Robenson Therezie has a flair for making an impact in season-openers, especially since it looked like he wasn’t going to be on the field for the last two.

Therezie wasn’t lined up to start at the star hybrid position last season. He was listed on the two deep roster but behind starter Justin Garrett. A couple of weeks before the season-opener against Washington State though, Garrett suffered a foot sprain. Garrett wouldn’t be healthy enough to start against the visiting Cougars which meant Therezie would start in his spot.

In front of a national television audience, Therezie made the most of the opportunity. The Miami native made seven tackles, picked off two passes (including a fourth-quarter interception to seal the game) and broke up another. The effort earned Therezie the SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Garrett was healthy enough to return against Mississippi State, two games later, but Therezie’s productivity was too good to have him on the sidelines. If Garrett ever had a chance to crack the starting lineup, it went out the window when he broke his foot in practice the week of the Ole Miss game.

Therezie would start every game for Auburn in 2013. He led the team in interceptions (four), was sixth on team in tackles (57) and was named AP All-SEC honorable mention.

It looks liked the senior will be the default starter at star hybrid when came open this summer. Then on Aug. 16, more than two weeks into camp, defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson mentioned in passing that he needs depth behind Justin Garrett because Therezie has an eligibility issue. When the depth chart was released Tuesday, Therezie wasn’t even listed on it.

“We didn’t see the need to put him on there right now until it gets resolved,” Malzahn explained after the depth chart was released.

The take away was No. 27 wasn’t going to see the field Saturday and might not even dress for the game. That changed though when Therezie was seen Friday participating in reverse Tiger Walk and his jersey was placed at his locker.

Therezie not only got on the field Saturday but he made a huge play just like in the Washington State opener last year. With Auburn up 28-21 and Arkansas facing a 2nd-and-7 from their own 18-yard line, Therezie came on a blitz. He leveled Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen just as he was attempting to throw. The ball hung up in the air nowhere near its intended target. Safety Jermaine Whitehead made the interception and returned it 33-yards for a touchdown. It was the turning point in the game.

“He’s a freak. He does a lot for the team,” Whitehead said of Therezie. “With all the experience he got last year, he feels a lot more comfortable. At practice, he knows exactly what’s going on. He’s definitely going to make something this year. I can’t wait to watch him play.”