Auburn safety Tray Matthews 'leaning towards' coming back for 2017 season

NEW ORLEANS — Tray Matthews says he’s leaning toward returning for the 2017 season but Auburn’s safety wants to wait until after the bowl game to decide.

Matthews, who has started every game this season at strong safety, leads the Tigers program with 73 tackles in the 2016 campaign and has been a mainstay in the defensive backfield.

“I’m pretty much leaning to come back,” Matthews said after Auburn’s Thursday afternoon practice session. “I’m just curious.”

Matthews confirmed Thursday he was one of the Auburn juniors who has filed his paperwork with the NFL Draft Advisory Committee.  In the summer of 2014, the ratings system was revised. In previous years, the committee would evaluate players in one of five categories: potential first-round pick, potential second-round pick, potential third-round pick, no potential for the first three rounds or no draft potential at all. The new ratings became less complex and included the following categories: potential first round, potential second round, or neither - which is effectively a recommendation to stay in school.

Matthews said he’s consulted with Auburn defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff about his future with the NFL as McGriff spent three seasons with the New Orleans Saints before arriving at Auburn this past spring.

“We talk all the time and he’s given me plenty of advice. After the bowl game we’ll move forward and see what is the deal,” Matthews said. “Just with him being in the NFL and teaching us all of these new things, it has been a pleasure.”

The Sugar Bowl will be the last game McGriff coaches this Auburn secondary group after he was announced earlier this month as Ole Miss’ new defensive coordinator. McGriff, who is finishing his first season at Auburn, agreed to stay through the Sugar Bowl where No. 14 Auburn (8-4) plays No. 7 Oklahoma on Jan. 2 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans.

The announcement of McGriff’s promotion at Ole Miss was difficult for Matthews and several other players in this Auburn secondary to hear but they’re trying to enjoy this final week with their coach.

“It was a very emotional deal for me because he was like one of my new best friends, like a father figure to all of us,” Matthews said. “Just his charisma and what he brought to the table with his defense was amazing. I’m going to miss that.”

Auburn head coach said last week that he’s “trying to get through this bowl prep” before he begins about worrying over replacing Wesley McGriff.

“We’re looking for a guy that will be a great teacher that really can complement Coach Steele and everything that goes with it,” Malzahn said. “We’re also looking for a great recruiter. So we’ll put our heads together and try to get that down. We’re not in a big hurry.”

Matthews’ ability to stay healthy after battling a shoulder injury throughout last season, his first active season since transferring from Georgia, has allowed Auburn’s resurgence on defense to happen in 2016. The fact that Matthews has seen Auburn’s defense go from 71st to 21st in total defense and 54th in scoring defense to No. 5 is a major reason the junior safety is “leaning towards” returning for his final year of eligibility.

“How things changed over one year and how Coach Steele and the defensive staff, it’s just a great feeling,” Matthews said. “Then you’ve got the new quarterback coming in and Sean White will still be here and Pettway will still be here. There’s a lot to look forward to next year.”