aubiefifty

This is not about abortion it is about control. this is middle east level crap. the next day abortion pill does not have a baby yet to kill. and it is peoples on business if they want to have sex or not so why this? i seriously think i am missing something. this christian right crap is getting out of hand.

rollingstone.com Texas Judge Outlaws the Abortion Pill Across the Country Tessa Stuart 7–8 minutes Skip to main content Trump Judge in Texas Outlaws the Abortion Pill Nationwide Federal judge blocks abortion pill approval, virtually banning the sale of the pills across the U.S. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk AP A federal district court judge in Texas has issued an injunction suspending distribution of mifepristone — a critical component in the two-step abortion pill regimen — nationwide. It’s hard to overstate the magnitude of the order, which could make the drug used in most abortions in America unavailable to women throughout the country, even in states where abortion is legal. One of the most glaring flaws in the argument that anti-abortion advocates advanced in the case revolved around timing: There is a six-year statute of limitations to challenge FDA authorization and Mifepristone has been on the market for more than 22 years. In his 67-page opinion, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk waves the issue away, writing that the FDA “stonewalled judicial review — until now.” More than 3.7 million pregnant people have used mifepristone, and its companion drug, Misoprostol, to terminate unwanted pregnancies since the FDA approved the two-step abortion pill in 2000. More than half of documented abortions in America last year were medication abortions.Consistent with his earlier efforts to shield the ruling from public scrutiny, Kacsmaryk issued the opinion on the Friday night of a holiday weekend. The last hearing in the case, which took place last month, was scheduled in secret in a deliberate effort to evade attention. “I think less advertisement of this hearing is better,” Kacsmaryk told lawyers in the case, during a call in which he informed them the hearing would be kept off the public docket as long as possible. In response, Washington District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice issued a partial, preliminary injunction on Friday night prohibiting the FDA from immediately pulling the drug off the market and “altering the status quo and rights as it relates to the availability of Mifepristone.” The Supreme Court will likely intervene in order to resolve the dispute between the two rulings. Kacsmaryk is a former religious liberty lawyer who worked at the far-right First LIberty Institute before Trump installed him on the federal bench in 2019. It’s not the first controversial decision he has issued, but this one will virtually guarantee his place in infamy. At least two clinic networks have announced they will continue to provide abortions using mifepristone. Trust Women, which operates clinics in Kansas and Oklahoma, and Whole Woman’s Health, which operates facilities in Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico and Virginia, have both announced they will await direction from the FDA. Hey Jane, which provides telemedicine services to patients in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington, has likewise said it will continue to provide mifepristone and misoprostol abortions “for as long as we have access” to mifepristone. On Friday, the Biden administration said it was reviewing the decisions. The Department of Justice is expected to seek a stay from the Fifth Circuit — widely regarded as the most conservative court in the country. (Twelve of the 17 Fifth Circuit judges are Republican appointees; half were appointed by Trump himself.) If lawyers for the Biden administration can’t find relief in the Fifth Circuit, they can appeal to the Supreme Court. It’s unclear how long that will take and if Kacsmaryk’s injunction will be allowed to remain in place in the meantime. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), an early champion of the abortion pill, has called on the FDA and President Biden to ignore Kacsmaryk’s order. A 2018 article in the Harvard Law Review examining the issue of federal disobedience found it is rare for a federal agency to defy a court order, but not unprecedented. The courts themselves have relatively few options to force an agency, like the FDA, to comply with an order. Kacsmaryk could issue contempt sanctions in the form of fines, or threaten to throw the head of the agency — in this case, Commissioner Robert Califf — in jail. Wyden spoke critically of the fact that a single federal judge could manipulate national policy in this way. “This is all about hot-wiring the system in order to produce an anti-abortion ruling — which is what his whole career has been about,” Wyden said of Kacsmaryk. “If he wanted to be a legislator, he should have run for office.” It’s a relatively recent phenomenon, with increasingly partisan judges issuing national injunctions more frequently in the last decade than ever before in American history. Until 1976, national injunctions could only be issued by courts composed of at least three judges. But that’s no longer the case, and since Kacsmaryk is the only federal judge in the Amarillo division of the Northern District of Texas, all any ideologically-motivated organization needs to do to stop a federal law they don’t like from being enforced is file their case in Amarillo. The ideologically motivated organization behind this lawsuit is the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, incorporated in Amarillo shortly before this suit was filed. They are represented by the Conservative litigation shop, the Alliance Defending Freedom; Sen. Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) wife, Erin Hawley, the lead lawyer on the case. In a statement, ADF Senior Counsel Erik Baptist called the opinion “a significant victory for the doctors and medical associations we represent.”Kacsmaryk’s order is the biggest victory for anti-abortion advocates since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the latest shot fired in the broader conservative campaign against reproductive rights — a campaign that continues despite polls showing a record number of Americans are dissatisfied with abortion laws in the U.S. It’s a campaign in which Kacsmaryk himself has emerged as a central figure: In December, he issued a ruling prohibiting teens in Texas from obtaining birth control without their parents permission. Get unlimited access to RollingStone.com on all of your devices.

