The Tigers are talented, SEC coaches' selections confirm

AUBURN | The SEC announced its Preseason Coachces’ All-SEC Teams on Tuesday, as voted on by the coaches. And guess what? The Tigers are talented, at least the coaches think so.

Auburn placed nine players on the three teams. That’s third only to Alabama’s 13 and Georgia’s 11.

Not bad for a team some have picked to finish last in the SEC West, with most predictions ranging from third to seventh in the division.

First team

Tank Bigsby being selected as one of two first-teamers at running back was no surprise. He joined Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller. Bigsby is in the middle of most conversations debating the best back in the league, and one of the best backs in the nation. Bigsby was also selected second team for the all-purpose position. This is what Bigsby had to say about preseason accolades earlier in camp:

“I really don’t pay attention to it, all that social media stuff, all that talking,” Bigsby said. “I never really paid attention to it, even growing up with all those rankings. If you ask me, it’s a blessing, but you hype yourself up when you’re on the field. All this talking going on, they can do all that, that’s not going to get you where you want to go.”

Postseason prediction? Bigsby remains as a member of the first team after topping 1,000 yards rushing for the Tigers.

Second team

Center Nick Brahms, safety Smoke Monday, linebacker Zakoby McClain and kicker Anders Carlson all landed on the second team.

How Carlson landed on the second team behind LSU’s Cade York is a mystery. Carlson’s field goal percentage was slightly better than York’s last season, with Carlson hitting 20 of 22, while York made 18 of 21. The difference is Carlson also kicked off, ranking in the top 15 nationally in total touchbacks. Avery Atkins was LSU’s kickoff specialist, meaning York only had one job, and that was field goals.

Brahms returns for his senior season and it’s now or never for him to lead the Tigers’ offensive line to some level of authority in the trenches.

“The guys in the room, we know what we’ve done and how much work we’ve put in. We’re going to be tough guys and lead this football team,” Brahms said during camp.

Monday was fourth on the team in tackles last season. With plenty of talent stocked in the secondary for 2021, Monday is a relied-upon leader for Derek Mason.

“Time went by quick for me. I feel like just the other day I was a freshman and now I’m a senior leading the defense,” said Monday.

And McClain is a no brainer. If not for his size – McClain stands just 6-foot, 219 pounds – he would be a first team selection. “Ricochet Rabbit”, as his teammates and coaches call him, recorded 113 tackles last season. That’s good for over 10 per game. That total isn’t likely to change much this season.

“I feel very comfortable with this defense,” McClain said. “It’s simple, lots of communication. I like the coaches, they’re straight on discipline and they’re worried about the small things.”

Postseason prediction? Carlson and McClain put together fantastic seasons and earn first-team honors. Monday and Brahms are likely placed correctly.

Third team

Quarterback Bo Nix, linebacker Owen Pappoe, cornerback Roger McCreary and offensive lineman Brodarius Hamm all landed on the third team.

After winning SEC Freshman of the Year after the 2019 season, Nix and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo have returned to the basics to try and turn things around.

“Any quarterback can always do better with their fundamentals,” Nix said. “Preparing and knowing the drops for this route, the steps for this run, and doing that every play. It’s important to know the fundamentals because the play is moving and the pocket is always changing.”

Pappoe appears to be an unquestioned leader of this football team, while Hamm is an offensive guard playing tackle because of the overall lack of options at the tackle position.

McCreary finished fifth on the team in tackles last season from his cornerback position. We’ll see if the change in defensive scheme helps or hurts McCreary’s chances at first team corner by season’s end.

“I feel like this scheme is way different than Coach Steele,” McCreary said. “We’re playing mostly top down, corners are playing off now. Playing off man — that’s great for the secondary. We’re using our press techniques from last year, to the techniques Coach Mason is bringing this year.”

Postseason prediction? If Auburn has a more successful season than Ole Miss and Missouri, getting to eight wins, Nix could find himself on the second team. Pappoe has all the potential to be first or second team, while McCreary and Hamm are likely properly placed for now.

Omissions

Where in the world is Colby Wooden? How does Wooden continue to get left off of preseason lists? Wooden burst onto the scene last season and finished T-6th in tackles for loss in the conference with 9.5. Standing 6-foot-5 and 280-plus pounds, Wooden has earned praise throughout camp for his play.

“I love the defense,” Wooden said. “It’s showcasing that I can play in a 3-4, move down to tackle, or showcase that I can move back out to five. It shows my versatility and my strength. The defense shows my capabilities. I love it.”

Of the lack of attention preseason, Wooden smiled during a recent media session and said, “We’ll see. We’ll see.”

Postseason prediction? Wooden earns second team honors for the Tigers.

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