Anticipation mounts for Auburn Tigers pass rush with addition of No. 1 recruit in the nation, Byron Cowart
AUBURN, Ala (C+P) — The Auburn Tigers opened training camp Tuesday with their focus set on the season opener again Louisville in the Georgia Dome. Well, while the team focuses on their first matchup of the 2015 College Football Season, all the spectators’ eyes will be on No. 1 overall recruit from the Class of 2015, defensive end Byron Cowart.
“Will [Muschamp] has a great plan for him,” said Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn. “He is a guy that is going to play and is going to help us. Will will bring him along the right way. He’s a very talented young man.”
Muschamp, who was brought back as Auburn’s defensive coordinator after a four-year hiatus as Florida’s head coach, was cited as a primary reason why Cowart chose Auburn to begin with, so hopefully he has something planned for the young star.
Cowart is tremendously talented and could easily do wonders for the Tiger’s pass rush in 2015, and Lord Knows Auburn could use the help after the defensive breakdown last season. At 6’3, 277 pounds, Cowart will at the very least be a fantastic run-stuffer.
“He’s a big guy. He’s a really big guy,” said Auburn linebacker Kris Frost. “I’m telling you; they make them bigger and bigger. It’s amazing seeing him out there running around.”
The Tigers are hoping that between Cowart and the returning Carl Lawson, they will be able to form a respectable pass rush. 2014’s defensive line presence was far from noticeable, and it was the lack of pressure on QBs late in the season that really dragged the rest of the defense down.
If you recall, Auburn was on pace for a College Football Playoff appearance before their defensive nose dive toward the tail end of the season. Their 10 total sacks in SEC play (second-to-last in the Conference) played a leading role.
Enter the monstrous Byron Cowart. Good luck, quarterbacks.
