'Auburn built us': NFL standouts make case for new DBU

AUBURN, Ala. – When you watch an NFL game, chances are you’ll see former Auburn Tigers competing, especially in the secondary.

Some, like Miami’s Noah Igbinoghene and Tennessee rookie Roger McCreary, were high draft choices. Others, like Super Bowl champion Jonathan Jones made it as undrafted free agents.

Former Auburn teammates Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV two years ago.

“It’s fun,” said Dean, a third-round pick in 2019. “We can always relate to each other. There’s a huge trust level.    He’s going to handle his side. He knows I’m going to handle my own We’re always reminiscing about the Auburn days.”

Safeties Rudy Ford at Green Bay and Daniel Thomas at Jacksonville are also part of Auburn’s NFL fraternity.

“I’m always rooting for the Auburn guys,” Dean said. “It brings joy because, no matter what, I feel like we’re going to always be a family.”

McCreary earned a starting job from day one at Tennessee, recording consecutive double-digit tackle games in his first month as a pro.

“It was great to reach my childhood dream,” McCreary said. “I’m out there on the field starting, playing nickel or corner, I’m excited to have this much playing time in my first year.”

With McCreary going in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft in April, Auburn has had a defensive back taken in the third round or higher in four of the last five NFL drafts. Since 2017, a total of nine former Auburn defensive backs have been drafted.

“I’m excited about the progress I’ve made from my rookie season and very motivated to continue to prepare myself,” said Dean, who made two interceptions Sept. 18 to help Tampa Bay beat the Saints. “It makes you want to keep getting better.”

“I’m proud of him because I played alongside him,” McCreary said of Dean. “He helped me a lot for the situation I’m in now.”

The former Tigers say the level of competition they faced – each day in practice and every Saturday in the SEC – prepared them well for the next level.

“It helped me a lot,” McCreary said. “I’m not fully there yet but playing in the SEC gives you a good preview of how the league actually plays.”

When McCreary was drafted, his former Auburn secondary mate Thomas reached out with advice and encouragement, welcoming Roger to the fraternity.

“Auburn built us,” McCreary said. “It’s great to see so many guys doing well.”

“It’s quietly the DB university,” Jones said. “We don’t brag about it. We show up and put in work.”

“You’re playing in the SEC West, going against NFL caliber players,” Dean said. “Once you make that transition to the league, it’s nothing new for you because you already went against some of the best.” 

Undrafted in 2016, Jones received a life-changing call from Patriots coach Bill Belichick, the beginning of a standout pro career that now spans seven seasons.

“He said something on the phone that stuck with me,” Jones recalled. “He said, ‘If you come here, you’ll get an opportunity.’ That resonated with me.

“I came to New England, I worked my tail off through training camp and was able to make the team. I’ve been improving and getting better every year. With a lot of hard work, I’ve found a way to make an impact on this team every year.”

When Jones, a four-year starter at Auburn from 2012-15, played for the Tigers, he looked to former Auburn defensive backs who excelled in the NFL for inspiration.

“The talent has been there at Auburn,” Jones said, revealing an impressive appreciation of program history. “You go back to Carlos Rogers and Jerraud Powers, they led the way for me.”

Now it’s Jones, with his two Super Bowl rings and a rich second contract commensurate with his production, providing the example for current Auburn defensive backs to hopefully emulate.

“The foundation is there,” Jones said. “From the motto: ‘Work, hard work.’ If you really believe in that and you dive into that, and you give yourself to that motto, you work hard, you show up every day, that’s all you can do.

“If you continue to do that through college, it will give you the opportunity to get into somebody’s camp, whether you’re drafted or undrafted, and you show up every day and work hard, that’s all you can do.”

To the members of Auburn’s secondary who aspire to play in the NFL, Dean offers this advice on the importance of preparation.

“Know the ins and outs of the defense and work on film study,” Dean said. “Because once you get to the league, it’s the mental aspect of the game at that point. Everybody has talent, so the only thing that’s going to separate you from the other guy is who’s smarter.”

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