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auburnwire.usatoday.com Who are Alabama's top 2024 uncommitted players heading into August? Taylor Jones 4–5 minutes The month of July was a great one for Auburn on the recruiting trail. The Tigers landed six 2024 commits during the month, with five of those hailing from the state of Alabama. As the calendar turns to August, Auburn has claimed nine of the state’s top 25 prospects and 10 of the top 30. Buy Tigers Tickets Among their July haul was No. 4 Demarcus Riddick, a five-star linebacker from Chilton County, and No. 3 Perry Thompson, a five-star wide receiver from Foley. Before last week’s “flips”, Auburn’s highest-rated commit from the state of Alabama was No. 8 Joseph Phillips, a four-star linebacker from Tuskegee. As the calendar turns to August, Auburn is in the hunt for several other of the state’s top talent. There are five players in the top 25 that remain uncommitted, and Auburn has a chance to land three of them. Of those three are linebacker Bradley Shaw from Hoover and four-star wide receiver Mario Craver from Clay-Chalkville. Here is a look at the state of Alabama’s top uncommitted players from the 2024 recruiting cycle according to rankings 247Sports, and data from On3‘s Recruiting Prediction Machine. HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Gadsden (Gadsden City)CBNo. 453-starAlabama, South Carolina, UAB PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🤩 24’ ATH Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. (@KirkpatrickDre ) Gadsden City (AL) One of the top athletes in the state for 24’, Kirkpatrick Jr. Has a unique opportunity to catapult himself into an ELITE college prospect after a super productive season. More is in store. pic.twitter.com/pAxUxdsYPf — UnLockYourGame (@UnLockYourGame) April 5, 2023 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Pinson (Clay-Chalkville)QBNo. 433-starSouth Carolina, Auburn, Georgia Tech Kamari McClellan outdueling Christopher Vizzina so far tonight. I captured a few throws for KM. The picture quality is very good imo. pic.twitter.com/TK0WOkeSh2 — solvingfootball (@solvingfootball) August 20, 2022 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Phenix City (Central)CBNo. 343-starAuburn, Tennessee, North Carolina Texas A&M making an early impression on 2024 CB Jayden Coleman👀@SeanW_Rivals talks to the Phenix City (Ala.) Central defensive back about where his recruitment stands and more:https://t.co/FNsxI6PQbc pic.twitter.com/OLKU0n29Ke — Rivals (@Rivals) June 29, 2022 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Alabaster (Thompson)SNo. 333-starAuburn, Georgia Tech, South Carolina S Kaleb Harris with the first interception for the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/MTrP23JHaq — Alabama7AFootball (@AL7AFootball) November 19, 2022 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Florence (Mars Hill Bible)WRNo. 224-starOle Miss, Memphis, Georgia Mars Hill makes it 57-28 over Brooks. JO Owens muscled his way for a 10-yard touchdown run. Damian Thompson caught the 2-pointer. 11:45 left in the 4th now. pic.twitter.com/2kHbCjLJBt — David Glovach (@DavidGlovach) August 27, 2022 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt McCalla (McAdory)TENo. 204-starAuburn, Tennessee, Michigan State McAdory is driving thanks to a big catch by Alabama 4-Star TE target JaCorey Whitted @YbfCorey. pic.twitter.com/2I0KlOPO2O — Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) May 10, 2023 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Birmingham (Hoover)LBNo. 94-starAlabama, Notre Dame, Auburn One ball player who really impressed me during my national travels is Bradley Shaw 6‘1“ 215 Hoover HS, AL. A linebacker who is in on just about every play. Great range, excels in space and can hit. Quick twitch athlete and a 4*+ talent. One of the favorites for the Butkus award. pic.twitter.com/8gfFrtPPjQ — Tom Lemming (@LemmingReport) June 14, 2023 HometownPositionState rankRatingSchools in the hunt Birmingham (Vestavia Hills)EDGENo. 54-starTennessee, Georgia, Florida Vestavia Hills @1rebelfootball Elite Edge-Rusher Jordan Ross @Childsplay_205 is feeling the love from Tennessee, Georgia and Oregon. pic.twitter.com/9qu6rFS4He — Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) May 13, 2023

sandmountainreporter.com Auburn Family Football Preseason Kickoff scheduled for Aug. 12 SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER Auburn Athletics 2–3 minutes AUBURN — Auburn football invites the Auburn family to a preseason kickoff fan fest event on Saturday, August 12 in the indoor complex located behind the Athletics Complex. The Auburn Family Football Preseason Kickoff, presented by Golden Flake and carried out in partnership with On To Victory, will feature an autograph session and family fun zone from 2:15-3:30 p.m., allowing fans to meet their 2023 Auburn Tigers, led by first-year head coach Hugh Freeze, prior to the home opener on Sept. 2. Doors for fan fest will open at 2:15 p.m. Admission to the event is free. On To Victory will host a private event and autograph session, exclusively for its members, prior to fan fest beginning at 1:30 p.m. Doors for that event will open at 1:15 p.m. More information about their private event, including how to register, may be found at OnToVictory.com. Fans attending fan fest may learn more about On To Victory by visiting their tables near the entrance to the indoor facility. To help ensure everyone in attendance has a chance to meet all the student-athletes and Freeze, student-athletes may only sign provided posters while Freeze will autograph one item of choice per person. Posters and schedule cards for football will be available for free to fans upon entry. The event will also feature a pep rally and appearances by the Auburn cheerleaders, Tiger Paws and Aubie, as well as an opportunity to get autographs from members of Auburn volleyball and more. Parking will be available in the Neville Arena, Campus Safety and Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum lots.

