New (old) linebacker for the 2021 season

[Buzz Killington]

https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Article/Auburn-footballs-TD-Moultry-is-expected-to-be-back-for-his-fifth-year-with-the-Tigers-in-2021-159179688/

T.D. Moultry expected to return and make a position change

AUBURN, Alabama—A five-star linebacker prospect and the No. 18 ranked player in the country by 247Sports when he signed with Auburn out of Jackson-Olin High in Birmingham, T.D. Moultry came to the Plains with plenty of promise. Four years later he will have the chance to show what he can do at his original position with a move back to his natural linebacker spot under new Coach Bryan Harsin and defensive coordinator Derek Mason.
Planning to return for his fifth season with the Tigers, Moultry is expected to make the move back to a traditional linebacker spot after playing the Buck position the last four seasons at Auburn.
That is where he started his playing days at Auburn, but was quickly moved to the edge rusher position in Kevin Steele’s defense. As a freshman he showed he had the potential to be a difference-maker for the Tigers when he finished with 15 tackles, one and a half sacks and two and a half tackles for a loss. As a sophomore the numbers were still there with 11 tackles, one and a half sacks and two and a half tackles for a loss.


As he gained weight to be able to handle bigger offensive tackles and tight ends on the edge, Moultry lost his biggest advantage, which was his quickness and closing speed. While he still had the top end speed to stay on coverage teams, it cost him at the line of scrimmage. The last two seasons he managed just 13 total tackles and two sacks while fighting a confidence issue.
With an opportunity to return for another season because of the NCAA giving every player another season of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moultry has an opportunity to showcase his skills in Mason’s defense.
That could be a better fit for him with Mason having a 3-4 defense in his background. That would mean additional opportunities for linebackers to get on the field. With ZaKoby McClain and Owen Pappoe returning along with senior Chandler Wooten, who opted out of the 2020 season, Auburn has some experience returning at the position already. Adding Moultry to the list along with talented freshmen Cameron Riley, Wesley Steiner and Desmond Tisdol gives the Tigers a solid group to work with in spring practices.
Now the goal for Moultry is to work on getting his weight back down to where he feels most comfortable. Playing at around 225 in high school, he was listed at 253 pounds on last season’s roster. Somewhere in between is likely the goal and if he can get in the 230 range it could be a true breakout season for one of Auburn’s most heralded signees in the last five years.

[Snaggletiger]

I like it.  I'm glad the article pointed out the same thing many of us have commented on, which was how slow T.D. Slowtry looked trying to come off the edge.  I had suggested in another thread to maybe move Derick Hall to the middle to fill Britt's role.  Moultry may be the answer to having a big body in the middle at LB.

[CCTAU]

So BLM Wooten is coming back also?

[jmar]

So BLM Wooten is coming back also?

Garsh I hope he was able to cope through his ordeal.

[jmar]

I like it.  I'm glad the article pointed out the same thing many of us have commented on, which was how slow T.D. Slowtry looked trying to come off the edge.  I had suggested in another thread to maybe move Derick Hall to the middle to fill Britt's role.  Moultry may be the answer to having a big body in the middle at LB.

Slowtry will definitely gain speed with another position change.
I like it Snags.

[jmar]

Big Gnat posted a farewell notice and said he was ready to dominate. Will be tough to replace all of that imagery.

[CCTAU]

Big Gnat posted a farewell notice and said he was ready to dominate. Will be tough to replace all of that imaginary.

Fixed it.

[Buzz Killington]

Big Gnat posted a farewell notice and said he was ready to dominate. Will be tough to replace all of that imagery.

Maybe he can go to a mid major and dominate the dojo.

[jmar]

Maybe he can go to a mid major and dominate the dojo.

I laugh because my oldest son told me to watch the updated series about the Karate Kid. 
Nope. 

[AUTiger1]

It will be harder for him to jump offsides from Linebacker.