Auburn safety Zion Puckett announced Tuesday intentions to enter the 2024 NFL Draft after playing in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30.

Puckett has been Auburn’s starting safety over the past two seasons and has played 33 games over the last three seasons with the Tigers. 2023 was his fifth year in Auburn, and because of both a redshirt year and the year of eligibility granted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Puckett had the option to return for 2024.

Losing Puckett, however, means Auburn will now have to replace each of its starting outside cornerbacks with Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James both out of eligibility and off to the NFL Draft as well as each of its starting safeties with Jaylin Simpson and now Puckett planning to forego their remaining eligibility and enter the Draft.

Simpson, like Puckett, said he will still play in the bowl game despite plans to play professionally.

Auburn’s plan seems relatively in place for the cornerbacks. Returning defensive back Keionte Scott said he will move from the nickel position to an outside cornerback role and rising sophomore Kayin Lee played well in several starts outside as a true freshman. Junior defensive back Donovan Kaufman will likely slide into Scott’s previous nickel position.

The safety position is much more questionable. Outside of possibly sophomore versatile defensive back Caleb Wooden, Auburn doesn’t have a clear in-house option.

“Once we’re done I think Caleb Wooden, that’s one of them,” Puckett said. “And I think Terrance Love. I think those two are going to be pretty good for our secondary for this game and on. I think they’re going to do a good job of just being behind us. The leadership that we showed, I think that’s going to help a lot.”

The Tigers do have a commitment currently from Laquan Robinson, a junior college transfer from Holmes Community College who is ranked as the top junior college safety prospect.

Auburn also remains heavily in pursuit of five-star rated safety and Florida State commit KJ Bolden. Bolden plans to sign Wednesday as part of National Signing Day. Landing his signature would be a massive boost of talent to a safety group that is significantly lacking experience.

Matt Cohen covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @Matt_Cohen_ or email him at [email protected]