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College football 2018 preview: 15 freshmen poised to make instant impact

By Cody Williams

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - MAY 26: Trevor Lawrence of Clemson University poses for portraits at Steve Clarkson's 14th Annual Quarterback Retreat on May 26, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - MAY 26: Trevor Lawrence of Clemson University poses for portraits at Steve Clarkson's 14th Annual Quarterback Retreat on May 26, 2018 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 01: Auburn Tigers helmets on display during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the UCF Knights and the Auburn Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 01: Auburn Tigers helmets on display during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the UCF Knights and the Auburn Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Quindarious ‘Smoke’ Monday, S, Auburn

There is a lot of buzz about the Auburn Tigers offense heading into 2018, the bulk of it being focused on quarterback Jarrett Stidham and what he could do this season as an NFL-caliber talent. Having said that, this is a team that, traditionally, has seen the majority of their success come from what they’ve been able to produce on the defensive side of the football.

And given that, there are some questions about this team for the upcoming campaign, specifically when you look into their secondary.

Auburn is coming into this year and will likely be playing all new players at the safety position. Three players who played sizable roles for the Tigers in that spot last season are no longer with the team anymore, which obviously means there are spots for the taking. Quindarious “Smoke” Monday should be able to take one of those spots.

Recruited as an athlete, Monday might be one of the most jaw-dropping physical specimens of the 2018 recruiting class. From what we’ve seen since he got to school as an early enrollee, he’s going to be playing safety and trying to make his bones in the Auburn secondary.

Though it’s been limited action that we have seen, Monday seems to be taking to the position solidly and has the physical tools to only get better from where he’s currently at. When you combine that with the lack of depth that Auburn has at the position, and Monday appears in line to play a huge role in this defense in 2018.