3 positions that may need a boost for Auburn’s defense after A-Day Updated: Apr. 07, 2023, 10:02 a.m.|Published: Apr. 07, 2023, 6:02 a.m. 4–5 minutes Auburn is just a day away from Hugh Freeze’s first A-Day as Tigers head coach. Freeze will lead his squad through a 60-minute scrimmage with a running clock. It’ll be offense versus defense, like most of the spring games that take place during this time of year. However, there is a twist unlike many that will take place. The defense will start with a 24-0 lead, with the offense having to make plays to get back into the game, and possibly win it. “I don’t know if I’m making sense, but for the spring game format, the defense will be giving a selected number of points,” Freeze said to reporters. “I will let our staff decide that, and then I will start drives at various spots and hopefully some end in points. If the defense can hold the offenses to under that point, the defense wins the spring game. And they’ll get to eat steak or something. And the losers will eat a hot dog. Something like that.” We looked at some questions Auburn fans would want to be answered during A-Day on the offensive side of the ball on Thursday, starting with the quarterback. Now we visit the defense under new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who wasn’t shy about setting high expectations for the Tigers. Here’s a look at three positions that may need an upgrade following A-Day. Read More Auburn Football: 3 Questions about Auburn’s offense for Hugh Freeze entering A-Day Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys ‘everything’ Auburn thought he’d be at linebacker Hugh Freeze: Jarquez Hunter ‘probably the best running back I’ve ever coached’ “We’re at Auburn, and I expect us to be a top-20 defense in the country,” Roberts said. “We need to do that. How we get that done is that we get the guys in the right spot, playing assignment football, playing disciplined football, being mentally tough, being physically tough, doing all the things that we got to do right. I always believe is you set the standard, and then guys rise to that standard. We’re at Auburn and there’s certain expectations you’re going put on the helmet. That’s what it should be like, and you should expect to perform at that level.” Cornerbacks D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett, and J.D. Rhym are an experienced group. However, there isn’t much left after those players. Rhym missed most of spring practice with an undisclosed injury. His absence left the Tigers with three scholarship corners for spring football. “Yeah, we really don’t have a lot of corners right now. Just number-wise, on the team, we don’t have them. I think we’ve got three scholarship corners going,” Roberts said. “The three that can go are going to be able to go. Yeah, we really don’t have a lot of corners right now. Just number-wise, on the team, we don’t have them. I think we’ve got three scholarship corners going. ... The three that can go are going to be able to go.” Expect Auburn to be active in the portal with the spring window open from April 15-30, less than a week after the spring game. The Tigers did sign JC Hart, Colton Hood, and Tyler Scott for the 2023 signing class, all of whom will arrive in the fall. Edge Losing Derick Hall, Eku Leota, and Marcus Bragg left Freeze with a pass-rusher shortage. Freshman Keldric Faulk and Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister add depth and talent. However, a team can never have enough guys to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Dylan Brooks redshirted in 2021 and saw action in nine games with six tackles and a sack last season. Brooks is the only scholarship edge rusher to return to the team. Auburn will explore the portal for more pass-rushers once the window opens. “We’re not where we need to be in rushing the passer,” Freeze said. “We certainly will improve our guys, but we’ve got to get better at that spot, for sure. At all spots, but we’ve got to get better. We’re deficient in true pass-rushers currently.” Safety Donovan Kaufman, Marquise Gilbert, Zion Puckett, Cayden Bridges, and Marquise Gilbert have lots of experience playing quality football. However, similarly to the cornerbacks, there isn’t a lot of players with game action behind them. Can Auburn find more help for the safety group in the portal? We’ll find out. Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.

auburnwire.usatoday.com A-Day 2023: Daniel Locke's top 10 players to watch this Saturday Daniel Locke 5–6 minutes Auburn football is one day away from having an opportunity to showcase what they have been working on during spring practice. There are a lot of new faces and storylines that have they eyes of the college football world on Auburn, Alabama. From first-year head coach Hugh Freeze, to the new transfers and recruits, there is a lot to talk about. Buy Tigers Tickets This prompted Auburn Wire writers Taylor Jones, J.D. McCarthy and Daniel Locke to list the 10 players they are paying the most attention to on Saturday. Taylor Jones listed his players on Wednesday and J.D. McCarthy went on Thursday. Now it is Daniel Locke’s turn. Here are the 10 players that Daniel Locke will be keeping an eye on during A-Day: Auburn quarterback Robby Ashford rolls out to pass against Missouri during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Locke’s input: Ashford started at quarterback for the Tigers for most of the season last year. He passed for 1,613 yards and seven touchdowns as well as picking up 710 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Ashford will be fighting for the QB1 spot again in 2023. AUBURN, AL – March 15, 2023 – Auburn Wide Receiver Nick Mardner (#8) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman Locke’s input: The Cincinnati transfer caught 19 passes for 218 yards in 2022. These numbers won’t jump off a page, but Marnder has a solid build and will likely have a place in the Freeze system. Kentucky’s Justin Rogers goes for the fumble against South Carolina.Oct. 8, 2022 Kentuckysc 16 Locke’s input: The Kentucky transfer is expected to make an immediate difference on Auburn’s defensive line. He will likely see the field a good bit during A-Day. Sep 2, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates offensive lineman Avery Jones (54) during pregame action against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Locke’s input: Offensive line has been a weak spot for the Tigers for a while now. Freeze has made improving the o-line a priority since arriving in Auburn in December and landing Jones will help achieve that goal. AUBURN, AL – March 01, 2023 – Auburn Running Back Brian Battie (#21) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman Locke’s input: Battie earned all-American honors as a kick returner for the South Florida Bulls in 2021. He will likely fill that role for Auburn as well as getting plenty of carries. LSU linebacker DeMario Tolan (32) in action during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. LSU won 65-17. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman) Locke’s input: Tolan played in 12 games for LSU last season. He will likely see a lot of playing time as linebacker is one of the biggest question marks for the defense at this point. Recruit Kayin Lee visits Ohio Stadium during the Ohio State, Michigan game. Kayin Lee Locke’s input: Lee is expected to be one of the biggest recruits Auburn landed in this class. Ranked as the No. 16 cornerback in the class, Lee is expected to have an immediate impact and that will start tomorrow. Nov 27, 2021; Huntington, West Virginia, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers offensive lineman Gunner Britton (75) leads the team onto the field prior to their game against the Marshall Thundering Herd at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports Locke’s input: Britton started every game for the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers last season. He is expected to help rebuild the offensive line unit. AUBURN, AL – February 27, 2023 – Auburn Offensive Lineman Dillon Wade (#52) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman Locke’s input: Freeze hired former Tulsa head coach Phillip Montgomery to fill the role of offensive coordinator. Montgomery brought Wade with him to help fix the offensive line. It will be interesting to see if that process is on track tomorrow. AUBURN, AL – March 22, 2023 – Auburn Tight End Rivaldo Fairweather (#13) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman Locke’s input: Fairweather caught 54 passes for 838 yards and five touchdowns during his time at FIU. Freeze has a history of developing tight ends and it will be interesting to see where Fairweather is at after a few months of working with Freeze.

