Ron Roberts on Auburn linebackers: 'There’s probably five that are going to get there'

AUBURN – Auburn defensive coordinator Ron Roberts is similar to Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze when it comes to speaking about his players: He keeps things straight up.

So, when he says that he has a few guys taking the next step at linebacker, he probably means it.

“I think we have linebackers, I think we can get in a three-deep right now,” Roberts said to the media on Tuesday. “Probably five. There’s probably five that are going to get there.”

If there are five guys at the Mike and Will linebacker positions that can play, who might they be? While we didn’t get the specific names of each player he might have been referring to, he did give a deep dive of what he’s seeing from his linebackers, excluding the Jack group, which he coaches specifically.

The linebackers are experiencing a learning curve, like many positions on the team. What might be different for that group so far?

“We’re multiple, it starts with odd or four-down, we’re playing both,” Roberts said. “A lot of our coverages are based off of how we’re playing things. So, that part, and then it goes into whether I may give two calls in a huddle basically saying, ‘if they’re in this, here’s what I want to play, if they’re in this, here’s what I want to play.’ That’s new for a lot of them to do that. It’s kind of the nature of college football nowadays, if you don’t do it, they’re going to whip you.”

Here’s every linebacker Roberts talked about on Tuesday.

Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys

Roberts has been pleased with Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys so far in the spring. He wants Keys to be more of a vocal leader, which is a compliment. He has impressed without making much fuss about it. Now, Roberts wants him to be a leader even though he’s a new guy.

“He’s got the SEC experience, he’s big, he’s physical, he runs exceptionally well, he’s smart, he’s intelligent, he’s picked things up really fast,” Roberts said. “With him, going forward, I’d like him to be a little more vocal and take some leadership responsibility. There’s several guys on our team that I think early that whole new system, new coach, sometimes that stuff takes a back seat for a while because they’re not confident to step up and be a vocal leader, but we’re going to need guys to do that.”

LSU transfer DeMario Tolan

When it comes to LSU transfer DeMario Tolan, who is a still a young player, Roberts has high praise–very high praise.

“DeMario shows a ton of ability, he runs exceptionally well, he will strike you,” he said. “When he pulls his pin he pulls it about as fast as anybody that can play the game. So he has a bright future here at Auburn.”

“Pulls his pen,” probably refers to how fast he triggers to the ball or where he is supposed to be.

Redshirt freshman Powell Gordon

Powell Gordon, another young player, got some mention for his ability on the edge.

“Powell, same thing, he’s athletic, probably looks his best when he’s on the edg,” Roberts said. “I think he’s more comfortable because it’s where he was in high school. He’s a young guy, probably behind a veteran group of linebackers”

Will Gordon eventually move to Jack, or at least work at both positions?

“We did have a discussion, yes,” Roberts said.

Second year North Carolina transfer Eugene Asante

Roberts made a quick mention of former North Carolina transfer Eugene Asante, who is now in his second year with Auburn.

“He’s athletic, very physical, great attitude,” Roberts said. “He’s a guy who goes on the field every day and is going to have a smile on his face and loves the game of football. I think that goes a long way so he’s going to be a valuable asset.”

Who has gotten the majority of the reps?

Roberts went in-depth on the ages and depth of each position room on his defense. He feels as though the linebacker group provides the most depth, but also a good bit of experience.

“That room is a little older,” Roberts said. “The (Robert) Woodyard kid is probably the youngest one in there. Cam Riley has starting experience, Wesley Steiner, Austin Keys are a pretty veteran group and they have gotten the majority of the reps.”