yahoo.com JUCO safety Laquan Robinson places Auburn in top five Taylor Jones ~2 minutes Hugh Freeze and the Auburn coaching staff are beginning to take a look at the junior college ranks in an effort to fill out their 2024 recruiting board. Like their high school targets, Auburn is going big when it comes to landing the best players from the JUCO level. One of the nation’s top JUCO recruits recently revealed his top five choices and has included Auburn in the mix. Laquan Robinson, a three-star JUCO safety originally from Greenville, Alabama, dropped his top five on Tuesday. Joining Auburn in the hunt to land him are Florida, Houston, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. As a high school recruit, Robinson was ranked as a four-star by On3 and 247Sports in the 2022 recruiting class and was the No. 20 player from the state of Alabama for the cycle. He was considered to be one of the top available prospects following early signing day in January 2022 by On3. Laquan Robinson is another prospect who has very little happen recently in his recruitment. Ole Miss and Auburn were considered the leaders at one point, but it remains to be seen if that is still the case. While he searches for his next home, he currently resides on the Holmes Community College football roster. According to 247Sports, Robinson is the No. 5 JUCO prospect for the 2024 class and is the No. 1 safety. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

You guys stay safe out there and as always War Damn Eagle!

al.com Foley 5-star WR on flip: 'I needed that home feeling again' Published: Jul. 31, 2023, 4:23 p.m. 3–4 minutes Sports Foley 5-star WR Perry Thompson makes weekend splash at Auburn, turns attention to Tiger recruiting Foley 5-star wide receiver commit Perry Thompson sports a new Auburn necklace at Baldwin County Media Day on Monday at Bryant Bank in Daphne. (Ben Thomas | bthomas@al.com) Two days after making a big splash in more ways than one at Auburn, Foley 5-star wide receiver Perry Thompson has turned his focus to his senior season and helping recruit for the Tigers. On Saturday, Thompson announced he was flipping his commitment from Alabama to rival Auburn at a Big Cat Weekend pool party and then actually flipped into the pool with several other visitors. “It was a fun weekend,” Thompson said Monday at Baldwin County Media Day in Daphne. “It felt nice just going around campus with the players and everything. At the moment, everything felt great so I went ahead and committed.” The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Thompson – ranked by On3 as the No. 4 senior recruit in the state – had been committed to the Crimson Tide since June of 2022. However, the Tigers flipped the script when Hugh Freeze was hired as head coach. Thompson, sporting an Auburn pendant on his necklace, said Monday he “probably” knew a month ago that he was going to change his commitment to the Tigers. “I looked at Nick Saban and Hugh Freeze,” he said. “Nick Saban is a good coach, and I have a lot of respect for what he’s done in college football. I know he kind of specializes in DBs, but I’m a receiver. That’s what I want to be, and I know Hugh Freeze has a background in developing receivers at a high level. Auburn just felt like home, and I needed that home feeling again.” The move didn’t come as a huge surprise to Foley head coach Deric Scott. “I kind of had an idea,” he said. “The kids probably had a pool going on where Perry would end up. Everyone has kind of been on high alert for the last three weeks. It’s a testament to Perry and his talent. I just told him wherever he goes, I’m behind him. He made a decision he is comfortable with and he feels like will be best for him, and we are happy for him.” Scott wasn’t the only Baldwin County coach happy with Thompson’s decision. Fairhope High’s Tim Carter, a former Auburn High coach, has faced Thompson for each of the past three seasons. “He’s so talented,” Carter said. “I’ve watched him grow. I know Deric had to play him and some others at an early age. I watched Perry play a lot of safety in 7-on-7 this summer. I just think he has matured well. I hope he doesn’t catch a ball against Fairhope this year, but I hope he catches a bunch at Auburn in the next three or four years.” Thompson said he is now focused on trying to recruit 5-star Buford, Ga., safety KJ Bolden, the No. 2 senior prospect in Georgia, into this Auburn class. Bolden is scheduled to announce a commitment later this week. “I really have a strong feeling we can land him actually,” Thompson said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

