Auburn did not have a super successful 2023-2024 season under head coach Hugh Freeze, but the Tigers were able to go bowling after finishing the regular season 6-6. One of the main reasons they were able to win enough games to qualify for the postseason was the defense, specifically the back-end of that defense.
With most of the defensive backs from a year ago now graduated or in the NFL, Auburn’s secondary was expected to take a step back this campaign. The linebacker core however, was supposed to improve, or at least stay the course, in 2024. That has not been the case, as the promising duo of Eugene Asante and Jalen McLeod have yet to make much of an impact through the first month of Auburn’s season.
Through the first 3 games, Auburn’s pair of experienced linebackers have just 17 combined tackles and one tackle-for-loss. That number is less than Asante’s individual total through the the first 2 games of 2023. While the blowout nature and game script of Auburn’s opening night victory over Alabama A&M didn’t offer much room for opportunity, the Tigers have certainly been forced into duty on the defensive end enough over the last pair of contents to warrant more production from the duo.
Asante and McLeod were a massive reason the Tigers were able to finish a top 25 defensive unit in 2023 according to ESPN FPI. With the defense struggling to find consistency to begin this season, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin needs his two best players to step up, especially this week.
Auburn’s front seven will have its hands full against Arkansas running back Ja’Quinden Jackson in week four. The senior has accumulated nearly 400 yards on the ground this season to lead an Arkansas attack that has scored a FBS-leading 15 rushing touchdowns in 3 games. Auburn’s rushing defense, led by Asante and McLeod, just allowed New Mexico to rush for 157 yards and a touchdown on just 26 carries. The Lobos offensive line created gaping hole after gaping hole last Saturday, mainly due to Auburn’s linebackers constantly allowing themselves to get funneled into down blocks, climbing lineman, and passively letting the ball come to them.
Asante was a main culprit, allowing New Mexico’s line to force him into bad angles, all-but taking him out of any play where he would normally be in position to to make a tackle. Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman is certainty foaming at the mouth watching Auburn’s poor assignment football on film, and the Razorbacks will take every opportunity they can to burn Auburn in the run game on Saturday.
In a game where Auburn is favored by nearly a field goal, the opposition ripping off long rush after long rush is a surefire way to take the air out of the crowd in the SEC opener. Ja’Quinden Jackson and Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green will surely accumulate their fair share of yardage. It’s up to Auburn’s linebackers to step up and limit how much yardage that will be.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Brian’s Column: It’s time for Auburn’s linebackers to show up
