aubiefifty

Freeze talks bowl prep roster recruiting quarterbacks and more Jason Caldwell ~2 minutes Two weeks out from the Music City Bowl, Auburn will be missing a few major pieces against the Terrapins. With four NFL draft entrants at the moment, Auburn has a handful of opt-outs for its bowl matchup with Maryland on Dec. 30, Hugh Freeze told reporters Saturday on the first day of bowl practices. Neither of Auburn's starting cornerbacks — D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett — are expected to play in the game, Freeze said. Freeze met with Jaylin Simpson earlier in the day Saturday, and the NFL-bound safety wants to play, granted he's healthy enough from a nagging hamstring injury. "He’s nursing that hamstring," Freeze said. "I just met with him. He has intentions to play." Defensive tackle Marcus Harris is also expected to opt out of the Music City Bowl, Freeze said. "Obviously you have the transfer (departures)," Freeze said. "But I think the rest are planning to play as long as they're healthy enough to play." James and Pritchett, along with Simpson, all accepted their Senior Bowl invites and are turning pro. A three-year defensive line starter, Harris declared his intentions to forego his final season of college eligibility. Freeze did not mention names like Rivaldo Fairweather and Dillon Wade — who could turn pro but have yet to share their plans for 2024 — as being opt-out candidates.

auburnwire.usatoday.com Former Georgia DB AJ Harris is visiting Auburn this weekend Taylor Jones ~2 minutes Hugh Freeze and Auburn’s coaching staff have struck gold by earning the commitments of two Central-Phenix City prospects, Cam Coleman and Dylan Gentry. Do they feel lucky enough to roll the dice on the possibility of earning a pledge from another former Red Devil? The possibility is evident. AJ Harris, who signed with Georgia as a member of the 2023 recruiting class from Central-Phenix City, entered the transfer portal on Thursday. Not long after announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal, Harris made plans to visit Auburn. According to On3, Harris is paying a visit to the Plains this weekend. Harris was the No. 1 recruit from the state of Alabama for the 2023 class. He was considered to be a five-star prospect by 247Sports, and was the No. 2 cornerback in the nation. Despite the high-acclaim on the recruiting trail, Harris did not earn as much playing time in Athens that he was expecting. He played in five games this season for Georgia according to Pro Football Focus, totaling 89 snaps. Auburn is looking to replace DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett in the backfield next season, and Harris could be a solid fit. The current transfer portal window will remain open until Jan. 2. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

si.com Auburn’s Hugh Freeze Believes He Hasn’t Handled the Transfer Portal ‘Very Well' Lance Dawe 2–3 minutes Auburn's first transfer portal class underneath Hugh Freeze was No. 5 in the country. The Tigers filled their needs, grabbing a quarterback, multiple offensive linemen, and a number of defensive pieces to provide depth. Freeze and his staff nailed the first go-round with the portal by almost all accounts. Except for Freeze. He doesn't believe he's handled the portal very well. It's not about the talent he's acquired, it's about the way he wants to manage his roster between transfers and Auburn's own high school recruits. “I don’t think I’ve handled it very well, truthfully," Freeze said during Saturday's press conference when asked about how he's handled the transfer portal. "We want to build this program through high school for the most part. Having said that, I don’t know if you can ever isolate yourself into saying that’s what is going to happen because you don’t know how many you’re going to lose at this time, if that makes sense. You can plan, ‘Hey, we’re going to replace these 20 seniors with 20 high schoolers’, but then all of a sudden you have 30 spots and you haven’t recruited enough high schoolers for those spots and, obviously, you have to go to the portal then." Freeze went on to comment about the current calendar for the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Coaches don't seem to like it at all, and to a fan who doesn't have to actually experience the grind and the flip flopping back and forth with recruits and transfers, the way things are set up don't make a ton of sense. "I think our calendar is extremely messed up," Freeze said. "I don’t think it’s good for high school recruiting, portal recruiting, managing your own team, getting ready for bowl prep. I think our calendar needs a serious, serious look at it for what’s best for our game. It’s hard for any of us to truly manage all of it, truthfully.”

