Depth chart analysis: Star safety

This is the nineteenth 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 --Robenson Therezie was supposed to be the backup at the star safety position last season.

After two years of not quite finding the right fit in Auburn's defense, Therezie and Justin Garrett both found a home at star, with Garrett being the runaway performer of spring 2013.

But two separate foot injuries derailed Garrett's season and Therezie became the team's defensive MVP.

Now they're both back, and healthy, and will can take the field together in the fall.

Mackenro Alexander was the backup at times last season and had a very good spring by most accounts.

The Dime role will be one loaded with talented options this season when the Tigers have to face four and five wide receiver sets.

The Two-Deep
Robenson Therezie (5-foot-9, 212 pounds, senior)
Justin Garrett (6-foot-1, 224 pounds, junior)

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

Starter
Robenson Therezie got new life on and off the field in 2013.

He made 57 tackles and led the Tigers with four interceptions while taking an incredible number of reps.

The Miami native shouldn't be asked to take as big a percentage of plays this fall and avoiding fatigue may actually make him a better player.

Therezie is better is pass coverage than Garrett, who is better in run support.

He's working on punt returns as well and as talented as Therezie is, his height will be an issue at the next level so every aspect of his game will be evaluated.

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

Backup
Justin Garrett was supposed to be the headliner in 2013 but two foot injuries forced him to take a medical redshirt.

With a clean bill of health, he was back to the player of a year ago during spring practice.

Next Wave
Mackenro Alexander appeared in eight games as a true freshman and spring practice was seen as very helpful to his development.

"Mackenro has made a lot of improvement," defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "He came in obviously without the advantage of spring ball last year and he really never got caught up as a true freshman, but spring ball (helped) him."

Josh Holsey (5-foot-11, 192 pounds, junior) might return at the boundary safety or corner spots but was playing the Dime before he tore his ACL. He could return to that role in some capacity.

Summer Arrivals
Markell Boston (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and Stephen Roberts (6-foot, 180 pounds) were the additions at safety but could be in the more traditional defensive backfield roles.

Quotable
"We could cause a lot of problems for the offense. It'll be good to be out there after being out for so long." – Justin Garrett