Thompson, Scott bring leadership to Auburn secondary

AUBURN, Ala. – Jerrin Thompson climbed over the back of a New Mexico receiver, relieving the Lobo of the football in the second it took both players to land on Pat Dye Field.

Initially ruled an incompletion, video confirmed what Thompson knew all along. He made an interception so extraordinary, it earned national recognition in the form of the Pop-Tarts Crazy Good Play of the Week in Auburn’s 45-19 win on Sept. 14. 

“Another blessing,” Thompson said of his first Auburn interception. “God’s work, all the glory to Him. He put me in that position to make that play at that given time. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Him.”

After four seasons and 49 games played at Texas from 2020-23, Thompson transferred to Auburn in January, making an impression on and off the field. The defensive MVP of Auburn’s A-Day scrimmage, Thompson was elected as a team captain, a rarity for a first-year player.  

“Being true, showing who I am,” Thompson said. “Every day I showed the same guy, so guys didn’t have any question about who I am. I feel like I’m a born leader. I really care about the guys. 

“I was truly grateful that they looked at me as someone who can be a leader for this team. A great leader should lead by example always.”

Occasionally, that means challenging teammates, holding peers accountable for maintaining team standards.

“You’ve got to be able to say things that your brothers are going to be uncomfortable with,” Thompson said. “That’s the biggest thing: having confidence and leading by example.”

A 6-foot, 186-pound safety, Thompson routinely takes on bigger blockers and running backs in addition to his pass coverage responsibilities, compiling 24 solo tackles among his 29 stops in his first six Auburn games, two behind team leader Dorian Mausi. 

“It goes along with the position,” said Thompson, who also makes sure Auburn’s defenders are properly aligned pre-snap. “You’ve got to correct people and make people right. That’s what I do, that’s my lifestyle at safety. I’ve got to be able to play the ball in there and come down to tackle. There’s no other way around it. This is what I love to do.”

Looking to reset after an open date allowed rest, recovery and extra preparation, Auburn visits No. 19 Missouri Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN and the Auburn Sports Network. 

“We’ve got a very talented and committed team,” said Thompson, who recorded his 200th career tackle Sept. 28 against Oklahoma. “We’ve got to start stacking days and be more consistent. If we can stay forward, keep going up on this ladder, rising and getting better every day, then this team has a lot of potential.”

A veteran of 55 college football games, Thompson imparts knowledge he’s acquired over the past five seasons.

“That’s one thing I take pride in,” Thompson said. “Making sure the guys under me are prepared. The bigger your room is, the more guys that you can put on the field, the faster you can play, and you get breaks.

“They’re going to teach the guys after them. Playing my role, being who I am, playing football, having fun and doing what I love to do.”

Like Thompson, defensive back Keionte Scott, playing his fifth season of college football and his third on the Plains, eagerly advises Auburn’s newcomers. 

“It’s definitely important,” Scott said. “Having older vets passing along knowledge is something I took pride in when I was a younger guy here at Auburn, learning new things from older players and seeing how they apply.

“Now that I’m a senior, passing along knowledge to those young guys, how to go about it day by day, is very important. When they become seniors, they’ll be able to pass it on to the younger generation.”

After leading the SEC and ranking third nationally in punt return average last season, Scott ranks seventh in the conference this season, averaging 7.6 yards per return. 

“The opportunity to create a play for the offense and generate momentum for this team is something I take pride in,” said Scott, who describes calling for a fair catch as a last resort. “I’m looking forward to the second half of the season trying to create more explosive plays on that side.”

 

Scott, like Thompson, sees potential for Auburn to rally in the season’s second half.

“We’re not too far off,” Scott said. “We’re very committed to getting this thing to flip over. It’s going to take a little more commitment to being consistent and doing the little things right. 

“As young as we are, we’ve got to do the little things right and that will carry over and turn some of those losses to wins.”

Amid a sea of underclassmen teammates in the Auburn secondary, seniors Jerrin Thompson and Keionte Scott stand out. Seasoned veterans sharing their knowledge while seeking to conclude their college careers on a hot streak. 

“Time is going fast,” Scott said. “I’m definitely blessed for my time here. I want to say thank you. I’m very appreciative of everybody at Auburn and for everything Auburn has done for me. 

“I’m looking forward toward the second half, being able to play free and play fun. I’m excited for it.”

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