The 2022 Auburn Football Depth Chart

We are officially 10 days away from the 2022 Auburn football season. There have been a lot of transfers in and out of Auburn this offseason, but as we start to inch closer to the new year. You will see new faces emerge in the orange and blue.  Here’s a breakdown of where Auburn’s current roster stands 10 days from kickoff. My projection for the Auburn football depth chart.

Auburn Quarterbacks

With so much uncertainty surrounding this Auburn football team, the biggest question remains who will be under center to start the season? I went full in-depth about the QB Race in a previous article of mine. If you would like to read about the current state of the competition Click Here!  That being said I fully believe that TJ Finley will be the starting quarterback in week one against Mercer.

Projected Quarterback Depth Chart

QB1 / #1 / TJ Finley / Junior

QB2 / #10 / Zach Calzada / (RS) Sophomore

QB3 / #9 / Robby Ashford / (RS) Freshman

(RS) / #12 / Holden Geriner / Freshman

I know most Auburn fans want a new face to start like Zach Calzada or Robby Ashford. However, Calzada was put behind in the QB race early on when he missed spring activities. Robby Ashford shows dynamic potential and is the only “dual-threat” quarterback for the Tigers, but the lack of experience plays a huge factor in the race.

Auburn Running Backs

The running back room is always a strength for Auburn. They consistently produce NFL-caliber backs year in and year out. Former Auburn star and NFL RB “Cadillac” Williams is the man in charge of the backs. Coach Williams has continued to teach, recruit, and perform as one of Auburn’s top assistant coaches. Looking at the current running back room for 2022, you will notice it’s very top-heavy and will rely on three-year starter “Tank” Bigsby and backup RB Jarquez Hunter to carry the load.

Projected Running Back Depth Chart

RB1 / #4 / Tank Bigsby / Junior

Top Roll-In / #27 / Jarquez Hunter / Sophomore

RB3 / #44 / Sean Jackson / (RS) Freshman (OR)

RB3 / #22 / Damari Alston / Freshman

RB4 / #24 / Jordon Ingram / (RS) Freshman

Auburn fans experienced quite a scare this offseason when star running back “Tank” Bigsby announced his intention to transfer. In the end, Bigsby and Coach Williams talked and agreed that the best place for him to be was on the plains. Sophomore back Jarquez Hunter is one of college football’s premier RB2s. Unfortunately, Jarquez Hunter missed a lot of the offseason due to a “minor procedure to clean up some damage in his leg.” After a successful Freshman campaign, Hunter is sure to be a huge part of the run game in 2022. An under-the-radar back for Auburn this year will be a former walk-on Sean Jackson, and four-star freshman Damari Alston.

Auburn Wide Receivers

One of the biggest uncertainties for this Auburn football team is the quarterback position, but this wideout group could be a close runner-up. Auburn is looking to fill the void of two starting wideouts, Kobe Hudson and Demetris Robertson. They improved the receiving core with the additions of LSU transfer Koy Moore, former TE Landen King, and Miami transfer Dazalin Worsham. Slot receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson entered the transfer portal for a brief moment before choosing to stick it out at Auburn.

Projected Wide Receiver Depth Chart

WR-X / #11 / Shedrick Jackson / Senior

WR-H / #6 / Ja’Varrius Johnson / Junior

WR-Z / #16 / Malcolm Johnson Jr. / Junior

WR2-X / #80 / Ze’Vian Capers / Junior

WR2-H / #3 / Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. / (RS) Freshman

WR2-Z / #0 / Koy Moore / Sophomore

WR3-X / #17 / Camden Brown / Freshman

WR3-H / #8 / Dazalin Worsham / (RS) Freshman

WR3-Z / #14 / Landen King / Sophomore

Bench: #5 Jay Fair, #81 J.J. Evans, #19 Omari Kelly,

This can be deceiving because I believe there will be tons of rotating until Coach Hilliard and Kieasu find their main guys. Shedrick Jackson is the leader of this group. The fifth-year senior is the leader in receiving yards out of all the wideouts. Tar’Varish Dawson Jr. has been a smooth route runner and creates separation the best. Malcolm Johnson Jr. is a former track star and has shown great deep threat potential. Ze’Vian Capers is another older guy in the room. He’s been expected to take on a starting role but hasn’t shown his full skills and it’s been to his disadvantage. Camden Brown is a true freshman that has been showing out at fall camp. He’s been praised by teammates, coaches, and spectators. Brown’s fellow teammate Ja’Varrius Johnson had this to say about Camden Brown, “Man he’s legit.”

Auburn Tight Ends

The tight end room is one of the most loaded rooms for the Tigers. It starts with career-leading TE John Samuel Shenker. In the middle is the very good depth of Tyler Fromm, Luke Deal, and Brandon Frazier.

