“We pride ourselves on being interchangeable. We are moving guys around to a lot of different spots.” Auburn Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties Coach Tim Banks said following the team’s first practice of week two of preseason camp. One of the versatile guys Auburn hopes to be able to lean on this year is senior Sylvester Smith-Reed.
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Smth-Reed has started 12 games during his career at Auburn. Smith-Reed’s relationship with Coach Banks goes back to when he was being recruited to play at Tennessee. Smith-Reed talked about what having that existing relationship has been like.
“I appreciate him a lot. Very knowledgeable. Means what he says. He does what he says. Takes pride in having us ready and getting the best out of us everyday.” The senior from Munford, Alabama has been a productive player for the Tigers, logging 59 career tackles.
Smith-Reed has entered this preseason camp wearing a non-contact orange jersey. However, that hasn’t stopped him from participating in drills alongside his teammates. Smith-Reed told Auburn Undercover what he has been working on while not being able to hit.
“Overall just being a better football player, being a better leader. Being somebody the young guys can look up to. Look at my process and perfect their process. Just working on my day-to-day process being the best Sylvester Smith-Reed I can be.”
Auburn will have their first full pads practice tomorrow. This week will culminate in a team scrimmage, on Friday, inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. It won’t be long before the Tigers are traveling to Atlanta to take on Baylor. Coach Banks believes Smith-Reed will be ready to go at that time.
“Sly is coming along. He’ll be ready to go when we say he can go. We’re excited. He’s out there. He’s flying around. Sly is ready to go”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
