Auburn freshman defensive lineman expects to play early for the Tigers
The Auburn Tigers have an interesting situation on the defensive line.
In Hugh Freeze's first full offseason as Auburn football's head coach, the Tigers have seen several upperclassmen leave or run out of eligibility on the defensive line. They also lost defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
True freshman Malik Blocton expects to play early during his time with the Auburn Tigers.
"It doesn't really impact how I practice because I'm going to practice hard regardless," Blocton said after being asked about playing early at Auburn. "I knew that coming in though. I knew that I was going to have to play. (Marcus Harris) left. Lawrence (Johnson) left. Justin (Rogers) was leaving. A lot of guys were leaving. I knew coming in that I was going to have to play. That's what Coach Garrett told me. That's what Vontrell (King-Williams) told me. So it was no shock to me."
Blocton is one of several true freshmen who could see playing time or even compete for a starting role on the Plains. Blocton is joined in the 2024 class by fellow defensive linemen TJ Lindsey and Amaris Williams who can all offer quality depth or legitimate competition in Auburn's defensive line room.
The room has a new leader. Vontrell King-Williams was promoted from an assistant defenive line coach to the lead man of the position and the overall consensus is that the players love playing for him.
Blocton signed with Auburn and enrolled early enough to be able to go through some of the bowl practices to get his feet set for his freshman season.