saturdaydownsouth.com ESPN’s SP+ ranks hardest 2024 college football schedules Grant Bricker | 14 hours ago ~3 minutes ESPN’s SP+ has offered a look at which schools are going to have the toughest schedules next year, and many of them are in the SEC. Florida took the top spot and was 1 of 7 SEC teams to make the top 15, along with Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Texas, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Auburn. The Big Ten and ACC were the other conferences to have schools listed. Here’s the teams with the 15 hardest schedules based on 2023 results: No. 1: Florida No. 2: USC No. 3: Northwestern No. 4: Mississippi State No. 5: Purdue No. 6: Georgia Tech No. 7: Oklahoma No. 8: Washington No. 9: Vanderbilt No. 10: Texas No. 11: South Carolina No. 12: UCLA No. 13: Oregon No. 14: Auburn No. 15: Michigan State The Gators start the year with an in-state showdown with Miami. They then play Samford at home, followed up by Texas A&M before traveling to Mississippi State. Florida has a bye then faces UCF, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It has a second bye before ending the year with Georgia, Texas, LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State. Hardest 2024 CFB schedules, per SP+ (using 2023 ratings as a placeholder): 1 Florida 2 USC 3 Northwestern (only 11 games) 4 Miss St 5 Purdue 6 Ga Tech 7 Oklahoma 8 Washington 9 Vandy 10 Texas 11 S Caro 12 UCLA 13 Oregon 14 Auburn 15 Mich St — Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) December 16, 2023

al.com What's next for All-Star MVP Ryan Williams? A visit to Auburn Published: Dec. 16, 2023, 4:50 p.m. 3–4 minutes Alabama Ryan Williams (3) catches a pass for a touchdown during the first half of the Mississippi Alabama Football Classic Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (Photo/Butch Dill/@prepsal.com)preps@al.com By Randy Kennedypreps@al.com Round 1 went to Alabama wide receiver commit Ryan Williams. But LSU cornerback commit Prentiss Woodland is eager for many rematches to come. Williams was named his team’s Most Valuable Player in Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic after catching eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-17 win. The Saraland star is the state’s reigning Mr. Football and is a candidate to become the first player to win the award twice. The winner will be announced Jan. 16 in Montgomery. But first, he had some unfinished business in his last game in a Saraland helmet. Williams was comfortable playing in an offense directed by his head coach, Jeff Kelly, who was Alabama’s offensive coordinator. “This was definitely a great atmosphere and I was very blessed to be chosen to play in the game,” said Williams, who was a late addition to the game after reclassifying to the Class of 2024. “It was great to play with coach Kelly calling plays because this was my offense. We didn’t go out last week like we wanted to, so we wanted to end with a win.” Seven of Williams’ eight catches and both of his touchdowns came in the first half. After the half, the Mississippi coaches decided to have Woodland shadow him all over the field. “He’s a great competitor and he’s very fast,” said the Oak Grove High School player, who wore purple sleeves and gold Tiger gloves during the game. “I loved the challenge of covering him all over the field. I’m ready to see him again. Let’s go on to the next level and get after it again.” Williams posed for dozens of pictures following the game, including one with the five players in the game who are committed to Auburn – wide receivers Bryce Cain of Baker and Malcolm Simmons of Benjamin Russell, defensive lineman Malik Blocton of Pike Road, deep snapper J.R. Buckner of Auburn and Jamonta Waller from Picayune, Miss. Williams, who wore an Alabama towel during the game, said he plans to be in Auburn on Sunday for the Tigers’ basketball game against USC and Bronny James. Beyond that he said his schedule is undecided. Williams said last week that he planned to sign with Alabama on Feb. 9, which is his 17th birthday. When asked Saturday if there was any chance he would sign this week instead, he replied, “I don’t think so.” 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.

did you play with or know terry henley?

auburntigers.com Auburn baseball completes 2024 schedule with non-conference slate Auburn University Athletics ~3 minutes AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball and head coach Butch Thompson announced Friday the Tigers non-conference schedule to complete the team's 2024 slate. Thirteen of the first 16 games will be played at Plainsman Park, starting with a three-game series against Eastern Kentucky from Feb. 16-18. It marks the ninth time in the last 10 seasons Opening Day has been played on The Plains. After a home midweek contest against UAB on Feb. 20, the Tigers will hit the road for the previously announced Jax College Baseball Classic, where they will take on Iowa, Wichita State and Virginia in Jacksonville, Florida, from Feb. 23-25. The team returns home for a nine-game homestand from Feb. 27-Mar. 10, hosting Samford on Feb. 27 before a three-game series against 2023 regional foe UConn from Mar. 1-3. It's then a double midweek vs. Air Force from Mar. 5-6 and a quick turnaround for a weekend series against Austin Peay from Mar. 8-10. Auburn will face Troy in Madison, Alabama, on Mar. 12 and start it's Southeastern Conference schedule at Vanderbilt that weekend. After a neutral-site matchup with South Alabama in Montgomery, Alabama, on Mar 19, the Tigers remaining non-conference schedule includes home midweek games against Jacksonville State (Mar. 26), Alabama State (Apr. 9), Georgia Tech (Apr. 16) and Florida A&M (Apr. 23) and road matchups at UAB (Apr. 2), at Georgia Tech (May 7) and against Samford (May 14). The complete non-conference schedule can be found below. Date Opponent Location Feb. 16-18 Eastern Kentucky Auburn, AL Feb. 20 UAB Auburn, AL Feb. 23-25 vs. Iowa/Wichita State/Virginia Jacksonville, FL Feb. 27 Samford Auburn, AL Mar. 1-3 UConn Auburn, AL Mar. 5-6 Air Force Auburn, AL Mar. 8-10 Austin Peay Auburn, AL Mar. 12 vs. Troy Madison, AL Mar. 19 vs. South Alabama Montgomery, AL Mar. 26 Jacksonville State Auburn, AL Apr. 2 at UAB Birmingham, AL Apr. 9 Alabama State Auburn, AL Apr. 16 Georgia Tech Auburn, AL Apr. 23 Florida A&M Auburn, AL May 7 at Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA May 14 vs. Samford Hoover, AL Single-game and mini plan ticket options will go on sale to the general public after the New Year.

247sports.com College football bowl season 10 teams that could use their games to springboard into a big 2024 Kevin Flaherty 11–14 minutes Meaningless bowl games? Not for these teams that will try to use their final game of 2023 to set up bigger things next year. For all the talk about how the College Football Playoff has ruined bowl games, for the right teams, bowl games can serve as jet propulsion. First, there are the added practices, which can be huge, particularly early in a coach's tenure or for teams with a bevy of young talent. And then there's the momentum that a bowl game itself can provide. Even the right kind of loss can serve as motivation through the dog days of June, July and August. And a big win can do even more, imbuing players with a confidence that can last all offseason. So which teams can stand to benefit the most? Bowl games are more important to some teams than others, particularly with the existence of opt-outs and the transfer portal. For some teams, those decisions almost remove some of the importance and provide a convenient excuse for not playing well. But opt-outs or transfers can also present opportunities for players who will play major roles next year. RELATED: Final bowl predictions for all 41 games. Here are 10 teams that could use a strong bowl performance as a jumping off point for a big 2024: Auburn (Photo: Brett Rojo, USA TODAY Sports) There’s no substitute for getting extra practice time for a coach early in the program-building process. And so while Auburn going 6-6 and 3-5 in the SEC might not have seemed like a big deal, it’s a world of difference between going 5-7 and missing out on the postseason. The Tigers are adding quite a bit of new talent, whether it’s through Auburn’s recruiting class or the damage that Hugh Freeze is likely to do in the portal. But for the players who are returning that will supply Freeze’s foundation, the added practices and the potential to end the year on a high note against Maryland is invaluable.

247sports.com Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante to return in 2024 Nathan King ~2 minutes Auburn is getting its leading tackler back next season Eugene Asante announced his intentions for next season as only he could. "Let's work." The Tigers' leading tackler will return to the team in 2024 in favor of the NFL draft, he shared on social media Friday afternoon. Set to be a sixth-year senior, the middle linebacker posted 84 tackles this season, plus 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a scoop-and-score touchdown against Texas A&M. A former North Carolina transfer, Asante made the move to Auburn ahead of the 2022 season, though he didn't take a defensive snap all season and was unable to work his way into the linebacker rotation. This past preseason, though, it became clear that Asante was in position to be a breakout player for Auburn's defense, and he ended up being one of the unit's most valuable players. At the moment, Auburn is expected to get both its starting linebackers back next season, as former Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys has a couple years of eligibility remaining. The roster dominoes continue to fall into place for Auburn's 2024 defensive outlook. Defensive tackle Marcus Harris announced earlier this week that he's heading to the NFL draft after a first team All-SEC campaign. The defensive back trio of D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson are also turning pro, while Keionte Scott announced he's coming back for his final college season in 2024 as the leader of the secondary.

athlonsports.com Former 4-Star Auburn Quarterback Enters NCAA Transfer Portal Zach McKinnell ~1 minute Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford announced his entry into the NCAA transfer portal on Friday. He will have two years of eligibility remaining. Over two seasons at Auburn, Ashford completed 49.5% of his passes for 1,758 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 927 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns. He transferred to Auburn after spending two seasons at Oregon, but did not see any action for the Ducks. Ashford signed with Oregon as a four-star prospect out of Hoover High School in the class of 2020. He was the No. 23 quarterback and No. 14 player in Alabama, according to the On3 industry rankings.

saturdaydownsouth.com Auburn loses key wide receiver to transfer portal, per report Spenser Davis | 13 hours ago 2–3 minutes Auburn reportedly suffered a major loss to the transfer portal on Friday afternoon. Starting wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson will enter the transfer portal, according to a report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer. Johnson was one of Auburn’s top wide receivers in 2023. Auburn wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @247sports. Has 64 career catches.https://t.co/6Cw7NKmknb pic.twitter.com/pBRiZulhZN — Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 15, 2023 Johnson has been a consistent contributor in Auburn’s offense for the past 3 seasons. In 2023, he recorded 19 catches for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns. He led all Auburn wide receivers in yardage and touchdowns in 2023. Johnson departs Auburn with 64 receptions for 1,114 yards and 8 touchdowns during his career with the Tigers. He’ll likely have plenty of potential suitors in the transfer portal this offseason. The veteran receiver appeared in 35 games for Auburn during his career. He was a member of Auburn’s 2019 recruiting class and has stayed with the Tigers through multiple head coaching changes. Johnson was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2019 out of Trussville, Alabama. Johnson is the 10th player from Auburn’s 2023 roster to enter the transfer portal so far this offseason. The Tigers are expected to be aggressive in using the portal to acquire more talent ahead of the 2024 campaign as well. Auburn will face Maryland in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30.

si.com Auburn LB Eugene Asante is back for another season Andrew Stefaniak ~2 minutes Eugene Asante is back for another season playing for the Auburn Tigers. Auburn just received some huge news as Eugene Asante announced he will come back for another season on the Plains. Asante came out of nowhere and was right up there with Marcus Harris as Auburn's best defensive player this season. The linebacker led Auburn in tackles with 84, had five sacks, which was third on the team, and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown against Texas A&M. To sum it up, Asante had a really good season for the Tigers and even had a few games where it felt like he single-handedly kept Auburn in it, like the Cal game where the Tigers came out on top. Auburn has a lot of talented defenders who will be making the move to the NFL so having a player like Asante back is huge for this Auburn team that will be young next season. After a great 2023 season, Asante will likely be considered one of the best linebackers in college football for the start of the 2024 year. One of the most exciting gets for a coaching staff is finding out one of your talented veterans will return, and that is what Asante just brought to Coach Freeze and the staff.

