aubiefifty

saturdaydownsouth.com Jamonta Waller, 5-star LB out of Mississippi, drops overwhelmingly SEC-filled top 10 Ethan Stone 1–2 minutes Jamonta Waller, the No. 1 prep player out of Mississippi, has cut his list to 10. One thing seems pretty clear: Waller wants to play in the SEC. The 5-star linebacker included 9 SEC teams on his list, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. As if for representation’s sake alone, Waller is also considering Penn State. He dropped his top 10 Saturday afternoon. 247Sports is especially high on Waller. The service ranks him as the N0. 22 overall player in the Class of 2024, as well as the No. 5 pass rusher and the No. 1 player out of Mississippi. Kamarion Franklin, a defensive lineman out of Lake Cormorant, is considered the No. 1 player in the state according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, however. Speaking of Mississippi, Rebels fans might want to keep an eye on Waller. Ole Miss is considered the favorite for his services, though he has several official visits scheduled for this remainder of the summer.

auburnwire.usatoday.com Playoffs? CBS Sports says Auburn has a chance Taylor Jones 3–4 minutes The SEC has dominated the College Football Playoff since its’ inaugural season in 2015. The conference has been represented every season and has won six of the nine possible championships, including the last four. Alabama, Georgia, and LSU have all reached the top of the college football world by winning a College Football Playoff championship, but CBS Sports feels that a new member of the SEC could make a run to the 2024 playoffs. Buy Tigers Tickets Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports recently shared his picks for “dark horse” candidates for each of the Power Five conferences. His pick for the SEC? The Auburn Tigers. Jeyarajah chose teams with 50-1 odds to make the College Football Playoff or lower by Caesars Sportsbook as part of his criteria. At 100-1 odds, the Tigers are a risky, yet interesting pick. Picking an SEC squad is especially difficult as five teams are excluded from consideration. So ultimately, we’re going way off the board and betting on Hugh Freeze to be a wild card in the SEC West with a revitalized staff and dynamic energy. The path through the SEC — which includes Alabama and Georgia — makes things more complicated, but it also presents a major opportunity. The Tigers ranked No. 18 in 247Sports Talent Composite in 2022, far ahead of their 5-7 results. Furthermore, Auburn fortified the passing game by adding veteran Michigan State signal caller Payton Thorne and Ohio State wide receiver transfer Caleb Burton. A fresh coaching staff and key pieces in the passing game could lead to a quick turnaround if Freeze can get everyone on the same page. Although the Tigers appear to have improved drastically based on talent acquisition alone, Auburn still has “long shot” odds to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. BetMGM, like Caesars, gives Auburn 100-1 odds to win, while FanDuel gives the Tigers 200-1 odds. 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__

Auburn football listed as a team to watch for a bounce-back season in 2023 Jack Singley ~3 minutes Athlon Sports says Auburn is one of five teams ready to bounce back. Auburn has the potential to break through into contention in the 2023 season, and Athlon Sports recognizes this potential. The site mentioned Auburn as one of its five teams to watch in the 2023 season. Auburn along with another SEC school, Texas A&M, are mentioned. The reason A&M is on the list is similar to that of Auburn, a revamped coaching staff along with key acquisitions in the portal lead to a potentially promising Aggie season. Specifically for the Aggies, new Offensive Coordinator Bobby Petrino will look to work his magic on Conner Weigman and the rest of the A&M offense. Auburn under the helm of a completely new staff that is headed up by Hugh Freeze was tabbed for a rebound season due to the SEC experience that Freeze has and the aggressive acquisitions they have made during the portal windows. Freeze and staff managed to grab the third-best portal class in the country according to 247Sports. The headliners of the class are Rivaldo Fairweather, Payton Thorne, Brian Battie, and a handful of offensive linemen that all look to start for the Tigers. It is hard to imagine that a 5-7 team that won two of its five games with an interim head coach could turn it around in just one year, but with this new age of college football, it has become clear that a one-year turnaround is not a pipe dream. The coaching improvement itself will also lead to a much more improved on-field product. Freeze and Offensive Coordinator Philip Montgomery got their man in Payton Thorne and will look to scheme around his strengths and lead to a much more improved offense compared to the Harsin-led offense that ended up with one of the worst scoring offenses in the SEC. The defense under new Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts will also look to improve from their bottom-half finish in both stopping the run and total points allowed. The list rounded out with Miami, Nebraska, and Oklahoma being listed as the non-SEC teams expected to perform well following a letdown season in 2022.

