Freshman Redshirted/status

[aubiefifty 16,766]

al.com

Which Auburn freshmen burned their redshirt, where the rest stand at midseason

By Tom Green | tgreen@al.com

8-11 minutes

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Which Auburn freshmen have already burned their redshirt in 2019?

Auburn signed 23 players in the 2019 recruiting cycle, with 21 freshmen and a pair of graduate transfers in Zach Farrar and Jay Jay Wilson. Nineteen of those freshmen still remain, as Cam'Ron Kelly transferred to UNC in the spring and Charles Moore left the team earlier this season to enroll at a junior college back in Mississippi.

As Auburn hits the bye week, officially marking the midway point of the regular season for the team, let’s take a look at which of the Tigers’ newcomers have already burned a potential redshirt, and which are still eligible to take advantage of the NCAA’s four-game redshirt rule.

FRESHMEN WHO HAVE BURNED THEIR REDSHIRT

Only two of Auburn's freshmen have already burned a potential redshirt opportunity, and it should come as no surprise that it's the team's two five-star signees from the 2019 class: quarterback Bo Nix and linebacker Owen Pappoe. Both of the highly touted freshmen earned starting roles ahead of the season and have featured heavily into the Tigers' success midway through the year.

Owen Pappoe, linebacker

Five-star freshman Owen Pappoe was named a starter ahead of Auburn's season opener against Oregon and has been a prominent player in the Tigers' defense so far. He has started all six games at outside linebacker, recording 17 total tackles, three quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a forced fumble. So far, Pappoe has been as-advertised.

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Bo Nix earned the starting job over Joey Gatewood in the preseason and has started all six games at quarterback for Auburn. There have been highs and lows, but Nix has helped lead Auburn to a 5-1 start against a tough schedule -- with a pair of top-25 wins away from home. He has completed 83-of-152 passes (54.6 percent) for 1,125 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Nix has also rushed for 191 yards and a pair of touchdowns, making him the team's second-leading rusher.

ON THE FRINGE AND UNLIKELY TO REDSHIRT

Auburn has on freshman who has appeared in exactly four games at midseason, while two others have seen action in three games -- with more playing time expected to come in the second half of the season. These are the three players deemed by AL.com as unlikely to redshirt this season.

Derick Hall, Buck

Derick Hall has appeared in exactly four games this season. The freshman Buck missed the first two games of SEC play due to a knee injury he sustained in the second half against Kent State, but he returned to action against Florida last weekend. On the year he has three total tackles, including an assisted tackle for a loss. While he's still eligible to redshirt, he will likely maintain a role along the defensive line in the second half of the season as he has played in every game in which he has been healthy.

D.J. Williams, running back

D.J. Williams has appeared in three games this season, though he only carried the ball in one -- against Mississippi State, when he had seven carries for 32 yards in the second half. Though he dealt with an early-season hip injury, it's extremely unlikely Williams will redshirt this season, as his role should expand after the bye week in the wake of Boobee Whitlow's knee injury. Williams, who had a big spring and is thought of highly within Auburn's program, stands a chance to be a second-half breakout player for the Tigers.

Nehemiah Pritchett, cornerback

Defensive back Nehemiah Pritchett has appeared in three of Auburn's six games in the first half of the season, including each of the last two against Mississippi State and Florida. That's a good sign for the rangy corner, who should see the field more in the second half of the season.

FRESHMEN WHO HAVE PLAYED BUT CAN STILL REDSHIRT

Auburn has six freshmen who have appeared in one or two games through the first half of the season and are still eligible to redshirt.

Jared Handy, defensive end

Jaren Handy has appeared in two of Auburn's first six games. The 6-foot-5, 259-pounder saw action against Kent State and Mississippi State. He has three tackles in those two appearances, including one for a loss.

Zion Puckett, defensive back

Zion Puckett has appeared in two of Auburn's first six games, seeing the field against Kent State and Mississippi State. The versatile defensive back has one tackle in those appearances, making his first career stop late in the Tigers' win against the Bulldogs.

