AUBURN AUTHORITY

Byron Cowart could play end or Buck in Will Muschamp's defense

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
Byron Cowart could end up playing defensive end of Buck in Auburn's defense.

AUBURN -- Byron Cowart had schools battling for him on the recruiting trail and come the summer he may have Auburn coaches vying for his services in their meeting rooms.

The top ranked recruit in the country was considered a defensive end by all the major recruiting services but could also play the Buck position in Will Mushcamp's defense.

"You hate to sit there and put that bull's eye on a freshman but he's a kid that has a very good skillset that if he'll come in and work hard and grasp the system and grasp technique and fundamentals, you think that he's a guy that may be able to contribute," Garner said. "How much? He's going to determine that."

Both defensive line coach Rodney Garner and outside linebackers coach Lance Thompson said the 6-foot-5 240 pound Cowart has the build to play either end or Buck, whereas Carl Lawson is more suited for the Buck spot moving forward and has been working there exclusively in the spring.

"(Lawson is) a little but more undersized," Thompson said, "but fast body, quick, powerful guy, can play in space."

Having both Lawson and Cowart on the field in passing situations has those inside and outside the program believing the Tigers pass rush could be extremely difficult to stop.

"I think every coach is excited when you got a good player coming in," Thompson said. "It's kind of like a pretty girl."