Auburn offers veteran transfer WR Shane Hooks JD McCarthy ~2 minutes A new transfer target has emerged for the Auburn Tigers. They extended an offer to former JSU wide receiver Shane Hooks on Friday. The 6-foot-4, 205-pounder started his career at Ohio before transferring to Jackson State. He then entered the portal on Dec. 21, 2022, and committed to Ole Miss on April 20. He backed off that pledge on April 28 and is once again a hot commodity in the portal. The Orlando, Florida native appeared in four games in 2018 for Ohio but did not play in 2019 and 2020 for JSU. He played in six games in 2021, catching 16 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. He emerged as their leading receiver last season, grabbing 66 passes for 775 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. He has also received offers from UCF, UTAH, Mississippi State, and Liberty since decommitting from Ole Miss. Auburn has already landed former Ohio State receiver Caleb Burton in the transfer window but is looking to add a second receiver after Landen King and Tar’Varish Dawson both entered the portal. The Tigers also added Hawaii receiver Nick Mardner in the first portal window. Both Mardner and Burton have already signed with Auburn.

i do.i call you out all the time. you do the same thing just on different topics. see how that works? the only problem is you are seldom right. i mean come on. you get on me for insults but YOU do it. it is a very dishonest look.

Open in app or online the GOP's latest bogus “Biden scandal” is a grade-z bull**** nothingburger crimes are extremely difficult to prove when there is no evidence because there is no crime Jeff Tiedrich May 13 Share hey, remember the Twitter Files? remember how it blew the lid off Joe Biden’s meddling in twitter’s moderation policies? yeah, me neither. the big takeaway from that was that Donald Trump threw a s***-fit after being called a ‘*****-ass bitch.’ remember when Kevin McCarthy gave hours of unedited Jan 6 video to Tucker Carlson? remember how Tucks used that footage to prove that Jan 6 was just a lighthearted tourist romp? yeah, me neither. the ‘report’ that aired bombed so horribly that we never heard another word about it. and former Fox employee Tucker Carlson now broadcasts an imaginary show from his basement. Upgrade to paid remember the Weaponization of Government hearing? remember how it proved whatever the **** Jim Jordan said it was going to prove? yeah, me neither. that hearing was such a snoozefest that even Fox News wouldn’t air it. this week, Republicans released the results of their four-month investigation into the very big, very bad, no good, awful Biden Crime Family. you’ll never guess how it went. actually, you absolutely will guess how it went. just look at their faces. oh boy, they sure do look triumphant, don’t they? it wasn’t supposed to work out this way. Republicans were going to nail Joe Biden right to the ******* wall. that smug druggie Hunter Biden, too. this was it. anyone unlucky enough to be named Biden was going down. the whole corrupt family. and for the GOP, this was going to be their crowning moment of glory. the entire wingnut outrage-industrial complex sprang into action. the howling screech monkeys turned it up to eleven. James Comer was all over the Sunday shows, promising to uncover the what promises to be the crime of the century. Ron Johnson elbowed his way in front of every camera he could find. on Tuesday, all the MAGA morons on social media were screaming “JUST WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW.” there was just one tiny little problem. yes, it’s true, and Ron Johnson ******* nails it here: crimes are extremely difficult to prove when there is no evidence because there is no crime. the so-called ‘proof’ was so nebulous that even Fox News wasn’t buying it. I mean, when you’ve lost Steve Doocy, it’s time to fold up your tent and go home. change your name, move to the middle of the desert, and live out the rest of your life quietly atoning. look, Republicans, enough with the dog and pony shows. show us your evidence. if there’s been a crime committed, then the Bidens absolutely should go down. because Joe Biden is not my tribal warlord and I’m not some ****** up member of some ****** up cult. but seriously, show us your evidence, if you have any. until you can, sit the **** down and shut the **** up. because we’re all ******* tired of you. everyone is entitled to my own opinion is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Elliot Page, in shirtless photo, celebrates the 'joy' he feels in his trans body, and the end of 'dysphoria.' Here's what it all means. David ArtaviaThu, May 11, 2023 at 3:44 PM CDT 6–7 minutes Elliot Page is sparking conversations about gender dysphoria and its relation to body image. (Photo: Instagram) In a heartfelt Instagram post, Elliot Page opened up about his ongoing journey as a transgender man, touching on both his gender dysphoria and the “joy” he’s felt since announcing his transition in Dec. 2020. “Dysphoria used to be especially rife in the summer,” Page wrote in the May 10th post, featuring a shirtless image displaying the chest scars left from having top surgery, a gender-affirming breast-removal procedure. “It feels so f’ing good soaking in the sun now, I never thought I could experience this, the joy I feel in my body,” the post continued. “I am so grateful for what gender affirming care has allowed me and I look forward to sharing more of my journey soon.” - ADVERTISEMENT - Page's post sparked comments from numerous trans people about the emotional and psychological impact gender dysphoria has on their body image — as well as the freedom they say they feel after receiving gender-affirming care, a spectrum of health services that can sometimes include surgery and hormone therapy. Such conversations are helpful, say experts, as gender dysphoria is a deeply personal and often misunderstood experience. Awareness, they add, can help us better grasp ongoing conversations around gender and sex. As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, gender dysphoria is the “psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one's sex assigned at birth," based on external genitalia, "and one's gender identity," meaning the psychological sense of one's gender. That's not to be confused with body dysmorphia, an excessive preoccupation with an imagined defect or flaw. On the contrary, notes California-based gender psychologist Natalie Zhikhareva (“Dr. Z”), a trans person experiencing dysphoria will look at a part of their body — their chest, for example — and see only what is there. "They clearly see their chest and express disconnection with what they see while acknowledging its existence," she explains to Yahoo Life, defining gender dysphoria as the "emotional distress one feels due to the incongruence between the gender assigned at birth and their authentic gender." That experience can manifest at any age, adds Dr. Michelle Forcier, a professor of pediatrics at Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, who's had trans patients dealing with dysphoria as late as their 70s. Still, it is more commonly seen in new patients in the clinical setting "before or around the time of puberty." For some, she says, "it can manifest as anxiety, depression and result in self-harm or suicidality and other mental health issues." For others, she adds, "it can manifest as an eating disorder — overeating to hide the body or under-eating to restrict breasts, muscles, hips, etc." How does dysphoria impact body image? "If you feel gender dysphoria, you are almost always bound to experience a disconnect with your secondary sex characteristics due to how society genders your body," says Zhikhareva, leading to a feeling of not being grounded in the present and to struggles "in relationships, intimate encounters and friendships." As a result, she explains, "you may never fully feel complete, grounded and comfortable, and I would even say affirmed in yourself, if body dysphoria is strongly present." That's why many (but not all) of those experiencing gender dysphoria find treatment by way of gender-affirming care, a spectrum of health services that can sometimes include feminization or masculinization surgeries to help trans women (those born biologically male) and trans men (those born biologically female) to achieve a more masculine or feminine appearance; or hormone therapy, a broad range of treatments to help align a person's physical body with their gender identity (by way of estrogen for trans women or testosterone for trans men). For many, such care is a vital step towards living full lives, as supported by leading healthcare organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, the American Nurses Association and the World Medical Association. And while these interventions are "not a must," Zhikhareva says, many transgender folks will decide to go this route because their dysphoria is so severe that it will feel like the only option. It's why "many who do decide that gender transition is for them feel as if they are alive for the first time in their life," she says, noting that it was the feeling conveyed through Page's latest post. Understanding the psychological benefits of transitioning, she adds, could make a huge difference in building compassion and empathy for trans people. "I hear people often say, 'Why can’t you just learn to love your body?' when referring to trans and nonbinary folks," Zhikhareva says. "And it saddens me that they are so quick to project their own beliefs when they themselves always took their gender for granted and have no idea how painful incongruence feels." It's why "access to gender-affirming care should not be a matter up for debate and should be accessible to those who need it," she adds, pointing to the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation in states including Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia that limit or ban gender-affirming care for youth. "Right now, there is so much misinformation," she concludes, "and I feel we neglect to listen to those who have gone through gender transition, and their accounts of how it has bettered not only their relationship with their body, but their overall wellbeing." Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.

