Departures and Additions 2021-22 Postseason

[milehighfan 1,240]

1 hour ago, cbo said:

This one truly sucks. I think he can be special. 

I really hate Pegues is leaving. Maybe he will change his mind.

[McLoofus 35,182]

11 hours ago, cbo said:

This one truly sucks. I think he can be special. 

 

10 hours ago, milehighfan said:

I really hate Pegues is leaving. Maybe he will change his mind.

This is the first one that bummed me out. I had started to buy in to him being a "change of pace nose tackle" (first?) with his athleticism. I don't think it's a huge loss in the long term but it's a guy who was quality depth at worst. And it just seems surprising. Maybe he's looking for money we're not willing to pay. Maybe we really are losing the arms race already. We should probably all scream and self-immolate or whatever. Then go get some pizza and beers. 

[cole256 17,042]

Losing pegues is absolutely horrible

[AuburnNTexas 7,139]

Part of the NIL issue is the way the law is setup in Alabama until that changes it will affect us and bama. The good news is because it hurts bama the law will be updated but not in time for this year.  One thing about NIL is companies need to be careful. when a national brand like Rocket Mortgage supports one university and not others I could see a backlash from customers where they boycott a company that is not playing fair in NIL.  I think national brands should put a certain amount of money in a fund that is not used by just somebody like UGA.  It makes sense for local companies to support local in state universities.

[McLoofus 35,182]

30 minutes ago, cole256 said:

Losing pegues is absolutely horrible

I'd be curious to hear more from you about that. 

[cole256 17,042]

51 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I'd be curious to hear more from you about that. 

He's every coach dream he's athletic enough to play all positions on d line. But I don't think you can create a better d end for a 3-4 d end. I was just wanting a big body in the middle. He wouldn't even have to be good. Just strong. Put Hunter and pegues on the end. Brooks on a rush end. With Mason? We'd have two years of potentially one of the best defenses in the country. ....I was disappointed with height leaving too. 

I just don't see how they all can't see what they could be. 

[Barnacle 9,064]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

 

This is the first one that bummed me out. I had started to buy in to him being a "change of pace nose tackle" (first?) with his athleticism. I don't think it's a huge loss in the long term but it's a guy who was quality depth at worst. And it just seems surprising. Maybe he's looking for money we're not willing to pay. Maybe we really are losing the arms race already. We should probably all scream and self-immolate or whatever. Then go get some pizza and beers. 

I read that, according to his dad, he wanted to leave when Gus left, and hasn’t really connected with Harsin. Dad had to talk him into staying last season. Internet hearsay though. Think he likely heads back to Oxford. 

Believe he would be a real contributor this season. Hate to see him leave.

[McLoofus 35,182]

2 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

I read that, according to his dad, he wanted to leave when Gus left, and hasn’t really connected with Harsin. Dad had to talk him into staying last season. Internet hearsay though. Think he likely heads back to Oxford. 

Believe he would be a real contributor this season. Hate to see him leave.

I remember it being a pretty big deal that we pulled him out of Mississippi. And we did sign him to play offense. So, true or not, that's a very plausible explanation to me. 

[cole256 17,042]

This is when you need the younger coach that can relate, that all the parents love.....but some people are like it's no big deal when they leave......it's a team. 

[Barnacle 9,064]

1 minute ago, cole256 said:

This is when you need the younger coach that can relate, that all the parents love.....but some people are like it's no big deal when they leave......it's a team. 

Speaking of, we still haven’t replaced Eason, have we?

[McLoofus 35,182]

6 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

I read that, according to his dad, he wanted to leave when Gus left, and hasn’t really connected with Harsin. Dad had to talk him into staying last season. Internet hearsay though. Think he likely heads back to Oxford. 

Believe he would be a real contributor this season. Hate to see him leave.

 

2 minutes ago, cole256 said:

This is when you need the younger coach that can relate, that all the parents love.....but some people are like it's no big deal when they leave......it's a team. 

I wonder if he connected with Eason more than Harsin and Mason... son... 

[McLoofus 35,182]

1 minute ago, Barnacle said:

Speaking of, we still haven’t replaced Eason, have we?

