Versatile Josh Holsey sees time at 'star'

AUBURN -- Perhaps Auburn's most versatile defender, Josh Holsey added another role to his growing repertoire last week.

The junior defensive back, who has seen time at corner and both the boundary and free safety positions, filled in at the "star" safety spot behind Robenson Therezie, who was recovering from a bruised shoulder.

It was another move for Holsey, who has been all over the defensive backfield in his three seasons on the Plains.

"The biggest thing is the mental aspect," Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "He carries a pretty big load. … Playing the two deep safeties is pretty easy to learn. When you start playing down on the second level there's a lot of things he's got to learn -- our blitzes, our man pickups."

Holsey made four tackles against Samford, his most in four games, after Therezie came out following the opening series.

"Some of our guys we wanted to be smart with," Malzahn said, "and make sure they are healed up."

Holsey started the season at corner after an off-season filled with recovery from a torn ACL. He moved back to safety at Kansas State, but was in and out of the starting lineup over the last four games.

"Josh had been repped during practice in an emergency and then when we gave him the rotation, he played well," Johnson said. "I think (safeties coach Charlie) Harbison just out of a measure of trying to keep Therezie healthy moving forward and Josh getting even more work at it so we'll have that option when we have to."