247sports.com Auburn leading receiver JaVarrius Johnson enters transfer portal Nathan King 3–4 minutes The fifth-year senior led Auburn's receivers in yards (347) and touchdowns (three) this season Auburn is bringing in a bevy young talent at receiver next season, but it will also be losing its most experienced wideout to the portal. Ja'Varrius Johnson entered the transfer portal Friday afternoon, Auburn Undercover has been informed, after the fifth-year senior led Auburn's receivers in yards (347) and touchdowns (three) this season. Johnson is likely the biggest transfer loss so far for the Tigers, as Hugh Freeze's team is now up to 12 outgoing transfers this cycle. Johnson emerged as a preferred target for Payton Thorne midway through the season and had 296 yards and three touchdowns over Auburn's last five games of the season. A former 4-star recruit from Trussville, Alabama, in the 2019 class, Johnson was nagged by injuries for most of his Auburn career but was still able to produce eight touchdowns and more than 1,100 yards over the past three seasons. Johnson also entered the portal ahead of the 2022 season but opted to withdraw and return to Auburn. The Tigers' receiving corps will undergo a facelift next season, with a pair of 5-star commitments, two other 4-stars and one transfer at the moment: Georgia State's Robert Lewis, who could very well take over Johnson's spot at slot receiver. Jay Fair, Camden Brown and former Ohio State transfer Caleb Burton III are set to return. Auburn now has 12 players who have either entered the portal or declared their intentions of doing so: Johnson, quarterback Robby Ashford, defensive end Wilky Denaud, defensive back Austin Ausberry, safety Marquise Gilbert, tight end Tyler Fromm, receivers Malcolm Johnson Jr., Jyaire Shorter and Omari Kelly, pass-rusher Stephen Sings V, and defensive tackles Stephen Johnson and Enyce Sledge. Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante to return in 2024 Auburn is getting its leading tackler back next season Eugene Asante announced his intentions for next season as only he could. "Let's work." The Tigers' leading tackler will return to the team in 2024 in favor of the NFL draft, he shared on social media Friday afternoon. Set to be a sixth-year senior, the middle linebacker posted 84 tackles this season, plus 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and a scoop-and-score touchdown against Texas A&M. A former North Carolina transfer, Asante made the move to Auburn ahead of the 2022 season, though he didn't take a defensive snap all season and was unable to work his way into the linebacker rotation. This past preseason, though, it became clear that Asante was in position to be a breakout player for Auburn's defense, and he ended up being one of the unit's most valuable players. At the moment, Auburn is expected to get both its starting linebackers back next season, as former Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys has a couple years of eligibility remaining. The roster dominoes continue to fall into place for Auburn's 2024 defensive outlook. Defensive tackle Marcus Harris announced earlier this week that he's heading to the NFL draft after a first team All-SEC campaign. The defensive back trio of D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson are also turning pro, while Keionte Scott announced he's coming back for his final college season in 2024 as the leader of the secondary.

i love his smile man. i wonder if he smile as those folks he demolishes when he gets up.