yahoo.com Letters: It could take years, but voting Republicans out is the only way to fix things Florida Times-Union 11–14 minutes Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Marathon County Lincoln Day Dinner annual fundraiser on May 6 in Wisconsin. Most Americans favor sensible gun control, having grown tired of endless slaughter in our schools, churches and neighborhoods, such as happened again last weekend. Who opposes gun control laws? The Republican Party, some of whom in Congress find it cute to wear assault rifle lapel pins. Most Americans are shocked and horrified at the stripping of reproductive rights from women. Who opposes reproductive freedom? The Republican Party, whose draconian laws make it difficult for even a 10-year-old rape victim to get relief. Most Americans understand that it is imperative for the sake of the U.S. and world economies that the debt ceiling be raised, as it routinely has been for many years. Who is blocking this? The Republican Party, which seems currently being led by people with questionable intelligence and mental stability. Most Floridians voted to restore voting rights to nonviolent felons. Who refuses to honor the will of the people? The Republican governor of Florida, who has come up with endless excuses to confuse the issue and thwart the will of the citizens. The Republican Party is totally out of touch with the views of most Americans. There is a solution to the authoritarian reign currently in place, and it is elegant in its simplicity: Get out and vote against every Republican officeholder or candidate — local, state and national. From U.S. representative to mayor to governor to city council member to U.S. senator to sheriff to dog catcher to state representative to attorney general. It will take several election cycles, but eventually we can reclaim our democracy and get on with moderate, sensible government that reflects the will of “We the People.” Carol Nairn, Jacksonville Republican mayoral candidate Daniel Davis hugs Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters during an election night gathering on March 21. More police officers not the only solution to crime problem Sheriff T.K. Waters claimed in an ad for Daniel Davis that his opponent, Donna Deegan, has a radical plan for public safety that will put his officers and the public’s safety at risk. That is quite a statement to make, considering not a scintilla of evidence was offered to support it. Nate Monroe’s April 23 article nailed this whole con on crime being served up by Davis and the Republicans. Curry ran for mayor based upon the level of crime during the previous mayor’s tenure. During the ensuing eight years with a Republican mayor, police chief and city council, crime (especially homicides), spiked to new heights. This trend continued even after applying the standard treatment for crime that consists of continuous increases to the police budget and hundreds of new officers. Yet, crime spikes. Now Davis seems to claim that the increases in crime just materialized, as though through thin air. His response (besides not taking any responsibility for it as a former city council member and Curry supporter) was more of the same: Add more police officers. The governor chipped in by making concealed weapons more accessible as part of an ever-devolving crime policy that sees gun availability as an antidote to violent crime. In fact, the opposite is true. Unless they are willing to commit these additional officers to community policing and to mitigating the availability of guns, this is just another example of a profound misunderstanding of violent crime that posits an increased police presence while making guns more available. In other words — a contradiction. Richard Sutphen, Jacksonville Tears well up in the eyes of Richard Jesus Peraza, an immigrant from Cuba as he listens to the Riverside High School Combined Chorus sing "America the Beautiful" at the end of the naturalization ceremony which saw him and 39 others become U.S. citizens in January. We are all immigrants Over the past several months, I have been under the considerate and competent care of doctors at Baptist Health and Mayo Clinic. These health care professionals were preparing me for an exceedingly rare and potentially dangerous operation. The team was as diverse as our whole country, with a wide range of ethnicities (and religious beliefs, most likely). Many of them were recent immigrants or first-generation Americans from places such as the Dominican Republic, India, Japan, Norway, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. This diversity of essential workers is but a mirror of the rich tapestry that comprises and enriches the United States. We are indeed a nation of immigrants, no matter how far back our roots may go, unless those of us here in North Florida can trace our ancestry directly back to the Timucua. Yet there are those who would espouse white supremacy as a rationale to control and suppress the rights of those whom they regard as minorities or threats. There has been a recent resurgence of unethical politicians plying overt or veiled racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism to stoke paranoia — fear of the “other” — to pursue their self-serving political ends. Yes, we need a rational immigration policy. But it must sustain the rich diversity that has strengthened this country with the principles of democracy and equal rights — not fear, political manipulation and control. Ted Mikalsen, Jacksonville Toxic environment main cause of teacher exodus According to a May 9 article in the Times-Union, governors in several states are proposing pay raises to retain and recruit teachers, citing uncompetitive pay as the primary reason for shortages. The article reports several sources of blame but only briefly mentions teachers’ deteriorating work culture. Some red state governors, especially Gov. Ron DeSantis, would apparently rather not discuss that aspect. One day prior, the Times-Union profiled a local woman who is assuming a larger role in Moms for Liberty, a conservative (and politically influential) “educational” activist group. This organization appears deliberately intent on worsening teachers’ work culture by operating in intimidating adversarial fashion, often as hostile surveillance operatives. In some states, they have even offered cash rewards as encouragement for people to snitch on teachers, students or staff not complying with their culture-war driven demands. They’ve created a toxic environment for devoted teachers charged with caring for the kids of all moms. DeSantis and his Republican legislature’s politically transparent existential attack on the teacher’s union (and health care workers, except — notably — DeSantis-allied first responders and public safety unions) is indicative of the disrespect they harbor for these hard-working people. DeSantis touts Florida’s high graduation rates and low tuition, ignores plummeting teacher satisfaction and bottom-ranking teacher compensation. Simply buying them off won’t work. Michael Miller, Ponte Vedra Beach Alfred Montague, 8 holds a sign during the rally in support of Duval County School's superintendent Diana Greene in April. District-run schools unfairly targeted Support for public education has long been embraced by both Democrats and Republicans. It seems to me that some grifters and pro-privatization Libertarians have attacked public education by using the pandemic crisis to breed discontent. Keep in mind that the Libertarian Party platform includes the goal of education being the sole responsibility of the parents and philanthropists, i.e., no taxpayer-funded schools. The pandemic was a hard time for all of us, especially those who had people close to us die or who had overworked health care workers in our family. The fact that the ban on mask mandates didn't apply to charter or private schools makes me think it was an attack on our district-run schools, rather than a genuine concern for the children. Every time Gov. DeSantis and his enablers pass a law that applies to schools run by locally elected school boards — but not the other publicly funded schools (charters and those funded by vouchers) ― consider what might be motivating them. Like the man from the NAACP said during public comments at the "emergency" School Board meeting, where Superintendent Diana Greene’s early retirement was discussed, I also worry what effect DeSantis’ bad policies are having on our public schools. Susan Aertker, education committee chairwoman, Jacksonville NOW JSO officer J. Scott escorts "victims" to the waiting ambulances during a 2018 active shooter drill at First Coast High School. ‘Code Red’ anxiety School "Code Red” drills are intended to keep students and teachers safe from gun violence. This policy is reminiscent of the "duck and cover” drills in schools during the 1950s at the height of the Cold War. Students and teachers were taught that in the event of an atomic attack, hiding under desks and covering their heads would protect them. Similarly, should someone wielding an AR-15 attack a school, children and their teachers huddled quietly in the corner of their classroom would have little chance of surviving the high-velocity impact of a barrage of bullets. After each school shooting, the gun lobby and its political supporters routinely offer "thoughts and prayers,” repeating the same talking points and slogans. Maybe the politicians should ask the children and teachers if these drills make them feel safer, or is it just another "duck and cover?" Karen Adler, Jacksonville This social media post, threatening to shoot up a school, went viral and caused panic in at least seven different states. The message was a hoax, and led to the arrest of an 18-year-old Coral Springs student. Hoaxes need big consequences Regarding the recent social media post that threatened a school shooting, went viral, caused panic in several states and turned out to be a hoax: All middle and high school students should be required to make a mandatory video — perhaps accompanied by a written form with parents’ signature ― acknowledging the following: These incidents are not a prank or practical joke. In addition to permanent expulsion, a criminal charge may follow. Certain records may be carried to adulthood and not be expunged. Parents may be responsible for cost reimbursement. Also, implement an "If you see it, say it" program, where other students can report social media threats anonymously. Joe Edelson, Jacksonville People hold signs during a November 2022 joint board meeting of the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine in Lake Buena Vista to establish new guidelines limiting gender-affirming care in Florida. Is Florida the top ‘hate state'? With the passing of yet more draconian legislation restricting the rights of transgender youth, our state legislators continue to outdo every other state in promoting hate as our most prominent attribute. Are the crimes being committed in Jacksonville, "the murder capital of Florida,” being committed by angry LGBTQ people, Jews, Muslims, pregnant people, teachers or school children? Or will the data show that our murderers turn out to be mostly young xenophobic white males who are sorely in need of mental health therapy? Elizabeth Fiorite, Westside Jacksonville This postcard aims to cast doubt on Donna Deegan, the Democratic mayoral candidate, because out-of-state donors have contributed to her campaign. However, Duval County's elections website clearly shows her opponent, Republican Daniel Davis, has also accepted out-of-state contributions. Glass houses, Mr. Davis A recent postcard from the Republican Party of Duval County insinuates that Donna Deegan can’t be trusted because she is taking out-of-state donations. A quick check on the Duval Elections website shows that donations received by Daniel Davis just this year have come from Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas, Wisconsin and Washington, DC. Perhaps they need to do their research before sending out this literal trash. Dee Paez, Jacksonville This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Voting the other party out is the only way to fix things

