Auburn’s Defense Has a 24-Missed-Tackle Problem! What Will DJ Durkin Change?

Auburn football’s loss to Florida has raised serious questions about a defense that entered the season with high expectations. The Tigers brought back defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and several key players, but Saturday night’s performance left Zac Blackerby wondering what needs to change before Auburn faces Vanderbilt. On this episode of Auburn HIT, Zac focuses on one statistic that is difficult to overlook: Pro Football Focus credited Auburn with 24 missed tackles against the Florida Gators. That number is especially concerning given the experience and talent on Auburn’s defense. Zac discusses the five missed tackles credited to Da’Shawn Womack and five credited to Xavier Atkins, an All-American last season. He explains why getting into position to make a play is not enough if Auburn cannot finish the tackle. The concerns extend beyond individual players. Auburn struggled to get off the field on third down against Florida, and Zac questions whether the Tigers need to make schematic adjustments, change personnel or get head coach Alex Golesh more involved with the defense. Durkin was a priority for Auburn to retain during the transition to Golesh’s first season. The expectation was that a returning defensive core could provide stability while the offense improved. Instead, the Florida game has created questions about whether Auburn’s defense can deliver the level of play the Tigers need in SEC competition. There is also a difficult timing issue. Tackling fundamentals are typically emphasized heavily during spring practice and fall camp, while the regular season brings a greater focus on preparing for each week’s opponent. How can Auburn address such a significant tackling problem without sacrificing preparation for Vanderbilt? Zac breaks down why the Florida performance was so disappointing, what the missed-tackle numbers reveal and what he will be watching for when Auburn returns to the field against the Commodores. What changes do you want to see from DJ Durkin and Auburn’s defense? Is this a problem that can be corrected through better tackling, or does the coaching staff need to adjust its scheme or personnel? Subscribe to Auburn HIT for twice-daily, five-minute Auburn Tigers coverage, football analysis and reactions to the biggest stories on the Plains. #AuburnFootball #AuburnTigers #WarEagle Photo Credit: Jake Crandall IMAGN 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.