SEC Media Days notebook: 'Something to prove'

SEC Media Days notebook: 'Something to prove'SEC Media Days notebook: 'Something to prove'

Derrick Brown, Prince Tega Wanogho and Marlon Davidson before SEC Media Days

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn will debut a new linebacker corps following the graduation of starters Deshaun Davis and Darrell Williams and veteran Montavious Atkinson.

"They were big-time players," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said at SEC Media Days. "But K.J. Britt and Chandler Wooten really took a leadership role in the spring. It didn't look like we dropped off at all, really playing downhill."

Auburn's coach pointed out that the Tigers linebackers benefit from an elite defensive line that frequently requires double teams.

"It's a good time to play linebacker at Auburn with the defensive line we have," Malzahn said. "They allow you to play downhill."

'We're going to eat'

Two of Auburn's D-line stars represented the Tigers at Media Days, seniors Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson, both of whom are scheduled to graduate in December.

"He's an impact player," Malzahn said of Brown. "Marlon Davidson will be a four-year starter. He's one of the better football players who have come through Auburn since I've been there. A great leader, great person."

"We're going to be hungry, we're going to eat," Davidson said. "We're going to show Auburn defense. Having an attitude about ourselves like, nobody's going to run the ball on us."

"You build on it in the spring," Brown said. "Fall camp is where the dirty work is done, and then the show comes when you get to Aug. 31."

O-line experience

Featuring five seniors, Auburn's entire starting offensive line returns. Left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho represented the offense at SEC Media Days. Left guard Marquel Harrell, center Kaleb Kim, right guard Mike Horton and right tackle Jack Driscoll comprise the Tigers' O-line.

"We want to be known for our physicality," Wanogho said. "We play with a chip on our shoulder. We've got something to prove, and we're going to play like that. We've come a long way, and I feel like we can actually get way better, and we're just going to keep working toward that."

"They went through some growing pains last year," Malzahn said. "They got beat up. They've got an edge about them. They went through spring against our defensive line and really held their own. They've got something to prove, and I feel really good about that group."

Driscoll, who earned his position last season as a grad transfer from UMass, started 12 games while battling a knee injury.

"Jack Driscoll is an outstanding young man. He is a big-time college football player," Malzahn said. "I've got a lot of respect for him. He wasn't healthy most of the year, and he kept fighting through. He's a tough guy, smart guy.

"I do feel like our offensive line will be a strength. This time last year I think we had 16 starts between the whole group. When you go through adversity as a group, you either fold your tent or you roll your sleeves up. That's what that group did.

"They started playing good football probably the last quarter of the season last year. Played very good in the bowl game. They are a confident group. We can make adjustments. Real pleased going into the season with that offensive line."

Ride for the Brand

When Auburn's football players descend the stairs from the coaches' offices to the practice field, they walk past large silver letters displaying the team's 2019 motto: Ride for the Brand.

"Really it's just put Auburn first," Malzahn said. "We're in a day and time that is really selfish. We play for the guy beside us. Putting Auburn first, whether it's a coach, whether it's a player, everything. I think there's great power in that.

"We've got a lot of tradition. We've got a lot of great players. We've had all kinds of speakers, former players, we've had our former players on our staff that won championships, getting in front of our team. And really just to go back to our core values: work, hard work, things like that with our creed. It's been really special."

Hard Fighting Soldiers

On the eve of SEC Media Days, Auburn's Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter presented four Tigers the Hard Fighting Soldier Award for their FCA leadership and perseverance amid adversity.

Seniors Kam Martin, Daniel Thomas, Bailey Sharp and Wooten, a junior, were selected by their teammates as this season's recipients at a banquet at Auburn Arena.

"They are leaders on the team, off the field as well as on the field," Auburn football chaplain Rev. Chette Williams said. "I'm really proud of them."

Hard Fighting Soldiers (l/r): Chandler Wooten, Rev. Chette Wiliams, Kam Martin, Daniel Thomas, Bailey Sharp

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer