2.23.24 Football Articles

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247sports.com

 

Auburn spring preview How the freshmen fit in

Nathan King

11–14 minutes

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All but four freshmen have been on campus for a couple months already for winter workouts

This time next week, football will be back on the Plains.

Spring practice gets rolling for Hugh Freeze and his second offseason at Auburn next Tuesday. The Tigers practice for a couple days before a week off for spring break, then reconvening for four straight weeks of work, culminating with the A-Day spring game April 6.

For the second straight spring under Freeze, installing the playbook on both sides of the ball will be the primary focus, as Auburn’s has two new coordinators for the fourth straight season: Derrick Nix running the offense, and D.J. Durkin overseeing the defense.

Over the next week, Auburn Undercover will preview a different facet of Auburn's upcoming spring practices until things get rolling on Tuesday — from new players to freshman fits to position battles to depth charts.

Next up is a breakdown of each of Auburn’s early enrollees from its No. 7-ranked class. All but four freshmen — wide receivers Perry Thompson and Malcolm Simmons, offensive lineman Deandre Carter and cornerback A'Mon Lane-Ganus — have been on campus for a couple months already for winter workouts. This group also includes the Tigers’ pair of JUCO signees.

 

QB WALKER WHITE

 

247Sports ranking: No. 5 QB

What to watch: Freeze claimed after the offensive faceplant of a bowl game that the quarterback competition would be “wide open” this offseason. Can that start in the spring with a true freshman? White is Auburn’s highest-rated signee at QB since Bo Nix, and at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he’s got plenty of physical tools that could expedite his learning process at the college level. Of course, Auburn won’t be putting that pressure on White right away, as this spring will be geared towards settling into the playbook and developing a rapport with his teammates.

 

WR CAM COLEMAN

 

247Sports ranking: No. 2 WR

What to watch: The No. 2 recruit in program history has arrived. Coleman, the crown jewel of the Tigers’ 2024 class after flipping from Texas A&M, is hoped by Auburn’s staff to be an NFL talent at receiver who can help turn around the program’s recent woes in the passing game. How quickly can Coleman make an impact on campus? Wide receiver is certainly a position that can translate to the college level quicker than most, and in terms of elite outside talent, Auburn is lacking right now in the receiving corps. There’s no reason to believe Coleman can’t come in and be a starter as a true freshman this season, but this spring will be focused on developing his body and learning the offense.

 

WR BRYCE CAIN

 

247Sports ranking: No. 30 WR

What to watch: Speaking of receiving talent, a true freshman might already be a contender to be Auburn’s fastest player on the roster. Cain, nicknamed “Roadrunner” by White, has the advantage of being on campus early, as compared to Auburn’s two receiver signees who will arrive in the summer. At 5-foot-10 and 153 pounds, Cain certainly had some work to do in the conditioning program this winter, and how he’ll attempt to match his on-field speed with the game speed of SEC practices this spring. The Mobile, Alabama, native also practiced a few times with the Tigers during bowl preparations.

 

OL FAVOUR EDWIN

 

247Sports ranking: No. 52 OT

What to watch: A late-night addition to Auburn’s 2024 class on signing day, Edwin was thought to be a lean to Alabama before he became Auburn’s second high-school signee of the class on the offensive line. With size to spare at 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, Edwin is a player Jake Thornton thinks highly of as a future starter for the Tigers. There will be a tackle spot up for the taking on the left side, which Auburn seems to have addressed with Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis. Auburn had a freshman come in and start just last season on the offensive line, though, with center Connor Lew, whose surge began with his consistent play going back to spring practice. Edwin will be looking to make similar impressions on his new coaches and teammates.

