Auburn Football: Will Defensive Depth Be a Problem In 2010?

Auburn got back on the right track offensively in 2009. Due to a combination of factors, the defense did not do as well. Most Auburn fans are wondering what to expect in 2010. 

To do that, we need to take a look at a few things, and debunk some myths. First, Auburn's defense was not on the field much more in 2009 than in any other year. The Auburn defense in 2009 defended about 2 possessions more than the 2004 Auburn defense. 

The 2009 Auburn defense did not defend that many more plays than the average Auburn defense has. Auburn defended between 68 and 69 plays per game during the regular season. Auburn ran a little over 70 offensive plays per game. 

The Auburn defense has averaged defending about 66 plays per game over the last two decades. This means that the new offense did not cause significantly more pressure on the defense.

The plain and simple truth was the Auburn defense simply wasn't that good in 2009. This was due to a number of factors. Injuries were certainly a factor. Inexperience for true freshmen forced to start was a factor. The change in coaching staff was a factor.

All of this does not matter though. The question is, have these problems been overcome for the 2010 season. I will try to speculate on that to the best of my abilities in this article.

Defensive Tackle Speculative Starters

Nick Fairley 6'5 315 lbs. runs a 4.89 40 yds. He developed into a dominant force in the middle toward the end of 2009.

Mike Blanc 6'4 288 lbs. runs a 4.9 40 yds. He came to Auburn weighing 265lbs.. He has worked hard and improved in size and strength every year.

These two should collapse the pocket and stuff the run quite effectively in 2010. 

Defensive Tackle Speculative Players

Zach Clayton 6'3 293 lbs. runs a 4.8 40 yds. He came to Auburn weighing 250 lbs and has worked tirelessly to improve his strength and weight. He is solid and dependable.

Jamar Travis 6'0 308 lbs. runs a 5.0 40 yds. He has absorbed a good ration of yoxercise to improve his strength and get ready for the 2010 season.

Derrick Lykes 6'2 284 lbs. runs a 4.7 40 yds. He has also absorbed a great dose of yoxercise getting stronger for 2010. 

Defensive Tackle True Freshmen

Kenneth Carter 6'5 273 lbs. runs a 4.9 40 yds. He is due to arrive for fall practice. He has the frame to put on weight and become a dominant SEC defensive tackle.

Jeffrey Whitaker 6'3 315 lbs runs a 4.8 40 yds. Will arrive for fall practice. He has the size and strength to start contributing sometime in 2010.

Defensive End Speculative Starters

Antoine Carter 6'3 263 lbs. runs a 4.8 40 yds. He will be introducing himself to opposition quarterbacks during 2010. He is a true pass rushing threat.

Michael Goggins 6'2 264 lbs. runs a 4.6 40 yds. He has been a steady performer for Auburn. 

Defensive End Speculative Players

Nosa Eguae 6'3 234 lbs runs a 4.9 40 yds. He will be pushing for a starting spot in 2010.

Joel Bonomolo 6'3 245 runs a 4.65 40 yds. He could win a starting role before the season starts.

Defensive End True Freshmen

Craig Sanders 6'4 230 lbs. runs a 4.6 40 yds. This is an incredibly strong and dominant young player. He should contribute in 2010.

Corey Lemonier 6'5 223 lbs. runs a 4.9 40 yds. He was one of the most highly recruited defensive ends in the nation for 2009. He will need to add weight and strength to be a starter, but could contribute in 2010.

Line Backer Perspective Starters

Josh Bynes 6'2 239 lbs. runs a 4.7 40 yds. He has been solid and dependable at middle linebacker for Auburn.

Craig Stevens 6'3 223 lbs. runs a 4.7 40 yds. Has worked his way to the top spot on the depth chart. 

Eltoro Freeman 5'11 219 lbs runs a 4.5 40 yds. The potential for this incredibly strong and fast player is off the charts. 

Line Backer Perspective Players

Daren Bates 5'11 200lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He will be a often used head hunter for Auburn in 2010.

Jonathan Evans 5'11 207 lbs runs a 4.5 40 yds. He accumulated a lot ot experience in 2009.

Harris Gaston 6'1 219lbs runs a 4.6 40 yds.  Will play in 2010.

Linebacker True Freshmen

Ladarius Owens 6'2 225 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He will play often in 2010. 

Jake Holland 6'1 228 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He will also play in 2010.

Jessel Curry 6'2 215 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds.

Jawara White 6'2 220 lbs. runs a 4.6 40 yds.

One Note: While depth was an issue at Linebacker for the 2009 season, there are three experienced starters with three experienced players backing them up for 2010. There is also the fastest true freshmen class in the SEC at this position.

Safety Speculative Starters

Note: Zac Etherige is recovering and looks to be ready for fall practice. With this article I am assuming that he will.

Mike McNeil 6'2 201 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He hits like a train and will make receivers pay for every catch across the middle.

Zac Etherige 6'0 212 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He is a great safety that has played well for Auburn.

Safety Speculative Players

Mike Slade 6'3 192 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He is experienced and will contribute in 2010.

T'Sharvin Bell 6'0 176 lbs. runs a 4.4 40 yds. He is ready to contribute in 2010.

Drew Cole 6'0 180 lbs. runs a 4.4 40 yds. He is also ready to play a part in 2010.

True Freshmen Safeties

Demetruce McNeil 6'1 176 lbs. runs a 4.6 40 yds. 

Corner Speculative Starters

Aairon Savage 5'11 187 lbs. runs a 4.5 40 yds. He has a lot of experience at corner and safety. 

Demond Washington 5'9 185 lbs. runs a 4.4 40 yds. He is experienced and dependable.

Corner Speculative Players

Neiko Thorpe 6'2 176 runs a 4.5 40 yds. Has experience and could be a starter.

D'Antoine Hood 5'9 185 runs a 4.4 40 yds. He was thrown into the mix as a true freshman and produced.

Anthony Gulley 5'11 185 runs a 4.4 40 yds. He can also work on offense. 

True Freshman Corners

Jonathon Mincey 5'10 175 lbs runs a 4.4 40 yds. He will be called on as a true freshman.

Ryan White 6'0 185 lbs. runs a 4.4 40 yds. He will be needed as a true freshman.

Chris Davis 5'11 175 lbs. runs a 4.4 40 yds. He will also be tried as a punt returner. 

With the return of several red shirt players, the depth at every position looks manageable. This is also one of the fastest defenses Auburn has fielded. Look for big improvements in the defensive backfield play for 2010 as many of these players improve over last season. 

Auburn looks to have a very good, dominant defensive line in 2010. This should stabilize the defense and improve rushing defense markedly.

Auburn will have a veteran linebacker corps that is extremely fast. This should mean improved coverage for short passes as well as very effective blitz packages. This group can run down most running backs from behind.

The Auburn defensive secondary will be very experienced and capable. They have closing speed at every position. The safeties are experienced and hard on the rushing game. 

This looks like the ingredients of a good Auburn defense with the potential to be great.