SPORTS

Robenson Therezie facing 'eligibility issues,' status for season opener unclear

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Auburn "star" safety Robenson Therezie has been cleared to play on Saturday, according to a source.
  • Defensive Player of the Year may not be available for the season opener

AUBURN -- When Auburn's star will shine again on the Plains is unclear.

Auburn "star" safety Robenson Therezie is facing "eligibility issues" that could jeopardize his availability for the season opener, coach Gus Malzahn announced Saturday.

"We're working through some eligibility issues right now with him," Malzahn said. "We should know in the near future."

Therezie, a senior, had 57 tackles and a team-high four interceptions last season and was named the team's defensive player of the year.

On Thursday, Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said the coaches were "not sure (Therezie)'s going to be able to play early," but did not specify why that was other than Therezie hadn't been getting a lot of reps in practice.

Therezie, a Miami, Florida native, was a preseason second-team All-SEC selection and was one of 76 players named to the Bednarik Award watch list. He is the only player to start a game for Auburn last season who has not been available for interviews since SEC Media Days.

Justin Garrett, who was splitting first-team reps with Therezie early in preseason camp, is now projected to start at the hybrid "star" safety position. After suffering two different foot injuries last season, Garrett was medically redshirted.

"We're getting Justin ready and right now we've got to get some depth out there." Johnson said.

Garrett was a breakout performer and the Defensive MVP of Auburn's 2013 A-Day game.

Therezie is the third Auburn senior to face an off-the-field issue in the past seven weeks.

Quarterback Nick Marshall was cited for possession of marijuana on July 11 and cornerback Jonathon Mincy was arrested for possession of marijuana on June 28. Marshall and Mincy each admitted to a "mistake" when they addressed their respective transgressions last week.

The cases against both are closed and neither will start the Aug. 30 season opener against Arkansas.

At the start of preseason camp, Auburn's 20 seniors addressed off-field issues.