Rudy Ford edging out Derrick Moncrief for starting job

AUBURN – This Rudy is not an underdog.

Sophomore Johnathan "Rudy" Ford has overtaken Prattville native Derrick Moncrief as Auburn's starting boundary safety.

"No question, (Jermaine) Whitehead is the best at free safety, and right now, Rudy has pushed ahead at boundary safety," Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "Moncrief is right behind him."

Ford, who had five tackles last season after converting from running back, has been practicing at both the field and boundary safety spots during fall camp.

"I feel comfortable at either one," Ford said. "I've been very ready and open to both of the safety positions and all of the safety positions, and I've just been focusing, staying in the meetings and listening to everything coach (Charlie Harbison) and Whitehead has to say to help me go along."

If Whitehead were to go down, Johnson is comfortable with Ford moving over to field and having Moncrief take over at boundary, where he has been working exclusively.

The competition between Ford and Moncrief is long from over, but Johnson feels the days Moncrief missed due to sickness set him back.

"It's pretty even, but Moncrief missed some practices," Johnson said. "I think he had a virus — one day dehydrated, another day a few days later where he had a virus or a bug or something that dehydrated him again. So he's missed a little bit of time, and Rudy took advantage of it. But they're both doing a good job."

Moncrief, a junior college transfer who enrolled in January, is eager to show his penchant for big hits when he makes his debut.

Ford also had six carries for 73 yards and a touchdown during two non-conference routs last season. He's put running back in the past, though he has been working on kickoff returns,

"I've found a home on the defensive side," Ford said. "All of those guys have welcomed me in and blessed me, I've just been staying focused and studying as much as I can. ... I'm thinking about defense, I'm focusing on defense, getting better and helping my team."

Whitehead, who has started 26 straight games and is likely going to be the captain of the defense, Moncrief and Ford have separated themselves and are "way ahead" of the other safeties.

Johnson was "really pleased" with freshmen Markell Boston and Stephen Roberts (hip pointer), but both have missed time due to injury.

"For young freshmen, that's a hard thing because when they miss two or three practices, and you're in the middle of installing things, and they miss it, it can be really hard for them to catch up," Johnson said. "But I've got confidence that Roberts will get back in the swing, he'll get right back in the mix when he gets healthy."