Bryan Harsin discusses impact of loss of Roger McCreary on Auburn's 2022 recruiting class

Auburn is likely to lose a key piece of its secondary after the season in cornerback Roger McCreary. McCreary opted to return to Auburn for one more season, and he has built up his NFL Draft stock in a big way. While he is one of the best corners in this year’s draft class, Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin said that the Tigers will miss McCreary for more than just his skillset on the field.

“The secondary, I mean we lost a very good player, Roger McCreary,” Harsin said. “I mean look at what he did this last year. And to speak on Roger a little bit, and he came back I know when we took the job. He had opportunities to move on and felt like he could come back and wanted to be apart of what we’re doing. Could develop himself into a better player and look at what he’s done. I think Coach Mason, Coach Etheridge, our defensive staff did a great job of making sure that we were developing our players now, but also that shows up in the type of players that we have now that want to be a part of our program.”

McCreary played in 12 games this year for Auburn, totaling 49 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 16 passes defended, and one fumble recovery.

Harsin is looking for players, leaders like McCreary in Auburn’s secondary

McCreary was named a first-team AP All-American for his strong play with Auburn this season. ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has McCreary projected to go 23rd overall in his initial NFL mock draft. But while McCreary is certainly a talented player, Harsin is looking for players that prepare like he did when filling out the roster, especially in the secondary.

“You want to start up front and everybody says that,” Harsin said. “But you got to build the cover. You got to have guys in the skill positions in the back end. You’ve got to have guys that you know not only are playing DB, but are also returners in the kick game. You got punt returners, kick returners, guys that have touched the ball, explosive players. And then just great footoball players and guys that understand the game and guys that are going to come in here and prepare themselves.

“They’re going to be note takers, they’re going to be guys that are focused and I’d say that about this entire group. You feel like when you get into the meeting room, these guys are going to pull out the notebook and the pens and they’re going to take notes. They’re going to learn, study, be detailed and that’s going to translate onto the field. Our defensive staff, if you’re talking about the DBs in particular, they did a great job of finding those guys that are going to fit what we’re trying to do.”