Derick Hall shares players he expects to step up on defense

Auburn edge Derick Hall was a force for the Tiger’s defense last season, and this year is looking to take them to the next level. Hall was asked about Auburn’s defense going into this season at SEC media day, and spoke about who he expects to step up in the secondary.

“Obviously we have Zion (Puckett) back, he’s healthy, he’s good. You know Zion is really smart. He’s very detailed in what he does. He’s taking care of that back end,” Hall said. “But, you have Donovan Kaufman who played last year who’s looking really good. Jaylin Simpson‘s back healthy. You have Nehemiah (Pitchett) who played last year, I mean all of those guys on the back end are doing a really good job.”

The group of defensive backs Hall mentioned all bring versatility to the table for the Tigers, with Pitchett and Kaufman both doubling as kick returners and Puckett, a safety that also saw snaps at the linebacker position last season. The group as a whole has a great combination of talent and experience that can surely improve on their fourth to last ranking in pass defensive in the SEC last season.

Hall also discussed own position group up front, saying that edge Dylan Brooks and defensive lineman Marcus Harris are poised to be big contributors to the Auburn defensive line.

“At the edge position Dylan Brooks, he’s looking really good, he’s moving along well, his training has changed, his body has changed. He’s coming along really well. He’s going to be a guy that’s going to help us out this year and across the d-line,” Hall said “He isn’t young but he’s been here, Marcus Harris has changed his approach to the game. I think he’s really figuring it out now. He’s going to be really good for us. And you know me, Colby (Wooden), (Eku) Leota we’re going to make sure all the guys are up to speed and camp’s right around the corner so we have a lot to do in a short amount of time.”

And in the middle of the defensive, the Tigers bring back linebacker Owen Pappoe, who missed a majority of last season due to injury.

“We have Owen back at the linebacker core. He’s getting those guys right. On the defense we are really cohesive, looking good as a team, moving around well, fitting well, meshing well, routes coming out well, I mean everything just ticking like a well oiled machine, so I think we’re looking really good right now in this offseason,” Hall said.

Top to bottom, the Auburn Tigers defense on paper can stack up against just about anyone in the SEC, but they will need to stay healthy and have their best players step up big throughout the season in order to improve from last season.