Auburn depth chart analysis: Buck LB/DE
This is the thirteenth of a 24-part series detailing Auburn's projected depth chart heading into the 2015 season. This comes after the Tigers concluded spring practice and will include insight from nearly every coach on the staff.
AUBURN – After missing last season recovering from a torn ACL, Carl Lawson is expected to return and reignite Auburn's pass rush from the hybrid Buck/end position.
At 6-foot-2 and 257 pounds, Lawson's build is a great fit as an edge rusher either standing as the Buck or with his hand down as a traditional end.
He was held out of contact in the spring but once fall camp arrives Lawson will be thrown back in the fire as he tries to comeback off the knee injury.
Cameron Toney got the chance to start with the first-team defense in place of Lawson on A-Day but the backup role remains up for grabs as heralded incoming freshmen Byron Cowart and Jeff Holland will each get a chance at the Buck spot.
"We don't know (who the backup is) right now," Buck/outside linebackers coach Lance Thompson said. "What we told the guys is the spring would be the opportunity for the guys that were here to show what they had and the fall is going to be the opportunity for those freshmen, Byron Cowart, Jeff Holland, those guys that come in (to) show us what they can do."
The Two-Deep
Carl Lawson (6-foot-2, 257 pounds, sophomore)
Cameron Toney (6-foot-1, 243 pounds, sophomore)
Starter
Lawson's absence was the major factor in Auburn's lack of consistent pass rush last season.
While the former Under Armour All-American is expected to return with no issues Lawson will need to be even more productive than he was as a true freshman in 2013, when he had 20 tackles with 7 1/2 for loss and four sacks, for Auburn to get a consistent rush again.
"That's something that we've got to continue to work on," defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said. "We certainly have addressed some things as far as rush is concerned, as far as protection identification is concerned, and we need to continue to progress."
Thompson call Lawson a "football junkie," who spends a lot of time studying the game on his own time. That attention to detail will help in learning a somewhat new position.
"Great attitude, great work ethic, good football IQ," Muschamp said, "a guy that continues to strive to get better."
Backup
Toney got to take the first-team reps on A-Day, totaling seven tackles with a sack.
"He did some nice things," Muschamp said. "I think for the first time being on the edge, some players are better at the point of attack and being on the line of scrimmage there's not as much keying to diagnose, and I think Cam, it suited him a little bit better.
"I think he did a nice job on the line of scrimmage and he'll continue to progress for us."
A third-year sophomore, Toney appeared in just one game with two tackles last season and was experimenting with a move to offense at the H-back spot.
With talented freshmen coming in, Toney needs to continue to improve and earn reps.
"I thought Cameron Toney showed up a lot, did some really positive things, in addition to being able to play inside and outside," Thompson said. "I was really happy with Cam and the way he competed. He really improved on some things."
Next Wave
While he has the physical build for the role, Raashed Kennion (6-foot-6, 235 pounds, sophomore) missed the majority of spring due to a concussion and the coaching staff still doesn't know what he can do.
"We really didn't get a real evaluation with him," Thompson said.
Justin Thornton (6-foot-5, 228 pounds, redshirt-freshman) is expected to at least start the season, if not spend the whole year, on the scout team.
Summer Arrivals
Jeff Holland (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) is expected to fit in a lot of spots on defense and may get an early look at Buck given the lack of depth at the position.
Byron Cowart (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) is more likely to appear at the traditional end position than Buck, as the vision is to pair him with Lawson.
"What we told the guys is the spring would be the opportunity for the guys that were here to show what they had and the fall is going to be the opportunity for those freshmen, Byron Cowart, Jeff Holland, those guys that come in and show us what they can do," Thompson said. "And then we'll decide who is the best football player that gives us the best chance to win."
Quotable
"Carl did a great job when he got to go. He held him out of live stuff but I think Carl is going to be a really big factor to the defensive success this year." – Lance Thompson