247sports.com Auburn preseason preview How the new transfers fit in Nathan King 8–9 minutes A look at Auburn's nine post-spring transfer pickups and how they could contribute this preseason One of the most exciting offseasons at Auburn in recent years is almost wrapped up, and football is almost back on the Plains. This Thursday, the Tigers will kick off their first preseason camp under head coach Hugh Freeze. Since spring ball ended in early April, Freeze and his staff added eight more players from the transfer portal, continued to chip away at their 2024 recruiting class, and saw the current roster put in work with strength coach Dominic Studzinski. Now it’s finally time for things to resume on the field in preparation for the season opener Sept. 2 against UMass “We're excited to get started,” Freeze said at SEC Media Days earlier this month. “We've got a lot of questions about exactly how we're going to be, and truthfully I don't know all the answers to that yet. This is a strange feeling, and in some ways for me I've never experienced going into fall camp and having so many unknowns in my mind, whether that's because of the new world of you gained some of your roster from transfer portal world, or you gained it even after spring practice through the portal world, and then obviously summer enrollees come. There's a lot of things that I'm not quite certain about, also, but excited about the opportunity.” Leading up to a highly anticipated fall camp, Auburn Undercover will dig into several aspects of the team exiting summer workouts, previewing the newcomers on campus, breakout candidates, position battles and more. Our next installment looks at the nine post-spring transfer pickups for Auburn, after the team had 12 transfers present during spring ball. Which players were added for depth purposes, and who needs to make an immediate impact this preseason? QB PAYTON THORNE (MICHIGAN STATE) Impact needed: High Preseason projection: Obviously the most anticipated of all Auburn’s transfer additions this offseason, Thorne has been preparing with his new teammates for months. It won’t be surprising to see incumbent starter Robby Ashford garner first-team reps in the early stages of camp, and as Freeze said at SEC Media Days, it will take 10 or so practices to trim down reps to two contenders — presumably Ashford and Thorne. At this point, it’s tougher to project a starting path for Ashford than it is Thorne, considering his experience at the Power Five level. How quickly Thorne grasps the playbook and his new offensive scheme will obviously be key, and the Tigers’ first preseason scrimmage is set for Aug. 12. ‌ WR CALEB BURTON (OHIO STATE) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: The least experienced of Auburn’s four transfer receivers by a significant margin, Burton didn’t play his freshman year at Ohio State after enrolling as a top-100 overall player in the 247Sports ranking. That essentially makes him a retroactive 2022 signee for the Tigers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t contribute this fall, too. Burton has slot receiver size at 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, but he plays with a much larger catch radius and is capable of making plays on the outside, so it will be intriguing to see how Auburn positions him within the receiving corps. ‌ WR JYAIRE SHORTER (NORTH TEXAS) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: For a passing game that’s lacked explosiveness over the past couple seasons, there was perhaps no one better in college football last season in that category than Shorter, who led the country at 27.3 yards per reception, and had 11 touchdowns on only 23 catches. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, the sixth-year senior is the definition of an outside deep threat who can stretch the field vertically and generate opportunities for other players underneath. According to Freeze, Shorter will be nursing a minor injury at least in the early part of fall camp. ‌ WR SHANE HOOKS (JACKSON STATE) Impact needed: High Preseason projection: Auburn believes Hooks has the potential to become the most versatile piece of the passing game, as his blend of his 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, his open-field speed and his impressive catch radius — Hooks has 11-inch hands and wears 4XL gloves — could keep him on the field often. As such, he could line up at a number of spots this preseason, and will certainly be in contention for a starting role. As Jackson State’s leading wideout last year, Hooks racked up 748 yards and 10 scores. ‌ OG JADEN MUSKRAT (TULSA) Impact needed: Low Preseason projection: A starter at right tackle for Tulsa and Auburn offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery last year, Muskrat is versatile enough to shore up depth at a number of spots on the O-line. But the feeling is that he’ll fill an interior spot for the Tigers this preseason, and he could contend for the starting job at right guard. Given the experience level at Auburn for the other names at right guard, though, Muskrat likely won’t be pressured for a role right away, and Auburn would still be in a strong spot if he could simply contribute to a quality two-deep on the offensive line. ‌ OG DYLAN SENDA (NORTHWESTERN) Impact needed: Low Preseason projection: A last-minute pickup in the transfer class from Sunday evening, Senda was part of the roster exodus from Northwestern in the wake of the program’s hazing allegations. Senda, a true freshman who went through the spring with the Wildcats, will be immediately eligible and will look to arrive on campus within the next week. A former 3-star prospect, Senda repped at right tackle at Northwestern but also played guard and center in high school. Simply put, Senda acts as a late addition for a group of Auburn newcomers that already included nine offensive linemen between the 2023 recruiting class and the transfer portal. ‌ OLB JALEN MCLEOD (APP STATE) Impact needed: High Preseason projection: Considering Auburn lost all its returning production at its pass-rusher position after Dylan Brooks entered the portal in April, the Tigers still needed multiple transfers at outside linebacker. The first post-spring was McLeod, who projects as a pass-rush specialist at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. During an All-Sun Belt campaign last season, McLeod posted 7.5 tackles for loss and a pair of strip sacks. Whereas bigger-bodied players like Elijah McAllister and Keldric Faulk will be able to slide to defensive end roles and contribute more within the run defense, McLeod’s twitchy and explosive skill set could allow him to emerge as Auburn’s top option on third downs. ‌ OLB STEPHEN SINGS V (LIBERTY) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: Sings wasn’t a starter with the Flames last year but still logged 3.5 sacks, and now comes to Auburn rounding out the depth picture at the jack linebacker spot. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Sings is yet another lengthy and physical presence, as compared to a more nimble pass-rusher like McLeod. In the spring, the Tigers had two freshmen and a player who hasn’t made a sack since 2019 (McAllister), so another jolt of experience in the form of Sings establishes a well-rounded, albeit mostly unproven group. ‌ LB LARRY NIXON III (NORTH TEXAS) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: While Austin Keys from Ole Miss is a more natural fit at middle linebacker, Nixon brings a couple years of starting experience on the weak side. Yet another all-conference performer from the Group of Five level, Nixon had 105 tackles with the Mean Green last year. His primary competition at weakside linebacker should be senior Cam Riley, but Auburn’s new defensive staff wants to utilize four of five players within its primary rotation in the linebacking corps. Nixon doesn’t have to be a game-breaker considering the depth of personnel Auburn now possesses, but it’s difficult to imagine he won’t be one of the primary contributors right away. ‌

