Auburn Football: Projected starting lineup & depth chart for 2022 season

Defensive Line

Starter: Colby Wooden, Jayson Jones, Marcus Harris, Derick Hall

Backup: Morris Joseph Jr/Marcus Bragg, Marquis Burks, Jeffrey M’ba, Eku Leota 

Auburn will have one of the better pass rushing duo’s in the SEC this season in Hall and Wooden, while Leota is also a name to know in that conversation. Jones, a transfer from Oregon, and Harris are the projected starters inside, while M’ba could also make a key impact in year one at Auburn.

Linebacker

Starter: Owen Pappoe, Wesley Steiner/Eugene Asante

Backup: Cam Riley, Wesley Steiner/Eugene Asante 

Pappoe is cemented as one of the Tigers starting linebackers once again, while the other starting spot will be decided between the returning Steiner and Asante, an offseason transfer from North Carolina.

Safety

Starter: Zion Puckett, Craig McDonald

Backup: Caleb Wooden, Cayden Bridges 

Puckett returns for the Tigers in 2022, and should start alongside McDonald, an Iowa State transfer, at safety. Wooden, a true freshman, could also be a name to know from this group coming to Auburn as a three-star prospect in the Tigers 2022 class.

Cornerback

Starter: Jaylin Simpson, Nehemiah Pritchett/DJ James

Backup: AD Diamond, Nehemiah Pritchett/DJ James 

Both Simpson and Pritchett are notable returning names for the Tigers at cornerback, while James, an Oregon transfer, could also play a key role for Auburn coming off a 2021 season in which he collected 46 tackles.

Nickel

Starter: Donovan Kaufman

Backup: JD Rhym 

Kaufman returns in the Auburn Football secondary coming off a 2021 season in which he collected 33 tackles, along with forcing three fumbles.