AUBURN, Ala. – Big Kat Bryant was plenty disruptive last year. On a defensive line that featured Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson, two First Team All-SEC selections, it was Bryant who led Auburn with nine quarterback hurries. However, he finished with only 1.5 sacks.
"Obviously, I'm getting to the quarterback," Bryant said. "I'm just not finishing."
It's not unlike Davidson who, as a junior the season before, recorded a team-high 11 quarterback hurries but finished the with only 3.5 sacks. Davidson turned down the NFL and opted to return for his senior year knowing that if he could turn some of those hurries into sacks, he would be one of the top defensive linemen prospects in the next draft.
"I could've been one of the best in the league," Davidson said last offseason. "I did that. I have to be better. So this year is going to be that – finishing the big plays."
Davidson answered that challenge with a breakout senior season that included 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, both team highs. He was voted First Team All-SEC by the coaches, and in April, he was taken by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the NFL draft.
With Davidson and Brown gone, the spotlight turns to Bryant. Can he take that next step like Davidson did a year ago and emerge as the next star on Auburn's defensive line?
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryant was working out with different NFL players, learning their technique and how they play. Though there was no spring practice this year, that work carried over to the summer when he returned to campus with the rest of his teammates.
"The guys I worked with back in the spring, I just liked the drills and everything," Bryant said. "I feel like it really contributed to things like footwork and working with my hands. I try to come out here every day and get better. We're practicing now, so I find something every day to attack and try to get better."
Bryant has set a lofty goal for himself in the upcoming season. He wants 10 sacks.
'A WHOLE NEW AUBURN OFFENSE'
It's one thing when the offensive players are talking up Auburn's new offense under first-year coordinator Chad Morris. But when the defensive players start talking amongst themselves about how impressive the offense has been in fall camp, that's saying something.
"Salute to Chad Morris," sophomore linebacker Owen Pappoe said. "We talk about it almost every day in the linebacker room. I can't really say too much about it, but you're going to see this season. It's going to be like a whole new Auburn offense. All the stuff he's brought in is ridiculous. They're looking really good out there."
Though Pappoe wouldn't share too much about the offense, the word from some of the other players during fall camp has been of more explosive plays, more intermediate routes over the middle and finding new ways to utilize the running backs and tight ends in the passing game.
"Basically, get your playmakers the football," junior running back Shaun Shivers said. "That's what Auburn does. We're here for explosive plays and to get the playmakers the football."
"I would say his plays just get people open a lot more," added senior wide receiver Eli Stove said. "We're going to have more explosive plays down the field. We're going to be throwing the ball a little bit more. I think everybody like the offense. We're doing in practice. We're learning."
RETURNING TO PRACTICE
After a week off because of COVID-related issues, Auburn returned to the practice field Tuesday. The Tigers are expected to work out Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday this week before holding a second scrimmage Saturday.
The season opener against Kentucky is three-and-a-half weeks away.
"There's definitely an urgency," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said Sunday night. "But the bottom line is the health and safety of our players is always going to be first. When you're going through this there's a competitive side, but we're always going to put our team first – the mental and physical health of our players.
"We understand we're four weeks out. We feel like we have time to prepare. But, like I said, we'll take it day by day and do the best we can."