Only name I've even heard is Buckner and I don't know if there's been any reciprocal interest expressed. 

[Barnacle 9,064]

Just now, McLoofus said:

 

I wonder if he connected with Eason more than Harsin and Mason... son... 

Wouldn’t be hard to imagine. 

Cole is right, though. At the end of the day, this world revolves around relationships. For some kids, the portal is about playing time/opportunity, but in cases like this, Auburn may just not feel like “family” anymore.

[Barnacle 9,064]

5 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Only name I've even heard is Buckner and I don't know if there's been any reciprocal interest expressed. 

I’ve read people suggest Harsin is waiting to pull the trigger on that hire in order to allow TReed to continue in a recruiting role? 

[McLoofus 35,182]

5 minutes ago, Barnacle said:

I’ve read people suggest Harsin is waiting to pull the trigger on that hire in order to allow TReed to continue in a recruiting role? 

That also makes sense. I'm assuming he's doing some heavy lifting on Citizen?

[Barnacle 9,064]

1 minute ago, McLoofus said:

That also makes sense. I'm assuming he's doing some heavy lifting on Citizen?

I would assume the same thing. Wish we could find an on the field role for him. Guy is a huge asset for this staff and loves Auburn. 

[Zeek 16,648]

On 11/28/2021 at 9:42 AM, Zeek said:

Quarterback

Outgoing:

• Bo Nix -> transferred to Oregon
• Grant Loy -> exhausted eligibility

Incoming:

• 4* Holden Geriner -> 2022 signee
• 3* Zach Calzada -> transferred from Texas A&M
• 3* Robby Ashford -> transferred from Oregon

Current Scholarship Players:

• Zach Calzada
• TJ Finley
• Dematrius Davis
• Holden Geriner
• Robby Ashford

***Most expect one of the current QBs to transfer out (TJ and/or Dee)***

Running Back

Outgoing:

• Shaun "Worm" Shivers -> transferred to Indiana

Incoming:

• 4* Damari Alston -> 2022 signee

Current Scholarship Players:

• Tank Bigsby
• Jarquez Hunter
• Jordon Ingram
• Damari Alston

***The staff might add another RB either from the 2022 class or the transfer portal. 2022 4* TreVonte Citizen is the primary target at this moment in time***

Wide Receiver

Outgoing:

• Kobe Hudson -> transferred to UCF
• Elijah Canion -> transferred to Purdue
• Demetris Robertson -> exhausted eligibility
• Caylin Newton -> exhausted eligibility

Incoming:

• 4* Omari Kelly -> 2022 signee
• 3* Camden Brown -> 2022 signee
• 3* Jay Fair -> 2022 signee

Current Scholarship Players:

• Shedrick Jackson
• Ze'Vian Capers
• Ja'Varrius Johnson
• Malcolm Johnson Jr.
• J.J. Evans 
• Tar'Varish Dawson
• Omari Kelly
• Camden Brown
• Jay Fair

The staff is looking for a transfer WR to add to the 2022 class. If the right guy were to jump in the boat we might even take two. There are half a dozen names mentioned as being targets but none seem serious yet.

Tight End

Outgoing:

N/A

Incoming:

• 3* Micah Riley-Ducker -> 2022 signee

Current Scholarship Players:

• John Samuel Shenker
• Luke Deal
• Tyler Fromm
• Brandon Frazier
• Landen King
• Micah Riley-Ducker

Funny enough at one point the staff was pursuing yet another TE. Shenker returning has alleviated the desire to do so from what I can tell. MRD is one of my favorite additions from this recruiting class.

Offensive Line

Outgoing:

• Brodarious Hamm -> declared for the NFL Draft
• Brandon Council -> exhausted eligibility
• Tashawn Manning -> transferred to Kentucky

Incoming:

• 3* OT Eston Harris -> 2022 signee

Super Seniors (using their COVID-19 year of eligibility):

• Nick Brahms
• Austin Troxell
• Alec Jackson

Current Scholarship Players:

• Kilian Zierer
• Brenden Coffey
• Kam Stutts
• Jalil Irvin
• Keiondre Jones
• Avery Jernigan
• Tate Johnson
• Colby Smith
• Garner Langlo
• Eston Harris

The staff is wanting to add 2-3, and possibly even 4 if they could get that many, from the portal. We are currently offering almost every starting lineman in the portal and a number of them were all conference players. We have made some headway with at least two of them so far.