Goodman: With new schedules, Georgia can’t hide anymore Updated: Dec. 14, 2023, 9:38 a.m.|Published: Dec. 14, 2023, 7:52 a.m. 6–7 minutes This is an opinion column. _____________________ Tim Tebow made me laugh on Wednesday night because I know how much he dislikes Georgia. The former quarterback for the Florida Gators doesn’t really hate anything in this world except maybe rest day away from the gym, but Georgia is up there. A new day is here for the Southeastern Conference and Tebow helped introduce the league’s schedules for the 2024 football season during a live broadcast on the SEC Network. Oklahoma and Texas are joining the deep-fried Dixieland circus, but that’s not what really had my attention with the big reveals. Tebow was right there with me, and I give him credit for sliding some subtle shade Georgia’s way on national television. Georgia had the easiest schedule of any national title contender this season, and the Bulldogs were then exposed by Alabama in the SEC championship game. Next season, the SEC is going to a one-division format. The Eastern and Western divisions of the league are history. Schedule difficulty is weighted fairly, and Georgia will be exposed to the level of competition that Alabama, Auburn and all the teams in the old SEC West endured for three decades. Something tells me that the Bulldogs are going to miss playing Vanderbilt and South Carolina every season. RELATED: Alabama’s 2024 schedule released RELATED: Auburn’s 2024 schedule released RELATED: See the full week-by-week SEC schedules Georgia has one of the toughest schedules in the SEC next year. The league office did coach Kirby Smart no favors. The Bulldogs open at Kentucky and then play at Alabama before a home game against rival Auburn. Georgia then plays host to Mississippi State before traveling to Austin for a game against Texas. The Longhorns are 4-1 all-time against the Bulldogs. Georgia ends its SEC slate with a trio of toughness: its rivalry against Tebow’s Florida, at Ole Miss and then at home against Tennessee. In addition to its difficult conference schedule, the Bulldogs open the season against Clemson in Atlanta. The SEC’s new schedules aren’t perfect, but they’re fair in a way that the old two-division system never could be. I’ll be shocked if Georgia survives its gauntlet. The good news for the Bulldogs is that two losses along the way shouldn’t completely close off a chance at the new 12-team playoff. Despite Georgia’s grueling path in 2024, Tebow still delivered a soft jab at the Bulldogs when breaking down the SEC’s group of games on Week 14. That’s Rivalry Week in college football, and while Texas will be at Texas A&M, Auburn goes to Tuscaloosa and Florida visits Florida State, the weary Georgia Bulldogs finally get a break with rival Georgia Tech. Not the toughest way to end the season, noted Tebow. There are plenty of ways to analyze and break down these new schedules. Start with the overall appeal for fans. Texas and Oklahoma raise the reputation of the SEC to a new height. The SEC will remain the most compelling conference in college football despite the coast-to-coast footprint of the new Big Ten. Going inside the matchups, a few things grabbed my initial attention. Most notably, Alabama plays at Oklahoma before the Iron Bowl and Auburn hosts Texas A&M. Those are significant wrinkles for the Tide and Tigers. Goodman: For Alabama and the SEC, tough questions 50 years in the making Goodman: Bo Nix is an Auburn hero for exposing the truth about Bryan Harsin Goodman: The return of the real Alabama Another observation: LSU has the easiest schedule of all. The Tigers begin conference play against South Carolina and have open dates before Ole Miss and Alabama. In addition to those breaks, LSU has Vanderbilt before ending the season against Oklahoma. Based on schedules, LSU is one of my early favorites to make the 2024 SEC championship game. Texas and Oklahoma think they’re ready for the hell that awaits them in the college football heaven known as the Southeastern Conference. They are not. Welcome to the party, though. The SEC is where every game feels like the combination of a live concert, cookout, fashion show, family reunion, whiskey bender and state fair all in one. The league office did OU a favor by allowing the Sooners to host LSU for its final game of the season. Next year? Prepare accordingly, OU, for that road trip to Baton Rouge. And by “prepare accordingly” we mean don’t go there with children or without an escape plan that includes either pepper spray or someone familiar with the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga. And that’s just for day games, by the way. There’s an entirely different set of rules for games at night at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. The big winner of the new schedules? It might be Auburn. The Tigers begin conference play with home games against Arkansas and Oklahoma and then take on Georgia after the Bulldogs’ trip to Tuscaloosa. The big loser? Unquestionably, it’s the Bulldogs. Georgia can’t hide anymore. It’s not all bad for the ‘Dawgs, though. At least this way the rest of the league will finally begin recognizing their coach’s winning percentage against conference foes as a legitimate statistic. Oh, and there’s always Georgia Tech. Joseph Goodman is the lead sports columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of the most controversial sports book ever written, “We Want Bama”. It’s a love story about wild times, togetherness and rum. 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.