Projected Tight End Depth Chart

TE1 / #25 / John Samuel Shenker / (RS) Senior

TE2 / #85 / Tyler Fromm / (RS) Junior (OR)

TE2 / #86 / Luke Deal / (RS) Junior

TE4 / #87 / Brandon Frazier / Junior

(RS) / #84 / Micah Riley-Ducker / Freshman

John Samuel Shenker is the leader of the TE room. A three-time starting tight end and sixth-year senior became the single-season yardage leader in Auburn history last season. Luke Deal and Tyler Fromm have plenty of experience as redshirt Junior and will provide immense depth and multiple TE packages. Brandon Frazier will take over as a red zone threat standing at 6’7″ / 262 lbs. Micah Riley-Ducker I assume will take a redshirt year.

Auburn Offensive Line

Auburn’s offensive line hasn’t been the best in the past. Towards the end of the Gus Malzahn era, the offensive line started to fall apart and eventually led to the departure of coach J.B. Grimes and Jack Bicknell Jr. Bryan Harsin hired OL coach Will Friend and has made it a mission to revamp the offensive line. Auburn is now looking to build off of an experienced offensive line in 2022.

Projected Offensive Line Depth Chart

LT / #77 / Killian Zierer / Senior

LG / #62 / Kameron Stutts / Senior

C / #71 / Brandon Council / (RS) Senior

RG / #58 / Keiondre Jones / Junior

RT / #68 / Austin Troxell / Senior

LT2 / #55 / Brendan Coffey / Senior

LG2 / #76 / Jeremiah Wright / Junior

C2 / #54 / Tate Johnson / Junior

RG2 / #50 / Jalil Irvin / (RS) Senior

RT2 / #65 / Alec Jackson / (RS) Senior

(*INJURY)* C / #52 / Nick Brahms / (RS) Senior

With the injury to Nick Brahms and the fact, that we don’t know what is gonna remain with him. Brandon Council will likely start at center with Tate Johnson as the backup. Now if Nick Brahms is fully clear to go then he will be the starter. The sixth-year senior has the most experience and was arguably Auburn’s best offensive lineman last season. Auburn only lost one starter from last season, Brodarius Hamm. Hamm showed flashes at times but was all-around a disappointing starter. Austin Troxell will be pushed over to right tackle and has been solid at Auburn. Which opens the opportunity for the German-native Killian Zierer to take over the left tackle position. It looks like Kameron Stutts will move into the left guard spot if Nick Brahms doesn’t return and if Brandon Council takes the center position over Tate Johnson.

Auburn Defensive Line

The Auburn defensive line room is where the hammer hits the nail. This defensive line room is loaded with talent across the board. Starting with All-SEC first-team edge rusher Derick Hall. Hall is a guy who will be picked between rounds 1-3 in the NFL Draft. He’s a force off the edge and has impressed this offseason. Colby Wooden is a guy who has played interior defensive line despite being underweight in comparison to the average defensive lineman. Wooden has bulked up big time in muscle and is now expected to play all across the defensive line with his main position being a defensive end.

Projected Defensive Line Depth Chart

BUCK / #29 / Derick Hall / Senior

NT / #92 / Marquis Burks / Senior (OR)

NT2 / #99 / Jayson Jones / Sophomore

DT / #50 / Marcus Harris / (RS) Junior

DE / #25 / Colby Wooden / (RS) Junior

Top Roll-In / #55 / Eku Leota / Senior

DT2 / #5 / Jeffrey M’Ba / Sophomore (OR)

DT2 / #3 / Zykevious Walker / Junior

DE2 / #98 / Marcus Bragg / Senior (OR)

DE2 / #91 / Morris Joseph Jr. / Senior

EDGE3 / #39 / Dylan Brooks / (RS) Freshman

NT3 / #48 / Marquis Robinson / (RS) Freshman

Auburn added so many new faces to an already great defensive line room. Derick Hall is one of the best edge rushers in the SEC and college football. Colby Wooden has so much versatility across the defensive line. Wooden reminds me a lot of Carl Lawson when he comes off the edge. Marcus Harris was great last season and has gained more muscle and continued to impress in camp. Eku Leota was also a great pass rusher last season and will see a lot of action regardless if he doesn’t start. The Tigers landed four transfers this offseason. Former Western Kentucky defensive end Marcus Bragg, former Memphis defensive lineman Morris Joseph Jr, former Oregon defensive tackle Jayson Jones, and from France defensive tackle Jeffrey M’Ba. I truly believe this is a top-ten defensive line room in the country.

Auburn Linebackers

The Auburn linebacker core took a hit with the departure of former starters Chandler Wooten and Zakoby McClain. Owen Pappoe is now the top LB for the Tigers in 2022, the former five-star LB and now a captain is perhaps the most talented LB Auburn has ever seen.