Defensive Line

Outgoing:

• Tony Fair -> exhausted eligibility
• Dre Butler -> entered the transfer portal
• Daniel Foster-Allen -> transferred to South Alabama
• JJ Pegues -> entered the transfer portal
• Lee Hunter -> entered the transfer portal

Incoming:

• 4* Jayson Jones -> transferred from Oregon
• 4* Jeffrey M'ba -> transferred from Independence C.C.
• 3* Enyce Sledge -> 2022 signee

Current Players on Scholarship:

• Marquis Burks
• Colby Wooden
• Marcus Harris
• Zykeivous Walker
• Jayson Jones
• Jeremiah Wright
• Jeffrey M'ba
• Marquis Robinson
• Tobechi Okoli
• Ian Matthews
• Enyce Sledge

Might add one more player here with the departure of Lee Hunter and JJ Pegues. 

Edge Rusher

Outgoing:

• T.D. Moultry -> exhausted eligibility
• Caleb Johnson -> entered the transfer portal
• Romello Height -> entered the transfer portal

Incoming:

• 3* Powell Gordon -> 2022 signee listed as a LB but likely will transition into an edge rusher.

Current Scholarship Players:

• Derick Hall
• Eku Leota
• Dylan Brooks

Linebacker

Outgoing:

• Zakoby McClain -> declared for the NFL Draft
• Chandler Wooten -> exhausted eligibility

Incoming:

• 4* Robert Woodyard -> 2022 signee that may take some time to recover from a surgery he had senior year of high school.

Current Scholarship Players:

• Owen Pappoe
• Cam Riley
• Kam Brown
• Wesley Steiner
• Desmond Tisdol
• Joko Willis
• Robert Woodyard

The staff is being patient but definitely plans on adding a linebacker through the portal to add some experience. However, we also appear to feel really positive about the development of our current guys on the roster.

Cornerback

Outgoing:

• Dreshun Miller -> entered the transfer portal
• Roger McCreary -> declared for the NFL Draft
• Malcolm Askew -> exhausted eligibility

Incoming:

• 4* Austin Ausberry -> 2022 signee
• 4* JaDarian Rhym -> 2022 signee
• 4* Keionte Scott -> transferred from Snow College
• 3* DJ James -> transferred from Oregon

Current Scholarship Players:

• Nehemiah Pritchett
• Jaylin Simpson
• Ro Torrence
• A.D. Diamond
• Keionte Scott
• Austin Ausberry
• JaDarian Rhym
• Eric Reed Jr.

We are, believe it or not, looking at another DB in the portal still.

Safety

Outgoing:

• Smoke Monday -> declared for the NFL Draft
• Bydarrius Knighten -> exhausted eligibility
• Ahmari Harvey -> transferred to Georgia Tech
• Ladarius Tennison -> transferred to Ole Miss

Incoming:

• 3* Caleb Wooden -> 2022 signee
• 3* Marquise Gilbert -> JuCo transfer

Current Scholarship Players:

• Zion Puckett
• Donovan Kaufman
• Marquise Gilbert
• Cayden Bridges
• Caleb Wooden

The first three listed are expected to see the bulk of playing time this season. I would be somewhat surprised if we don't add another safety for depth but there hasn't been any smoke around the position (pun somewhat intended). Gilbert is expected to fight Kaufman for the starting job.

Specialists

Outgoing:

N/A

Incoming:

• 3* Alex McPherson -> 2022 signee

Current Scholarship Players:

• Anders Carlson (Kicker)
• Oscar Chapman (Punter)
• Alex McPherson (Kicker)

This will be something to watch going forward. Carlson will be returning from an injury to compete with a true freshman who just finished high school rated as the #1 kicker. It might not be as much of a lock as some think.

 

Updated. Everything is dizzying right now.