Former Auburn quarterback T.J. Finley to join Texas State Daniel Locke ~2 minutes Former Auburn Tigers quarterback T.J. Finley will be heading out west to play for the Texas State Bobcats. This will be the third program Finley has played for. Finley was a member of the LSU Tigers in 2020, Auburn in 2021 and 2022, and now Texas State. Finley first entered the portal during the 2022 season but ended up withdrawing his name. This was likely to see what his options were under Hugh Freeze and the new staff. Finley entered the portal again on May 2nd, just three days before former Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne announced that he would be transferring to Auburn. After being named the starting quarterback before the season, Finley only appeared in four games for Auburn in 2022. He went 33-53 for 431 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. Finley took over the starting quarterback role in 2021 after Bo Nix went down with an injury in week 10. Finley went 51-91 for 600 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception throughout the 2021 season. The Auburn quarterback battle is now between Thorne, Robby Ashford, and Holden Geriner. 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 Daniel on Twitter @DanielJLocke

i get the therapy and copying as it did the same for me. tell big shooter bono said in his latest book that all his songs were prayers to god. music can heal a weary soul. if he can find a roland? it has been a minute but i believe you can get a good one for a grand or less. but omg they are so sweet. other musicians might have some ideas just in case you are not sure. if he got one with a built in recorder he can write his own stuff.

you good folks have a wonderful day!

Payton Thorne says Coach Freeze made his decision to come to Auburn easy Payton Thorne and Coach Freeze are building a great connection. Andrew Stefaniak 19 hours ago In this story: Auburn Tigers Coach Freeze and company have been looking for a quarterback in the portal for months and finally found one in Payton Thorne. He is an excellent addition to this football team who put up outstanding numbers these past few seasons for Michigan State. Thorne recently joined the MAX Roundtable, where host Doug Amos asked him what drew him to Auburn. Throne responded, " You know when I was down for my visit, I was there for a day. Just an unofficial visit, but you know it was a great time. I obviously got to meet Coach Freeze and Coach Montgomery and listen to them talk football and watching what they do on offense, along with many other things, getting to see the facilities getting to see the town. Then just everything that I've heard about Auburn and Auburn football has been nothing but great things. I was very excited when I was down there with my dad; we talked for a while about it, and Coach Freeze made it an easy decision for me." Thorne makes it sound pretty clear that he has a great connection with Coach Freeze and the staff. The former Michigan State quarterback is going to be a massive boost for this Auburn offense and should be exactly what the Tigers need to win eight-plus games. Thorne and his teammates will start the Hugh Freeze era with a bang in 2023.

Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze rebuilding Tigers - ESPN Heather Dinich 14–17 minutes Heather Dinich, ESPN Senior WriterMay 12, 2023, 08:00 AM ET Close College football reporter Joined ESPN.com in 2007 Graduate of Indiana University AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn coach Hugh Freeze spoke from the front of the team meeting room before a practice this spring -- his hands tucked in the pockets of his orange mesh shorts, pacing back and forth, his voice rising as he became more animated. "There are five schools that have played for two national championships in the past 12 years," he told the entire team and staff seated in the stuffy auditorium. "Five. FIVE in the country." He held up his left hand to show his fingers. "FIVE," he repeated, almost yelling now. "FIVE. And you sit in a team meeting room of one of those five schools. So some have come before you that had vision. Coaches have gone before me that have vision. Coaches and players have proven that this program can have a vision and accomplish something special. And it can be done again, but it's going to take a culture change from what it's been. I'm not pointing blame at anyone. I don't know. But I still see signs of it. I can't handle that. We must own it." Freeze, who was one of the most controversial hires of the offseason because of his own troubled past, is already knee-deep in trying to pull Auburn out of its own muck. Former coach Bryan Harsin didn't last two seasons, earning him the dubious distinction of becoming the program's shortest-tenured head coach in the past 93 years. Auburn -- a program that has won five national titles but none since 2010 -- was losing on the field and off it, as Harsin went 9-12 and was the focus of a weeklong university investigation into his treatment of players and staff. Auburn and new athletic director John Cohen took a public relations gamble by hiring Freeze, whose rapid success at Ole Miss -- which included beating Alabama and Nick Saban twice -- was overshadowed by NCAA recruiting violations and phone calls to an escort service, which ultimately led to Freeze resigning in 2017. While coaching at Liberty in 2022, Freeze was again mired in controversy when he used Twitter to send direct messages to a sexual assault survivor who sued the university for mishandling her case and won. Freeze said he tried for two years to fight the public backlash that accompanied the Ole Miss violations, but realized "it just made it worse." "You can't fight it because I created it," he said. "Yeah, I did," he said, raising his right hand to concede guilt. "I did, but that's not who I am. I think you can ask anybody who truly knows me and has been around me and they would say that." There's no sugarcoating what a polarizing man Freeze has become in the sport. Some are aghast that he has returned to the highest level of collegiate coaching -- in the same SEC West division he left in disgrace -- while others have embraced his return and accepted his mistakes, eager to see whether he has changed, and whether he can change Auburn. The 53-year-old coach will be judged at Auburn not only by how much he wins but also by how he does it. Freeze has had a blueprint for winning everywhere he's been, but he has never coached at a place like this at a time like this. Even on a good day, Auburn is one of the most difficult coaching jobs in the country -- a pressure-packed position highly scrutinized by its overzealous fan base and meddling boosters. The challenge is further exacerbated by sheer geography, which has the Alabama dynasty to the north and back-to-back national title winner Georgia to the east. Those at Auburn candidly warn the rebuild will take time after the school's first back-to-back losing seasons since 1998 and 1999. This is where Freeze's story begins this spring, in the team meeting room, with everyone trying to follow the theme on the screen at the front of the room, "Flip the Script," including the coach himself. "WHAT IN YOUR life are you experiencing today because of the vision of someone else?" Freeze asked the roomful of players and coaches staring back at him in the meeting room. Silence. "Because of what someone else did for you?" Silence. "C'mon, somebody." Silence. "We're gonna be late to practice," he said. "But we're going to learn as a program to communicate." It's one of the first steps, but that's where Auburn is right now -- starting from scratch while simultaneously burdened by the weight of its own history. Auburn has a new university president in Chris Roberts, who was hired in February 2022. A new athletic director in John Cohen, who was hired in November. A new $92 million facility that covers 12 acres. And Freeze, who is being paid $6.5 million to resurrect a program that for years couldn't get out of its own way. Two years ago, Auburn opted to pay a $21.7 million buyout to fire coach Gus Malzahn, who went 68-34 in eight seasons. It cost the school a total of $15.5 million in buyout money to fire Harsin, who was a peculiar choice to begin with, having spent nearly his entire playing and coaching career in Idaho. According to an ESPN investigative report, Auburn paid out $31.2 million in dead money between Jan. 1, 2010, and Jan. 31, 2021 -- more than any other school -- and that didn't include Harsin's payment. The persuasive power and deep pockets of the program's boosters have influenced the trajectory of the program -- "absolutely something" that Freeze was aware of and that weighed on his mind when he was offered the job. "When you take a job like this, you have to get in who really matters," Freeze said, "and the boosters do matter, but I can't be swayed or distracted by their opinions or their expectations. I have to stay within the walls of this building." Throughout the 233,428-square-foot Woltosz Football Performance Center, which formally opened in January, are trophies and jerseys from the program's NFL draft picks, constant reminders of what the Tigers are playing for. Auburn has won three SEC West titles and two SEC championships and has played for the national title twice over the past 12 seasons. There is no Cam Newton on this year's roster, though. Evaluating, developing and retaining talent has fallen far below the program's standards. During a recruiting cycle that was disrupted by uncertainty surrounding Harsin's future, Auburn signed only five ESPN 300 recruits in its 2022 class. By comparison, Alabama brought in 19 in the same class, Georgia added 16, and Texas A&M topped them all with 24. From Jan. 4, 2021, to now, a whopping 67 Auburn players entered the transfer portal. Forty-one left Georgia during that same span. Freeze said the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes will be critical to the program's ability to close the gap with Alabama and Georgia. "If we're not in that top-10 range, they'll probably be firing me in Year 4 or Year 5," he said with a half-laugh, "but you know that coming in. ... The administration, John Cohen has been awesome, President Roberts, I think everybody knows they've gotta give us a chance to get a couple top classes in here. If we don't do that, and are able to still win it, it would be a miracle." Cohen said he understands it will take some time. Patience hasn't been a part of Auburn's recent history, though, as the previous administration was quick to move on from Harsin after a 9-12 record in just under two seasons. "I absolutely understand the fact that our improvement is going to come in increments," Cohen said, "and I believe we're going to get there, but I think Hugh totally agrees with the fact that's our goal -- incremental improvement every day, every month, and if we do that, we know it's going to show up on the football field." Freeze said he's getting the right players on campus, and there's evidence, as he has flipped several ESPN 300 prospects to commit in the No. 20 incoming freshman class according to ESPN. He also has brought in the No. 7 incoming transfer class according to ESPN. It has to be even better, though, to beat Alabama and Georgia. "How anybody really closes it on those two, the challenge is tall," Freeze said. Freeze has been at Auburn for about six months. As new as it is, it's also somewhat familiar, as Freeze has been hired to reconstruct programs before, dating back to 2008-09 at "little ol' Lambuth," where he won 20 games in two years and elevated the program to unprecedented heights. Then he took over at Arkansas State, which had never had a winning season since entering the FBS. Freeze won 10 games and the Sun Belt there. When he was hired at Ole Miss, the Rebels hadn't won an SEC game in two years. In his first season, Ole Miss won seven games and went to a bowl game. At Liberty, which transitioned from FCS to FBS, Freeze directed the Flames to at least eight wins and a bowl game every season. Freeze said that it's hard to pinpoint one thing beyond recruiting that correlated to his success at each stop (among those he signed at Ole Miss was future Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf) but that it began with "a culture that breeds confidence" and extracting the most out of the players they have. Schematically, his tempo run-pass option offense "has been a big part of" his past 10-win seasons, which at times has overshadowed strong defenses. When Freeze was first hired at Ole Miss, the RPO concepts he had implemented were fairly new, but he conceded that "people have kind of caught up with that now some." "I've done them all the exact same way," he said, "and to this point -- to this point -- this has worked for me. Will it here? Which is a taller task than, you would argue, the other four? It's the only way I know to do it. So we're gonna find out." play 2:32 Doering says Auburn QB battle has long way to go After attending the Tigers' spring game, SEC Network analyst Chris Doering joins "The Paul Finebaum Show" and says new coach Hugh Freeze is not set on a starting QB. AFTER THE TEAM meeting this spring, the Auburn Tigers filed out to practice, where improvements and inconsistencies played out in real time. One of the tight ends was hit in the numbers and dropped the ball near the sideline. Another receiver dropped a ball. Two quarterbacks who are relatively unknown nationally -- sophomore Robby Ashford (nine starts) and junior T.J. Finley (three starts and has since entered the transfer portal) -- were competing for the starting job, along with redshirt freshman Holden Geriner. Freeze said the competition is wide open, and he probably won't name a starter until the summer, when Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne will join the competition. Auburn's passing game struggled mightily last year, ranking No. 119 in the country with 172.7 yards per game. Auburn was also No. 101 in first downs per game and No. 98 in third-down conversion percentage. Freeze isn't going to change his high-tempo, RPO-driven offense, but he's surrendering control of it to coordinator Philip Montgomery, who spent the past eight seasons as Tulsa's head coach. "Both of us want to be on the same page, and open and honest about how we're approaching it," Montgomery said. "The point that we got to was, he was bringing me here to be the playcaller, but also he's always got an influence and a trump card and if there's something he wants to run, that's what we're going to do. Understanding this is the first time he's relinquished some of those duties, and that's hard." Before taking over at Tulsa, Montgomery had Baylor's offense flying as its offensive coordinator. During his three seasons (2012-14) in Waco, the Bears averaged almost 600 yards and 50 points per game. Defensively, Auburn has been average or subpar in most categories, a far cry from the elite level needed to win the SEC. Ron Roberts, who was the defensive coordinator at Baylor the past three seasons, took the same position at Auburn in mid-December. The 2021 Bears defense led the conference in interceptions (19), turnovers gained (27) and defensive touchdowns (three). Baylor also finished second in the Big 12 in run defense (118.4 yards per game) and scoring defense (18.3 points per game). Auburn needed an upgrade in every one of those categories. "If we can get in that top 10 coming out of the gate, great, but the expectation is we're at Auburn, and we need to be top 20 in the country in defense every year, and if we're not, then we're underachieving," Roberts said, "so I gotta find a way to get that done." Freeze has experience returning to his roster. According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, the Tigers return the third-most production in the SEC, including the top three players in receiving yards (Ja'Varrius Johnson, Koy Moore and Jarquez Hunter) and two of the three 500-yard rushers (Ashford and Hunter). Auburn also returns two players with at least 50 tackles in Cam Riley (65) and Keionte Scott (53). Tight end Luke Deal sees a solution for a team that finished 2-6 in the SEC last season but became more competitive in the final third of the year. "It's just consistency," Deal said. "If you watched last year, if you watch that team, toward the end of the season, completely different ballclub, and we bring that same energy earlier in the season, who knows?" MUCH LIKE THE program he has taken over, Freeze can't escape his past. Although he desperately wants to move forward, he also uses his past transgressions as open lessons with his team. Freeze said that he's "so sick of rehashing it" but also that it's "the facts." "It's made me better," he said. "It's made my wife and I better. It's made, you know, everybody around me better. I think it made me a better coach because I share the real-life examples with our players and let me tell you when Coach got it wrong. Let me tell you when he got it right. Let me tell you why." In the span of seven years, Freeze ascended from a high school coach in Tennessee to a successful SEC West coach, where he took the Rebels to their first Sugar Bowl in 45 years. He said he "was obviously not mature enough to handle everything that came at me." Now he gets another shot at the big time. In some ways -- from meddling boosters to the specter of the Alabama and Georgia dynasties -- it will be his most difficult job yet. But with that comes a huge opportunity. "We just always felt like this is a place that you can win big, yet they haven't done it," Freeze said. "I've got a few years left in me before I say I've had enough, truthfully. I don't want to do this until I'm 75 like my buddy Nick [Saban]. ... I just think for the years I have left, I want the challenge of it."

Auburn among top teams destined to rebound in 2023 Taylor Jones 2–3 minutes Auburn went through a rough patch last season by sustaining a 5-7 season. The losing season sparked a coaching change as Bryan Harsin was relieved of his duties on Oct. 31. Things are trending upward for the Tigers, as Hugh Freeze has brought a new sense of confidence to the Auburn fanbase by recruiting and utilizing the transfer portal to find the best players for positions of need. Buy Tigers Tickets Because of the noticeable difference in overall morale, Athlon Sports feels that Auburn will be one of five teams that will rebound in 2023. Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassan recently shared five teams that he sees improving from their 2022 campaign. Auburn joins a list of programs such as Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and Miami that are poised to get back to normal this season. When discussing Auburn, Lassan shared that the Tigers’ lack of creating points, plus their struggles with stopping the run, led to a disappointing season. However, recent upgrades should get Auburn back on track. The arrival of Hugh Freeze and a solid staff is the biggest reason Auburn should improve in ’23. Freeze and coordinator Philip Montgomery should jumpstart the offense, and the transfer portal additions of quarterback Payton Thorne (Michigan State) and four potential starters on a thin offensive line are another reason for optimism. Also, running back Jarquez Hunter should have a breakout year. The Tigers are solid in the secondary, and similar to the offense, a couple of transfer portal additions are slated to boost the line of scrimmage. Several positions that received boosts this offseason include running back, offensive line, and quarterback. The new-look Tigers will begin their run to a bowl game on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Jordan-Hare Stadium against UMass. 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__

