Auburn captain Owen Pappoe: 'I think we got the best linebacker group in the country'

Despite their troubles at times on offense over the years for the Auburn Tigers, one thing remains constant, and that is their defense.

The Tigers defense last season finished fourth in the SEC in points allowed, giving up 24.7 points a game. This year, they look to improve on that stat.

Auburn LB Owen Pappoe, who was recently named a team captain, says he thinks this group of linebackers may be the fastest in the country:

Owen Pappoe: “I’d take us over everybody. I think we got the best linebacker group in the country.”

Pappoe adds that he thinks Auburn also has the fastest linebacker corps in the nation.

— Tom Green (@Tomas_Verde) August 26, 2021

“I’d take us over everybody,” he said. “I think we got the best linebacker group in the country.”

Last year, Auburn only had 2 defensive players make first- or second-team All-SEC squads and they were Big Kat Bryant and Smoke Monday. No Auburn linebackers made the All-SEC team last year.

If Pappoe’s prediction is to come true, he and several of his teammates will have to step up this season. Pappoe and teammate Zakoby McClain had a combined 206 tackles last year and are expected to lead this talented group of linebackers, along with fellow captain Chandler Wooten.