The 2014 season saw Auburn's defense struggle in several key categories and head coach Gus Malzahn decided a change needed to be made. Malzahn hired Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator to rebuild the unit from the ground up.

Muschamp will look to revive a unit that ranked 66th in the nation in total defense (398.8 yards per game), 82nd in pass defense (239.2 yards per game), 46th in rushing defense (149.5 yards per game), and 63rd in scoring defense (26.7 points per game) a year ago. Muschamp is no stranger to the Auburn program. In 2006, he was in charge of Auburn's defense that ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 21 touchdowns. In 2007, his unit led the SEC in scoring, ranked seventh nationally in pass efficiency, sixth nationally in total defense, passing defense and scoring defense. Auburn lost four of five key contributors to graduation along the line and Muschamp's first task is finding their replacements. Defensive tackle Montravius Adams returns as the most experienced tackle after 10 starts as a sophomore last season. Adams racked up 43 tackles, eight behind the line of scrimmage, three sacks, 17 hurries, one interception, and one fumble recovery. With so much depth along the defensive line a year ago, Dontavius Russell ended up being redshirted even though he knew he was ready to contribute as a true freshman. Now he has a chance to make a push for playing time with all of the departures from last year's line. Devaroe Lawrence will provide much needed depth up front for Muschamp's defense. Lawrence saw action in four games last season with one tackle-for-loss. Maurice Swain arrived from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in time to participate in spring practice, and newcomer Jauntavius Johnson will arrive in time for fall camp. Both could have a chance to play early. Carl Lawson (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) The new coordinator must also find an answer to improve a pass rush that recorded just 21 total sacks, with only 5.5 coming from the defensive end position in 2014. The sack total should improve in the fall with the return of defensive end Carl Lawson. As a freshman in 2013, Lawson had 20 tackles, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss, and was second on the team with four sacks. He tore his ACL at the end of last spring which kept him sidelined for the entire 2014 season. As a junior last season, DaVonte Lambert finished with 24 tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 10 hurries, and one fumble forced. Lambert missed spring drills after knee surgery late last year and is expected to be full-speed once fall camp starts in August. Gimel President provides another option at defensive end after seeing the field in 13 games last season. President had 30 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, one sack, and six quarterback hurries. Elijah Daniel is no longer on the team. Phil Marion Coming August 3: Linebackers Quarterbacks and Receivers Running Backs and Offensive Line