When the Auburn Tigers made their improbable run to the final BCS National Championship Game, the team’s defense was an overlooked part of its success. One of the unit’s top performers was its “star”, Robenson Therezie.
If the Tigers are to repeat as SEC champions, they may have to do so without Therezie for an unspecified amount of time. Therezie, a preseason All-SEC Second Team selection, may not be eligible to play for the Tigers by the start of his senior campaign, according to USA TODAY.
“We’re working through some eligibility issues right now with him,” Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn told USA TODAY’s James Crepea. “We should know in the near future.”
When Malzahn took over the program, he hired Ellis Johnson to become the team’s defensive coordinator. Johnson overhauled an underachieving unit. One of the major changes was switching from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-2-5 scheme which featured the “star” position, a linebacker-safety hybrid that could be used all over the field. Therezie won the starting job in fall camp. He finished sixth on the team with 57 total tackles and led the team with four interceptions.
The Tigers are now preparing for life without Therezie. Johnson admitted the team is “not sure (Therezie)'s going to be able to play early.”
Junior Justin Garrett is next in line to start as the team’s “star.” Garrett only played in two games last year, but he’s prepared for a much bigger role this season after splitting first-team repetitions with Therezie in practice.
“We’re getting Justin ready and right now we’ve got to get some depth out there.” Johnson said.