PRESSER: DJ Durkin previews the game against Florida

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Justin Ferguson (1:20)

Justin Ferguson, Auburn Observatory. DJ, what stands out to you studying this Florida offense so far? It's been a couple of weeks. They've had a lot of success. Just kind of new scheme, new players. What stands out about them?

DJ Durkin (1:30)

Yeah, they got some incredible talent offensively. They have playmakers all over the board. Starting with their running back, I mean, he's really good balanced, body control, great feed. He's explosive, tough to tackle. And their guys out on the perimeter, they do a really good job of getting them the ball in space and creating one-on-one tackles that they've been able to win those one-on-ones a lot of the time and create explosive plays. So I think their coaching staff does a great job of distributing the ball and getting it into the hands of those guys and creating ways to do it and with a lot of shifts and window dressing. So they present a lot of issues.

Bill Cameron (2:10)

Yeah, DJ, Bill Cameron with ESPN 1067 DeMarcus only got about a half dozen snaps or so against Baylor, but you got a chance to get him in there for quite a few more, especially there at the edge. Just how's he done out there and how much can he help you there?

DJ Durkin (2:22)

Yeah, no doubt. That was a point for us to get him more involved and we utilize him in a couple of different packages at several different spots. Which he has the versatility as a player to be able to do that. He can play on the ball on the edge and also play off the ball.

So, we will continue to utilize that. I think getting him more and more involved will only help us, will help him. I think he's gaining that confidence back and playing with more confidence. We're going to need him as we keep moving forward for sure.

SPEAKER_7 (2:53)

DJ, we saw Dallas, the first play, impact the quarterback, and then I guess all three of the interior guys had sacks on Saturday. How valuable is that to see those guys progress, push the pocket and make plays from the middle?

DJ Durkin (3:06)

Yeah, no doubt. I mean, the play you're talking about was a four-man rush, and then we had a sack on a three-man rush. And like, when you could do those things without having to, you know, we bring a lot of pressure at times and all that, but to be able to get pressure on the quarterback without having to bring it, bring extra, is huge. I mean, I think obviously that allows you to do a lot more on the back end and makes up your coverages and disguise.

And, you know, sacks are great and awesome. Those stats are kept. But even the plays where you're affecting the quarterback by just pushing the pocket where you can't step into a throw or can't, you know, he's thrown off his back foot, maybe not be able to see where he wants to go. And those things we all track, too, because that's big, affecting them.

Tyler Rayleigh (3:48)

Coach, Tyler Rayleigh, Auburn Undercover.

Elijah Melendez has obviously had a bunch of success through the first two games of this year. And as a sophomore, that's pretty rare to have that young talent on the field. How big is that success been for the defense overall? And what are you looking for him to step up in as you near SEC play?