 

OT SETH WILFRED (JUCO)

 

247Sports ranking: No. 5 OT (JUCO)

What to watch: Speaking of offensive line starters, there’s no reason Wilfred can’t contend for a spot this spring. In fact, Auburn expects the highly rated JUCO prospect to do so, potentially giving incumbent starter Izavion Miller a push at right tackle. Wilfred is still young, with three years of eligibility remaining, but his season of experience at the JUCO level could give him a leg up over the Tigers’ incoming freshmen at the position. With Wilfred standing at 6-foot-5 and 312 pounds, Auburn believes he can be an SEC-caliber lineman, potentially as early as this season. His development with the group and with his skill set in the spring will obviously be key.

 

DT MALIK BLOCTON

 

247Sports ranking: No. 45 DL

What to watch: The younger brother of 2023 first team All-SEC defensive lineman Marcus Harris, who is now off to the NFL, Blocton was part of a handful of freshmen who joined the team early for bowl practices. He had some nice flashes and helped Auburn offset some thinned-out depth along the interior D-line. The Tigers’ staff has since shored things up there with a couple transfer additions, and players like Darron Reed Jr. from last year’s class will be looking to improve in his second year with the program.

 

DE AMARIS WILLIAMS

 

247Sports ranking: No. 5 EDGE

What to watch: The top-rated defensive player in Auburn’s, there’s a lot to like about Williams and how he could impact the Tigers defensively. For starters, there’s the obvious gap on the interior D-line with Harris’ departure, and Auburn wants Williams to eventually bulk up into a player who could play inside or on the end. With some elite athleticism and speed, Williams is rated as an edge rusher by 247Sports for a reason. Keldric Faulk provides a recent example of an Auburn defensive lineman who immediately found a role as a true freshman, and the 5-star Williams is rated even higher. Regardless of where Auburn wants him this spring, Williams now becomes one of the most talented players on Auburn’s roster and someone who will be looking to make waves early in the spring.

 

DE T.J. LINDSEY

 

247Sports ranking: No. 68 DL

What to watch: Someone that Auburn Undercover has often referred to as a potential diamond in the rough for the Tigers in the class, Lindsey projects as a defensive end for Auburn, and the early returns from the coaching staff in winter workouts have been stellar for the Arkansas native. The Tigers already have some quality depth this spring with Faulk and Zykeivous Walker, but Auburn is excited about what Lindsey can bring to the table as a potential long-term starter. That journey will begin with finding his footing in spring ball.

 

OLB JAMONTA WALLER

 

247Sports ranking: No. 10 EDGE

What to watch: Could Waller immediately become Auburn’s No. 2 pass-rusher? The Tigers are once again low on scholarship players on the edge — a position that will once again be called the “buck” linebacker under Durkin — with Jalen McLeod back, but Elijah McAllister gone. That leaves redshirt freshman Brenton Williams as the only other returning piece. Waller, who flipped from Florida a month before signing day, fills a big need for Auburn on the edge and will likely garner extensive snaps behind McLeod — or across from him — right away.

 

LB DEMARCUS RIDDICK

 

247Sports ranking: No. 5 LB

What to watch: Auburn may very well have signed the best linebacker class in the country for 2024, and it starts with Riddick. Auburn pulled him away from Georgia in the summer, and the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder finished as the No. 69 player in the country and No. 6 in the state of Alabama. All three of Auburn’s linebacker signees were present for the bowl game, and Riddick has already shown his athleticism on the practice field. He looks more of the part of a nickel right now, and Auburn will look to develop Riddick’s physicality to match his speed.

 

LB JOSEPH PHILLIPS

 

247Sports ranking: No. 11 EDGE

What to watch: Where will Phillips ultimately be slotted as an Auburn defender? Evaluated as an edge rusher, Phillips played inside linebacker during the bowl practices, and it’s believed that’s where Auburn’s staff sees him in the short term. We just discussed Auburn’s short depth at buck, though, and the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Phillips could be the type of player to float down to the line of scrimmage when needed.

 

LB D.J. BARBER

 

247Sports ranking: No. 51 LB

What to watch: A tackling machine during a state championship season as a senior, Barber is as middle linebacker as they come: short and powerful at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds. Auburn doesn’t have much of a need at any linebacker spot this spring, with a pair of returning starters and a new transfer. But Eugene Asante, Austin Keys and Dorian Mausi Jr. are all in the latter stages of the college careers, and Auburn’s development of a young middle linebacker for the future starts this spring.

 

CB JAY CRAWFORD

 

247Sports ranking: No. 34 CB

What to watch: Crawford is walking into a room under position coach Wesley McGriff that's loaded with both talent and numbers, but is a bit short on experience. Crawford is the only cornerback Auburn added this cycle, after the staff stockpiled defensive backs in 2024. Although D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett are both gone to the NFL, Auburn is in a good spot at the top of its rotation, with Keionte Scott moving from nickel, and Kayin Lee having played in every game last season. It takes a special talent to come in and contribute early in an SEC secondary, and Auburn will be focused on ensuring Crawford has the tools he needs to progress as a freshman, including learning Durkin's scheme.

 

S KALEB HARRIS

 

247Sports ranking: No. 39 S

What to watch: An athletic safety for a highly successful Thompson program the past few years, Harris already began his Auburn journey at bowl practices last week. At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Harris joins a safety room that's losing starters Jaylin Simpson and Zion Puckett, along with reserve Marquise Gilbert to the transfer portal. The Tigers seem to have done well to retool the top of the rotation, with Texas transfer Jerrin Thompson a probable starter, along with returning names like Terrance Love who will be eyeing bigger roles within the defense. Harris also has the advantage of participating in bowl practices with the team.

 

S KENSLEY LOUIDOR-FAUSTIN

 

247Sports ranking: No. 56 S

What to watch: The draw for Louidor-Faustin as a contributor within Auburn’s secondary is his versatility. He told Auburn Undercover on the night of signing day that Auburn has discussed playing both safety and nickel. There’s a decent void of production at nickel in particular, as Scott is moving to cornerback, and Donovan Kaufman transferred out. Louidor-Faustin’s versatility may not get him on the field right away, but it will make him an intriguing piece for the Tigers’ staff to use in their secondary puzzle moving forward.

four interceptions.

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si.com

2026 Auburn Recruit Discusses Why He Committed To The Tigers

Brian Smith

2–3 minutes

Auburn's recruiting efforts do not end with the current effort to land top 2025 recruits.

The Tigers are making a strong effort to get a headstart with the 2026 class and that includes one top Peach State recruit. Offensive lineman Kail Ellis will be an Auburn Tiger.

The 6-foot-4 and 305-pound prospect is one of the South's best offensive line recruits despite only being a class of 2026 prospect. Coming from Canton (Ga.) Cass, Ellis is a recruit Auburn fans should get to know well and he's happy to discuss why he chose to come to the Plains.

"I have a lot of trust in coach (Hugh) Freeze and that staff, and I think we're going to do big things. The future is very bright on the Plains."

The Auburn coaching staff's message to Ellis is one he's embracing.

"They put a lot of trust in me. They think I'm going to come in and make a big impact. I'm just going to keep working and striving toward that."

As for his future position with the Tigers, AU's coaching staff has a plan.

"Really, specifically, they want me to play center. They think I can play guard as well but mostly center."

That's a position he's familiar with and Ellis is also versatile because of his experience with Cass High School.

"I started at tackle and then my coaches moved me to center." 

Of course, Ellis would love to bring other talented recruits with him to the Plains.

"I've been trying to recruit some people here (at Under Armour Atlanta), like Micah DeBose (from Prichard (Ala.) Vigor High School). I'm trying to recruit him. Yeah, I'm just trying to get on the recruiting trail and trying to better our future."

Despite having two more years of high school, Ellis is really happy to stick with Auburn despite other schools coming after him.

"I don't think I'm going anywhere else this spring. Maybe, but I'm really locked in with Auburn right now."

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al.com

Auburn spring football: Notes and quotes on the Tigers’ OL room ahead of spring camp

Published: Feb. 23, 2024, 6:00 a.m.

5–7 minutes

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. Here’s an inside look at Auburn’s offensive line room heading into spring camp.

MORE: Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the Tigers’ defensive line room

MORE: Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the Tigers’ edge rusher room

MORE: Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the Tigers’ linebacker room

MORE: Spring football in Auburn: Notes and quotes on the Tigers’ cornerback room

Who did the Tigers lose in their offensive line room?

The end of the 2023 season marked the end of the college playing careers of for four different Auburn offensive linemen as Gunner Britton, Jalil Irvin, Avery Jones and Kam Stutts all ran out of eligibility.

In the case of Britton, Irvin and Stutts, their departures mean the Tigers will be without a trio of players who started every single game last fall. Meanwhile, Jones was another key piece along Auburn’s offensive front as he appeared in eight games after suffering an injury later in the season.

Who are the Tigers returning to their offensive line room?

Auburn is fortunate to have a slew of offensive linemen set to return this to action this spring.

Of those set to return to The Plains for this spring and beyond, perhaps the most notable names are fifth-year senior Jeremiah Wright, senior Dillon Wade, senior Izavion ‘Too Tall’ Miller, senior Jaden Muskrat, senior Tate Johnson and sophomore Connor Lew.

Together, those six guys combined for 76 appearances last season with Johnson, Miller, Muskrat and Wade all appearing in all 13 games, while Lew and Wright both appeared in 12 games in 2023.

At the start of the season, Freeze and Auburn’s coaching staff were all super high on Miller, who had transferred in from the JUCO ranks prior to last season.

“It’s a case of a guy that’s stood out the entire camp — his body has changed since he got here, and he’s stood out all camp. It’s Izavion Miller — “Too Tall,” Freeze said last August. “We can’t keep him off the field. He’s going to have to play.”

And Miller did play plenty last fall, though primarily as a rotational piece as the speed and physicality of SEC play might’ve been too big of an adjustment for someone coming out of the JUCO ranks. However, now with a full season under his belt, it’s likely Miller could be a staple along the offensive front.

Meanwhile, Lew got pushed into a starting role late last season after Jones suffered an injury, which forced him to miss five games. And Lew capitalized on the opportunity.

“The dude is going to be special here for a long time. I don’t know how many times you’ll see a freshman offensive lineman at any level of college football come in and play,” Britton said of Lew, who is likely to take over as Auburn’s starting center in 2024. “The way he’s been able to prepare and play well, it just shows what kind of guy he is. He’s mature beyond his years.”

Auburn is also set to return sophomore EJ Harris, redshirt freshman Tyler Joiner, redshirt freshman Dylan Senda, redshirt freshman Bradyn Joiner and redshirt freshman Clay Wedin to the Tigers’ offensive line room this spring.

Who did the Tigers add to their offensive line room?

While Auburn returns a nice bulk of its offensive line room heading into the spring, the experience they lost in Britton, Irvin, Jones and Stutts shouldn’t be overlooked. Not to mention, the offensive front is a position group where there is no such thing as too much depth.

As such, the Tigers went on to add four new faces to its offensive line — two transfers in Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis and JUCO transfer Seth Wilfred, in addition to a pair of impressive freshmen in DeAndre Carter and Favour Edwin.

In the case of Lewis, not only does he bring ample college football experience to Auburn’s offensive line room as a rising fifth-year senior, but he also comes with SEC experience after spending two years in Starkville. Across two seasons with the Bulldogs, Lewis tallied eight starts and appeared in 25 games.

Meanwhile, Wilfred comes to The Plains after earning first-team All-American honors at the junior college level this season.

As for the young guys, Auburn secured quite the haul as Carter ranked as the 15th-best interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class, while Edwin was a late, 3-star addition for the Tigers.

“I love the two that we have – DeAndre and Seth. I think Seth was named yesterday (a) First Team All-American. It’s something that we saw in him,” Freeze said during his national signing day conference, which was held before Edwin was in the fold. “Obviously, DeAndre is one, I think he’s going to be an NFL inside guard/center. Love him as a kid.”

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