3 positions that may need a boost for Auburn’s defense after A-Day Updated: Apr. 07, 2023, 10:02 a.m.|Published: Apr. 07, 2023, 6:02 a.m. 4–5 minutes Auburn is just a day away from Hugh Freeze’s first A-Day as Tigers head coach. Freeze will lead his squad through a 60-minute scrimmage with a running clock. It’ll be offense versus defense, like most of the spring games that take place during this time of year. However, there is a twist unlike many that will take place. The defense will start with a 24-0 lead, with the offense having to make plays to get back into the game, and possibly win it. “I don’t know if I’m making sense, but for the spring game format, the defense will be giving a selected number of points,” Freeze said to reporters. “I will let our staff decide that, and then I will start drives at various spots and hopefully some end in points. If the defense can hold the offenses to under that point, the defense wins the spring game. And they’ll get to eat steak or something. And the losers will eat a hot dog. Something like that.” We looked at some questions Auburn fans would want to be answered during A-Day on the offensive side of the ball on Thursday, starting with the quarterback. Now we visit the defense under new defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who wasn’t shy about setting high expectations for the Tigers. Here’s a look at three positions that may need an upgrade following A-Day. Read More Auburn Football: 3 Questions about Auburn’s offense for Hugh Freeze entering A-Day Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys ‘everything’ Auburn thought he’d be at linebacker Hugh Freeze: Jarquez Hunter ‘probably the best running back I’ve ever coached’ “We’re at Auburn, and I expect us to be a top-20 defense in the country,” Roberts said. “We need to do that. How we get that done is that we get the guys in the right spot, playing assignment football, playing disciplined football, being mentally tough, being physically tough, doing all the things that we got to do right. I always believe is you set the standard, and then guys rise to that standard. We’re at Auburn and there’s certain expectations you’re going put on the helmet. That’s what it should be like, and you should expect to perform at that level.” Cornerbacks D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett, and J.D. Rhym are an experienced group. However, there isn’t much left after those players. Rhym missed most of spring practice with an undisclosed injury. His absence left the Tigers with three scholarship corners for spring football. “Yeah, we really don’t have a lot of corners right now. Just number-wise, on the team, we don’t have them. I think we’ve got three scholarship corners going,” Roberts said. “The three that can go are going to be able to go. Yeah, we really don’t have a lot of corners right now. Just number-wise, on the team, we don’t have them. I think we’ve got three scholarship corners going. ... The three that can go are going to be able to go.” Expect Auburn to be active in the portal with the spring window open from April 15-30, less than a week after the spring game. The Tigers did sign JC Hart, Colton Hood, and Tyler Scott for the 2023 signing class, all of whom will arrive in the fall. Edge Losing Derick Hall, Eku Leota, and Marcus Bragg left Freeze with a pass-rusher shortage. Freshman Keldric Faulk and Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister add depth and talent. However, a team can never have enough guys to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Dylan Brooks redshirted in 2021 and saw action in nine games with six tackles and a sack last season. Brooks is the only scholarship edge rusher to return to the team. Auburn will explore the portal for more pass-rushers once the window opens. “We’re not where we need to be in rushing the passer,” Freeze said. “We certainly will improve our guys, but we’ve got to get better at that spot, for sure. At all spots, but we’ve got to get better. We’re deficient in true pass-rushers currently.” Safety Donovan Kaufman, Marquise Gilbert, Zion Puckett, Cayden Bridges, and Marquise Gilbert have lots of experience playing quality football. However, similarly to the cornerbacks, there isn’t a lot of players with game action behind them. Can Auburn find more help for the safety group in the portal? We’ll find out. Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.

247sports.com Our MVP picks for Auburn's 2023 spring game Nathan King 7–9 minutes A-Day is almost here, and Auburn’s annual spring game will have a much different look than seasons past. Hugh Freeze broke down the format some earlier in the week before the program shared complete details on social media Thursday: The scoreboard will start with 24 points, and the offense has a quarter-less 60 minutes — with a running clock — to hit that number and be proclaimed the winners. If it doesn't, the defense wins. While Auburn’s coaches were pleased with the team’s progress in a number of areas through the five weeks of practice, Freeze wants to set proper expectations for the fanbase that, at the end of the day, it’s only a scrimmage, and what they see Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. CST, SEC Network+) won’t reflect the product they should expect from the team this fall. And that’s not to mention the forecast of rain throughout the day that could limit the Tigers’ offense. “Unrealistic expectations lead to frustration,” Freeze said Monday. “And so I just don't want anybody to be frustrated. … They're going to see us hit and they're going to see us tackle, and they're going to see people run the ball and people throw the ball. Will it be exactly the same that they see this fall? I sure hope not. I hope it's better and probably a little different.” With the action inside Jordan-Hare Stadium set to bring Auburn’s 15 spring practices to a close, here’s who our staff will be watching as contenders to win the annual A-Day MVP awards on offense and defense — special teams almost always goes to the kicker, so early congratulations to Evan McPherson) — along with some other thoughts on what to expect from the spring game. OFFENSIVE MVP Jason’s pick: RB Damari Alston “Over the years I would say that running backs would be the guys that have a great chance to win a spring game MVP and I just don’t see Jarquez Hunter getting a lot of action in this one. Alston is a guy that got a few touches last season, but I think the coaches would like to see him really turn it loose and find out what he can do in that situation. Because of that I’ll go with Alston to take home the honors on offense.” Nathan’s pick: TE Rivaldo Fairweather “It’s obviously tempting to go with a tailback — seeing how the simplicity of the running game usually lends itself to a more productive spring game, as compared to the passing attack — but I’ll spice things up and pick the player Freeze called Auburn’s most consistent pass-catcher, regardless of prediction. The 6-foot-4, 251-pound transfer from FIU has been every bit as advertised in terms of his athleticism and versatility, and with the Tigers’ receiving corps unsteady for most of the spring, I’ll predict Auburn’s QBs will look Fairweather’s way often whenever they go to the air.” Christian’s pick: RB Brian Battie “I'd be tempted to go with a quarterback here, but the rain really limits my thought about that. Because of that, I'm also going to pass on taking a receiver or tight end. So, to running back we go. I'll take the USF transfer Battie as my offensive MVP. I really like Alston and almost went with him, but Battie's speed and playmaking ability is a little too much to pass on here. As offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery described it, Battie has the ability as a smaller back to almost get lost or hide behind the offensive linemen. I'll predict him to rip off a big touchdown run and that cements his MVP status.” DEFENSIVE MVP Jason’s pick: LB Powell Gordon “It’s tough to win on defense for anyone in the secondary unless the team is throwing the ball a ton, so I’ll go with Gordon. I could see him making some plays off the edge for the Tigers and getting plenty of work in this game. He’s not going to be a starter and may not play much at all with the first defense, but I have seen Gordon in action and if he gets some opportunities to rush the passer, he could be a breakout performer.” Nathan’s pick: DE Jeffrey M'ba “Given the rainy conditions expected Saturday afternoon, I’ll go with a player from the defensive front. Formerly the No. 1 overall JUCO recruit in the country, M’ba said he’s found a home at defensive end this spring, and feels much more comfortable at that position than he did bouncing around the defensive line last season. He’s an ulta-athletic force who can get involved in the ground game as well as rush the passer. I’ll also give a nod to safety Jaylin Simpson, who would have been my next selection here. I can certainly see an errant pass coming his way in the secondary.” Christian’s pick: CB Kayin Lee “He's gotten so much hype throughout spring practice and I think it'll carry over to A-Day: Give me the true freshman corner Lee as my defensive MVP. With Auburn's receiving corps a little battered this spring and still a lot of questions at quarterback mixed with the rain, I think Lee can make a couple of plays or snag an interception. I also really toyed with Simpson back at safety, but I'll roll with Lee. For me, I just think with this format one quarterback is going to get sped up a little bit and force a pass they don't need to and make a mistake.” WHO ARE YOU EXCITED TO WATCH? Jason: “I’m really excited to see the newcomers on the lines of scrimmage on both offense and defense. I have heard a lot about Dillon Wade, so watching him at left tackle and seeing how he handles himself is going to be one thing for me. Another is going to be Keldric Faulk. He’s big and athletic, but I’m anxious to see him in one-on-one situations and if he can create pressure off the edge. Another one for me is Robert Woodyard. I almost went with him for my defensive MVP and I could see him having a big day.” Nathan: “Aside from the obvious answer of the quarterbacks, the O-linemen won’t receive as much individual attention in a scrimmage like this, but I’m still looking forward to observing some flashes of how this group has gelled together with the three transfer additions. There also might be some added intrigue if Jeremiah Wright, who’s been in a non-contact jersey all spring, is supplanted in the starting lineup during A-Day. On defense, the freshman duo of Faulk at jack linebacker and Lee at cornerback have received more than their fair share of praise this spring. Even in a spring game, you can often tell who looks like an SEC-caliber player among the youngsters.” Christian: “Definitely Fairweather is one. He got a ton of hype transferring from FIU and so far, it seems like he's been worth every bit of it. Freeze and Ben Aigamaua had success with Evan Engram, and he wasn't a highly-touted recruit by any means. Fairweather is still young in football, but he's got some years of college football under his belt and can be a real playmaker for this team. I'll cheat a little and say the offensive line as a whole, too. For the first time in a long time, Auburn has a chance to have an above average offensive line. Last pick is Faulk, for obvious reasons. He absolutely looks the part, has seemingly played the part this spring and I'm excited to see what he brings on Saturday.” FAN VOTE (polled from Auburn Undercover subs and Twitter) Offensive MVP 1. RB Damari Alston 2. RB Jarquez Hunter 3. WR Camden Brown 4. QB Holden Geriner 5. TE Rivaldo Fairweather Defensive MVP 1. LB Robert Woodyard 2. JACK Keldric Faulk 3. DE Jeffrey M’ba 4. LB DeMario Tolan 5. CB Kayin Lee ">247Sports

