Smith working to be 'more vocal' in leadership role

Entering his redshirt sophomore season, Sylvester Smith is taking on a larger role on defense this fall.

It’s no longer about learning the playbook or figuring out DJ Durkin’s system as a young guy at an SEC program. Smith is coming into a leadership role this fall, and as a result, belief in himself has never been higher.

“Camp feels a lot different,” Smith said. “Just being an older guy and just having these last two years up under my belt, I’ve been able to approach camp with a different mindset. My confidence, it’s really good right now, I’m in a good place right now.”

As a redshirt freshman, Smith made six starts. His playing time is expected to expand this fall, as he competes for a starting job in a deep Auburn secondary.

“Being more vocal is something I’m definitely working on,” Smith said. “I mean, I initially didn’t have to be vocal because I can just lead by example, but some guys need that vocal presence just to hear it. And being able to talk to younger guys, I gotta be vocal.”

Depth critical for success

AnQuon Fegans and Eric Winters are two freshmen he talks with and they’re both “coming along pretty good.” Adding those two to a group that also contains Kensley Louidor-Faustin and Champ Anthony only gives Smith more confidence in the room.

“We’ve got a group of guys who all can go,” Smith said. “So that’s gonna be really big for us, especially being in the SEC, is having a very deep secondary room. Everybody may not last a whole year. It’s a long season, it’s SEC, it’s a brutal game. So just having that depth plays a big factor.”

While Smith is taking the next step as a leader, he feels that he’s developed well on the field this fall camp. Having to compete against Auburn’s wide receiver room is a significant part of that development.

“Guarding guys like Eric Singleton every day, for me, it’s just something that’s taken my game kinda over the top,” Smith said. “It’s made me a better player every single day. I know a lot of the other guys have said the same. Just this receiver room we got, it forces you to be on your craft every single day. You can’t take a day off or a play off. So I think it’s definitely been a bonus.”