Auburn Football: 6 Reasons the Tigers Defense Will Be Elite in 2012

Auburn has struggled to produce quality defensive results in the past few seasons, but this year the Tigers are looking to change things. Auburn returns experience at every defensive position with talent that ranks among the best in the country. Auburn will use those ingredients to become an elite defense during 2012. 

The Tigers will face a very talented offense to start the season when they face Clemson in Atlanta. Auburn will need a fast start to the season, and defeating Clemson with strong defense will be the goal for the Tigers. 

Gene Chizik brought in new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder to rejuvenate a stagnant defensive squad. All signs are pointing toward success following a strong spring practice session. 

Looking ahead to the looming season, here are the reasons the Tigers will field an elite defense in 2012. 

Defense Under Skilled Leadership

This winter, Chizik hired Brian VanGorder to head the Auburn defense. VanGorder was a NFL defensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons. He had built a strong reputation in the pros and had forged a successful path while at the collegiate level as well. 

VanGorder is credited with the resurgence of the Georgia Bulldogs' defense during the early 2000’s. He did such a good job that in 2009, when Georgia was hunting for a new defensive coordinator, VanGorder’s name was in the mix.

When Chizik began to search for a new defensive coordinator, most speculated that he would find a coach that was close to his ideology. VanGorder has a few differences in his defense, but there are a ton of similarities. 

One of the unmistakable similarities is the intensity that VanGorder exudes and expects. Auburn will bring fire back to defense this season. Instead of receiving hits, the Tigers will be giving them. 

Secondary Gets New Coach

The Auburn defensive secondary has been one of the worst in the country the past three seasons. No, really. The Tigers were ranked No. 58 in 2009, No. 108 in 2010 and No. 51 in 2011. 

Improving on those numbers should come relatively easily, but nothing has come easy in pass defense for the Tigers the past three seasons. Gene Chizik knew that it was time to bring in a new perspective for the Tigers defense.

Auburn not only hired a well-respected defensive coordinator this winter, but the Tigers also grabbed Willie Martinez to coach the defensive backs. Martinez is a coach that has been quite successful in his career and has worked with VanGorder previously. 

With the addition of both VanGorder and Martinez to the ranks, it’s apparent that Gene Chizik is tired of the weak-defense whispers that follow his Tigers. Times are changing on the Plains. 

Veteran Secondary

As previously listed, the Tigers defensive secondary has been terrible in years past. This season Auburn looks to be turning the corner. 

Auburn will return experience at every position in the secondary in 2012. Most positions return multiple players with game experience under their belts. 

Last season saw Chris Davis, Jonathon Mincy and Robenson Therezie come around at the cornerback position. With senior T’Sharvan Bell returning from injury and Jonathan Rose added to the mix, the Tigers are set on the outside. 

The Tigers are so deep at safety, they may rotate the listed starters this season. The Tigers return Demetruce McNeal, Erique Florence, Ryan Smith and Jermaine Whitehead at safety. All have starts under their belts. Trent Fisher and Ikeem Means will also be in the mix. 

The secondary is the Tigers' deepest position on the field this year. Finishing outside of the top 20 in pass defense nationally would be a severe letdown for this team. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers finish in the top 10. 

Interior D-Line Stocked With Talent

Auburn heads into the 2012 season with a defensive line that could challenge the 2010 front as the best in the Chizik era. The Tigers return starters at both positions in the middle of the line, and an experienced three-deep behind them.

Auburn will have rising juniors Jeffrey Whitaker and Kenneth Carter looking to continue as starters this season, but sophomores Gabe Wright, Angelo Blackson, JaBrian Niles and Devaunte Sigler are hungry for playing time. 

An additional name to watch in the middle will be Jamar Travis. Travis has been a reserve player in the past, but a strong spring will have him in line to join the playing rotation this fall according to defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. 

Auburn has the talent up front to see marked improvement over last year’s rushing defense. The Tigers finished at No. 94 in the country against the run in 2011. 

Elite Defensive End Play

The Auburn Tigers will bring a host of elite pass-rushers to the table this year. With guys like Corey Lemonier, Dee Ford, Craig Sanders and Nosa Eguae coming off the edge, Auburn will have a dangerous presence in the opponent's backfield. 

Add to the mix LaDarius Owens and a handful of other rush ends, and the Tigers will have consistent fresh legs to keep the defense running up front this fall. 

Watching Auburn attack the backfield with the mix of defensive ends and interior linemen will be fun for Auburn fans this fall. Auburn has the speed and size to be a threat in the backfield on every down. 

Leadership at Linebacker

Auburn will return three seniors and a junior to the linebacker corps this fall. Two of the four upper-classmen are expected to start. 

Jake Holland and Daren Bates have a ton of quality starts between them both and they will continue to push for playing time this fall. The word from spring is that both Bates and Holland were taking active roles in the leadership of the defense. 

The Tigers have reserve senior Jonathan Evans who will also help usher in the new era of Auburn defensive football. 

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