12.15.23 Football Articles

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

montgomeryadvertiser.com

 

What Auburn football's activity in the transfer portal says about what Hugh Freeze wants

 

4–6 minutes

---

AUBURN — Auburn football accepted 20 players from the transfer portal last offseason. Coach Hugh Freeze and his staff likely won't take as many this time around, but there's still some spots on the roster to upgrade.

The Tigers have already landed one transfer this cycle in former Georgia State receiver Robert Lewis, who hauled in 70 passes for 877 yards in 2023 and committed to Auburn on Sunday. Lewis is one of six portal receivers the Tigers have shown interest in, joining Jared Brown (Coastal Carolina), Deion Burks (Purdue), Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt), Caullin Lacy (South Alabama) and Zavion Thomas (Mississippi State).

Brown, Burks and Sheppard have since committed elsewhere, but Lacy and Thomas remain on the board. Auburn's activity signals the Tigers are still looking to rework the position group, and that's in spite of them currently holding commitments from four receivers — five-star recruits Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson and four-star prospects Bryce Cain and Malcolm Simmons — in the Class of 2024.

RECRUITING:How Auburn football can finish with a top-10 haul in the Class of 2024

GET GOING:Establishing Hugh Freeze's offseason to-do list, and how he's already started

But receiver is not the only position in which Freeze and his staff are heavily targeting. Auburn has been in contact with at least six offensive linemen in the portal: Matthew Bedford (Indiana), Fernando Carmona (San Jose State), Alan Herron (Shorter University), Easton Kilty (North Dakota), Mak Pounders (Memphis) and Gerquan Scott (Southern Miss).

Carmona and Pounders are the only two left uncommitted, and both have played offensive tackle in their careers. Could the Tigers simply be looking for a swing OT to place behind returning starters Dillon Wade (left tackle) and Izavion Miller (right tackle)? Possibly, or perhaps they have a plan to push Wade inside to guard — he's a bit undersized for an OT at 6-foot-3 — and start the newcomer.

Either way, it doesn't hurt Auburn to add talent; it's about finding the best five linemen and getting them on the field together.

The Tigers have also gone after a handful of players on the other side of the line of scrimmage, which became a big need after standout senior Marcus Harris announced his declaration for the 2024 NFL Draft on Tuesday. Harris, who totaled career-high marks in tackles (40), tackles for loss (11) and sacks (7), was clearly Auburn's best defensive lineman in 2023.

Derrick Harmon (Michigan State), Chris McClellan (Florida), Joey Slackman (Penn) and Nate Clifton (Vanderbilt) are all D-linemen who've claimed offers from Auburn since they entered the portal. Clifton, however, announced his commitment to USC on Sunday.

Harmon would be a big get for the Tigers. His overall defensive grade from PFF of 78.4 ranks No. 49 nationally amongst FBS defensive linemen, and his run defense grade of 81.1 led D-linemen in the Big Ten.

Auburn has also kicked the tires for players in the secondary, dealing out at least eight offers to cornerbacks Akili Arnold (Oregon State), Syeed Gibbs (Rhode Island), Will Lee III (Kansas State) Jermod McCoy (Oregon State) and Ethan Robinson (Bucknell) and safeties Preston Hodge (Liberty), Kobe Savage (Kansas State) and Jakobe Thomas (Middle Tennessee).

Both Lee and Robinson pledged elsewhere Sunday, with the former choosing Texas A&M and the latter selecting Minnesota.

With starting cornerbacks DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett off to the NFL and star safety Jaylin Simpson accepting his Reese's Senior Bowl invite, the Tigers are going to have spots to fill in the defensive backfield. Young players such as Champ Anthony, Kayin Lee and JD Rhym, along with junior college commitment Laquan Robinson, will help in offsetting the aforementioned losses, but Freeze and his staff are clearly interested in at least adding some depth.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Auburn's portal activity, though, is the lack of quarterback buzz. The Tigers haven't been directly linked to any of the top transfer QBs, which bodes well for Payton Thorne heading into his second season on the Plains.

Unless something changes, and it always can, Auburn looks to have a plan: Upgrade the talent around Thorne and roll with the former Michigan State QB in Year 2.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18,

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

si.com

 

Auburn Reaches An 'Elite' Defensive Back Class Status If KJ Bolden Becomes A Tiger

Brian Smith

4–5 minutes

---

The final piece to Auburn's defensive back class reaching elite status could be current Florida State commitment, KJ Bolden. The #1 safety recruit by each of Rivals, On3, 247, and ESPN is still an option for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

To show his interest in the Tigers, Bolden recently tweeted the following picture of Freeze and himself after meeting with the Auburn head coach:

There's been speculation on Bolden signing with any one of Florida State, where's currently committed, Auburn, or Georgia. It's been a long recruiting process to get to this point.

Bolden has been sought after by numerous programs around the country including but not limited to Auburn, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida State. 

He's recently also had in-home visits with Georgia's Kirby Smart and Florida State's Mike Norvell. To date, Bolden's recruitment has been as highly contested as any prospect in the country and he's expected to make a final decision on Dec. 20, National Signing Day.

Now, let's discuss what Auburn would be combining the 6-foot and 180-pound safety from Buford (Ga.) with if he did flip his verbal commitment from the Seminoles to the Tigers on National Signing Day.

Auburn has five verbal commitments for their future secondary as of Dec. 14. It's a list of versatile defensive backs with each one possibly able to play multiple positions for the Tigers. Here's each player that already pledged to Freeze and the Tigers:

Jalyn Crawford, Cornerback, Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview

A'Mon Lane, Cornerback, Moody (Ala.) High School 

Kensley Faustin, Defensive Back, Naples (Fla.) High School

Kaleb Harris, Safety, Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson 

Laquan Robinson, Safety, Greenville (Ala.) High School / Goodman (Miss.) Holmes Community College

Now, why Bolden's commitment would solidify Auburn's defensive back class as one of the nation's best. With the all-around talents of the aforementioned five defensive backs, adding them with Bolden provides the Tigers with incredible flexibility with different defensive packages.

Spread-formation football means matchups have been king. A defensive back who's shown the ability to play nickel and safety, as one example, probably has more value than a player who's only been successful as a cornerback, going against the spread. That's why there's good news for the Tigers.

Bolden could play about any skill spot, and each of the other five Auburn defensive back commitments could at least play one additional spot as well. 

For instance, Faustin could be a nickel for the Tigers when they go against a team that uses a tight end or a traditional shifty receiver in the slot. As another example, Robinson could play either safety position by being impactful in the box or playing centerfield. There's also another key component to consider.

Numbers. Auburn's defensive back depth needed upgrading and the first five secondary commitments have helped that department greatly. Bolden would be the icing on the cake and another potential impact recruit for the Tigers.

Bolden signing with Auburn would give the Tigers an outstanding defensive back class; an elite defensive back class. This has been and continues to be a recruitment that Auburn fans should follow closely.

---

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Six Auburn commits to compete in Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game

Taylor Jones

3–4 minutes

---

High School football season is coming to a close. For several Auburn commitments, they will have the chance to work together before officially making their way to campus.

The annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game will take place this Saturday on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi at noon CT. Among those participating in the game, six are committed to Auburn.

Team Alabama head coach Ben Blackmon says that he is excited to work with this season’s roster, which features five Auburn commitments.

“I think we’ve got a good team,” Blackmon said in an interview with AL.com. “I think we’ve got some really dynamic players that I am excited to coach. We are going to do our best to go out and represent the state of Alabama well. Just making sure all these guys play hard for our state is the big goal, and I know they will.”

Here’s a look at which 2024 Auburn commitments will be competing at the 2023 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.

© Dominic Gwinn / Hattiesburg American / USA TODAY NETWORK

Auburn flipped the top player from Mississippi, Jamonta Waller, last month from Florida. Waller is the lone Auburn commitment that will represent the state of Mississippi in this season’s game.

He is a four-star EDGE and is the No. 49 overall player from the 2024 class from Picayune Memorial High School.

Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Three-star safety Kaleb Harris pledged his commitment to Auburn in October.

He ended the 2023 season as Thompson High School’s leading tackler. He made 113 stops with 12 going for a loss.

The Montgomery Advertiser

Speaking of leading tacklers, Auburn also claims the tackle leader from Pike Road High School.

Malik Blocton recorded 118 total tackles in 2023 for the Patriots, with a whopping 30 going for a loss. He will compete with Team Alabama as the No. 25 overall player from the state according to 247Sports.

Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

One of the many talented wide receivers who are set to join the Tigers roster for next season is Bryce Cain, who committed to Auburn in June.

Cain was on the receiving end of 16 of Baker High School quarterback Josh Flowers’ 20 touchdown passes this season. Cain also led the Hornets in receiving yards and touchdowns with 948 yards on 43 receptions.

Cain is a four-star wide receiver and is the state of Alabama’s No. 13 overall recruit for the 2024 cycle.

The Montgomery Advertiser

Foley High School wide receiver Perry Thompson infamously flipped from Alabama to Auburn during Big Cat Weekend in July.

The five-star prospect proved why he is the state’s No. 4 overall recruit by reeling in 53 passes for 718 yards this season while scoring seven touchdowns. He also gained 102 yards rushing on 21 carries and completed 5-of-6 passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

The Montgomery Advertiser

The latest flip is Central-Phenix City wide receiver, five-star Cam Coleman. Coleman made the switch from Texas A&M to Auburn on Dec. 1 and is now Auburn’s top commitment for the 2024 class.

