Auburn has four starters in the secondary with plans to enter the NFL Draft. It appears none of them will play in the Music City Bowl.

During a Friday night appearance on Auburn’s Tiger Talk radio show, head coach Hugh Freeze said Auburn would be playing “Keionte (Scott) and the kids,” in the secondary against Maryland on Saturday.

In the segment, Freeze mentioned freshmen who have not had to play because of Simpson and Puckett ahead of them on the depth chart and how they would now have to see the field.

He did not directly state whether Simpson and Puckett plan to play. 247Sports reported Friday afternoon that neither will take the field Saturday.

This is not necessarily a so-called opt-out. Simpson has been dealing with a hamstring injury while still practicing for the bowl game.

Freeze has previously stated starting cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James both opted out of the game.

Freeze also previously stated star defensive tackle Marcus Harris will not play as he prepares for the NFL Draft. Harris has been with Auburn this week in Nashville in support of his teammates.

Simpson and Puckett both initially announced intentions to play in the Music City Bowl before foregoing their remaining eligibility and entering the 2024 NFL Draft.

Days after the Iron Bowl loss to Alabama, Simpson replied to a fan who asked him on Instagram if he planned to play in the Music City Bowl. Simpson responded “Yep”.

Only two days later, news came out Simpson had accepted an invitation to play in The Senior Bowl, which generally is the beginning of a player’s path to the NFL Draft.

But Simpson still appeared on track to play in the bowl game. He had been practicing with Auburn as much as he could — though Simpson was dealing with a hamstring injury. He had never been listed as an opt-out candidate during press conferences with head coach Hugh Freeze.

Same goes for Puckett, who announced his NFL intentions during a conference with reporters during bowl practices in Auburn. His comments suggested it was important to him and Simpson to play together one more time.

“It means a lot because this is both of our last game,” Puckett said on Dec. 19. “And I think the right way is just to finish out strong for Auburn and the family here. I think that’s going to mean a lot to both of us. All the seniors that’s going to play, that’s going to be their last game.”

Simpson and Puckett both took part in Auburn practices ahead of the bowl game, including being in pads and helmets during a period of Auburn’s Nashville practice at Vanderbilt which was open to reporters. Though the two spent much of that period of generally lighter practice allowing younger players to get an opportunity for extra time.

Simpson finished the 2023 season with 36 tackles, four interceptions and seven passes defended. Puckett had 34 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended.

Simpson was named to the Associated Press All-SEC first team.

The group of Simpson, Puckett, Pritchett and James formed one of the SEC’s best secondaries this season. Auburn allowed 201.7 passing yards per game this season — third-best in the SEC and 32nd-best nationally.

The Music City Bowl will thus be Auburn’s first look at a very young and inexperienced secondary.

Maryland starting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa — the Big Ten’s all-time leading passer — highlights an equally significant group of opt-outs from Auburn’s opponent in the bowl game.

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