HOOVER, Ala. — Multi-year starter Kris Frost says the acquisition of Will Muschamp in December was one of the primary he decided to return for his senior season at Auburn, skipping a shot at a possible mid-round selection in the NFL draft.

Frost, an expert tackle in run support whose made 146 total stops over the last two seasons, credited the blitz-heavy coordinator with changing the mindset of a defense that gave up 45 touchdowns and 347 points last fall — second-most in the SEC West in front of Texas A&M.

“It’s a different atmosphere at practice as far as our defense is concerned,” Frost said Monday at SEC Media Days. “We’re all excited. We feel like (he) has given us a new breath of life, everything’s so positive. I’ve never seen everything so positive before circling around the defense and the team as a whole.”

Frost is one of two veteran linebackers in Muschamp’s arsenal this season, joining Cassanova McKinzy. Frost’s role will change a bit in Muschamp’s scheme on the outside. He’ll have a chance to play off the edge more this season as a pass rusher.

“I love the fact he has me doing so many things,” Frost said. “I proud myself on being a multi-faceted (linebacker). I don’t want to be a one-dimensional player and this defense allows me to do a lot of different things.”