Auburn defensive leader in unfamiliar position

Posted 6:01PM on Monday 28th August 2006 ( 18 years ago )

AUBURN, Ala. - Will Herring has a question for those who picked him as a preseason All-Southeastern Conference linebacker: What were you thinking? The converted safety and defensive leader for No. 4 Auburn doesn't doubt his ability. Herring simply knows that SEC media projected him to earn that honor based on his performance at an entirely different position. The Tigers' opener against Washington State Saturday night will be the senior's first game at linebacker. Ever. ``It was definitely an honor to have that kind of respect around the league, but at the same time I know I haven't played a snap at linebacker when the bullets are flying,'' Herring said. ``I know that means nothing at all.'' Actually, it means Herring is easily the most experienced defender on a team projected to win the SEC title and one who seems perfectly suited to the position in Auburn's defense. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound Herring certainly fits the Tigers' mold of fast-but-smallish linebackers. He's bigger, in fact, than fellow starters Karibi Dede (216 pounds) and Merrill Johnson (201). His new position coach, former Auburn and NFL linebacker James Willis, believes Herring can be a star at his new spot on the field. Yes, even an All-SEC player, though Herring was only a second-teamer at his former position last season. ``He has a way of getting around the football,'' Willis said. ``He's always around the ball some kind of way. He's smart, he understands the defense and he understands the offense and what they're trying to do to us. He can pick up a lot of things quickly.'' That is definitely an important quality to have when you're asked to make a position move after 36 consecutive starts. Besides, Herring has overcome greater odds before. Auburn was the only major college to offer the prep quarterback a scholarship coming out of neighboring Opelika High School, quickly moving him to defense. New defensive coordinator Will Muschamp asked him to move again in the spring. ``It caught me by complete surprise,'' Herring said. ``I was shocked. I thought I was going to play safety the rest of my life. But by the end of the meeting, I told him I would be willing to give it a shot. He wanted to just give it a look in the spring to see how it went. ``So far, it's worked out.'' The Tigers lacked experienced depth at linebacker with the departure of starters Travis Williams and Antarrious Williams. Herring's emergence became even more vital when projected starter Tray Blackmon and experienced backup Kevin Sears were suspended and Steve Gandy is sidelined indefinitely with a thigh injury. Muschamp said Herring was the defense's ``most productive player'' in spring practice. ``Will has been as unselfish a player as I've ever been around to come in here and move to linebacker after being a successful safety,'' Muschamp said. ``To make that commitment to do that his senior year speaks volumes about that kid and the type of character and integrity he has. ``Will's a guy we're going to have to lean on for a lot of leadership on this team.'' (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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