247sports.com Phillips Tuesday morning musings Phillip Marshall 5–6 minutes Tough going for first-year SEC coaches How difficult is it to be a first-year head football coach in the SEC? Very difficult. Most first-year head coaches got their jobs because the coach before them failed to live up to expectations. In most of those cases, there were reasons for those failures. Here is a look at how current SEC coaches fared in their first seasons at their current jobs: Nick Saban, Alabama, 7-6, 2007 Mark Stoops, Kentucky, 2-10, 2013 Kirby Smart, Georgia, 8-5, 2016 Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M, 9-4, 2018 Sam Pittman, Arkansas, 3-7, 2020 Lane Kiffin , Ole Miss, 5-5, 2020 Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri, 5-5, 2020 Josh Heupel, Tennessee, 7-6, 2021 Shane Beamer, South Carolina, 7-6, 2021 Clark Lea, Vanderbilt, 2-10, 2021 Brian Kelly, LSU, 9-4, 2022 Billy Napier, Florida, 5-7, 2022 Hugh Freeze, Auburn, first season Zach Arnett, Mississippi State, first season Two Auburn coaches who defied the trend At Auburn, two coaches in modern history have defied the trend of trouble: Terry Bowden became the first Division I head coach to win his first 20 games. Gus Malzahn won the SEC championship and played for the national championship in his first season. Tommy Tuberville was 5-6 in his first season and Pat Dye was 5-6 in his first season. Gene Chizik went 8-5 in his first season, but went 3-5 after winning his first five. What does that mean for first-year Auburn coach Hugh Freeze? It means he has a challenging task ahead of him, but his task is different than any of his predecessors. He has taken advantage of the transfer portal to restock a roster left in disarray by Bryan Harsin. Has Freeze done enough to make the 2023 season one to remember? It depends on how you define one to remember. What are fair expectations? A championship? Not likely. A winning record? Probable, assuming injuries don’t get in the way. Auburn recruiting success no accident It has been quite the inspiring week for Auburn football. Not only has it flipped one prospect from Georgia, beating out Alabama in the process, but another from Alabama. It has also earned commitments from more big-time prospects. That doesn’t happen by accident. Head coach Hugh Freeze hit the ground running when he was hired last December and hired assistants who would do the same. They haven’t slowed down yet. An Auburn tradition changes hands My old friend Glen Gulledge, founder and owner of Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn, has announced he will retire. He has sold the business to a group he says will keep the traditions that made Byron’s an iconic part of the city of Auburn. Many business deals have been finalized at Byron’s. New friendships have been made and old ones rekindled. It was at Byron’s in 2003 that a couple of other sportswriters and I ran into late president William Walker. We finally had him cornered so we could ask him questions about Tommy Tuberville’s future. It seemed obvious to us all that Tuberville was on his way out. Of course, what came next was Jetgate and all the rest. My best Byron’s memories are visiting with Glen and his late father, for whom the restaurant is named. The new ownership group takes over today. Glen said he is going to hang around and help out for a while before calling it a career and spending time with his family. Good for him. A rumor without evidence Apparently, it all started with a rumor posted by Jack McGuire of Barstool Sports. McGuire posted that he was hearing Clemson, Florida State, Oregon and Washington are headed for the Big Ten with the announcement coming this week. I don’t know McGuire and don’t think the highest of Barstool as a news source, but the rumor seems to have caught on despite no evidence of which I am aware. I could see the Big Ten snatching Oregon and Washington, probably putting the Pac-12 out of business. Neither Clemson nor Florida State look like Big Ten fits to me, but I could certainly be wrong. I clearly have no inside information at all, but I will be shocked if it happens that way. More realignment turmoil ahead? Conference realignment turmoil is not done yet. Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff is expected to unveil some details of a new media deal today. How members respond could determine the future of the Pac-12. Arizona is the most likely to jump. If it does, others might follow, effectively killing off the Pac-12. It’s no secret that Florida State and maybe Clemson have wandering eyes in the ACC. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC has no interest in expanding, but these days things can change from one day to the next. Geography no longer matters in college football I long for the days when conferences actually were based on geography. The Southeastern Conference was in the Southeast. The Atlantic Coast Conference was on the Atlantic Coast. The Big Eight/Big 12 was in the Southwest, mostly in Texas. The Pac-8 in all its iterations was made up of schools on or near the West Coast. The Big Ten was in the Midwest. Television networks and their billions changed all that. Geography no longer matters. Long-standing rivalries that were part of the fabric of the game vanished. It’s all a money grab. The SEC and Big Ten have grabbed most of it, and the others are fighting over what is left.

auburnwire.usatoday.com Four-star DL Kamarion Franklin takes last-minute trip to Auburn JD McCarthy 2–3 minutes Four-star defensive lineman Kamarion Franklin wasn’t able to make it to Auburn for Big Cat Weekend but he took a surprise unofficial visit on Monday, making sure he made one last visit before the dead period started on Aug. 1. The trip was his third to Auburn this year and he once again enjoyed his time. Buy Tigers Tickets “It went good,” Franklin told AuburnUndercover’s Christian Clemente. “I just got the feel of the atmosphere. Got to talk and spend the day with Coach (Jeremy) Garrett. I enjoyed it. Getting to talk to Coach (Hugh) Freeze one-on-one, spend time with him today. Come and get another feel before it goes dead.” Franklin is the No. 45 overall player and No. 8 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. The Lake Cormorant, Mississippi native is also the No. 1 player from The Magnolia State. While he included Aubun in his top five schools back on June 2, they have not gotten nearly as much attention as Tennessee and Miami and that is something Franklin enjoys. “That’s what I like,” Franklin said. “Auburn’s like the underdog in my process. Not a lot of people talk about Auburn but I feel strong and good about Auburn.” It’s his connection with Garret that’s put Auburn in a place to land the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder. “The people,” Franklin said. “The head coach, Coach Garrett, they’re both from Mississippi so the Mississippi pipeline goes through here so it feels kind of homey. The player, I hung out with the players and it’s just a good environment overall. He (Garrett) just gets me. He understands me and he knows where I come from and I know where he come from. We just connect real good.” While he doesn’t have a specific date in mind, he would like to make his commitment “by the end of September” he shared. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

si.com Auburn football receives crystal ball for four-star IOL DeAndre Carter Lance Dawe 2–3 minutes The Tigers may be on the verge of landing the best interior offensive lineman in the nation. The Tigers may be on the verge of landing the best interior offensive lineman in the nation. DeAndre Carter, a four-star IOL from Santa Ana, California, has received a crystal ball prediction on 247Sports to commit to Auburn. Auburn Undercover's Christian Clemente and Jason Caldwell both put in crystal balls for Carter on Sunday, July 30th, alongside national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins. On Monday, July 31st, national recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong also submitted a crystal ball for Carter to land with the Tigers. Carter is a product of Mater Dei High School, which has been well known for producing extremely high-end talent. He is the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the nation according to 247Sports, the No. 90 overall prospect and the No. 13 overall player in California according to the composite rankings. The 6-foot-4, 340-pound lineman is also being pursued by Texas and Michigan State. Carter also holds offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Penn State, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin, among others. If Auburn could secure Carter's services, it would be the highest-rated offensive line prospect the Tigers have gotten since Calvin Ashley in the 2017 recruiting class.

