AUBURN, Ala. – Whether it's Tank Bigsby breaking tackles, J.J. Pegues overwhelming defenders with punishing blocks or Colby Wooden leading the SEC in tackles for loss, Auburn freshmen are making an instant impact this season.
"I think it's one of the best freshman groups that we've had come through since I've been here," said Gus Malzahn, in his eighth season as Auburn's head coach.
Through the first six games of the 2020 season, 27 freshmen and redshirt freshmen have combined to appear in 95 games, including 16 starts from seven newcomers.
"Probably the most we've had since I've been here," Malzahn said of the 27 rookie contributors. "First of all, what stands out to me about the class is they have a lot of character. High-character guys. It's a very talented group. It's a great combination."Whether receiving, rushing or blocking, 300-pound J.J. Pegues is easy to spotSome, like Bigsby and Pegues, contributed from the get-go. Others, like Wooden, offensive lineman Keiondre Jones and SEC Freshman of the Week honoree Jaylin Simpson, benefited from redshirt seasons.
"Those guys have worked hard," Malzahn said. "I told them the other day, they're no longer freshmen."Tank time: Bigsby leads Power Five freshmen with 503 rushing yardsWith 503 rushing yards in six games, Bigsby leads all Power Five freshmen. He's the first Tiger to rush for 100 yards in three straight SEC games since Kerryon Johnson in 2017 while joining Bo Jackson and Michael Dyer as the only Auburn freshmen to rush for 100 yards against three SEC opponents.
"Tank and a few others have made huge impacts," Malzahn said. "I think collectively as a group you'll see even more of an impact the last part of the season."
With seven tackles for loss, Wooden shares the SEC lead, continuing Auburn's tradition of defensive line excellence under associate head coach Rodney Garner.
True freshman Zykeivous Walker has also emerged on Auburn's D-line, helping fill the gap created by the departure to the NFL of All-Americans Derrick Brown and Marlon Davidson.
"I have always taken football seriously," Walker said. "Football has always been a big part of my life. Coming in, losing Marlon and Derrick, I just knew I had a role to fill. I really put my trust into Coach G. I knew Coach G was going to do whatever it takes to get me where I need to be."'Whatever it takes': ZyKeivous Walker made his first career sack vs. ArkansasWalker made his first career sack in Auburn's 30-28 win vs. Arkansas along with a career-high four tackles, adding two solos in the Tigers' 48-11 victory over LSU.
"I go out on the field every day and I just attack the day," he said. "I work hard and try to provide and be there for my team."
After recording double digit sacks in his junior and senior seasons at Schley County High School in Ellaville, Georgia, Walker enrolled at Auburn in January to begin adjusting to SEC football.
"I would say the biggest challenge is, of course you have to be more physical, you've got to be more in shape," he said. "You've got to be fundamentally sound. There are so many small things that take place in college football that you really have to be good at.
"In high school, you can go out there and freelance and not many people can stop you. Once you get to college, you've got to change a lot of things to be able to make plays."Ze'Vian Capers caught his first TD pass vs. LSUReceiver Ze'Vian Capers scored his first touchdown vs. LSU. Fellow true freshman receiver Kobe Hudson has played in all six games and made his first catch for 18 yards in his second game. Jones joined the starting O-line and Auburn's running game continued to click.
The next generation of Auburn linebackers – Cam Riley, Wesley Steiner and Desmond Tisdol – is making its mark on special teams while backing up standouts Owen Pappoe and Zakoby McClain. Fellow true freshman Ladarius Tennison has played in all six games, earning praise from defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.Ladarius Tennison has played in all six games in his true freshman seasonWalker, a future star on the defensive line, is not surprised about the newcomers' fast start.
"One thing that I will say about all of us: we have a mindset that we're going to leave no doubt," Walker said. "We want to see the field. We came in with a dog mentality. We came in ready to work. We're here, ready to ball with our team."
One month before Auburn adds the first installment of its 2021 recruiting class, the Tigers' message to previous signees rings true: if you're good enough, you're old enough.
"You look at our history since I've been the head coach, we've had numerous true freshmen play," Malzahn said. "If they're on the field, we think they're old enough. The way we've recruited, we expect guys to be able to come in here and help immediately."'Attack the day': true freshman DL Zykeivous Walker has made nine tackles in 2020
Freshmen Desmond Tisdol (left) and O.C. Brothers contribute on special teams
True freshman Wesley Steiner has played in five games this seasonJeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer