Auburn’s defensive line is no longer looking like a unit with questions. It’s starting to look like one with options.
That shift has a lot to do with two names pushing their way into the conversation: Cody Sigler and Buddy Mathis. Sigler, the Arkansas State transfer, keeps drawing praise from people around the program, while Mathis has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of fall camp after arriving from LSU.
The Tigers came into camp with real uncertainty on the interior. There was talent in the room, sure, but it was fair to wonder how many linemen Vontrell King-Williams would trust once the season got rolling. That number seems to be climbing.
King-Williams has said he would ideally like six, seven, or even eight defensive linemen ready to play this season, and Auburn may be getting closer to that kind of depth.
Dallas Walker is back for another year after dropping around 30 pounds. Darrion Smith is up around 270 pounds and is being pushed to do more than just rush the passer in obvious passing situations. Jourdin Crawford and Malik Autry both have another year of development behind them.
And then there’s Sigler, who keeps standing out.
King-Williams has praised the competitiveness he’s brought into the room. Cole Skinner pointed to him as one of the linemen helping Auburn’s offensive line get better every day. Then Alex Golesh singled him out after Auburn’s first scrimmage, saying Sigler was “all over the ball.”
That kind of attention is adding up. On Sunday, Sigler and Xavier Atkins were named to Preseason All-SEC honors from Sports Information Solutions, and it sounds like people around the league won’t have to wait long to see why.
Sigler may end up being the piece that helps settle the interior of Auburn’s defensive front, which matters a lot in a DJ Durkin scheme.
But Mathis might be the more unexpected development.
The sophomore wasn’t among the first names people brought up when camp opened, but that’s changing fast. After spending his freshman season at LSU, he has reshaped his body and is already showing up early in Auburn’s defensive line rotation. King-Williams said the biggest hurdle for him was getting comfortable with the playbook.
If Mathis keeps trending the way he has, he gives Auburn and Durkin another useful body in a rotation that can hold its level without a big drop-off. That was a very real concern not long ago.
In Other News...
Alvin Henderson Is Crashing Auburns Toughest Position Battle
Alvin Henderson has made the kind of early fall impression that tends to get a coachs attention, especially in a room as crowded as Auburns running back group. Strong work on special teams and a solid first scrimmage have pushed him into the conversation, and head coach Alex Golesh along with running backs coach Larry Porter have both pointed to his recent improvement as a reason he is suddenly part of the picture behind starter Jeremiah Cobb.
For Auburn, that matters because the depth chart still feels very much up for grabs beyond the top spot. Omar Mabson, Bryson Washington and Nykahi Davenport are all still in the mix, which means Henderson is trying to break through in a battle where nothing has been handed out yet. The Tigers like having options, but the next stretch of camp will tell whether Hendersons surge is the start of something bigger or just the latest twist in a tightly contested race. [Read more 🡒]
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For Auburn, Browns performance lands in a debate that never fully goes away when former players break out elsewhere: whether the talent was overlooked, underused or simply developed on a different path. Brown had limited chances in Auburn orange, but he was a standout at Georgia Southern and led the Sun Belt in touchdowns there, giving his latest showing another layer of frustration for a fan base still watching former wideouts find traction after leaving The Plains. [Read more 🡒]
Jarrett Stidham Keeps Giving Auburn Fans A Reason To Watch Denver
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Bo Nix was held out of the game, but his hold on the starting job has already been established after strong production in his first two NFL seasons. That leaves Stidham in a familiar spot, fighting for meaningful playing time behind a quarterback Auburn fans know well, and every efficient showing like this one only keeps the conversation alive a little longer. [Read more 🡒]