si.com Perry Thompson has been recruiting hard since flipping to Auburn Andrew Stefaniak 2–3 minutes Auburn flipped five-star Alabama commit Perry Thompson during Big Cat Weekend, and since he has been recruiting others to join him. We have seen Auburn quarterback commit Walker White doing this for a while, and now Thompson has joined him. If I am a high school recruit and White and Thompson are in my ear about coming to Auburn, it's hard to say no. With Thompson helping Coach Freeze recruit, there is no doubt in my mind the 2024 Auburn recruiting class can finish top ten in the nation. Hopefully, Thompson can work some magic to get KJ Bolden to commit to Auburn this upcoming weekend. There is a lot to look forward to on the Plains with Hugh Freeze at the helm. It seems like Auburn football is officially back, and as Coach Carnell Williams said, Auburn football is AOK.

auburntigers.com On The Plains with D.J. James: ‘Trust, family and loyalty’ Auburn University Athletics 7–9 minutes AUBURN, Ala. – With the start of fall training camp just days away, senior cornerback D.J. James is filled with enthusiasm. “The summer has gone really well,” the preseason all-SEC selection admitted. “We’ve all been growing in the weight room and off the field as well, and I’ve been learning different stuff from my coaches. Having different coaches year to year is a challenge, but it’s really just taking it step by step and day by day. “Seeing that they cared about what was in my best interest and learning to trust them – that’s the secret to any good relationship,” said James, a sociology major who is on track to graduate in December. “If I can trust the people I’m surrounded by – and I do – that’s very important to me. Trust is very important. I’m big on trust, family and loyalty.” It was James’ family in Mobile that first got him involved in football. “Football is a sport I was put into – I actually quit when I was 5 or 6 because I didn’t like it at first,” the all-state defender from Spanish Fort High recalled. “But my family got me back out there and then we found out that I happened to be fast. They let me run the ball some and then everybody found out I was fast. “Ever since then, I started speed training – working on my speed, locking in on that, going to camps around the country. Since I was 7 years old, I always was working on getting faster. I tried track and I liked it. It’s good to get your wind up and work on your speed. But my family loves football and I do, too.” James, the youngest of three siblings, loves his family even more than his sport. “I’m a big inner-circle, family guy,” he said proudly. “My mom, dad, brother and sister will be at every home game. I have an older brother (Demond) and older sister (Saqoria), and they really helped me by teaching me to learn from their mistakes. “And I have a dog in the family, a bully, his name is Ghost. He’s about six-and-a-half months old, but he doesn’t look small. My dad has really spoiled him while he has been in Mobile.” James also has great affection for his brothers in arms in the cornerback room. “We have fun in our room with Coach Crime Dawg (Wesley McGriff). He’s very excited about his group and I’m excited for us,” James said. “We’ve got Nehemiah (Pritchett) on the other side, who’s a senior as well – a great guy and great talent, a physical corner who plays off the press. He’s my guy. He can do it all. We’ve got (Jaylin) Simpson and Keionte (Scott); they can do it all. We’ve got Kayin Lee, who is really good and came in ready to play. I’m excited for him. And we’ve got JD Rhym, a physical corner who played a lot last year and I think he’s going to take that next step. I’m excited for him as well.” That excitement fuels one of James’ biggest goals for the upcoming campaign. “Leading my teammates is my goal. Getting everyone to take it game by game, practice by practice and listening to what our coaches have to tell us and taking and applying it on the field – that’s what I’m looking forward to,” James said, knowing that successfully reaching that goal will lead to bigger accomplishments. “Leading this team to an SEC championship is what we all want, and I want to be All-American. I feel like I have that ability and I’ve got the team and the support system around me to get there.” A lot of that support is rooted in his hometown of Mobile. “I feel like Mobile is its own part of Alabama – small town, big beach,” he said. “We have such gorgeous beaches with Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and the bay is the best. We have top-notch seafood and wonderful, caring people. “And I love the water! Being outdoors on the beach or on the water, jet skiing or boat riding – I miss it so much that I go home whenever I can.” When James began his college career at Oregon, where he recorded 70 tackles in three seasons, he enjoyed seeing a new part of the country. But still missed his home. “I tried something different, and I was successful,” he recalled, adding that several friends from Oregon will be coming to Auburn’s game at California on Sept. 9. “I’m very satisfied with my experience out west. I met so many people and made so many connections. I look at it as a blessing. “I’ve got friends on the West Coast that I never thought I would meet and they’re long, lifetime friends. I’m just happy I met them along my journey. Being a kid from Mobile, Alabama, knowing kids from Baltimore, from Los Angeles, from everywhere – it’s amazing. Football did that.” But in the end, the tug of family and home was stronger. “I came back from Oregon because I wanted to be close to home, and there’s nothing like SEC football,” James said. “Just being away from it and watching it from the outside in another conference, I really used to miss it. Being away from home was a big thing for me, too. “Auburn was a school I was really interested in coming out of high school, a school I really wanted to come to. My family and my head coach felt Auburn was a good fit for me coming out of high school, but the opportunity wasn’t there. They came, but it was a little too late; I was already committed to Oregon. “But I look at it as it’s not where you start, it’s where you end up. “I have been very satisfied with Auburn. It’s not over yet, but coming home, playing in the SEC, and actually playing – I’ve really enjoyed that. And my family has been happy seeing that I’m having fun on the field. All my folks from back home are seeing that I’m making an impact on the field and with my teammates. That’s what makes me feel good. “I was gone for a few years and people couldn’t see me play, but now I’m back and I’m playing, so people are there to support me. “I definitely think about the next level. It crosses my mind and I’m super excited about the future and the possibilities. But I can only take it day by day, so I just try to keep my head on a swivel and stay focused on the task at hand because there’s a lot coming at us,” the veteran explained about his hopes of playing in the NFL. “After football, I see myself staying somewhat in football, but I don’t want to be a coach. I want to help kids; it’s all about people.” And the people of the Auburn Family will always be special to D.J. James. “Our crowds – how they come out, how they interact with us, how they give us positive energy – when I was across the country, I missed that,” he said. “That kind of football is home. Auburn is home. To the Auburn fans, I would say from the bottom of my heart I love you, War Eagle and thank you for always supporting us.”

