Auburn veteran Champ Anthony is emerging as a key leader in the Tigers' loaded secondary. Tim Banks praised Anthony's leadership and versatility during fall camp, while the defensive back continues preparing to play safety, star and even corner in 2026.
The Auburn Tigers should have a loaded defense in 2026.
And after some concerns entering the spring, the team's safety room could be the deepest.
Veteran player Champ Anthony has earned a lot of respect inside Auburn's secondary. And after hearing him speak at both SEC Media Days and during Fall Camp, it isn't hard to understand why.
Anthony returned for another season at Auburn as one of the most experienced players in the Tigers' safety room,And hopefully, this season he can remain healthy, something that has been an issue during his collegiate career.
Auburn's safeties coach Tim Banks called Anthony a "true leader" during fall camp and praised the passion he brings to football and his teammates.
More importantly, Banks believes Anthony backs it up.
"He's not a guy that just talks about it," Banks said. "He's a guy that lives it."
That respect isn't limited to Auburn's coaching staff.
Eric Winters, one of the likely starters inside the secondary, called Anthony a vocal leader and described him as someone who plays football "like his hair's on fire."
That's a pretty good player to have setting the standard for a young secondary.
But Anthony isn't approaching his leadership role like he already has everything figured out.
He's still learning from the players around him. Which I believe is one of his greatest assets being able to learn and absorb in many different ways.
Anthony is working at multiple positions as Banks continues to cross-train Auburn's defensive backs. He's taking snaps at safety and star while also learning how to play outside at corner.
That means he can't physically take every rep at every position.
So he's finding another way to get them.
Mental reps.
Anthony specifically pointed to Gavin Jenkins as someone he's studying when working on his cornerback responsibilities. He called Jenkins' press coverage "phenomenal" and said he watches those snaps closely when he isn't able to get the physical rep himself.
"You got to learn from your teammates," Anthony said.
He's experienced enough to teach younger players, but he's also willing to learn from the guys standing next to him.
That applies to newcomers, too.
Anthony praised Fred Gaskin's experience from USF and specifically mentioned learning from what Gaskin sees when playing around the boundary.
Anthony doesn't have to be the guy with every answer.
He just wants Auburn's secondary to get better. Something that seems to be the new message of the entire room led by Anthony.
Banks believes Anthony's versatility could allow him to play safety, star, and even corner this season.
So don't be surprised when he shows up at multiple different positions during the season and maybe even in-game as soon as week one in Atlanta against the Baylor Bears.