Coleman is the top player from the state of Alabama, and the No. 8 player overall. During his senior season at Central, he made 61 catches for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns.

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Temporary restraining order issued will allow multi-transfer athletes to be immediately eligible

Patrick Conn

~2 minutes

---

According to Justin Williams of The Athletic, Judge John Preston Bailey has issued a temporary restraining order in regards to athletes seeking multi-transfer waivers.

This TRO will remain in effect over the next 14 days and the next hearing will come two days after Christmas when the restraining order period comes to a close.

As of now, athletes who have transferred multiple times would be immediately eligible to participate. This is expected to become very messy over the next several weeks and potentially the next several months while this plays out in court.

Under current rules, athletes are permitted to transfer once without the need for a waiver. Multi-transfer athletes require a waiver to be eligible unless they are graduate transfers, who are immediately eligible.

BREAKING: In Ohio vs NCAA, Judge John Preston Bailey issues a temporary restraining order (for the next 14 days) that grants immediate eligibility to any college athletes currently seeking it via a multi-transfer waiver.

Next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 27, 2023.

— Justin Williams (@Williams_Justin) December 13, 2023

College Sports Wire and the College Wire Network will continue to monitor the situation in regards to this legal proceeding and provide updates as they are made available.

Contact/Follow us at the College Wire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of College Sports news, notes, and opinions.

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

auburn.rivals.com

 

AuburnSports - Dissecting Auburn's D-line

Bryan Matthews

3–4 minutes

---

AUBURN | There may not be a more important position for Auburn to address in the transfer portal than the defensive line.

That’s especially true after first-team All-SEC defensive tackle Marcus Harris opted to enter the 2024 NFL Draft and three young defensive linemen entered the transfer portal.

Below is a breakdown of the current roster, how the commitments in the 2024 class fit in and what is needed and some key targets from the transfer portal.

Walker had a breakout season in 2023. (Zach Bland/Auburn athletics)

CURRENT ROSTER

Harris moves on after starting the past three seasons following his transfer from Kansas. Also leaving are Enyce Sledge, who redshirted in 2022 and played in just two games last fall, and Stephen Johnson and Wilky Denaud, who both redshirted as true freshmen this past season.

Here’s a look at the current depth chart…

Clearly, the ranks are very thin especially at the defensive end and tackle positions, and Auburn will have to rely on some young and inexperienced players in the bowl game. Faulk should take a big step forward in year two after starting as a true freshman this fall but will need help. Walker stepped up at defensive end after an injury to Mosiah Nasili-Kite but probably projects better as a tackle. Reed has the potential to be a very good player. Jones is a natural noseguard but can play tackle in a pinch, which he’ll likely have do in the bowl game.

PROJECTED ROSTER

Auburn currently has three defensive line commitments in the 2024 class in T.J. Lindsey, Malik Blocton and Dimitry Nicholas. Lindsey and Blocton are the most likely of the two to play as true freshmen this fall. AU needs a young noseguard to bring along for the future and Nicolas could fill that role. Auburn also would like to add another freshman or two in the 2024 class.

Here’s a look at a potential depth chart including the three freshmen and the veterans playing their more natural positions…

PORTAL NEEDS

Even if the Tigers land one or both of current Florida commitments LJ McCray and Amaris Williams, there’s still a need for experienced help. The biggest need is at defensive tackle where AU could use a standout to come in and compete with Walker and Reed for the starting position.

Auburn has targeted a couple of portal defensive tackles in Michigan State’s Derrick Harmon and Penn’s Joey Slackman, who could both visit this weekend. Florida’s Chris McClellan also received an offer.

While Walker or Reed can play defensive end, the Tigers could also use another defensive end to provide more pass rush from the edge and a veteran presence to complement Faulk.

[aubiefifty 16,888]

 

al.com

 

Auburn cornerback opts out of Music City Bowl, per report

Updated: Dec. 14, 2023, 7:41 p.m.|Published: Dec. 14, 2023, 7:40 p.m.

~2 minutes

---

Auburn cornerback D.J. James (4) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for California wide receiver Trond Grizzell, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)AP

Auburn cornerback D.J. James will opt out of the Music City Bowl, 247 Sports reports.

James will take the time to prepare for the NFL Draft, a source told the media outlet.

Last month, James, a former Spanish Fort High School star, accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl, which takes place Feb. 3 at Mobile’s Hancock Whitney Stadium. James was the first player from an in-state school to be confirmed for the upcoming college football all-star game and NFL draft showcase.

He will be joined in the Senior Bowl secondary by Auburn teammates Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson.

James has started the last two seasons at Auburn after transferring from Oregon. In 11 games for the Tigers this season, he has 34 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and two interceptions.

Auburn (6-6) will face Maryland (7-5) on Dec. 30 in Nashville.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.