247sports.com 2023 Auburn football position preview Offensive tackle Jason Caldwell 3–4 minutes Starters returning: none Players lost: Kilian Zierer, Austin Troxell, Brenden Coffey, Colby Smith Newcomers: Dillon Wade, Gunner Britton, Izavion Miller, Tyler Johnson, Dylan Senda When you talk about a complete makeover, that’s what Auburn has done at the offensive tackle position since the end of last season. Gone are starters Kilian Zierer and Austin Troxell along with part-time starter Brenden Coffey. The only player back at the position from last year’s roster is redshirt sophomore Garner Langlo, who worked at guard last season. He’s still someone that could get a look inside with Jake Thornton taking over the duties of coaching Auburn’s offensive line because the new staff went to work to rebuild the position from the ground up. That meant hitting the transfer portal hard in December, bringing in Wade from Tulsa and Britton from Western Kentucky before spring practice along with Miller from junior college. Those should be the most likely group for Thornton to find his starting group from with Wade expected to be tough to beat at left tackle. A talented player that could probably play tackle or guard, Wade had a strong spring after making the move to Auburn and has a chance to be an all-conference type of player for the Tigers this season. A veteran with a ton of experience, Britton brings a ton of game reps to the right tackle spot with the talented Miller a guy that could challenge for a starting job after having a strong summer. One of the most interesting players at the position is Senda. Working his way into a backup role as a true freshman for the Wildcats coming out of the spring, Senda committed to Auburn on Sunday and is expected to be on campus this week to begin practices on Thursday. A 6-5, 305-pounder that has gotten bigger and stronger since January, Senda could get a look at tackle for the Tigers, but could also play guard or center if needed. Where he winds up may depend on how the first few weeks of preseason practices go for the Tigers. The only high school offensive tackle of the bunch, Johnson has the physical tools to be a player for the Tigers down the road, but just arriving on campus over the summer makes it very unlikely that he’ll be ready to compete for playing time this season. The wildcard of the bunch is a player that isn’t listed. Another transfer from Tulsa, Jaden Muskrat is expected to get his first look at guard for the Tigers after choosing Auburn in May. A versatile player that could play all five spots, ‘Musky’ could become a very valuable asset for this offensive line in case of injuries.

al.com Some late-summer spice added to Iron Bowl scrap Published: Aug. 01, 2023, 3:45 p.m. 4–5 minutes 5-star LB Demarcus Riddick on committing to Auburn; Why Tigers over Bama/Georgia By Michael Casagrande | mcasagrande@al.com To say this Iron Bowl rivalry spice is back would insinuate this caldron somehow cooled. That blow torch of a pilot light is an eternal flame in this state, but something feels different as July turns to August. In retrospect, this was always going to be the case when Hugh Freeze returned from exile to throw gas on this rivalry. And, in the wake of being picked sixth in the seven-team SEC West topped by the Crimson Tide, Freeze swapped the narrative in true Freeze fashion. He went recruiting. And the ecosystem was disturbed. First landing four-star Demarcus Riddick over Alabama, then flipping five-star receiver Perry Thompson from the Crimson Tide, Freeze made more noise over a weekend than the program had in years. It’s been a while since the Tigers and Tide were consistently fishing in the same pond, so to speak. Auburn was still landing top 20 classes but that top-end talent wasn’t signing with the Tigers. Should Thompson sign, he’d be the first five-star from the 247Sports composite to land at Auburn since Owen Pappoe in 2019. In terms of receivers, the recruiting site doesn’t list any high school receivers with five-star ratings who signed with Auburn in the last two decades though Duke Williams was a top JUCO transfer in 2014. Thompson, a star at the same Foley High School that produced Julio Jones, added to the Iron Bowl flavor with a comment Monday at Baldwin County media day. “I looked at Nick Saban and Hugh Freeze,” he said. “Nick Saban is a good coach, and I have a lot of respect for what he’s done in college football. I know he kind of specializes in DBs, but I’m a receiver. That’s what I want to be, and I know Hugh Freeze has a background in developing receivers at a high level. Auburn just felt like home, and I needed that home feeling again.” That, of course, was not lost among certain Alabama-centric online communities that haven’t felt a real recruiting scrap with the in-state SEC rival in a while. There had been some high-profile fights like TJ Yeldon’s last-minute flip from Auburn to Alabama in 2012. A year later, Reuben Foster’s Auburn tattoo wasn’t enough to keep him from trading the Tigers for the Tide. Then in 2014, Auburn legacy Rashaan Evans caused a stir with his signing day decision to leave home for a starring role in Tuscaloosa. That was a golden era for Alabama-Auburn recruiting battles that feel like trailed off in recent years. There were subplots to each of those competitions that just added to the Iron Bowl lore. The Brian Harsin era didn’t quite yield much in terms of high-profile high school recruits -- most notably in-state prospects. By 247Sports’ count, the 2021 and 2022 classes had five in-state signees apiece, according to the database. Of the 18 commits for the 2024 class, 10 are from Alabama including the big scores in Thompson (Foley) and Riddick (Clanton). You don’t need me to explain Freeze understands the SEC recruiting landscape far better than Boise’s Harsin. After the Big Cat Weekend, the manifestation of this clear shift is coming into focus. It’s getting spicy. With it, another dimension of the Iron Bowl rivalry cranks up the heat just in time as preseason practice opens this week on both campuses. Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