Auburn's Rivaldo Fairweather listed as top 30 TE in college football Lance Dawe ~2 minutes Fairweather should be in for a special season under Hugh Freeze. Auburn has a plethora of new weapons in their passing attack this season. According to Big Game Boomer, a social media influencer and big time name in the college football media sphere, the Tigers have one of the top 30 tight ends in the nation. Boomer recently released his list of the top 50 tight ends in all of college football, with Auburn's Rivaldo Fairweather coming in at No. 28 overall. Other SEC tight ends over Fairweather include LSU's Mason Taylor, Alabama's CJ Dippre, Arkansas' Var'Keyes Gumms, South Carolina's Trey Knox, Ole Miss' Caden Prieskorn, and Georgia's Brock Bowers. The Tigers picked up Fairweather from the transfer portal (Florida International) to give Auburn's passing attack a veteran safety valve. Hugh Freeze had a very solid track record with tight ends at Ole Miss, and there's reason to believe Fairweather could be in store for a record-setting season with the Tigers.

but not just any moron can go buy one. i doubt it is perfect but i bet it slows it way down on violence.

and for you guys with selective reading skillz this is trumps guy this article is about.TRUMPS GUY.

quit being a richard and sit down dude. you are wasting my time.

thats right and i am not sure of they still do that any more.

i have already stated that. hell YOU guys with all the radical right wingers are the ones mostly killing people other than gang banger stuff. big trump supporter with death squad patches. you get your crazies to disarm first and i will gladly follow ...........

then i applaud you. i just go further. if we had to give up our guns i would if it saved lives. but making excuses instead of searching for answers is not helping.