By Collin Mickle

Published: March 27, 2008

It didn’t take long for Zach Clayton to realize this spring could be a big one for him.

The sophomore is one of only four scholarship defensive tackles on Auburn’s spring football roster. With position coach Don Dunn looking for a five-man rotation, Clayton was sure to play a major role.

Just how big a role was up to him.

The former Opelika standout has responded to the challenge, impressing coaches and teammates alike with his work ethic.

That’s nothing new for Clayton. Despite a low profile on the recruiting circuit — Rivals.com rated him a two-star prospect — he was an all-state selection his senior season at Opelika, as well as a state champion in the discus and shot put.

That drive and determination is still a big part of Clayton’s personality. It’s an aspect Dunn loves.

“He gives great effort,” Dunn said. “He’s strong. He wants to be a good player.

“If you have those tangibles, everything else will work out eventually.”

In his first two seasons at AU, Clayton struggled to harness his intensity. He could play all-out for a few snaps, but the effort was exhausting, and he quickly would wear down.

That cost him a chance for more playing time last season, when he played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman. Despite playing sparingly, he finished with eight tackles.

But with last season’s starters, Josh Thompson and Pat Sims, gone from the defensive front, Dunn needs Clayton for more than a few snaps at a time.

“He has to be able to go a whole bunch of plays in a row,” Dunn said.

The solution is simple: More time in the weight room. His strength has never been a question, but Clayton acknowledges his conditioning hasn’t always been top-notch.

“I’ve got to get in shape,” he said. “I’ve got to get in football shape. It’s coming along.”

He has no other choice. For Auburn’s defense to live up to its high expectations for 2008, the Tigers need a deep rotation at defensive tackle.

Junior Sen’Derrick Marks has one starting spot wrapped up. Clayton is competing with junior Jake Ricks and fellow sophomore Mike Blanc for the other No. 1 job.

With Ricks sidelined for the rest of spring practice with a broken hand, Clayton has an opportunity to make an impression in the three-man race. He doesn’t want to let the chance slip.

So far, so good. But Clayton, true to his roots, isn’t close to declaring victory. AU has three spring practices remaining, then four months of offseason workouts before the start of preseason practice in August.

Clayton knows starting jobs and rotation spots are won in the weight room as much as the practice field. And though he knows he has made progress, he’s far from satisfied.

“It’s progressing,” he said. “I’m fixing some things, but I still have to work on a lot of stuff.”

It’s a good start.

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