Auburn cornerback Jaylin Simpson calls interceptions blessings.

And if that’s the case, he and the Auburn defense have been blessed — especially relative to last year, when the Tigers’ defense tallied just six interceptions and seven fumbles through the course of the entire season.

Meanwhile, through just three games in 2023, the Tigers have already recorded five interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries, meaning Auburn’s defensive secondary is winning the inner-defense competition.

“The D-Line and us, we got a little competition,” Simpson said after Auburn’s 45-13 win over Samford Saturday night. “Who can get the most sacks and picks in a game. And I feel like, most people wouldn’t agree, but I think sacks are easier to get. But we keeping up with them right now.”

Auburn’s friendly competition between the defensive line and the defensive backfield is the result of veterans on the defense wanting to prioritize getting their hands on the football.

Simpson broke it down to the most simplistic means possible Saturday night.

“The game can’t be played without a ball,” Simpson said.

Auburn’s offense learned how hard it was to play the game without a ball last week in Berkeley, Calif., where — despite the defense holding up its end of the bargain and forcing three turnovers — the offense committed five of their own making it nearly impossible to find any kind of rhythm.

Simpson had an interception in the game against Cal — just as he did against UMass in Week 1 and against Samford on Saturday night.

With such an effort, Simpson is the first player since Jerraud Powers in 2007 to record an interception in three straight games. Simpson’s three interceptions also currently leads the nation.

I’m gonna try to do my best to keep keep getting get one every game. You know, I don’t really like to call them picks. I like to call them blessings. It’s just a real blessing to catch those,” Simpson said. “I always say history repeats itself and I’m glad I could be a part of it.”

On Saturday night, Simpson ended up in the same company of Powers midway through the second quarter as he intercepted Samford’s Michael Hiers on 2nd and 6.

Simpson caught the football at the Samford 34-yard line and went on to return it to the 22-yard line — giving the a short field to the Auburn offense, which only needed six plays to find the end zone.

“Me and DJ (James) was doubling the guy and we did exactly what we wanted the receiver to do, which was break into me,” Simpson explained. “In that situation, DJ is the protector and I can be more aggressive. I was very aggressive and the quarterback made a mistake. It was a blessing.”

Simpson’s takeaway was the second of two on the night from the Auburn defense.

Sophomore cornerback JD Rhym also nabbed an interception in Saturday night’s Homecoming win at Jordan-Hare Stadium as he picked off Hiers during the drive that preceded Simpson’s interception.

“I gotta give a shoutout to my boy JD, man,” Simpson said. “JD Rhym… glad to see him out there again. He’s been hurt. He’s been through a lot. Just glad to see him out there and for his first game back when he’s actually playing, going in there and getting a pick… That’s what I know he can do.”

In a perfect world, Rhym would’ve ended the night with a seatbelt around his neck as that’s become Auburn’s version of a “turnover chain”.

“It basically means you strap up… you’re strapping up a receiver,” Simpson explained after the seatbelt first made its appearance in post-game interviews after the game against UMass.

Last week at Cal, after intercepting Sam Jackson V in the endzone to seal the win, James earned seatbelt rights.

The problem? The seatbelt has gone missing in James’ possession.

“He never came back with it. But he needs to get that back,” Simpson said. “Make sure y’all get that mentioned to him. Bring my seatbelt back.”

After all, Simpson paid Amazon good money for that seatbelt after first trying AutoZone, but coming up emptyhanded.

With the seatbelt out of the question in terms of celebrations Saturday night, Simpson had to resort to dancing on the sideline with Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze.

The two first unveiled their choreographed dance — which is an ode to Simpson’s favorite rapper NBA Young Boy — in the season-opener against UMass after Simpson notched a 50-yard Pick 6.

But when you watch Freeze’s first dance performance, “choreographed” might be a loose term.

On a scale of 1-10, Simpson gave Freeze’s dance at the UMass game a 5.

Saturday night after beating the Bulldogs, however, Simpson said Freeze’s performance had improved.

“He was ready to go. He was there before me. He was ready. I was like, ‘Hold up, coach. Hold on, now. Gotta take it slow.’,” Simpson laughed. “We actually practiced in the locker room before the game (today).”

Coming into the matchup with Samford, Simpson and the rest of the Auburn secondary knew they’d have plenty of opportunities to get their hands on the football.

In Samford’s first two games against Shorter and Western Carolina, the Bulldogs attempted 77 passes and completed 44 — good for 753 passing yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions.

“We knew they were pretty much an Air Raid team,” Simpson said. “That’s the team I love to play against because you’re giving me… you’re throwing the blessings to me, you know.”

But that only matters if a team is able to capitalize on the blessings being thrown their way.

Fortunately for Auburn, Simpson and the rest of the Tigers’ secondary have shown they’re able to do just that. And after Saturday night’s win at home, Simpson and Co. are ready to prove they can keep at it as Auburn turns its attention to SEC play.

“I feel like we got one of the best groups in the SEC, man,” Simpson said. “I think we’re just showing it.”