Bryan Harsin illustrates linebacker depth using telling Robert Woodyard story

Bryan Harsin is going to need better tackling if Auburn wants to upset the SEC Media’s last place prediction for them in the west division. Which starts with the linebacker position, where Harsin is confident in the growth of his guys at the position. He also has his eye on one true freshman he thinks could be a factor at the position.

Harsin recently updated the status of the LBs at a recent press conference, where he revealed one play from camp that sold him on freshman Robert Woodyard. You can watch his comments right here or read what the Tigers head coach had to say about his ‘backers below.

Bryan Harsin on Auburn linebackers

Here was Harsin when asked about Woodyard and the LB group:

“Well, I think he’s really stood out. Like I talked about [Wesley] Steiner. I think Cam Riley is starting to really come into his own as far as being a long, athletic, physical guy that knows what he’s doing. And those guys, all three of those guys I mentioned, students of the game. Eugene Asante, you know. Eugene missed a lot of spring when his father passed away. So he’s catching up right now. I think he’s going to be a really good player for us.”

Harsin then went on to single out Woodyard, revealing an eye-opening moment from him for the coaching staff.

“Robert Woodyard, tonight, alright. He made some plays. Now there was a couple — one he got pushed back and you kind of think he’s just going to kind of react like a freshman and all that. Kinda got pushed back, and the very next play he ripped right through whoever tried to block him and made the tackle,” Harsin said with a snap of the finger.

The Auburn coach credited that sort of mentality to a culture that the Tigers position coach instilled in his guys.

“Like he got upset and it was like…it’s time to play. And you can see that guy really turn it on, you know. But I also think that’s part of Coach Robinson’s mentality in that group. Those guys are gonna know what to do. And then, we want to play physical. So I think, I’ve been really impressed with our linebackers.”

Lastly, Bryan Harsin finished by praising the group and its growth as a whole.

“There’s guys that played for us a little bit last year that are showing up. And there will be guys that will help us. Whether it’s right at linebacker or special teams, they’re going to be out there doing something. I think that group has kind of elevated the whole standard of that room to what they want to accomplish.”