theplainsman.com Auburn linebacker room adding power to new defense - The Auburn Plainsman 5–6 minutes Head coach Hugh Freeze has been honest with his impression of his players this spring. Freeze expressed concern for the quarterback and wide receiver rooms, but the linebacker room has impressed Freeze the most this spring. “That’s actually one group where I felt like we’ve improved ourselves from practice one to practice six. I don’t feel as good about some other groups like I feel about that one,” Freeze said. Freeze announced Josh Aldridge as Auburn’s next linebackers coach. Aldridge spent the last four seasons with Freeze at Liberty and announced some changes he wants to install at Auburn – playing five or six linebackers and rotating them out during games. “It’s always fun to just see how coaches coach and, you know, draw comparisons to things I’ve learned in the past. I think it’s been good learning new stuff so far with the new coaches,” said senior linebacker Wesley Steiner. “There’s not much more you can do, you know, once you learn the concepts, you shouldn’t have a problem adapting to any new situation, and that goes from high school, college and beyond.” Although Auburn football has undergone a massive change in leadership, the players haven’t seen a noticeable difference in the game’s mechanics. “I don’t see a big difference in the change of scheme, but that could also be the way I looked at the concepts. I don’t see it much differently,” Steiner said. “It’s just the way we kind of speak it. Obviously, there’s a few things that are a little different, but just for me, concept-wise, I think things are the same, so it’s not too hard to learn.” Over spring ball, the offense and defense have had several chances to face each other, and so far, the defense has dominated that matchup, although the offense has had its moments according to Freeze. These scrimmages allowed all of the linebackers a chance at each position. “We have a very fluid depth chart, so I’ve been all over the place – I’ve been with the ones, been with twos and been with threes,” Steiner said. “Everyone’s gotten reps… For most of spring, the defense has been pretty dominant for the most part.” Although the Tigers lost Owen Pappoe to the NFL Draft, Auburn added key defensive players to its roster. The Tigers picked up junior Austin Keys this offseason from Ole Miss. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker adds years of SEC experience and physicality to the linebacker room along with “consistency.” “He brings a great approach to just kind of accepting coaching as it comes,” Steiner said. “I think he does a great job of just taking coaching as we get it. That’s been something that we’ve been harping on in the room — just hearing the message, not the tone. Everyone knows coaching can get a little heated sometimes, but Austin’s done a good job of just taking coaching and just being consistent.” Auburn also added LSU transfer, DeMario Tolan. Although Tolan played every game at LSU as a freshman, the former four-star linebacker is still learning the concepts because he’s a young guy. “I’ve definitely seen DeMario grow. There’s no question about that. He reminds me a lot of how I was when I got here,” Steiner said. “Just knowing that I struggled, it gives me more confidence that you know, even when these guys are struggling, he’s gonna get it because I got through it, and I’m here to help them. I have seen his growth, and I’m excited to see how far he will grow.” Freshman Robert Woodyard Jr. was the highest-rated signee in the Tiger’s class of 2022. Woodyard saw some action last fall, but he has developed his skillset a bit more this spring. “I’ve enjoyed watching Robert grow so far, and I’m pretty confident, you know, once all the older guys leave, if he stays, I think that the defense will be in a good place," Steiner said. "I think he’s grown physically. He’s matured as a man, and I think that’s helped him on the football field and I’m excited for the future.” Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Auburn Plainsman delivered to your inbox 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. Caitlyn Griffin | Sports Writer Caitlyn Griffin is a freshman from Huntsville, Ala. majoring in journalism. She started with The Plainsman in fall 2022. Twitter: @caitlyngrif99

si.com 2023 Auburn football A-Day schedule Lance Dawe ~2 minutes There's a lot going on during Auburn's 2023 A-Day weekend. Auburn's 2023 spring game will be a little different from others. First-year head coach Hugh Freeze has decided to change the scoring format for this year's A-Day, as well as the overall scrimmage time. READ: Auburn football's A-Day to feature different scoring rules The schedule for A-Day is packed, with a variety of things happening before the Tigers kick things off at 1:20 p.m - including the unveiling of Frank Thomas' statue. Here's a look at the entire day's schedule: A-Day Schedule: 9 a.m. - Vault Pop-Up Shop Opens (Plainsman Park Parking Lot) 10 a.m. - Frank Thomas Statue Unveiling (Tiger Walk Club, Third Floor) On To Victory Player Meet & Greet (Old Indoor FB Practice Facility) 11 a.m. - Jordan-Hare Stadium gates open Coca-Cola Fan Zone opens (Jordan-Hare Stadium, East Concourse) 11:05 a.m. - Alumni Flag Football Game (Jordan-Hare Stadium) 11:30 a.m. - Tiger Walk 12:30 p.m. - Eagle Flight (Jordan-Hare Stadium) 1:20 p.m. - A-Day Game begins