247sports.com Auburn preseason preview How the new transfers fit in Nathan King 8–9 minutes A look at Auburn's nine post-spring transfer pickups and how they could contribute this preseason One of the most exciting offseasons at Auburn in recent years is almost wrapped up, and football is almost back on the Plains. This Thursday, the Tigers will kick off their first preseason camp under head coach Hugh Freeze. Since spring ball ended in early April, Freeze and his staff added eight more players from the transfer portal, continued to chip away at their 2024 recruiting class, and saw the current roster put in work with strength coach Dominic Studzinski. Now it’s finally time for things to resume on the field in preparation for the season opener Sept. 2 against UMass “We're excited to get started,” Freeze said at SEC Media Days earlier this month. “We've got a lot of questions about exactly how we're going to be, and truthfully I don't know all the answers to that yet. This is a strange feeling, and in some ways for me I've never experienced going into fall camp and having so many unknowns in my mind, whether that's because of the new world of you gained some of your roster from transfer portal world, or you gained it even after spring practice through the portal world, and then obviously summer enrollees come. There's a lot of things that I'm not quite certain about, also, but excited about the opportunity.” Leading up to a highly anticipated fall camp, Auburn Undercover will dig into several aspects of the team exiting summer workouts, previewing the newcomers on campus, breakout candidates, position battles and more. Our next installment looks at the nine post-spring transfer pickups for Auburn, after the team had 12 transfers present during spring ball. Which players were added for depth purposes, and who needs to make an immediate impact this preseason? QB PAYTON THORNE (MICHIGAN STATE) Impact needed: High Preseason projection: Obviously the most anticipated of all Auburn’s transfer additions this offseason, Thorne has been preparing with his new teammates for months. It won’t be surprising to see incumbent starter Robby Ashford garner first-team reps in the early stages of camp, and as Freeze said at SEC Media Days, it will take 10 or so practices to trim down reps to two contenders — presumably Ashford and Thorne. At this point, it’s tougher to project a starting path for Ashford than it is Thorne, considering his experience at the Power Five level. How quickly Thorne grasps the playbook and his new offensive scheme will obviously be key, and the Tigers’ first preseason scrimmage is set for Aug. 12. ‌ WR CALEB BURTON (OHIO STATE) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: The least experienced of Auburn’s four transfer receivers by a significant margin, Burton didn’t play his freshman year at Ohio State after enrolling as a top-100 overall player in the 247Sports ranking. That essentially makes him a retroactive 2022 signee for the Tigers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t contribute this fall, too. Burton has slot receiver size at 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, but he plays with a much larger catch radius and is capable of making plays on the outside, so it will be intriguing to see how Auburn positions him within the receiving corps. ‌ WR JYAIRE SHORTER (NORTH TEXAS) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: For a passing game that’s lacked explosiveness over the past couple seasons, there was perhaps no one better in college football last season in that category than Shorter, who led the country at 27.3 yards per reception, and had 11 touchdowns on only 23 catches. At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, the sixth-year senior is the definition of an outside deep threat who can stretch the field vertically and generate opportunities for other players underneath. According to Freeze, Shorter will be nursing a minor injury at least in the early part of fall camp. ‌ WR SHANE HOOKS (JACKSON STATE) Impact needed: High Preseason projection: Auburn believes Hooks has the potential to become the most versatile piece of the passing game, as his blend of his 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, his open-field speed and his impressive catch radius — Hooks has 11-inch hands and wears 4XL gloves — could keep him on the field often. As such, he could line up at a number of spots this preseason, and will certainly be in contention for a starting role. As Jackson State’s leading wideout last year, Hooks racked up 748 yards and 10 scores. ‌ OG JADEN MUSKRAT (TULSA) Impact needed: Low Preseason projection: A starter at right tackle for Tulsa and Auburn offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery last year, Muskrat is versatile enough to shore up depth at a number of spots on the O-line. But the feeling is that he’ll fill an interior spot for the Tigers this preseason, and he could contend for the starting job at right guard. Given the experience level at Auburn for the other names at right guard, though, Muskrat likely won’t be pressured for a role right away, and Auburn would still be in a strong spot if he could simply contribute to a quality two-deep on the offensive line. ‌ OG DYLAN SENDA (NORTHWESTERN) Impact needed: Low Preseason projection: A last-minute pickup in the transfer class from Sunday evening, Senda was part of the roster exodus from Northwestern in the wake of the program’s hazing allegations. Senda, a true freshman who went through the spring with the Wildcats, will be immediately eligible and will look to arrive on campus within the next week. A former 3-star prospect, Senda repped at right tackle at Northwestern but also played guard and center in high school. Simply put, Senda acts as a late addition for a group of Auburn newcomers that already included nine offensive linemen between the 2023 recruiting class and the transfer portal. ‌ OLB JALEN MCLEOD (APP STATE) Impact needed: High Preseason projection: Considering Auburn lost all its returning production at its pass-rusher position after Dylan Brooks entered the portal in April, the Tigers still needed multiple transfers at outside linebacker. The first post-spring was McLeod, who projects as a pass-rush specialist at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. During an All-Sun Belt campaign last season, McLeod posted 7.5 tackles for loss and a pair of strip sacks. Whereas bigger-bodied players like Elijah McAllister and Keldric Faulk will be able to slide to defensive end roles and contribute more within the run defense, McLeod’s twitchy and explosive skill set could allow him to emerge as Auburn’s top option on third downs. ‌ OLB STEPHEN SINGS V (LIBERTY) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: Sings wasn’t a starter with the Flames last year but still logged 3.5 sacks, and now comes to Auburn rounding out the depth picture at the jack linebacker spot. At 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Sings is yet another lengthy and physical presence, as compared to a more nimble pass-rusher like McLeod. In the spring, the Tigers had two freshmen and a player who hasn’t made a sack since 2019 (McAllister), so another jolt of experience in the form of Sings establishes a well-rounded, albeit mostly unproven group. ‌ LB LARRY NIXON III (NORTH TEXAS) Impact needed: Medium Preseason projection: While Austin Keys from Ole Miss is a more natural fit at middle linebacker, Nixon brings a couple years of starting experience on the weak side. Yet another all-conference performer from the Group of Five level, Nixon had 105 tackles with the Mean Green last year. His primary competition at weakside linebacker should be senior Cam Riley, but Auburn’s new defensive staff wants to utilize four of five players within its primary rotation in the linebacking corps. Nixon doesn’t have to be a game-breaker considering the depth of personnel Auburn now possesses, but it’s difficult to imagine he won’t be one of the primary contributors right away. ‌ AUBURN PRESEASON PREVIEWS

