Tales of the tape: My top RB, the next sure thing, potential breakout player

Every week, I take a look at Auburn-related film in some capacity. It is my job, but it is also my hobby and something I have done for a long time. Here is everything I learned over the past wee k both from a football and a recruiting standpoint.

Why Ousmane Kromah is my top back

Finding a running back with a good skillset is not the hardest thing to do in recruiting. There are a good amount of backs that have the ability to make people miss while being able to run hard enough to get extra yards on the SEC level. A guy like Ousmane Kromah is much more rare.

He is a 6-foot-1 215 pound back with the skillset of a much smaller, quicker back. Kromah makes elite cuts, he hurdles defenders, and he has great burst. His long speed resembles that of a bigger back, but between the tackles, he can make defenders miss in a phone booth.

That combination of size and quickness is not easy to find whatsoever. There just aren’t too many players walking around with that build and ability to make defenders miss. I think Kromah’s stock is worth more than just a typical highly ranked running back.

The next sure thing

There are blue chip recruits who underperform, disappear, and never live up to the billing. It happens to several in every single class. Anquon Fegans , a 4-star Auburn safety target, is one I’m willing to put a stamp on. I would be shocked if this guy does not live up to his billing.

I have seen Fegans in camp settings and in real game situations. He is one of the few players I have seen that looks even more comfortable in pads and a helmet. He has as much confidence as any high school player I have ever watched in person.

Fegans is a big play threat at safety. That is not a position that consistently makes the big play or creates turnovers. The skillsets are totally different, but Fegans plays with the confidence of Smoke Monday. There were times that Monday just knew the play before the ball was ever snapped. Fegans is the same way, but less as a blitzer and more as a coverage player. He knows football as well as any high school secnodary prospect.

Fegans is the next player Auburn seriously cannot afford to lose out on in my opinion.

Potential breakout player

For what it is worth, I began writing this before the news of Tyler Scott . I knew someone would have to step up in the secondary. Right now, I think Champ Anthony is going to play a big role and do so at a high level.

Anthony has played sparingly at Auburn, but he caught my eye on almost every snap he played. In both the Arkansas and Mississippi State games, Anthony had a few snaps that were impressive–at least from an effort standpoint. Honestly, I’m still unsure of what his talent ceiling is.

Bottom line: Anthony always catches my eye on tape. He has been doing this since I first saw his Tyler Junior College highlights. Multiple plays included him jumping routes, creating turnovers in unorthodox ways, and playing with a mean streak.

I believe his role will include playing the slot corner/nickel position while helping at safety when needed. As much as DJ Durkin likes to send pressure and play man, I think Anthony will be the perfect piece for his defense. He can be a nuisance as a blitz player and play man when needed.

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