Depth chart analysis: Boundary corner

This is the twenty-first 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 -- There was uncertainty as to who would play on the boundary side of the defensive backfield after the departure of three members of the two-deep from last season. Spring practice began to clear things up slightly, as Jonathon Mincy moved across from field corner to boundary corner and appeared to solidify the starting spot.

That was all before Mincy's recent arrest, which has left his status with the program in question, and could lead to several changes to the secondary.

T.J. Davis and Michael Sherwood were working behind Mincy during spring practice and Josh Holsey could return at corner as well.

The Two-Deep
Jonathon Mincy (5-foot-10, 200 pounds, senior)
T.J. Davis (6-foot-1, 196 pounds, sophomore)

DEFENSIVE POSITION ANALYSIS: LDE | DT | NT | RDE | MLB | WLB | Star | FCB

Starter
Putting his recent legal situation aside, Mincy was expected to be a major contributor the Tigers defense in his final season.

He made 56 tackles and had 14 pass breakups, one behind Chris Davis Jr.'s team high, and started every game.

Mincy was aiming to take over Davis' role not only at boundary corner, but as the defensive captain.

Now all those plans are in jeopardy following his arrest for possession of marijuana.

In May, he was named to the Lott IMPACT trophy Watch list, which recognizes character as well as defensive play.

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

Backup
T.J. Davis is one of the budding stars of the secondary, regularly drawing compliments from the coaching staff.

He had just four tackles while appearing in 12 games last season but was much further down the depth chart than he will be in the fall.

Davis has three tackles for the White team on A-Day.

Next Wave
Josh Holsey is the "wildcard," as defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson puts it, to Auburn secondary. Holsey can return at safety, where he played last season prior to tearing his ACL, or at corner, where he shined as a freshman.

Before Mincy's arrest it seemed more likely Holsey would come back at safety, but he could now be far more likely to be at corner.

Michael Sherwood (5-foot-8, 170 pounds, redshirt-freshman) spent the spring working behind Mincy and Davis will could be a special teams contributor.

Summer Arrivals
Kalvaraz Bessent (6-foot, 170 pounds) and Nick Ruffin(6-foot, 180 pounds) were last year's cornerback signees and could be early contributors in light of Mincy's situation.

Quotable
"Everything happens a lot faster to the boundary. You're going to be involved in a lot more run support and that's something that I like to do – I like to get my head in the ball." – Jonathon Mincy