After a tough day at the office, most folks hope to leave work behind when they go home.
Of course, most folks don’t live with two of their co-workers.
Auburn cornerback Jerraud Powers doesn’t have the luxury of forgetting about football when he heads home to his apartment. That’s because teammates Aairon Savage and Walt McFadden also call the place home.
So if Powers misses an assignment or bears the brunt of a tongue-lashing from defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads, there’s a chance he’ll hear about it at home, too.
And then there’s the depth chart. Powers, who started 12 games in 2007, is AU’s most experienced returning cornerback. McFadden, who had 10 tackles as a reserve in ’07, and Savage, who has started 13 career games at safety, are second-team corners.
The competition is intense, but Powers says it stays friendly most of the time. The three friends often compare notes about the playbook or that day’s practice.
“It’s sort of fun, all of us being roommates, and we’re all in the same position, trying to start,” he said.
Of course, they all saw it coming.
All three players signed with AU in 2005. And though they came from different backgrounds — Powers is from Decatur, while Savage hails from Albany, Ga., and McFadden from Pompano Beach, Fla. — their similarities outweighed their differences.
All three played the same position. All three were relatively low-profile recruits.
And all three had to wait to make an impact.
The three were roommates from the start of their Auburn careers. They redshirted as true freshmen in ’05. In between workouts, practices and classes, Powers spent that season rehabbing a broken foot — and dreaming of the future.
“When we first moved in with each other, we were like, ‘In a couple years, it’s just going to be us three here,’” Powers said.
They’re not quite alone — Auburn’s defensive backfield also features sophomores Mike McNeil and Ryan Williams. But the three juniors are the heart of the secondary.
And for the first time since 2006, when Savage moved to safety, they’re all at the same position.
“It’s fun,” Powers said. “It’s great that we’re going through the same experience. It’s fun that we’re all in the same position.”
Rhoads has been especially impressed by Powers’ ability to absorb the defensive playbook. In his first two seasons at AU, Powers practiced at all four positions. And while he’s found a home at cornerback, he’s well versed in the entire defense.
“Jerraud is smart,” Rhoads said. “He asks good questions. He asks them in the media room. He asks them on the field.”
It feels just like home.
cmickle@oanow.com | 737-2561
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