Auburn football's pass rush has become a major concern for Alex Golesh and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, and Jared Smith's declining pass-rush win rate reveals just how serious the problem has become. Seven games into the season, Auburn is still searching for consistent pressure off the edge after building its offseason plan around Smith's expected development. According to Pro Football Focus numbers discussed in the episode, Smith recorded eight pass-rush wins on 53 opportunities last season, approximately a 15% win rate. This season, Smith has recorded just 11 wins on 122 pass-rushing snaps, dropping his win rate to approximately 9%. That's more than double the opportunities with only three additional wins. But Smith isn't solely responsible for Auburn's defensive struggles. The departures of Keldric Faulk, Kieran Crawford and other experienced defenders left Auburn without the same level of proven pass-rushing talent. The dismissal of Xavier Atkins and injury to J.J. Faulk have created additional challenges. Da'Shawn Womack has contributed, but Auburn still lacks a consistently dominant edge presence capable of changing opposing offenses. Could DJ Durkin create additional pressure by sending linebackers like Demarcus Riddick, Bryce Deas or Elijah Melendez more frequently? With Ole Miss approaching and Arkansas, Samford and Mississippi State still on the schedule, Auburn needs answers immediately. We examine Smith's concerning statistics, the impact of Auburn's defensive personnel losses, potential schematic adjustments and why landing an impact edge rusher in the transfer portal must become a priority. #AuburnFootball #WarEagle #SECFootball Photo Credit:Jake Crandall Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25.
Auburn football's pass rush has become a major concern for Alex Golesh and defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, and Jared Smith's declining pass-rush win rate reveals just how serious the problem has become.
Seven games into the season, Auburn is still searching for consistent pressure off the edge after building its offseason plan around Smith's expected development.
According to Pro Football Focus numbers discussed in the episode, Smith recorded eight pass-rush wins on 53 opportunities last season, approximately a 15% win rate.
This season, Smith has recorded just 11 wins on 122 pass-rushing snaps, dropping his win rate to approximately 9%.
That's more than double the opportunities with only three additional wins.
But Smith isn't solely responsible for Auburn's defensive struggles.
The departures of Keldric Faulk, Kieran Crawford and other experienced defenders left Auburn without the same level of proven pass-rushing talent. The dismissal of Xavier Atkins and injury to J.J. Faulk have created additional challenges.
Da'Shawn Womack has contributed, but Auburn still lacks a consistently dominant edge presence capable of changing opposing offenses.
Could DJ Durkin create additional pressure by sending linebackers like Demarcus Riddick, Bryce Deas or Elijah Melendez more frequently?
With Ole Miss approaching and Arkansas, Samford and Mississippi State still on the schedule, Auburn needs answers immediately.
We examine Smith's concerning statistics, the impact of Auburn's defensive personnel losses, potential schematic adjustments and why landing an impact edge rusher in the transfer portal must become a priority.
#AuburnFootball #WarEagle #SECFootball
Photo Credit:Jake Crandall
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
KALSHI
For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25.