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College football rankings: Post-spring Top 25 – Clemson, Alabama vie for top spot

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 01: Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) 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 defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) 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) /
  • Notable Losses: Jarrett Stidham, Deshaun Davis, Ryan Davis, Darius Slayton, Dontavius Russell, Chandler Cox, Jamel Dean, Darrell Williams
  • Notable Returners: Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, Javaris Davis, Kam Martin, Jeremiah Dinson, Kam Martin, Daniel Thomas, Nick Coe
  • 2019 Recruiting Class Ranking: 11th

The Auburn Tigers were in danger of being in a truly awful position heading into the 2019 season barring NFL Draft decisions. While they were destined to lose quarterback Jarrett Stidham to the next level, the hope was that they would be able to keep their defense intact for the upcoming season under Gus Malzahn. To their fortune, that is what happened as they’ll be in a fine position on the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown, defensive lineman Marlon Davidson and defensive back Javaris Davis are all going to be back for Auburn in the 2019 season, giving this group a strong foundation, which they’ll need to compete in what is going to be a strong SEC slate next year. On top of that, a strong recruiting class included one of the best outside linebacker prospects in the country, Owen Pappoe.

Speaking of recruiting, though, another newcomer will be in line to replace Stidham as Bo Nix, one of the top quarterbacks in the class comes to town. He won’t be without competition as Joey Gatewood, Cord Sandberg and Malik Willis will have a crack at the job as well. Having said that, how that battle plays out could be the most critical factor in Auburn’s 2019. If they make the right call as they face a tough, tough schedule, the Tigers have pieces to be a factor in the SEC.

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