Auburn secondary could become more aggressive under Smith, Harbison

The secondary could be a more aggressive unit under Ellis Johnson, Charlie Harbison and Melvin Smith. Auburn ranked eighth in the SEC in pass defense (222.9 yards) this season and tied for last nationally with two interceptions.

Smith said Johnson told his assistants he will build his 4-2-5 defensive scheme “based on our people.” Smith is coming off a season in which he mentored Thorpe Award winner Jonathan Banks at Mississippi State, which was No. 2 in the SEC with 19 interceptions.

Harbison was already being coy in his answers to inquiries about the new scheme.

“I’m married to winning, whatever that may be,” he said. “Sometimes you might be aggressive and sometimes you’re not. But whatever it takes to win the game, that’s what I’m married to. Because you can be over aggressive and get in trouble and you can not be aggressive enough and get in trouble.”