2.21.24 Football Articles

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i added some baseball stuff on the UAB game in salty's thread.

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al.com

Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the cornerback room ahead of spring camp

Published: Feb. 21, 2024, 6:30 a.m.

5–6 minutes

Auburn cornerback Keionte Scott (0) gestures for the crowd to be loud during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mississippi Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in Auburn, Ala. (AL.com Photo/Stew Milne)Stew Milne

The second spring camp of the Hugh Freeze era at Auburn is just around the corner as it’s set to get underway Feb. 27.

The Tigers will then proceed to hold 13 spring practices in preparation of Auburn’s spring game — also known as A-Day — which is set to be played on April 6 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Before spring practices get underway, AL.com will take a position-by-position look at the Tigers’ roster, now taking a look at Auburn’s cornerbacks.

MORE: Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the safety room ahead of spring camp

Who did the Tigers lose from the cornerback room?

In terms of quantity, Auburn didn’t lose a ton at the cornerback spot. In terms of quality, however? That’s a different story.

Come the 2024 season, the Tigers will be without DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett ― two guys who are on their way to the NFL after leading Auburn’s room of cornerbacks last fall.

Together, James and Pritchett combined for 60 total tackles, three interceptions and 13 pass breakups.

Who are the Tigers returning to the cornerback room?

The Tigers’ cornerback room is set to return seven familiar faces in 2024, with the biggest return coming in fifth-year senior Keionte Scott, who announced that he’d be returning for his final year of eligibility on Dec. 11.

Scott’s return, however, will look a bit different in 2024 as he intends on moving from inside corner, often called the “star” or nickel back spot, to outside corner.

“Looking forward to being able to be versatile and show my versatility, ultimately,” Scott said of the move.

In returning Scott, Auburn brings back its leading tackler from the defensive backfield as Scott tallied 44 total tackles and five pass breakups in 2023. The Tigers also bring back one of the program’s best player-recruiters and most vocal leaders in Scott.

In addition to Scott, Auburn is also set to return junior Champ Anthony, sophomore Kayin Lee, sophomore JD Rhym, redshirt freshman Colton Hood, redshirt freshman JC Hart and redshirt freshman Tyler Scott.

Though just a rising sophomore, Lee is a guy who quickly turned heads in his first season on The Plains.

“We kind of knew he was going to be a guy just with the way he came in and took on things and adjusted well early. We just felt like he was a guy,” Scott said of Lee after Auburn’s win over Cal on Sept. 9. “Being a freshman and Cal trying to come at him with him being able to defend very well, it just goes to show that he’s ready to go. He’s going to be a valuable player in our defense for sure.”

Lee went on to appear in all 13 games in 2023, tallying 18 tackles and six pass breakups as a freshman.

Anthony is another one who played in all 13 games last season, while Rhym appeared in just four games, meaning he could redshirt after missing time with “personal issues.”

Hood and Hart are two guys who didn’t see a ton of action in 2023, but could contribute in 2024.

Who did the Tigers add to the cornerback room?

Joining Auburn’s room of returners in Auburn’s cornerback room will be sophomore Alabama transfer Antonio Kite and freshmen Jalyn Crawford and A’mon Lane-Ganus.

Kite’s transfer to Auburn, which was announced shortly after the retirement of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, comes after Kite appeared in seven games during the 2023 season — mostly as a contributor on special teams.

A native of Anniston, Kite was rated a 4-star defensive back out of high school and found himself inside the top 200 players in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Meanwhile, the additions of Crawford and Lane-Ganus means the Tigers added another pair of 4-star prospects to their cornerback room — both of which Freeze is excited to have in the fold.

“I’m also excited about our DBs, with (safety Kensley) Faustin and A’mon Lane, and Jalyn Crawford and (safety) Laquon Robinson. And (safety) Kaleb Harris, who’s really physical,” Freeze said during his national signing day press conference on Dec. 20.

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al.com

Auburn football commit Jakaleb Faulk named MVP of South Regional

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024, 9:37 p.m.|Published: Feb. 20, 2024, 9:33 p.m.

4–5 minutes

High School Sports

South Regional boys: Auburn football commit Jakaleb Faulk powers Highland Home past Clarke County

Highland Home junior Jakaleb Faulk is committed to play football at Auburn with older brother Keldric when he graduates.

However, his first love was basketball. He showed why again Tuesday afternoon.

Faulk had a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds as the Flying Squadron whipped Clarke County 51-33 to win the Class 2A South Regional at Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum.

“I actually wanted to play basketball instead of football, but football just took over,” he said after the win. “But I still have that love for the game.”

RELATED: See Tuesday’s statewide scores, highlights

Faulk and the Squadron will be making their second trip in three years to Birmingham for the final four. They lost to Mars Hill 64-62 in the semifinals in 2022. This year, they will play either LaFayette or Gaston at 7:30 Monday night. Those two teams will decide the Northeast champion Wednesday.

“It’s not that big (just to make it to Birmingham) honestly,” Faulk said. “We’ve been before, and we are trying to make it a step or two further and get a blue trophy.”

Highland Home (20-7) had little problem punching its ticket Tuesday. The Flying Squadron led 16-7 after one quarter and 31-12 at the half. The team pushed the lead to as many as 26, 42-16, on Faulk’s putback with 4:01 left in the third quarter.

“He’s a leader,” Highland Home coach Justin Cope said. “He’s one of the best. He keeps everyone in check. He plays his butt off. He does what he has to do. He’s a special kid.”

Clarke County (16-14) used a 15-1 run to trim the lead to 12 on Terrance Weaver’s 3-pointer with 5:16 left in regulation. He led the Bulldogs with 13 points. The Flying Squadron took a timeout to slow the momentum.

“Composure,” Cope said. “At this time of year, no team is going to give it to you. You can’t get relaxed or complacent. They had to fight back. That’s part of it this time of year. Every team is battling for the same thing. We knew they wouldn’t go down easy. From here on out, no team will go down easy. But one thing about these boys is, they are going to fight.”

Following the timeout, Highland Home finished the game on a 8-2 run to close out the victory. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Faulk never doubted his team, even trying to calm his mother down in the stands at one point.

“She is really into basketball because she was a very good player in her day,” he said. “She pushes me to be the best in any sport. I was just trying to tell her to calm down a little bit, that we had it.”

Brice McKenzie followed Faulk with 14 points. CJ May had 10 rebounds to go along with 7 points. Faulk also was credited with three steals. His team outrebounded the smaller Bulldogs 46-33.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Cope said. “These kids definitely deserve it. They’ve worked hard since Day 1. A lot of these kids had this dream when they were in eighth grade. They had great coaches who pushed them. To see them work hard to establish that dream and get a chance to earn a state championship is a wonderful feeling.”

As for football, Faulk said he facetimed Auburn defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin on Monday night.

“We were just talking it up and trying to build a good relationship,” he said. “I’m excited to get there.”

Ranking 7 game-changing performances from Day 7 of the AHSAA regional tournaments

Alabama sophomore Riley Quick undergoes Tommy John surgery

NW Regional boys: 7A No. 3 Hoover manhandles No. 8 Thompson for region title

South Regional boys: Eric Winters powers Enterprise past No. 6 Baker, back to final four

NW Regional girls: 7A No. 4 Hoover rallies in final period to upend No. 1 Bob Jones

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