Although much of Auburn’s secondary seems fairly established heading into the season, there remains an open competition for a starting safety spot.
Veteran Texas transfer Jerrin Thompson appears to have secured one of the safety positions, but first-team reps were shared at the other spot during Saturday’s scrimmage.
Caleb Wooden and Sylvester Smith took those reps, but safeties coach Charles Kelly emphasized that the competition involves more than just these two players.
“We’ve got a few guys,” Kelly told reporters on Wednesday. “It’s Caleb Wooden, Sylvester, Kaleb Harris, and [Terrance] Love. It’s not just one or two.”
Love and Harris have mainly worked with the second team but had strong performances on Saturday.
Harris, a freshman from Thompson High School, impressed Kelly with an interception during the scrimmage and has shown rapid development.
“Kaleb is very competitive, very smart, very instinctive, learns quickly, and comes from a great program,” Kelly said. “He’s been exposed to a lot in high school, not exactly what we do on defense, but similar concepts.”
Love, a sophomore, played in 12 games for Auburn at safety last season. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, his size gives him a unique skill set.
“Just because a guy is big doesn’t mean he can’t cover,” Kelly said. “I’ve coached big guys who covered very well, and I think he’s done that.”
Kelly did acknowledge Wooden and Smith’s performances when discussing the competition.
“I think Caleb Wooden has done a really good job,” Kelly said. “He had a great summer, he’s come back in the best shape I’ve seen him in, runs well, and understands the schemes.”
“Sly has also had a good summer. He’s very instinctive, very physical. Both of them bring something different to the group.”
Kelly didn’t specify who is leading the competition, noting that it changes day by day.
Regardless of who wins, it’s likely that multiple players will see snaps at the position throughout the season.
“At the end of the day, whatever happens, me and Caleb are both going to be on the field,” Smith said to reporters on Monday.
Be the first to comment