With two starters gone from last year's unit, Auburn will have to rely on a talented but inexperienced group of linebackers to help the defense clog up the middle in James Willis' second year as linebackers coach.
The linebacker corps played a big role in Auburn's success on defense in 2006. As a whole, the defense gave up 124.2 yards per game on the ground and 168.2 through the air. The stingy unit allowed just 13.9 points per game which turned out to be huge when the Tigers' offense struggled at times to score points.
With Will Herring, Karibe Dede and Kevin Sears lost to graduation, coach Willis is faced with finding the best players to start at each linebacker position for Auburn to once again have another solid group.
The depth at linebacker got a little thinner when it was announced in May that Patrick Trahan is ineligible because of grades and recently when Steve Gandy suffered another concussion during a fall practice session. Trahan moved his way into the starting spot on the strong side after spring drills. Gandy's career is over after he's sustained four concussion in less than a year. He was set to see plenty of playing time in a backup role on the weak side.
In Trahan's place, redshirt freshman Craig Stevens will start on the strong side. As a true freshman last season, Stevens played in three games before suffering a sprained ankle and getting a medical redshirt. In the spring, he showed a lot of progress and added some weight which should help him keep the starting job.
Junior Courtney Harden is currently listed behind Stevens but could see playing time at middle linebacker which is where he has spent most of his Auburn career. Harden was impressive last fall when he played in all 13 games and finished with five tackles.
Tray Blackman returns for his sophomore season after being suspended for much of 2006. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com) Tray Blackmon, nicknamed "Little Ball of Hate" by his teammates, almost saw his career on the Plains end after playing in just six games as a redshirt freshman last season. Blackmon was suspended for the first six games after being arrested for underage drinking in the offseason. Then, he was suspended again for the Cotton Bowl for an undisclosed violation of team rules.
The talented sophomore is back in good standing with the coaching staff after taking spring semester off to deal with personal issues. Blackmon has bulked up to 220 pounds and is eager to pick back up where he left off last season when he had 18 tackles and three fumble recoveries.
In his first game as a starter, Blackmon helped Auburn knock off eventual national champion Florida 27-17. In the victory, Blackmon recovered a fumble when the Gators were on the verge of scoring at the Auburn 16-yard line and returned it 22 yards to the Auburn 38.
Merrill Johnson will be a strong presence on the weak side. (Photo courtesy of autigers.com) Junior Merrill Johnson will be counted on to be more athletic this year when the linebackers are put into situations that call for them to be in stunts and blitzes. As the starter on the weak side, he also adds much needed experience since he played in all 13 games last season while starting six. As a sophomore, he totaled 35 tackles mostly at middle linebacker.
With Gandy's career over, newcomers Josh Bynes and Bo Harris have the best shot of making an immediate impact when Auburn opens the season Sept. 1 against Kansas State. Their size and speed gives them an advantage over the other newcomers at seeing playing time, especially on the strong side. Bynes is a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. Harris is listed at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds with excellent speed that he used to be a solid running back and defensive end in high school.
Phil Marion
Coming next week: A look at how Auburn's secondary could be the strength of the defense.
Cox Is Healthy, Ready To Lead Offense In 2007
Auburn's Backfield Has Wealth Of Talent
Offensive Line Is Work In Progress
D-Line More Experienced In Muschamp's Second Year
