Auburn depth chart analysis: Nose tackle
This is the fifteenth 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 – As Auburn's top returning interior defensive lineman Montravius Adams is in line to take the lead role in a spot where the Tigers have gone from very deep, to inexperienced.
Adams is the lead nose tackle when Auburn goes with a three-man front but will play traditional defensive tackle in a four-man front.
He has the size and ability to be an effective run stopper but also the explosiveness to create pressure in the backfield.
"(Nose tackles) got to be able to strike a big 300-pounder and be able to play the B gap," defensive line coach Rodney Garner said, "and be able to cross face and play to the C."
That level of play has already caught the attention of NFL scouts.
"Auburn had a four-man defensive tackle that's pretty darn good," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "I mean all of them could play, especially that No. 1, who's not eligible for a while."
The challenge Auburn has with Adams is getting him to practice and play consistently.
Gus Malzahn's Take
"Montraviusis a guy that's played for two years and has a lot of ability. I know the coaches are pleased with where he's at."
The Two-Deep
Montravius Adams (6-foot-4, 296 pounds, junior)
Devaroe Lawrence (6-foot-2, 281 pounds, junior)
Starter
While Adams led the defensive line with 43 tackles with eight for loss including three sacks, 17 hurries and an interception last season, Garner wants more from the former Under Armour All-American.
The sticking point for Garner has been getting Adams to play with the same energy and explosiveness every rep in practice and every play in games.
"I think he's made progress this spring," Garner said. "I think he still has a long ways to go, just from a consistency and learning that 'hey, I've got to being my A-game to practice every day.'"
It's not a question of Adams' physical skills.
"Montravius has shown some things that we can win in the single battles up front," defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said.
The emergence of Dontavius Russell, who Garner said is "the guy" midway through spring and who is in line to start next to Adams at tackle, has been a motivating factor for the Vienna, Georgia native.
"It has been really good for Montravius because Dontavius works hard every day," Garner said. "He brings it every day, he tries to do exactly what you say every day and he is very talented. That has been good for Montravius."
Backup
Devaroe Lawrence made limited appearances last season, with one tackle in four games after transferring in from Georgia Military College, but could offer more than fans might expect.
Having graduated high school in 2011, Lawrence is a bit older and supposedly more mature than his younger peers.
He's also a physical specimen, something coaches raved about during his JUCO days.
"One of the biggest freaks out there is Devaroe Lawrence," Garner said. "I coached Geno (Atkins at Georgia). Devaroe Lawrence and Geno Atkins have the same skillset. Devaroe Lawrence has to learn to push Devaroe when he is tired but he is a big, strong, quick twitch, powerful man."
Next Wave
Dontavius Russell (6-foot-3, 295 pounds, redshirt-freshman) is in line to start at the other tackle position.
Maurice Swain (6-foot-5, 295 pounds, junior) could push for a starting job but will play a significant number of reps regardless.
Summer Arrivals
Jaunta'Vius Johnson (6-foot-3, 330 pounds) appears to be in line for the nose tackle spot versus a traditional four-technique and could see early playing time as the tackle rotation is less deep than a year ago.
Quotable
"(Adams is) a product of these recruiting services. They build these kids up. He's from a 1A school, Dooly County (Georgia). Down there he could thump the offensive lineman that he's lining up on and knock him 10 yards out of the way and never had to do anything. So he never had to rely on fundamentals. But this is the SEC. He's practicing against the best every single day. You think Braden Smith cares if Montravius was a five-star? Braden Smith was a five-star too. It doesn't matter. Getting him to understand that you're not going to be bigger, stronger, faster than most of the guys. Yes, you are a very, very, very, very talented guy but you have to use your fundamentals." – Rodney Garner