Tank Bigsby highlights defensive playmakers that will step up for Auburn in 2022

There are question marks all over the defensive side of the ball for the Auburn Tigers heading into the 2022 college football season. For standout running back Tank Bigsby (who represented Auburn at SEC Media Days) who goes up against the defense everyday in practice, let fans knows which defenders they should be looking at heading into the regular season.

“Well I really think that y’all haven’t really seen Owen (Pappoe) play yet. Pappoe is a game-changer and one thing I’ll say about him, he’s going to hold the defense down how he’s supposed to,” Bigsby said on the SEC Network. “We got a dude from Oregon named D.J. James, he’s on the island doing what he’s supposed to do. We’ve got guys in the right position. I feel like our defense, they’re going to be great because we’ve got a lot of guys that came back with experience and they’re ready to play.”

James started at cornerback for the entire 2021 season for the Ducks where he recorded 46 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups before opting to transfer away from the program prior to their Alamo Bowl appearance.

He isn’t the only former Duck to wind up at Auburn following the departure of Mario Cristobal. Defensive tackles Jayson Jones transferred to the Tigers several weeks prior to James. Jones played in all 13 games for the Ducks in 2021 and recorded 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His role was expanded late in the year and seemed to be hitting his stride for the Ducks, and is hoping to continue that trend in his first season at Auburn.

For Pappoe, however, he’s always been a headache for any offensive coordinator he’s ever faced. A five-star recruit per the On3 Consensus in the Class of 2019, where he has since compiled 165 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and an interception throughout his Auburn career.

Pappoe was slotted in as a fourth-team All-American selection, per Phil Steele, after missing a good portion of the 2021 season with an injury. Otherwise, he likely would have been higher. He’s healthy and set to return and provide Auburn with a much-needed veteran presence at the linebacker position. Pappoe is a likely first or second round draft pick if he can stay healthy and put together a good season, as he’s expected to do.