Strength in numbers

Malik Blocton feels great right now. He’s full of energy, optimism and focus.

The sophomore defensive tackle wants to keep it that way.

Auburn’s defensive line has added a remarkable supply of talent during the past nine months — both though high-school signings and transfer portal acquisitions. That surplus has given Hugh Freeze and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin renewed confidence in how they plan to use the line this fall.

Gone are the days of a full-game workload. Now the Tigers’ coaching staff is asking everyone, seniors and freshmen alike, to play fewer snaps with more vigor.

“I knew I didn’t want to play 50, 60 snaps a game,” Blocton said. “In the SEC, that’s gonna build up on you. Then, with me trying to get to the NFL in three years, I ain’t trying to beat my body up that much. If I can get 25 good, high-speed reps in a game, that’s gonna be sufficient for me and for the team.”

Auburn has numbers, yes, but it also has some star power as well. Blocton was named to ESPN’s Freshman All-America team after a 2024 season that saw the Pike Road native finish with 16 tackles including 1.5 sacks. He earned consistent snaps all season, logged 305 snaps, started two games and emerged as a reliable, consistent interior element.

Blocton accomplished all that while opening the 2024 season at 285 pounds. He now weighs 300 after a full season in the Tigers’ weight-training program.

End Keldric Faulk recently was named to the Preseason All-SEC first team after a 2024 season that saw him notch 45 tackles including seven sacks. One scout who recently watched Faulk at practice compared him to Julius Peppers, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who spent 16 years in the NFL and made nine Pro Bowl appearances.

A BIG GROUP OF CONTENDERS

Beyond those two, however, the Tigers’ coaching staff remains in a fact-finding stage. End Keyron Crawford played early and often last season, but was only marginally effective. Tackle James Ash and end Chris Murray transferred in after strong seasons at the Championship Subdivision level.

Tackle Quientrail Jamison-Travis, known throughout the complex as “Bobby,” played often in a reserve role at Auburn last season. Dallas Walker transferred in after starting throughout the 2024 season at Western Kentucky. Tackle Jay Hardy starred at Liberty last season.

Sophomore end Amaris Williams, redshirt freshman end Jamonta Waller, freshman tackle Jourdin Crawford, freshman tackle Malik Autry and freshman end J.J. Faulk also are competing for snaps this season.

That’s a lot of options. Freeze loves the opportunities that will provide for everyone.

“It’s more depth than we’ve had,” Freeze said. “I think they need to buy into … it and give us 15 plays that are your fanatical best. Be able to rotate those guys and then do the right assignment with incredible effort. I think with that depth we have, if they can buy into that, I think that’s going to be better for them and for the team.”

FOLLOWING THE TREND

Blocton loves the idea of sharing snaps with as many players as reasonably possible.

He knows that will keep him fresh and at his best, which potentially gives him a better chance to show scouts his best traits more often while also ensuring that the Tigers are consistently fierce.

The days of starters staying in games for an entire half are over. Consider that Montravius Adams, who played at Auburn from 2013-2016, averaged 56 snaps per game during the 2015 season. Adams logged a whopping 83 snaps during the Tigers’ overtime win against Jacksonville State that year.

“If I can play 25, 35 snaps, and everybody can play 25, 35 snaps, then everybody is gonna put good film out there. Everybody is gonna be successful,” Blocton said. “I’m not gonna be out there playing 50 — and half of them I’m tired.”

COACH PINK’S SEMI-OFFICIAL DEPTH CHART

POSITION	PLAYER	YEAR
DT	Malik Blocton James Ash Malik Autry Z. Walker/D. Smith	Soph. Sr. Fr. Sr./Fr.
NT	Bobby Jamison-Travis Jourdin Crawford Jay Hardy Dallas Walker IV	Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr.
DE	Keldric Faulk Amaris Williams Jared Smith	Jr. Soph. Fr.
EDGE	Keyron Crawford Chris Murray Joe Phillips Jamonta Waller	Sr. Sr. RFr. RFr.