Tickets to Auburn's game vs. USC might be the 'hottest in Neville Arena history.' Why? Updated: Dec. 14, 2023, 1:05 p.m.|Published: Dec. 14, 2023, 11:17 a.m. 4–5 minutes Auburn Basketball Pearl called USC-Auburn tickets ‘the hottest tickets in Neville Arena history.’ How much are they? Auburn fans react as Zep Jasper walks downcourt late in the first half of the Tigers' game against Mississippi State at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Jan 14, 2023. Zach Bland/Auburn TigersZach Bland/Auburn Tigers While Auburn’s men’s basketball team has met up with the USC Trojans three times in program history, the Tigers have never hosted the Trojans. That all changes Sunday afternoon as USC (5-4) makes its way to The Plains for a noon tipoff in what’s been a highly anticipated matchup since it was announced in June of 2022 that the two programs would be teaming up for a home-and-home series. Auburn (7-2) visited Los Angeles on Dec. 18, 2022 in a game that saw USC win 74-71, stretching the Trojans’ overall record over the Tigers to 3-0. But now it’s Auburn’s turn to play host. And the Tigers will do so in front of Neville Arena crowd that will have certainly paid its way to be there to watch the game. As of Thursday morning at 10:30, the cheapest ticket to Sunday’s game on Ticketmaster was a standing room only ticket for $153. On SeatGeek, the cheapest was a standing room only ticket for $98. On StubHub, the cheapest was a standing room only ticket for $104. On VividSeats, the cheapest ticket is $116. Conversely, the most expensive ticket was listed on StubHub — a seat in section 111, which would run its buyer $2,747. “It could be one of the hottest tickets in Neville Arena history for a nonconference game,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said after the Tigers’ 87-62 win over UNC-Asheville Wednesday night. “We’ll have to play better to win that one.” So what gives? What’s with the outrageous prices of tickets for Sunday’s meeting between the Tigers and Trojans? While Pearl has Auburn rolling after the Tigers hammered the Indiana Hoosiers on Dec. 9, followed by another lopsided win over UNC-Asheville, the Tigers’ head coach likely knows he and his team can’t take all the credit for the demand of Sunday’s tickets. Instead, there’s another factor — a freshman on USC’s roster, who goes by the name of Bronny James. Bronny James is the son of 19-time NBA All-Star and four-time NBA Finals Champion LeBron James, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bronny James made his collegiate debut in USC’s game against Long Beach State on Dec. 10, nearly five months after he went into cardiac arrest during a workout. Bronny James was cleared to play on Nov. 30. In his debut last week, Bronny James played 17 minutes and put up four points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. And his father was there to see all of it. “That moment was everything for us to be there,” LeBron James said in an interview after watching his son play in his first college game. “To see the first person out of our family, out of the James gang, to grace a college campus and a college floor, that was pretty cool.” Will LeBron James make an appearance at Neville Arena on Sunday afternoon? That’s to be determined. However, the Lakers’ schedule does favor the likelihood as Los Angeles doesn’t play on Saturday or Sunday. Regardless of LeBron James’ presence, if the demand for tickets is any indication, Neville Arena will be quite the place to be Sunday afternoon — if you’ve got the coin to spend. Auburn and USC will tipoff Sunday at noon in a game that will be televised on ESPN. 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.

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.

i wish him the best. he was fun to watch.

i got a pair of auburn mesh tennis shoes for twenty bucks. navy blue with the AU on the front.they are called comfy feet.21.55 bought and shipped. most of you folks will probably laugh but i love a bargain. of course they are for warmer weather.

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.

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.

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.