Why Derick Hall is a no-brainer pick to break out for Auburn football in 2021

The edge rusher was one of the SEC's best at getting to the QB, and he should get to play a whole lot more in Derek Mason's scheme.

(Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

If the summer is the time to buy into breakout players for the upcoming college football season, go ahead and invest in Derick Hall stock right now.

With Auburn’s inside linebackers and secondary packed with top-level experience and continuity heading into their first season under defensive coordinator Derek Mason, Hall might turn out to the be the face of a new era closer to the line of scrimmage.

In 2020, Colby Wooden was the surprise standout of Auburn’s defensive front. As a redshirt freshman, Wooden led the team in tackles for loss and was one of the best underclassmen in the SEC — and all of the FBS — at making big plays in the backfield.

A proven disruptor with his hand in the dirt, Wooden is poised to have an even bigger impact as a sophomore in Mason’s defense, which will more utilize 3-man fronts and interior pass-rushing weapons than what Auburn was used to under Kevin Steele.

But Wooden isn’t the only class of 2019 product set to prosper in a ne…