injured his shoulder last season during fall practice and took a redshirt. He looks back in the groove this summer and will see time on the field at one point or another. Bonomolo and Sanders are too talented not to be showcased.

Starter: Nosa Eguae

Defensive End

Corey Lemonier was a highly recruited defender out of Florida a year ago. On signing day it was a pleasant surprise for the Auburn coaches to see him don an Auburn hat. Last season as a true freshman Lemonier earned his fair share of playing time and made an impact when he was on the field.

Having a year of experience and time in the program under his belt and Lemonier will be a force from the outside this season. His pass rush is what will make him so dangerous and don’t be surprised if he doesn’t gain some national attention this year.

Behind Lemonier are Dee Ford and Justin Delaine. Ford has played the past two years in reserve roles and earned quite a bit of quality snaps last year. Delaine is a redshirt freshman that has an enormous upside. He came from the lowest high school division in Alabama so a year to transition was needed but expect good things in the future from both Ford and Delaine.

Starter: Corey Lemonier

Defensive Tackle

Jeffrey Whitaker has one of the brightest spotlights on him this year. After the departure of Nick Fairley, the defensive tackle position will most definitely take a step back but it won’t be for lack of effort. Whitaker is a skilled interior lineman and will play to a higher level than last year but filling the void left by Fairley will be too much to even expect.

Behind Whitaker are Jamar Travis and Angelo Blackson. Travis has been on campus for two seasons and is a rising junior in 2011. He has not developed into a show stopper but Travis is a formidable defender and will give the Tigers defense a lot of quality snaps.

Blackson will be a true freshman in 2011 but that will not keep him from earning playing time. Blackson reported to summer classes at 6’5" and 325 lbs. Don’t be fooled by the size because this guy can move. His unique speed and quickness off of the ball will remind fans of the showstopper now in Detroit.

Starter: Jeffrey Whitaker

Defensive Tackle

The other side of the interior line will be shored up by Kenneth Carter. Carter is another rising sophomore that will earn the starting nod on the defensive front. Carter earned some quality snaps a year ago and will look to build on his experience in 2011. Carter is a talent and mixing with Whitaker will make for a talented interior.

Behind Carter is rising junior Derrick Lykes who has earned so playing time in the past two seasons despite injury. A major player behind Carter will also be Gabe Wright. Wright was a highly ranked lineman out of Georgia this past year and is looking to make an instant impact. Wright has been with the team through the summer so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in game one.

Starter: Kenneth Carter

Outside Linebacker

The linebacker position may be one of the better spots for the Tigers this season. Starting at one outside spot will be two year starter Daren Bates. Bates is a former safety and Freshman All-SEC selection. Last season he made the move to outside linebacker and battled injuries off and on all year.

This year he will look to return to the headhunter form that he owned so well in 2009. He has added some weight in the off season this year and will use that added muscle to hopefully avoid the nagging injuries that plagued him last year.

Behind Bates will be Jawara White and most likely freshman Kris Frost. White is returning from a spinal injury and was cleared for contact just this past month after sitting all of last season. Frost was the lone 5-star signee in the 2011 class and came in ready to play this summer. Frost is likely to earn playing time this year simply because of his athleticism.

Starter: Daren Bates

Middle Linebacker

The middle linebacker spot has been one of the most consistent positions defensively the past two years for the Tigers. Josh Bynes did a great job monitoring the defense. Jake Holland had a full season of experience to learn under Bynes and earned quite a bit of playing time on the national championship squad last year.

Holland will be a rising sophomore and will be an intricate part of the defensive success that the Tigers see this year. Holland will need to step up and lead this defense from the center position and ensure that there is a minimal drop off for the position.

Behind Holland is fellow sophomore Harris Gaston. Gaston has seen playing time on special teams and in light work defensively but will likely fill in often this year to give Holland a breather or two.

Starter: Jake Holland

Outside Linebacker

The third linebacker position will be most likely manned by Eltoro Freeman. If you don’t know who Freeman is, you will soon enough. Eltoro plays lights out every play and has an energy and passion for the game that is impossible to mimic.

Freeman’s biggest downfall in the past has been his ability to play himself out of position constantly. There seemed to be a light bulb that turned on this spring for “The Bull” as Coach Ted Roof said that he saw an enormous amount of progression this spring.

Behind Freeman will be Jonathan Evans, a rising junior who has earned playing time in the past. He even earned the honor of starting the Iron Bowl in 2009 due to injuries on the defense. Evans will earn time this year as well in a relief capacity for Freeman. Don’t be mistaken however, Evans will ensure this battle continues into the fall.

Starter: Eltoro Freeman

Cornerback

T’Sharvan Bell was challenged last season to be more aggressive. He had earned the horrible “soft” label by his apparent avoidance of contact. In 2010 he turned up the heat and even earned a sack against Alabama. Bell will be a rising junior and leader in the secondary.

Bell has done his work this off season by ensuring that his younger defensive backs have been in the film room and in summer workouts. Bell will be one of the best corner backs in the conference by seasons end.

Behind Bell are Ryan White and Jonathan Rose. Rose is a true freshman that went through the spring practice session with the team. Rose earned rave reviews from teammates and coaches and will hope to make an impact this season.

Ryan White was a scout team quarterback until midway through the season in 2010. Injuries forced White into the defensive secondary where he earned a good bit of playing time. Look for White to contribute often as well.

Starter: T’Sharvan Bell

Cornerback

The second corner position will be manned by Chris Davis. Davis is a rising sophomore that was forced into competition due to depth last year. Davis is a gamer and showed his tenacity in some bigger games for Auburn. He will need to show his abilities to defend early as he will be the weak link that is thrown at early.

Behind Davis is Jonathon Mincy, a talented corner that was in the “doghouse” last year.  Mincy has earned rave reviews from corners coach Phillip Lolley and will be a great player for Auburn in the future.

Starter: Chris Davis

Safety

Demetruce McNeal stepped up last year and became a gamer as a freshman. One of the pure hustle plays from the 2010 season was made by McNeal in the championship game when he ran down an Oregon receiver from behind, stopping a sure touchdown. McNeal is a year older and wiser and will use his ability to create hits and cover to make a big impact.

Behind McNeal will be junior Drew Cole. Cole has played in games throughout his three years on campus and will see time this season. Cole is reliable and technically savvy and will fill the role behind McNeal well.

Starter: Demetruce McNeal

Safety

Neiko Thorpe is the most experienced player returning on the Auburn defense in 2011. He has played since he was a freshman and recently made the shift to safety. Brought in as a safety and moved to corner to help depth, Thorpe has been out of position his entire career. This year he returns to his natural position at safety and will be a vocal leader for the defense.

Behind Thorpe is rising junior Ikeem Means. Means has earned his stripes as a backup walk-on the past two years and is a favorite to earn a scholarship this fall. Means is talented enough to play consistently and will also fill the nickel back role filled by T’Sharvan Bell last season.

Starter: Neiko Thorpe