Depth chart analysis: Nose tackle

This is the fifteenth of a 24-part series that will run up to SEC Media Days detailing Auburn's depth chart heading into the 2014 season. This comes well after the Tigers concluded their 15 spring practices and includes insight from nearly every position coach on the staff.

AUBURN -- Old man style will be making a comeback.

Gregarious big man Jeff Whitaker returns for his fifth season after missing last year with a meniscus injury.

The Warner Robbins, Georgia native is among the leaders of the entire team and could even be a candidate for defensive captain.

Ben Bradley was a productive member of the line and will returns for his final season as well.

Montravius Adams will be used inside and outside and depending how long Carl Lawson is out, could become one of the more versatile members of the group.

The Two-Deep
Jeff Whitaker (6-foot-4, 322 pounds, senior)
Ben Bradley (6-foot-1, 303 pounds, senior)
OR Montravius Adams (6-foot-4, 306 pounds, sophomore)

DEFENSIVE POSITION ANALYSIS: LDE | DT

Starter
Jeff Whitaker was supposed to be gone already, now Auburn is glad they have the old man back for one last season.

"Here's a guy that was out all of last season and pre-spring practice we had a team meeting and we asked the guys to name who they thought the leaders were and Jeff was the second-highest vote getter and he didn't play a snap last year," defensive line coach Rodney Garner said. "His peers, they think a lot of him. It's got to be about who those guys listen to and I think they definitely value Jeff's leadership."

Whitaker has 19 career starts and was most productive in 2011. He'll have a chance to show if he's returned to form right out of the gate against Arkansas, as he is a pure run stopper.

Backup
Ben Bradley did a nice job as a junior college transfer and even started three games last season.

With Whitaker back it may trim down Bradley's time slightly, but Garner likes to go five deep at tackle and end and the Tigers have a ton of solid personnel.

Next Wave
Montravius Adams will all be an option at both defensive tackle spots as well as at end.

JaBrain Niles (6-foot-2, 300 pounds, junior) and Tyler Nero (6-foot-2, 277 pounds, sophomore) have to return to full health before being able to contribute even in a limited capacity.

OFFENSIVE POSITION ANALYSIS: QB | RB | HB | TE | SE | F | SLOT | LT | LG | C | RG | RT

Summer Arrivals
DaVonte Lambert (6-foot-4, 280 pounds) and Devaroe Lawrence (6-foot-3, 290 pounds) both transferred from Georgia Military College and are expected to contribute early.

Dontavius Russell (6-foot-3, 300 pounds) has a lot of players ahead of him on the depth chart and might be a redshirt candidate.

Quotable
"I thought Jeff was a little rusty when we started off. Obviously the guy was out for a whole year, and that's tough, but at the same time he's a veteran. He knows what it takes. I thought he had to shake the rust off a ltitle bit. Jeff's going to give us a quality day's work. That's what he bring to the table. He's a tough, unselfish type of player that loves Auburn and is very competitive and wants to be good."– Rodney Garner