What Champ Anthony’s return means for Auburn’s safety room

By Peter Rauterkus | prauterkus@al.comChamp Anthony isn’t the most talented player on Auburn’s defense. He’s not the most high-profile either.But as he returns for his fourth season at Auburn, Anthony is the unquestioned leader of Auburn’s safety room, which is looking for improvement in 2026. Injuries hampered Anthony in each of his previous two seasons, but now that he’s healthy, he’s an important player in the back end of the Tigers’ defense.“Football is extremely important to him, brotherhood is important to him. He’s not a guy that just talks about it, he’s a guy that lives it,” Auburn safeties coach Tim Banks said of Anthony. “You have a lot of people that talk a lot but don’t really have any substance about it. He’s not that type of guy. When he says it, he means it and he stands on it.”Despite not being one of Auburn’s most high-profile players, Anthony’s leadership was a big reason why head coach Alex Golesh selected him to represent Auburn at SEC Media Days. This season, Anthony and the staff hope his role is bigger than that of just an influential voice.TAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 21: Safety Champ Anthony #1 of the Auburn Tiger speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images)Getty ImagesSevere leg injuries in each of the past two seasons kept Anthony off the field, but he still led from the sidelines. Back on the field, he’s continuing that leadership while providing versatility to Auburn’s secondary.Throughout his Auburn career, Anthony has played everywhere from boundary safety to cornerback and hasn’t looked uncomfortable. “Wherever I fit in the game plan, that’s where I’ll play,” Anthony said. “That’s the same thing with everyone else. We’re all flexible.”Banks had made a point to cross train Auburn’s safeties throughout the offseason. Fortunately for Anthony, versatility was already one of his strengths.Being coached by Banks is something that Anthony has embraced. Banks is Anthony’s third different safeties coach in the last three seasons, but brings rich experience to Auburn’s safety room.Banks spent the last five seasons as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, something that Anthony says allows him to view the game from a different perspective.“He’s turned us into coaches on the field. We understand and we have a feel of what he’s gonna call,” Anthony said of Banks. “His understanding on offense is phenomenal — understanding what they can get to out of formations and stuff like that. I feel like I’ve grown so much in hearing him talk every day.”At the back end of Auburn’s defense, there’s nobody more equipped to be that coach on the field than Anthony. He’s always been one of Auburn’s most vocal defensive players and has enough experience to understand offenses and anticipate plays.Combine that with his leadership ability and Anthony could be an important player for Auburn this year, especially now that he’s healthy.“He’s been banged up a ton,” Banks said. “To finally see him healthy and hitting on all cylinders, it’s been awesome to see.”Peter Rauterkus is an Auburn Sports Reporter for AL.com covering football, basketball and all things Auburn sports. He joined AL.com in July 2024. Prior to joining the sports staff at AL.com, Peter spent time...