Colby Wooden, Derick Hall named to preseason list

Auburn’s top returning tacklers from last season are expected to have breakout season’s in 2022.

Auburn defensive ends Derick Hall and Colby Wooden are set to be the leaders of the Auburn defense this season and have the credentials to do so.

Both were named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list. The award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football at season’s end.

Wooden and Hall ended last season No. 4 and No. 5 respectively in total stops, but will take over as the leading returning tacklers in 2022. Wooden had a phenomenal season, making 61 tackles, with 8.5 being for loss and five sacks.

Hall recorded 54 tackles in 2021, but made a home behind the line of scrimmage. Out of his total tackles, nine went for sacks, and he made a total of 12.5 tackles for loss.

The mention is the first preseason watch list that Wooden has become a part of, and it will be the fourth watch list nod for Hall.