auburntigers.com Auburn's Justin Rogers named to Outland Trophy watch list Auburn University Athletics ~4 minutes AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn junior defensive lineman Justin Rogers has been named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list, one of 91 players recognized for the potential to be college football's best interior lineman in 2023, the Football Writers Association of America announced Tuesday. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Rogers transferred to Auburn after playing 33 games at Kentucky from 2020-22. He recorded 60 career tackles, including five tackles for loss. Rogers made a career-high nine tackles vs. Vanderbilt last season. Seventeen of the 91 Outland watch listers compete in the SEC, with eight of those 17, including the 6-3, 346-pound Rogers, playing defensive tackle. The 2023 season will close with the award's 78th anniversary and the watch list offers a talented field of players alongside two returning FWAA All-Americans. The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 10, 2024. There are 31 offensive tackles on this year's list with 24 defensive tackles and 24 guards to go with 12 centers. Just under half of the 133 Football Bowl Subdivision schools – 65 – are represented. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible. The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them. Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer Players Mentioned #52 Justin Rogers DL 6' 3" Junior Liberal Arts

theplainsman.com Auburn set to build new field suites in Jordan-Hare Stadium - The Auburn Plainsman ~3 minutes Auburn University announced on Monday that it will build new suites on the field of Jordan-Hare Stadium before the 2023 season. The new suites, supported by Auburn Athletics who partnered with Tigers Unlimited, includes six new suite experiences in place of where the flower beds orginally were in the corners of the field. Each suite will features televisions, fans, high-top seating, drink rails and food and beverage opportunities. The capacity for each suite ranges from 16 to 24 people and prices range from $200 to $1,250 per person. "We are excited to partner with RevelXP inside Jordan-Hare Stadium to enhance the field-level experience we provide for our Auburn family," said Senior Associate AD for Development, Jacob Jordan. "We are accustomed to their first-class experience provided outside of the stadium and we look forward to bringing additional premium opportunities inside Jordan-Hare. Demand for premium seating is at an all-time high and we are thrilled to be able to bring this elevated experience to our Tigers Unlimited donors." Auburn fans took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to voice mostly displeasure about the new renovation. The new suites can be seen when Auburn hosts UMass to kickoff the 2023 season on Sept. 2. Auburn's season opener is set to start at 2:30 p.m. CST and will be televised on ESPN. Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman. Jacob Waters | Sports Editor Jacob Waters is a junior majoring in journalism. From Leeds, Alabama, he started with The Plainsman in fall 2021. Twitter: @JacobWaters_

si.com Larry Nixon III: "The sky is the limit for Jyaire Shorter" Andrew Stefaniak 2–3 minutes Larry Nixon III had some high praise for former North Texas teammate Jyaire Shorter. This summer, Auburn landed two transfers from North Texas, one being linebacker Larry Nixon III and the other being wide receiver Jyaire Shorter. These two are very good friends, who are looking forward to playing together in the SEC. Nixon III joined the On To Victory Podcast, where Zac Blackerby asked what Auburn is getting in Shorter. Nixon III responded, "The sky is the limit for him, honestly. Everything that he can do, he can bring to the table. He is a different type of receiver. You don't see those builds that often. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's going to do. It's going to be good." Nixon III also went on to talk about Shorter's ability to use both speed and athleticism to catch the football. He also thinks Shorter is great at high-pointing the football. It's great to hear that Nixon III and Shorter are such good friends. Both of these players are going to have massive roles for Auburn this season that will hopefully build their potential NFL Draft stock. Other Articles Hugh Freeze: Tigers' roster was 'far from what I believe an Auburn roster should look like' Auburn football announces start time for 2023 fall camp Payton Thorne new favorite to win Auburn quarterback battle Daily Wire's Jake Crain predicts Auburn to finish third in SEC West Jayden Daniels shared his thoughts on playing in Jordan-Hare Stadium Jake Crain believes Auburn football can be 'sneaky' under Hugh Freeze SEC commissioner Greg Sankey discusses the elimination of divisions in future conference scheduling College football expert 'doesn't see' eight wins on Auburn football's 2023 schedule Hugh Freeze provides updates for Auburn players injured in the spring Auburn's Hugh Freeze says new QB Payton Thorne has impressed with his 'attention to detail' Hugh Freeze: 'Robby Ashford helps us win football games' Hugh Freeze provides timeline for Auburn football quarterback battle Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!