saturdaydownsouth.com Hugh Freeze shares his ‘expectations’ for Auburn in 2023 Spenser Davis ~3 minutes Hugh Freeze isn’t setting a high bar for his 1st season with the Tigers, but he is laying out clear expectations for what he wants the program to be in 2023. While speaking with ESPN’s Heather Dinich on Friday, Freeze said his expectation is for fans to be “excited” about the improvement they see on the field. “I expect our fans to be excited about the improvement they see,” Freeze said. “What does that mean at the end of the season on the record side? I have no clue. We’re still young in our journey here. I’m still figuring out names.” I asked @CoachHughFreeze what fair expectations are this season. “I expect our fans to be excited about the improvement they see. What does that mean at the end of the season on the record side? I have no clue. We’re still young in our journey here. I’m still figuring out names.” — Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) April 7, 2023 Auburn is coming off of a 5-7 season that saw the Tigers miss a bowl game for the 1st time in a decade. Year 1 under Freeze could be a difficult one as he looks to rebuild Auburn’s program. However, Freeze has pulled off impressive turnarounds before. In 2012, he inherited an Ole Miss program that was 2-10 prior to his arrival. Freeze led the Rebels to 4 straight bowl appearances, including a 7-6 records in Year 1. Auburn will play its annual spring game on Saturday.

Following furor over GOP-donor luxury trips, Joe Biden reckons with another Clarence Thomas scandal Michael Collins and Josh Meyer, USA TODAY 10–13 minutes WASHINGTON – Anita Hill’s riveting testimony alleging sexual harassment by Clarence Thomas was still fresh on Joe Biden’s mind when he gaveled the Senate Judiciary Committee back to order. “Tough day – tough night for you,” Biden told the Supreme Court nominee. “Do you have anything you’d like to say?” Over the next few minutes on that evening of Oct. 11, 1991, Thomas would denounce Hill’s allegations as “sleaze,” “gossip” and “lies” and characterize the committee’s confirmation hearing helmed by Biden as “a circus” and “a national disgrace.” “As far as I’m concerned,” Thomas concluded of the televised hearing, “it’s a high-tech lynching for uppity Blacks.” Thomas’ confirmation hearing would set the stage for the decades-long, complicated relationship between the two men – one who would eventually become president, the other who would go on to win confirmation to the Supreme Court but would face multiple ethics controversies, including his wife’s involvement in a campaign to overturn the 2020 election that sent Biden to the White House. More questions about Thomas’ actions arose Thursday amid a published report that he accepted lavish trips from a billionaire Republican donor for more than 20 years without disclosing them, a possible violation of federal law. The revelations prompted calls for an overhaul of court ethics laws and requirements. The White House would not comment on the report. “There are other bodies of government that should be dealing with this – I’m just not going to comment from here,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said. Biden, who was a Democratic senator from Delaware at the time, has faced decades of criticism over the Thomas confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Biden was chairman of the all-male, all-white committee and was responsible for running the hearing, which today is seen as an inflection point in the nation’s reckoning over sexual harassment in the workplace. Then-Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas gestures while talking with Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, during a break in Thomas confirmation hearing in 1991. What happened between Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas: A summary Hill was a young law professor who had worked with Thomas at the Department of Education and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he was her supervisor. In testimony that mesmerized the nation, she calmly accused Thomas of sexual harassment, including sexual overtures and episodes of crass behavior and vulgar language – allegations that Thomas vehemently denied. Hill’s supporters criticized Biden for allowing Republican senators on the committee to portray her as mentally unstable, bombard her with intimate questions about her sex life and even suggest she was suffering from a disorder that led her to believe Thomas was in love with her. Thomas’ supporters blamed Biden for allowing the hearing to spin wildly out of control and become a televised spectacle. Biden voted against confirming Thomas to the Supreme Court. Over the years, he would publicly express his regrets multiple times over the way Hill was treated by the committee and stress that he believed her from the beginning. Hill was victimized again by the process, Biden said during a 2018 interview with NBC’s “Today” show, adding that he wished he could’ve done more to prevent the deeply personal questions she was asked. In 2019, as he was gearing up for the presidential campaign that would send him to the White House, Biden called Hill and expressed his regret “for what she endured and his admiration for everything she has done to change the culture around sexual harassment in this country," his campaign said. Hill, however, wasn’t appeased. She told the New York Times she doesn’t believe Biden understands the harm caused to her during the hearing. "I cannot be satisfied by simply saying I’m sorry for what happened to you,” she said. “I will be satisfied when I know there is real change and real accountability and real purpose." Thomas also has been unwilling to forgive. In a 2020 documentary, he suggested racism was a factor in the hearing. "I felt as though in my life I had been looking at the wrong people as the people who would be problematic toward me,” he said. “We were told that, 'Oh, it's going to be the bigot in the pickup truck; it's going to be the Klansmen; it's going to be the rural sheriff.' "But it turned out that, through all of that, ultimately the biggest impediment was the modern day liberal," he said, complaining that “they have the power to caricature you." Who is Clarence Thomas? Thomas' principles showcase how he approaches big matters of constitutional law Head and shoulder shots of Anita Hill, University of Oklahoma Law Professor, who testified, that she was sexually harassed by Clarence Thomas. 1991 photo. Ginni Thomas' efforts to thwart 2020 election Three decades after the Supreme Court confirmation hearing, Biden’s and Thomas’ paths would cross again in the chaotic aftermath of the 2020 elections. Biden beat the Republican incumbent, Donald Trump, who refused to accept defeat and set out to overturn the election results. One of the players in that effort: Thomas’ wife, conservative activist Virginia Thomas. In the aftermath of the election, Virginia Thomas – known as Ginni – sent several text messages to Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and urged him to stand firm with Trump as he falsely claimed widespread fraud in the election. She also emailed lawmakers in Arizona and Wisconsin and urged them to overturn Biden’s election. Her actions raised questions because the Trump campaign was pursuing a number of election legal challenges that could have potentially ended before the Supreme Court. Emails provided to congressional investigators showed that Trump’s legal team regarded an appeal to Justice Thomas as their only chance to get a favorable ruling and overturn the election. Ginni Thomas downplayed her involvement in the campaign to overturn the election in testimony before the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the Capitol. “You know, it was an emotional time,” she said in explaining the text messages to Meadows. “I’m sorry these texts exist.” Ginni Thomas insisted that while she was interested in pursuing claims of voter fraud, she had largely stepped aside during the aftermath of the election because she was the wife of a Supreme Court justice. She insisted she operated separately from her husband and called it “laughable” that anyone would think she could influence his jurisprudence. “The man is independent and stubborn,” she said. Fact check:Trump lost the 2020 presidential election Then-Supreme Court Justice Nominee Clarence Thomas and his wife Virginia listen during his nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington in this file photo from 1991. Biden warns of 'extreme and dangerous path' following Roe v. Wade ruling Biden took aim at Thomas last summer after the justice wrote that the Supreme Court should revisit and overturn decisions legalizing the right to contraception and same-sex marriage. Thomas made the remarks in a concurring opinion to the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion. Speaking at the White House just hours after the court’s decision was announced, Biden warned that the ruling would jeopardize “rights that we’ve come to take for granted, that are ingrained in the fabric of this country.” "Justice Thomas said as much today,” he said, warning that the court was taking the country on an "extreme and dangerous path." Thomas’ opinion prompted Congress to pass legislation writing protections for same-sex and interracial couples into federal law. Biden again jabbed at Thomas when he signed the legislation into law during a ceremony on the White House South Lawn last December. Thomas, he said, thinks lawmakers should reconsider Americans’ right to access contraception and marry whomever they love – “and that’s not the only challenge ahead,” he said. Thomas under fire over luxury trips funded by GOP donor The revelations Thursday that Thomas has taken a series of lavish trips funded by billionaire and GOP megadonor Harlan Crow over the past two decades raised new questions about his actions and charges of impropriety. The disclosures, first reported by ProPublica, are the latest ethics controversy to dog Thomas, who also has faced tough questions about his incomplete financial disclosure forms and appearances at other political gatherings of wealthy conservative donors and influencers. Thomas has accepted lavish gifts from the billionaire Dallas businessman nearly every year, which had included vacations on Crow’s superyacht and trips on the billionaire’s Bombardier Global 5000 jet as well as a week each summer at Crow’s private resort in the Adirondacks, ProPublica reported, citing flight records, internal documents and interviews with Crow’s employees. The investigation comes as the nation's high court fends off requests for a code of ethics, which would likely address similar instances. Thomas didn’t respond to ProPublica’s request for comment, but Crow in a statement said he and his wife’s “hospitality” to Thomas and his wife “is no different from the hospitality we have extended to our many other dear friends.” “This secrecy is toxic and wrong. The court should not protect it any longer,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a close ally of Biden’s and longtime member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Whitehouse, D-R.I., a longtime advocate for more transparency and accountability on the court, said the disclosures once again raise serious questions about all of the connections between conservative groups with access to Thomas and whether they are improperly influencing the court. Sen. Chris Van Hollen. D-Md., also weighed in as chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, which has jurisdiction over the Court’s appropriations. “Americans’ confidence in our highest court is tanking because of this kind of conduct. We need answers. And the court needs a code of ethics,” said Van Hollen, another close colleague of Biden’s who has worked with him on many judicial reform measures. “It is unacceptable,” Van Hollen added, “that the Supreme Court has exempted itself from the accountability that applies to all other members of our federal courts, and I believe Congress should act to remedy this problem.” Contributing: Sarah Elbeshbishi and The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden confronts