Colby Wooden, Buck

Colby Wooden has seen the field in two of Auburn's first six games. The 6-foot-4, 243-pound edge rusher played against Kent State and Mississippi State, recording a pair of tackles, including an assisted tackle for a loss against Kent State.

Jaylin Simpson, defensive back

Jaylin Simpson has played in two of Auburn's six games this season, seeing the field against Kent State and Mississippi State. He has two tackles for the season -- one in each game -- including an assisted stop for a loss against Kent State in Week 3.

O.C. Brothers, linebacker

O.C. Brothers saw his only action of the first half of the season during Auburn's win against Kent State. The 6-foot-1, 231-pound linebacker recorded one tackle against Kent State.

Luke Deal, tight end

Luke Deal tore his ACL in December after participating in bowl practices as an early signee. Despite the ACL tear and subsequent surgery, Deal was limited through fall practices and, according to Auburn's official participation report, saw the field during the Tigers' win against Mississippi State.

FRESHMEN WHO HAVE NOT PLAYED, ARE LIKELY TO REDSHIRT

Eight of Auburn's 2019 signees have yet to see the field this season for one reason (injury) or another. These eight players are candidates to likely redshirt this season, though they can still appear in up to four of the Tigers' remaining games this season.

Mark-Antony Richards, running back

Four-star athlete Mark-Antony Richards was the fourth-highest rated signee in the Tigers' 2019 class, but an injury to his right leg during fall camp has derailed his freshman season. He underwent surgery in August and has yet to dress out for a game this season. A timeline for his return has not yet been disclosed, but expect Richards to redshirt this season.

Tyler Fromm, tight end

Three-star tight end Tyler Fromm was rated as the No. 17 player at his position in the 2019 class, but with a crowded group at tight end/H-back -- including John Samuel Shenker, Spencer Nigh and Jay Jay Wilson -- Fromm has yet to see the field this year. Expect him to redshirt as Auburn continues to develop him for the future.

Keiondre Jones, offensive lineman

The 6-foot-3, 325-pound Keiondre Jones has yet to play this season. As is the case for many offensive linemen, Auburn will use this season to redshirt him and get him ready for a potential role next season.

Ja'Varrius Johnson, wide receiver

Four-star receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson has not played this season and has not been dressed out for any of Auburn's games while dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Jashawn Sheffield, wide receiver

Wide receiver Jashawn Sheffield was an early signee for Auburn and rated as the No. 12 athlete in the 2019 class. The former four-star prospect has not appeared in a game for the Tigers yet this season.

Kameron Brown, linebacker

Kameron Brown, the younger brother of defensive tackle Derrick Brown, was expected to be a developmental prospect for Auburn. He had a

Kamaar Bell, offensive lineman

Kamaar Bell, a three-star offensive lineman out of Georgia, has not appeared in a game yet this season. As is the case for many offensive linemen, who need time to adjust to the college game and shape their bodies to compete at this level, he's expected to redshirt this season.

Justin Osborne, offensive lineman

Justin Osborne, a three-star signee, has yet to appear in a game this season despite an impressive fall camp while repping at right guard. Expect him to redshirt this season, though Auburn may try to find some reps for him at some point to see how his development translates to games as the Tigers look toward the future along the offensive line after losing all five starters at the end of the season.

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

[Zeek 16,649]

1 hour ago, aubiefifty said:

Ja'Varrius Johnson, wide receiver

Four-star receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson has not played this season and has not been dressed out for any of Auburn's games while dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Jashawn Sheffield, wide receiver

Wide receiver Jashawn Sheffield was an early signee for Auburn and rated as the No. 12 athlete in the 2019 class. The former four-star prospect has not appeared in a game for the Tigers yet this season.

I'm a big fan of red shirting as many as possible since you never know what will happen down the road. These two in particular are talents I really liked coming out of high school and I think they could be very impactful in the future.

[Sizzle 3,912]

1 hour ago, Zeek said:

I'm a big fan of red shirting as many as possible since you never know what will happen down the road. These two in particular are talents I really liked coming out of high school and I think they could be very impactful in the future.

If Johnson wouldn’t have gotten hurt I think he would’ve found his way on the field at least as a returner