Freshmen who could contribute at DB for Auburn

By Robert Rousseau  |   Friday, August 15, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Auburn Tigers
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The Auburn Tigers have two quarterbacks who could start for a lot of Division 1 teams in Kodi Burns and Chris Todd. They also possess a significant amount of depth at many positions.

But that depth is quite obviously missing at defensive back.

First, there wasn’t exactly deepness on the unit to begin with. Then Aairon Savage went down with a knee injury, leaving Walter McFadden, a player with very little experience, the probable starter. Third-string corner Ryan Williams may be experiencing academic problems that could take him off the depth chart for the foreseeable future; that story simply hasn’t been told yet.

The Tigers’ probable starter at the other corner, Jerraud Powers, has significant starting experience, as does safety Zac Etheridge. Though the other safety, Mike McNeil, hasn’t started, he has played.

But the backups have nearly no experience. Thus, let’s look to some of the true freshmen coming in for possible help.

Harry Adams

Adams, who has 4.3 speed, is currently listed as a third-string corner for the club. That said, many projected the 175-pounder as a wide receiver at the collegiate level. He's going to need to become more physical.

Drew Cole

Cole, currently listed as the team’s fourth corner, is a strong guy with great tackling ability. What’s more, he pulled in four interceptions during his senior season in high school. Still, he’s not as fast as many of the other freshmen defensive backs on this list and is only 172 pounds.

D’Antoine Hood

Hood, a second-string cornerback, managed 42 tackles and two interceptions last season in high school. As evidenced by Hood's 310-pound bench press, he's strong for the position.

Reggie Hunt

Though the NCAA Clearinghouse hasn’t yet approved him to play, it’s very possible that will happen soon. Head coach Tommy Tuberville has indicated that when Hunt -- originally slated as an all-purpose running back -- is approved, he could end up playing DB. Given his speed and athleticism, such a move might be beneficial.

Marcus Jemison

Listed as the third safety behind McNeil, Jemison is big (200-plus pounds) and pretty strong. Further, he has some decent ball skills, having pulled in six interceptions during his junior year in high school. His 4.56 speed isn’t stellar, though.

Christian Thompson

Thompson, currently marked as the Tigers' third-string safety, is a 6-1, 186-pounder who tallied 76 tackles as a senior in high school. However, he’s not very fast, running the 40 in 4.6 seconds.

Neiko Thorpe

Right now Thorpe is Powers’ backup. Though the 171-pounder is presently rather light for SEC ball, he did accumulate four interceptions as a high school junior; moreover, he has 4.4 speed.
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or...
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