i posted something similar on the trash talking board and the only response i got was he used to be a dem and why did it take so long to bust him? he is in their pocket now so to speak and they want that vote he brings to remain. tip of the hat to Son for acknowledging it.

You got it Chief!

this is a repeat but i love it .thos first three words."what an honor} ! wow

guys this one starts at 9 AM which is in less than an hour. it does not get any fresher than that.............

Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys 'everything' Auburn thought he'd be at LB Published: Apr. 06, 2023, 11:27 a.m. 5–6 minutes Josh Aldridge knew the situation he was stepping into with Auburn’s linebackers room when Hugh Freeze brought him over from Liberty in the weeks after the took over as head coach on the Plains. Auburn was losing its most productive linebacker — four-year starter and leading tackler Owen Pappoe, who also played the most snaps among the group — and was only returning to players who saw significant action last season: Cam Riley and Wesley Steiner. Auburn’s linebacker room was in need of depth, and if it could add some experience as well, that was even better. So, Auburn hit the portal and emerged with a pair of SEC transfers in LSU’s DeMario Tolan and Ole Miss’ Austin Keys to bolster the room. Read more Auburn football: “Disruptive” Maryland transfer Mosiah Nasili-Kite one of Auburn’s top risers this spring Cadillac Williams continues to deliver for Auburn on recruiting trail Hugh Freeze calls Jarquez Hunter “probably the best running back” he has ever coached While Tolan, a freshman who appeared in 12 games (mostly on special teams) for LSU last season, is still coming along in his first spring at Auburn, Keys has been a revelation for his new program. “Austin Keys has been everything I thought he’d be,” Aldridge said this week. “He’s got to clean some detail stuff up. But I think we definitely did not miss on him by any means.” Keys has been working alongside Riley for much of the spring as the first two linebackers in a rotation that Auburn hopes to get to five or six players by September. Steiner and redshirt freshman Robert Woodyard Jr. have typically been the second tandem in what has been a fluid depth chart over the last five-plus weeks of practices. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Keys has been focusing on the Mike position within Auburn’s defense, with Aldridge noting that the Taylorsville, Miss., native has the ideal build for that position. While he could see some time at the Will linebacker spot down the line, as Aldridge works to cross-train his guys at the two inside linebacker positions, the Tigers’ assistant wants Keys to focus solely on fully mastering what’s asked of him at Mike this spring. “He’s got the SEC experience,” defensive coordinator Ron Roberts said. “He’s big. He’s physical. He runs exceptionally well. He’s intelligent. He’s very smart. He’s picked things up really fast.” Keys has managed that responsibility well throughout the spring, which wraps up with Saturday’s A-Day game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, as he has brought a level of “consistency” to the room while adjusting to a new system and new program. “He brings a great approach to just kind of accepting coaching as it comes,” Steiner said. “I think he does a great job of just taking coaching as we get it. That’s been something that we’ve been harping on in the room — just hearing the message, not the tone. Everyone knows coaching can get a little heated sometimes, but Austin’s done a good job of just taking coaching and just being consistent.” It has been a veteran approach from Keys, just as Aldridge anticipated would be the case when he recruited him out of the portal this offseason. A former three-star prospect in the 2020 class, Keys was a three-year contributor at Ole Miss, where he redshirted as a freshman while appearing in four games as a special teams contributor in his first season. In 2021, he saw his role increase, playing in six games and making his first career start before his season was cut short due to a knee injury. He returned last season and played in all 13 games for the Rebels while making six starts, totaling 39 tackles on the year before hitting the portal. He was one of six transfer portal additions for Auburn on defense this offseason with prior Power 5 experience, joining Tolan, edge rusher Elijah McAllister (Vanderbilt) and a trio of defensive linemen: Justin Rogers (Kentucky), Mosiah Nasili-Kite (Maryland) and Lawrence Johnson (Purdue). As one of four transfers with SEC experience — which Aldridge put a premium on when exploring the portal — Keys has acquitted himself well with his new surroundings this spring. “He’s not been too haughty, so it’s always good to have guys that are not trying to do anything too crazy but just do their job and earn the trust of the players around them,” Steiner said. The biggest thing for Keys moving forward, Roberts said, is getting to a point where he’s more comfortable as a vocal presence in the middle of the defense. Roberts requires a lot of his inside linebackers, and while he understands it takes some time — between learning a new system and acclimating to a new environment, with new coaches, teammates and a new town — he hopes to see Keys come into his own in that regard this offseason. That aside, spring practice has only affirmed what Aldridge believed back in February: Auburn hit a “home run” with the addition of Keys from the transfer portal. “I can definitely say Austin Keys got a spot,” safety Zion Puckett said. “I feel like he’s going to be pretty good for us.” Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

