A recent dream left former Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson with no choice but to text Auburn junior defensive back Caleb Wooden.

“You know, I text(ed) Caleb the other day because I had a dream – a weird dream,” Simpson said, standing on the field of Hancock Whitney Stadium at the conclusion of his first Senior Bowl practice Tuesday. “I dreamed about him that he caught like two interceptions in one game. And I had to tell him.”

Simpson’s anecdote came as the result of being asked about the room of defensive backs he, DJ James, Nehemiah Pritchett and Zion Puckett are leaving behind at Auburn as the veteran quartet preps for the 2024 NFL Draft, which starts this week at the Senior Bowl.

Simpson, James and Pritchett are all set to appear in Saturday’s 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl game.

And as evident by his dream about Wooden, Simpson is confident in the talent left on the Tigers’ roster — despite most being “rookies” by Simpson’s count.

With James and Pritchett leaving, Auburn will be tasked with replacing its two starting outside cornerbacks from the 2023 season.

Fortunately for Auburn and to the surprise of Simpson, one of the team’s key returners in the defensive secondary is expected to make a slight position change to help fill the void left by James and Pritchett.

Rising senior Keionte Scott is expected to jump over to outside cornerback after having previously played nickel back — or inside cornerback — for the Tigers.

“He did? I didn’t even know that, man,” Simpson said of Scott’s plans to change positions. “I mean, he could come out here and play any position right now. He can do it all. He’s definitely going to be here at this game next year, for sure. All-SEC player right there.”

Scott was extended an invitation to this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, but ultimately declined as he decided to return to Auburn for his senior season.

Otherwise, Auburn’s defensive secondary is sure to see some new faces in 2024 — some “rookies” and some transfers.

Auburn’s options at cornerback include junior Champ Anthony, sophomore Kayin Lee, sophomore J.D. Rhym, sophomore Alabama transfer Antonio Kite, redshirt freshman Colton Hood, redshirt freshman JC Hart, redshirt freshman Tyler Scott and two true freshmen in Jalyn Crawford and A’Mon Lane-Ganus.

Meanwhile, the Tigers’ room of safeties will feature senior Texas transfer Jerrin Thompson, junior Caleb Wooden, junior JUCO addition Laquan Robinson, sophomore Terrance Love, redshirt freshman Sylvester Smith, redshirt freshman C.J. Johnson and a pair of freshmen in Kensley Faustin and Kaleb Harris.

“You know, Sylvester (Smith), the transfers that are coming in, I think they’ll get the job done. Colton (Hood), (Kayin Lee)… Caleb (Wooden),” Simpson said. “All them guys, man. They’re going to be just fine.”

Speaking to the safeties returning to Auburn, Simpson says they all “watched and learned” as he and Puckett led the room in 2023.

“I know for a fact, one thing that I didn’t want to do when I left was not lead them in the right direction,” Simpson said. “And I think me and Zion… we took pride in that. And I think we showed them a lot of ways to go about Auburn and how to be an Auburn DB – you know, what that means and all that.”

And without a doubt, though Simpson hopes to be playing on Sundays in 2024, he’ll spend his Saturdays keeping up with his alma mater.

“I’m excited to see them boys play, man. I been training and sometimes I just find myself thinking like, I can’t wait for college football season. I’m just ready to see them play. I get to watch them from the outside now,” Simpson said.

“I’m just thankful for everything Auburn did for me. And those guys still on the team who pushed me to get where I’m at right now — I’m just thankful for all that and I can’t wait to watch them ball out.”