Keionte Scott, Donovan Kaufman '1a and 1b' at the nickel position to start spring
AUBURN — Let the games begin. There’s competition across the Auburn football roster as spring camp gets rolling, and the nickel position on defense is no different. Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge wasted no time generating buzz, as he’s pitted Keionte Scott and Donovan Kaufman against each other at the nickel position.
“I’m creating a little competition with Keionte Scott running with the ones and ‘DK’ is behind him,” Etheridge said. “They’re 1a and 1b.”
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According to Pro Football Focus, among players that contributed a major number of snaps in 2022, Kaufman is the second-highest-graded player returning and Scott is the third-highest-graded player returning on defense. They both trail cornerback D.J. James who is the highest-graded defender returning.
Scott finished last season with 42 tackles, three pass break-ups and one interception. Kaufman finished with 33 tackles and two pass break-ups. Scott notched two sacks to Kaufman’s one. Scott told Auburn Live during the offseason he loves playing the nickel. Meanwhile, Kaufman has played nickel and safety since coming to Auburn from Vanderbilt.
“Those guys do a lot of adjusting. They are the scrappy guys and those two are scrappy. They aren’t going to back down from anybody,” Etheridge said. “They can blitz, do a lot of different things, go in the box and play linebacker. They’re physical and can play defense. Those two have done a phenomenal job.”
Auburn’s defensive backfield is fortunate to have versatile players. Caleb Wooden can play safety or nickel. Kaufman can play safety or nickel. Scott can play corner, if needed. Nehemiah Pritchett can play nickel, if needed. Even Jaylin Simpson, who is finding his place at safety, has a history at corner.
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“Those guys have been trained to play in different scenarios,” Etheridge said. “They’re all going to move around. We’ll start moving guys around going into the fall and going into the season.”
And because of the versatile nature of the Tigers’ defensive backs, having Etheridge and fellow defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff tag teaming the coaching duties will pay even more dividends.
“I’m excited for our DB group,” Scott said. “We have two great guys to lead us. They do a great job of not necessarily playing corner or safety, but playing as a DB group. Coach ‘Crime’ he beings energy every single day. You can feel it. That’s a good coach to be around. He’s never going to let you be down. He’s always on you.”
The Tigers will practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the most part leading into the April 8 spring game inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here’s the schedule of practices: February 27, March 1, 3, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, April 3, 5, 7 and 8. Auburn will take the week of March 5-11 off for spring break.