247sports.com 25 quotes of note from Auburn players and coaches this spring Nathan King 12–15 minutes AUBURN, Alabama — With just one more walkthrough practice to go Friday before A-Day, Auburn's first spring under Hugh Freeze are coming to a close. The Tigers will finish off their 15 practices with what looks to be a rainy spring game Saturday afternoon in Jordan-Hare Stadium (1 p.m. CST, SEC Network+). In all, 15 different Tigers, along with all 10 assistant coaches, chatted with local reporters this spring about the coaching change, goals for 2023, standout players in the spring, freshmen, quarterbacks and more. In position order, here's one standout quote from each over the past five weeks of spring ball. RB Jarquez Hunter, on Auburn’s new offensive line additions: “They work harder. I see them every day in the weight room, working hard on the field, conditioning and running. They're going to play their butts off. They go out there on the field and they work. They're much faster and quicker type of O-linemen, and they move better.” RB Damari Alston, on the new coaches: “I feel a change in the relationship that I have with Coach Freeze than I had with the previous staff. I feel like I can talk to Coach Freeze anytime that I want to. That's always been the way with Cadillac.” WR Camden Brown, on the offensive tempo: “I’m not going to lie, it brings me back to St. Thomas (Aquinas) ... going back to the fast stuff. Going back to last year, I had never been in a huddle before. It’s kind of weird because it was slowing down my play. I love going faster and faster and faster everyday. Last year at some times when we started going fast we were getting them, and when we started going slow we were giving them rest.” TE Rivaldo Fairweather, on switching sports in high school: “It’s a funny joke: My basketball coach used to tell me, because I was always the biggest and the strongest on the basketball court, I used to get fouled out a lot. So, my coaches, they just told me, ‘Hey, like you should try to play football.’ I used to always play around with football, but I never took it serious. I really locked in on playing football and focused and perfected everything. My trainers and stuff, they really helped me with that.” TE Luke Deal, on his role as a veteran: “Each and every year you just kind of find your role and try to develop through a team every year. Being one of the older guys, it’s nice to be one of the guys that people come and talk to, ask about. I value that a lot. I’m just trying to be a leader every day in our room, outside of our room, especially with everybody learning a new offense.” OG Jeremiah Wright, on sticking on the offensive line of scrimmage: “I talked, prayed with my mom and grandmom and gone through everything and just felt in my heart that's what I wanted to do — stay on the O-line and just get my footwork, technique, everything down. I want to be one of the greats to do it.” OG Kameron Stutts, on the offensive line’s strong couple weeks to close out spring: “It’s really big. We’ve had some struggles on offense recently, so to come out this spring and to be doing as good as we are towards the end, I know we all really want to finish and have a last good couple of practices. Going into A-Day, finish strong there. It really helps going into the summer with confidence and everybody having a good feeling about it.” DT Marcus Harris, on the depth of this year’s defensive line: “If you're really a dog, you want competition. You've got somebody else competing next to you that you know is not going to just allow somebody to come take his spot. You feel me? Like, he's competing. He wants to be that guy. Competition, that's the best thing I think could happen to this D-line room.” DE Jeffrey M’ba, on the coaches’ plans to rotate more on the D-line: “Last year we didn’t play a lot of D-line — and I know we were gassed at times. So to have some people that can go in and play and stuff, and I feel like the way the coach designed the D-line, they want to play a lot of players. And I like this idea because last year I feel like it was complicated.” JACK Elijah McAllister, on what it takes to have a successful coaching change: “You can have new facilities, new uniforms, new coaches — everything can change around you. But it's about what's inside that locker room that produces the best product on the field. That comes with language, interaction with people, how you carry yourself every single day, practice habits which will eventually turn into gameday habits, which will allow you to hopefully have success. I think it all comes down to the players — not negating the impact the coaches have on people, but they can only do so much.” LB Cam Riley, on the culture shift this offseason: “I would say the biggest change was everyone came together. I know you hear that a lot, but I actually kind of feel like everyone actually came together this year. I feel like there were a lot of things going on last year within the team that brought a lot of adversity and things like that, which caused a lot of division. But I felt like everyone actually came together and wants to play as one. We preach everyday about Auburn and getting back to what it used to be with winning games.” LB Wesley Steiner, on the new defensive scheme: “I don’t see it much differently. It’s just the way we kind of speak it. Obviously, there’s a few things that are a little different, but just for me, concept-wise I think things are the same, so it’s not too hard to learn.” CB D.J. James, on his decision to return for another year: “This school is a family. They have treated me like family since I got recruited here. I trust Auburn. I feel like my best interest and the best situation for me was to come back to school for another year.” DB Keionte Scott, on the team’s attitude carrying over from last season: “When Coach Caddy got the job, that was a little flash of how we react with our backs against the wall. I definitely liked how everyone reacted to it. Now with more adversity with a new coach coming in and everyone’s slate being clean — and Coach Freeze letting everyone know they’ve got a chance, it puts everyone’s back against the wall. Everyone gets a chance to battle adversity again. It’s definitely something that everyone is looking at in a positive light.” S Zion Puckett, on his future: “A lot of coaches have been telling me they can see a coach in me. I feel like once you try to drive yourself away from the game, I really think the game will bring you back. I feel like, going down the road, I might be a coach somewhere. I feel like I can impact children and also other people around me the right way.” OC Philip Montgomery, on the group that’s stood out to him: “Offensive line, I think, has been a real positive surprise throughout the spring. I think the guys that we've been able to add to that room have made an impact. I think we're more athletic than what we've been, I think those guys are moving well. I think they understand what we're doing up front. I love the way they're approaching practice every day, that has been one of our strong suits throughout spring ball.” RB coach Cadillac Williams, on what he learned from his time as Auburn’s interim coach: “Being thrown on that stage and having to address the whole team from staff and media a lot more, I just think the confidence part of it. Also it just made me feel like the good Lord has me here for a reason. I think I have truly found my purpose in life. That’s to always give back, serve and help folks in any way I can.” WR coach Marcus Davis, on the emergence of Camden Brown: “He’s a younger guy who wants to do it right. His approach to it is super. I love his approach. I was just talking to them about it this morning and I think that’s what separates him is his mindset and his approach. You see the steady growth every day. I think that is a big part of how he approaches the game.” TE coach Ben Aigamaua, on Hugh Freeze’s recruiting prowess: “Coach Freeze is a machine when it comes to recruiting. We love it as coaches because we go as he goes. So, we're out there in the middle of practice, FaceTime with recruits, showing them what we have to offer, showing them practice. And the recruits love it. … Recruiting is the lifeline of this program. I've always said, if you're not doing it, somebody else is.” OL coach Jake Thornton, on rebuilding an inconsistent offensive line from the past few seasons: “It's certainly exciting. To do it at a place like Auburn is something that I've always wanted to come and do. As far as the pressure, this is the SEC. So any situation, any team, any game — everything is pressure-filled. But that's why we as competitors do that, and that's why we accept these challenges. I'm excited about it. I couldn't ask for a better group as far as work ethic.” DC Ron Roberts, on how many players he needs in his defensive rotations: "I think we're probably in the 16-17 category (right now), and I think you have to be somewhere in the 24-25. So, there's about nine players or so where we're saying, you've got to come along. We need you to develop to either be ready to go — whether it be for limited reps, whether it be for 10 reps, spotting through a game if it comes time to step up, somebody goes down and we can fill a spot without taking a major drop-off. And that's the biggest thing.” DL coach Jeremy Garrett, on the leadership of Marcus Harris: “What I enjoy about Marcus is the accountability that he takes in his play and for the room and his work ethic. I check on the strength coaches, how’s he doing in the weight room. I check on him academically how he’s doing. He’s a guy that’s putting it together for us in all three phases of what we want, being a great student-athlete and just doing his job on and off the field. That’s important to me because you don’t have any distractions.” LB coach Josh Aldridge, on why his group has impressed this spring: “Regardless if you were to say we had the most talented room — that might not be the case — but I believe we have the most guys with similar traits. So we have the most competition, I think, on our team. Probably. It's fun to watch those guys practice.” CB coach Wesley McGriff, on returning for his third stint at Auburn: "I walked right back into my home. It's good to be back home. In this profession, you move a lot. But it's been one transition where I didn't have to make a lot of adjustments. You know where everything is when you walk back into your house, and it's a blessing." S coach Zac Etheridge, on Jaylin Simpson’s full-time move to safety: “I think Simp has found himself a home. I think he's an elite player — that if he holds onto everything that goes in football off the field, he can be a Sunday player. Just seeing his range, his athleticism, his ability to play man-to-man in the slot, the things that he can do, he can tackle well. So, his upside at that position is through the roof if he embraces it and studies the game like he should, I think he'll be a Sunday pick.” 1COMMENTS

