After losing its top two pass-rushers from last season, Auburn believes a pair of true freshmen can step in and help fill that void this fall.

With the departure of both Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams to the NFL, Auburn's defense has a need to fill when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. Those two combined for 13.5 sacks and 39 quarterback hurries in 2016, and while Auburn has a wealth of returning depth up front to help replace that production, it will also look to freshmen Markaviest Bryant and T.D. Moultry to help with its pass rush in 2017.

"When we recruited those guys, we thought both those guys have the potential to be really good pass-rushers," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said earlier this month on Lake Martin. "So, that's one of the things early in fall camp that I know the defensive coaches will put them in those situations and see if they're ready."

The Tigers return the likes of Jeff Holland, Marlon Davidson, Paul James III and Nick Coe, all of whom are expected to prevent the pass rush from taking a step back this season. However, as Malzahn said, the coaching staff will try to see if Bryant and Moultry are ready to make an early impact and find ways to get them on the field in pass-rushing scenarios this fall.

Bryant was Auburn's biggest win on National Signing Day, when the Tigers secured a commitment from the four-star prospect out of Cordele, Ga. The 6-foot-5, 224-pounder is a true Buck, and he is expected to come in and provide depth at the position alongside Holland and James.

He arrived on campus this summer, and despite sustaining a hand injury last month, he has not been limited in summer workouts, according to Malzahn.

Moultry, meanwhile, was Auburn's highest-rated linebacker signee this spring, and linebackers coach Travis Williams is excited about what the former four-star, U.S. Army All-American will bring to the fold.

"He can play," Williams told AL.com last month in Griffin, Ga. "He's everything you're looking for. He runs, he's big, he's fast, explosive. He likes football. He's a smart linebacker. He has it all to be as good as he wants to be."

The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder will start out at the Money linebacker position on the strong side of the defense, but Williams said Moultry will also be used as a pass-rusher on obvious passing downs. His skillset and flexibility gives Auburn some flexibility when it comes to how defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Williams and defensive line coach Rodney Garner utilize him.

"With (defensive line) coach (Rodney) Garner, he's done a really good job with young guys," Malzahn said. "He plays young guys if they're talented enough to do that. Coach Steele is really good at finding ways to let young guys play and be specific on the things that their strengths are."