Film Room: Looking back on the best plays from the career of Zakoby McClain

It is finally draft week. This is the biggest week of multiple Auburn player’s lives. After being the game changer for Auburn’s defense, it is time for Zakoby McClain to take his skills to the next level.

There was a portion of 2021 that Auburn had to see what life would be like without McClain. He returned in the second half and completely changed the course of the game. McClain brought life to the Auburn defense. He, alone, changed the physicality of the defense. Because of that, he had many plays that changed games.

There are so many plays to choose from. He had a ton of big hits, tackles-for-loss, and effected the play in some way or another. These were the plays that stood out in my mind.

McClain brings the heat on three short yardage plays against Alabama

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Auburn couldn’t win this one, but the defense did their part. McClain and McCreary were the leaders that day as well. I dont have a radio call for these plays, but McClain was probably the main reason for all three of these stops. Stopping Alabama on three plays like this is unheard of. It was a team effort but let me explain how McClain effected the plays.

Play 1: On the 3rd and short, McClain was great at mirroring the ball carrier. As he always is, he sifts through the traffic and makes first contact. He somehow finds a way to be first every time.

Play 2: Another 3rd and short. Alabama under Nick Saban won’t try to be tricky. They have always been the best at converting these plays. McClain had other plans. On this one he patiently watches while the DL stacks up the OL. The best part of this play is that he sees a crease that the back could slip through and sticks his head right in it. That finished plugging up this play.

Play 3: This time McClain wasn’t first to the ball, but the back actually slips by the first contact. McClain was there to hold him up and stop forward progress. This should have been the game winning stop.

McClain sacks two QB’s in one game

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Looking back on this Ole Miss game from 2021 doesn’t seem as big as it did at the time. This was a huge win and it was inspired by McClain on defense. He had 14 tackles, 3 tackles-for-loss, and 2 sacks. He sacked Matt Corral on a huge 3rd and goal, then when Corral went down for two series, he introduced himself to freshman Luke Altmeyer.

“BOOOM!” – Kirk Herbstreit

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Talk about a clutch play.. 4th and 1, Auburn was down by 1 with less than 5 minutes left in the game. It wasn’t all McClain. Tyrone Truesdell got the push while Chandler Wooten sealed the edge. You can see, though, that McClain flies in at 100 mph to make the initial contact on the ball carrier. He was always able to find a way through the mess and make plays. It’s just instinct.

“The hand-off is to Verdell.. HE DIDN’T GET IT!! HE DIDN’T GET IT!! AUBURN BALL!”

“Picked off! and it’s Zakoby McClain! Can he take it? Are you kidding me?” – Brad Nessler

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This play won’t go down as being as big as the kick-6, but it was close. Auburn had two pick-6’s in this game. This one will never be forgotten. McClain was late to the route, but edge pressure from Big Kat Bryant caused the throw to be bad. Guys like McClain find a way to be in the right place at the right time. That’s what happened here. He had the instinct to start running the other way before he really realized the ball was in his hands. The rest is history.

“Tennison in motion. They throw it. It is… INCOMPLETE!! NO, IT’S INTERCEPTED!! INTERCEPTED DOWN THE SIDELINE TIGERS! ZAKOBY MCCLAIN! HE MAY GO THE DISTANCE!! ONE MAN TO BEAT! THEY’RE NOT GONNA GET HIM. HE’S TO THE 20, 15, 10, 5.. TOUCHDOWN AUBURN!!! ZAKOBY MCCLAIN GOES THE DISTANCE!!“