Outgoing transfers this off-season (13):

• QB Bo Nix
• RB Shaun Shivers
• WR Elijah Canion
• OL Tashawn Manning
• DL Daniel Foster-Allen
• DL Dre Butler
• DL Lee Hunter
• DL JJ Pegues
• EDGE Caleb Johnson
• EDGE Romello Height
• DB Dreshun Miller
• DB Ahmari Harvey
• DB Ladarius Tennison

Incoming transfers (4)

• QB Zach Calzada
• QB Robby Ashford
• DL Jayson Jones
• DB DJ James

It is hard to argue that we currently are losing the in the portal game right now. However, it is important to remember the transfer portal kicks into high gear after spring ball as well. There is still time to add a good number of players.

The DL exodus strikes me as being related to the position being unfilled and M'ba and JayJones are likely going to be starters sooner rather than later. They both have similar builds and mark a shift to taller longer DL that might not bode well for some currently on the roster.

Our secondary players leaving likely continues the shift of a system. Some likely stayed to give it a try last year and now we're seeing day 1 players being added through high school and juco at the position that fit the scheme a little more. Rhym, Gilbert, DJJ, Ausberry, and Scott can all play right away. I am pleased they convinced Reed to stay.

Really, the biggest concern and head scratcher is the OL where we have lost a number of battles in the portal. Will Friend has still yet to impress me. A lot of players have chosen to return which definitely helps the position avoid a drop off but we were hoping to improve not repeat last year's performance.

I'm somewhat concerned about the football program right now but not in full panic/melt down just yet. Was really hoping for a better QB than Calzada and I don't see much potential in Ashford personally. Just going to have to trust Harsin and Austin Davis in their talent evaluations I suppose.

[Tiger1992 999]

2 hours ago, AuburnNTexas said:

Part of the NIL issue is the way the law is setup in Alabama until that changes it will affect us and bama. The good news is because it hurts bama the law will be updated but not in time for this year.  

Exactly. We all know Bama is a super clean program and will only follow the letter of the law.

[steeleagle 2,945]

51 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Only name I've even heard is Buckner and I don't know if there's been any reciprocal interest expressed. 

The only names I heard besides Buckner was Jess Simpson(ex Miami DL coach), and Jimmy Brumnaugh.

It could be its a wait on Buckner now as their primary. I would think a new one should be announced in a week now no one is playing...

[steeleagle 2,945]

41 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

That also makes sense. I'm assuming he's doing some heavy lifting on Citizen?

And Carnell's relationship with Citizen I think is keeping us on the map...

[au302 2,669]

1 hour ago, Barnacle said:

Wouldn’t be hard to imagine. 

Cole is right, though. At the end of the day, this world revolves around relationships. For some kids, the portal is about playing time/opportunity, but in cases like this, Auburn may just not feel like “family” anymore.

For sure. Gus and Harsin both seem like good dudes, but they also seem completely opposite in almost every way. Harsin seems more intense than most, which I like. Some guys that Gus attracted may not connect with that. Others really do. Jarquez is the perfect example for that imo. Dude breathes ball and working out. Intense, stays behind to do more stadiums, etc

[W.E.D 11,070]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

I remember it being a pretty big deal that we pulled him out of Mississippi. And we did sign him to play offense. So, true or not, that's a very plausible explanation to me. 

Apparently he's being recruited for DL by Ole Miss

[aubiefifty 16,752]

i am just glad harsin kept the hippy sideline guy gus had. hippies of the world unite! i enjoy seeing some of my people on the sideline.

[autan 737]

Zeek are you going to project how you think this 2022 class ends up, or are there just too many unknowns right now.

[cbo 7,827]

4 hours ago, McLoofus said:

 

This is the first one that bummed me out. I had started to buy in to him being a "change of pace nose tackle" (first?) with his athleticism. I don't think it's a huge loss in the long term but it's a guy who was quality depth at worst. And it just seems surprising. Maybe he's looking for money we're not willing to pay. Maybe we really are losing the arms race already. We should probably all scream and self-immolate or whatever. Then go get some pizza and beers. 

I wonder if it affects Wright's potential move to OL. That idea was intriguing. Wright deserves a permanent home somewhere.