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Mar 29, 2024
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Football Preview: Linebackers
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson decided to make a change in the middle of Auburn's defense in the spring and that decision may be permanent when the Tigers take the field against Arkansas in the season opener.

Auburn's top two returning linebackers will likely start at different positions in Johnson's 4-2-5 defense in 2014. After leading the team with 75 tackles in 2013 on the weakside, Cassanova McKinzy saw action in the middle and Kris Frost was featured at weakside throughout spring drills.
Cassanova McKinzy
Cassanova McKinzy
(Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com)

Johnson, who also coaches the linebackers, planned on starting McKinzy in the middle and Frost at weakside last year but Frost ended up sharing time with senior Jake Holland in the middle.

Johnson believes the flip at linebacker will benefit the defense with McKinzy better suited as the vocal leader and quarterback of the defense.

With McKinzy hampered by a bruised tailbone in the spring, Kenny Flowers saw action with the first-team defense and ended spring on a high note by being named the defensive MVP on A-Day after recording nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Anthony Swain will serve as the backup at middle linebacker in the fall. Swain, who played a key role in the rotation in 2013, saw action in all 14 games and finished the season with 26 tackles.

Cameron Toney, who redshirted last season as a freshman, thinks he can make some noise this fall after a solid spring filling in for the injured McKinzy.

Newcomers Tre' Williams and Deshaun Davis could see immediate playing time as the linebacker position is a bit thin.

Williams, a five-star prospect, is versatile with great size for a linebacker. He can be a force in the middle while also dropping back in pass coverage to help the secondary.

Davis missed his senior year of high school after tearing his ACL prior to the season.

Phil Marion

Coming August 11: Secondary

Quarterbacks and Receivers

Running Backs

Offensive Line

Defensive Line