Projected Linebacker Depth Chart

MIKE / #0 / Owen Pappoe / Senior

WILL / #32 / Wesley Steiner / Junior (OR)

WILL / #9 / Eugene Asante / Junior

STAR / #13 / Cam Riley / Junior

MIKE2 / #30 / Des Tisdol / Junior

STAR2 / #33 / Joko Willis / (RS) Sophomore

The lack of experience could be an early concern for the Tigers. If Pappoe is healthy he’s without a doubt an All-SEC linebacker. Wesley Steiner is a guy with high expectations coming out of high school, he will finally get a chance to make a name for himself. Cam Riley is a super long and athletic linebacker who has the potential to play off the edge, STAR, and WILL. Cam Riley is a name to watch for in the linebacker core. Eugene Asante is a transfer from North Carolina University and has shown his athleticism both in the ACC and at fall camp.

Auburn Defensive Backs

Auburn lost a ton of guys in the secondary, three starters and four in total. However, they also gained Oregon transfer DJ James, (JUCO) cornerback Keionte Scott, (JUCO) safety Marquise Gilbert, and Iowa State safety Craig McDonald. The depth is a little scarce for the Tigers, it could be that a couple of freshmen see quality minutes this season. It’s gonna be a tough task to replace 2nd-round pick Roger McCreary and former strong safety “Smoke” Monday, but the Tigers have some experienced players ready to take on that task.

Projected Defensive Back Depth Chart

FCB / #36 / Jaylin Simpson/ (RS) Junior

(B)CB / #18 / Nehemiah Pritchett / Senior (OR)

(B)CB / #10 / DJ James Jr / Junior

(N)CB / #1 / Donovan Kaufman / (RS) Sophomore (OR)

(N)CB / #10 / DJ James Jr / Junior

FS / #11 / Zion Puckett / (RS) Junior

SS / #24 / Craig McDonald / (RS) Sophomore (OR)

SS / #1 / Donovan Kaufman / (RS) Sophomore

(F)CB2 / A.D. Diamond / (RS) Freshman (OR)

(F)CB2 / #26 / Tony Hunley Jr / Junior

(B)CB2 / #6 / Keionte Scott / Sophomore

(N)CB3 / #8 / Austin Ausberry / Freshman (OR)

(N)CB3 / #23 / J.D. Rhym / Freshman

FS2 / #21 / Caleb Wooden / Freshman

SS3 / #20 / Cayden Bridges / Sophomore (OR)

SS3 / #27 / Marquise Gilbert / Sophomore

Auburn has a lot of ballers in the secondary and there’s no question about that. The question is where do you put them at? I could see multiple starting opportunities for a lot of these players. I think the guaranteed starters are Jaylin Simpson, Nehemiah Pritchett, and Zion Puckett. DJ James is a guy who made some great plays at Oregon and fall camp. I think they find a way to get him involved a lot. Donovan Kaufman shows the versatility to play nickel corner and strong safety, so I believe he will play both multiple times a game. Craig McDonald played a lot last season for Iowa State, despite being the backup to senior Greg Eisworth. I think McDonald is another guy who finds his way onto the field. Caleb Wooden and Cayden Bridges have shown great things working with the second team at fall camp.

Auburn Special Teams

Another year of Auburn Football means another year of great special teams. The kicking and punting duo for the Tigers is potentially the best in the SEC. Kicker Anders Carlson and Punter Oscar Chapman both landed on an All-SEC preseason team.

Projected Special Teams Depth Chart

K / #26 / Anders Carlson / (RS) Senior

P / #91 / Oscar Chapman / Junior

KO / #26 / Anders Carlson / (RS) Senior

LS / #67 / Jacob Quattlebaum / (RS) Senior

H / #91 / Oscar Chapman / Junior

PR / #6 / Ja’Varrius Johnson / Junior (OR)

PR / #1 / Donovan Kaufman / (RS) Sophomore

KR / #18 / Nehemiah Pritchett / Senior (OR)

KR / #1 / Donovan Kaufman / (RS) Sophomore

Anders Carlson is returning from an ACL injury, but before that, he was one of the best kickers in college football. Oscar Chapman can be used for field advantage and will most likely be the starting holder. Ja’Varrius Johnson is the best bet starting punt returner considering he was the starter last season. I can see Donovan Kaufman being anywhere on special teams, he offers the versatility to be a returner somewhere. Overall, I think this is a great special teams unit and that could be important down the stretch.

I hope you enjoyed this breakdown of the 2022 Auburn Football roster. This is only a projection, feel free to leave your opinion below in the comments and as always. War Eagle.

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