Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said Sunday that over the next couple of weeks the defensive rotations during practice will be a lot like a game of musical chairs. After missing action last season because of injuries, junior defensive backs Josh Holsey and Justin Garrett have showed in practice they want a seat at the table.

The return of Holsey and Garrett means depth in the secondary for the Tigers. They’ll join an experienced group that includes three-year starters Jonathon Mincy and Jermaine Whitehead along with Robenson Therezie and junior college transfer Derrick Moncrief. Jonathan Jones could start for Mincy in the opener against Arkansas. Trovon Reed as well as freshman Nick Ruffin and Kalvarez Bassent could also see playing time.

Holsey started the first six games of 2013 at boundary safety before tearing his ACL the week of the Texas A&M game. Friday was his first practice since the injury. Holsey has both cover skills and corner skills but Johnson wants Holsey at the boundary corner position. Holsey played six games there his freshman year.

“Josh is going to be our X-factor this year in the secondary,” safety Jermaine Whitehead told the Montgomery Advisor. “He’s going to make some plays at corner. He’s going to make some plays at safety. He’s going to make some plays at dime. He’s going to be all over the field. I can’t wait to watch.

He’s going to play a lot like Tyrann (Mathieu) did for LSU. I think he’s going to be everywhere and make a lot of plays and market himself for our team.”

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Garrett is coming off a medical redshirt year after being snakebit with two foot injuries last season. After being named MVP of spring practice last year, Garrett entered fall camp as the favorite to start at star safety position. A left foot sprain in fall camp kept him out of the first two games though. His replacement, Therezie, shined in Garrett’s spot with 2 interceptions and 11 tackles. Garrett lost his starting job and three weeks later broke his foot.

It was later discovered that Garrett had flat feet. He participated in the spring game this past April with special insoles and custom cleats.

Originally recruited as a linebacker, Garrett played six games at the SAM position in 2012. Garret likes to hit and brings a physical nature of the Tigers. With enough depth at linebacker though, Johnson wants to keep Garrett in the secondary because of his cover skills and ability to blitz off the edge.

“If that kid could have a full season of practice and games, I still think he’d be one of our most dynamic playmakers,” Johnson said. “He’s done a really good job out there so far.”