si.com Can the Auburn quarterback question be answered on A-day? Matthew Jacobs 9–11 minutes The stage is set. Auburn’s defense, which should be one of the most elite defenses in the country, will spot the Auburn offense approximately twenty-one points. The winners will eat steaks. The losers will eat hotdogs. There are lots of moving parts that go into putting a quality football team on the field. We refer to them as “rooms” now. Running back rooms, offensive line rooms, so on and so forth. There are a ton of unknowns about this new Auburn team that might begin to take shape on Saturday. We will get better looks at the young freshmen that we have heard great things about such as Keldric Faulk, Kayin Lee, and Connor Lew. We might get to see Rivaldo Fairweather catch a ball and realize how much potential he has. Brian Battie might show his legendary one-cut speed. When that dust has settled, and everyone heads home, and in spite of all we might see, the first question most everyone will ask come Sunday will be about who Auburn’s quarterback is going to be. Is it one of the three? Robby Ashford was penciled in as the starter by nearly every “expert” I met during the offseason. He has been hampered by a shoulder issue this Spring. Even if that weren’t the case, he really cannot showcase his running skills in these no contact on the quarterback sessions. When you cannot throw and cannot run, you cannot impress. When you cannot impress you are in limbo. That doesn’t impress a new coaching staff. By all accounts, he is nowhere. T.J. Finley has already been named the starter of Auburn once, under a different staff. Can he do it again? Highly unlikely. Coach Freeze has spoken about how he can tailor this offense for any quarterback. While that might give everyone the warm fuzzies, Finley is a traditional passer. Yes, he has a monster arm. Yes, He outstanding height and looks like a tight end who can sling it. However, I am not sure anyone believes that there is any shred of truth in the thought he can be successful running an RPO offense such as this as it is designed. He just isn’t that guy. Holden Geriner has gotten all the hot press this Spring. He seems to have turned a corner. In high school he was very much a dual threat quarterback. There probably aren’t a lot of defenses in the SEC terrified of his speed, but with his arm, rumored football IQ, and a no wasted motion tuck it and run ability, he might be the best choice of the three. Does that equal getting handed the keys of an SEC football team? Time will tell. Time to break out the crystal ball Coach Freeze has been a breath of fresh air in press conferences. He states continuously that he wants to be transparent and comes across as willing to tell the truth about the state of the Auburn football team. It doesn’t take a profiler to see his physical demeanor change whenever the quarterback room comes up. He has not once looked happy about their performances or comfortable with what he has to work with. Can he build the offense around who he has? Yes. Does he want to? We should know as soon as the Spring portal opens up. With that in mind, a little peak into the future of what might won’t hurt anything. If the 2023 starting quarterback isn’t currently on the team, who might it be? Jules Jules is a French word derived from Latin that translates directly into “youthful.” It is a word that is stuck in my mind tonight. It pops into my head every time I see Hank Brown. He personifies “youthful”. He IS one of Hugh Freeze’s picks and comes highly touted after serving under former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer. His high school stats are stuff of legend. Many have prognosticated that he will redshirt. That would run him directly up against another phenom quarterback commit Walker White. That is a scenario that most likely would lead to losing a good quarterback the first time the portal opens or a de-commitment. Brown has all the size, arm, and ability of the current quarterbacks on the roster. He could come this Autumn and light a fire in the room that may have already lost one or possibly two quarterbacks. Plus, did I mention he is Hugh Freeze’s pick? It deserves to be mentioned twice. A freshman starting in the SEC isn’t unheard of. Is Brown “that dude?” Jewels Back to the world of realistic possibilities. It is very likely that at least one of the current quarterbacks exit via the portal at the end of April. (The portal timeframe changed yesterday). It is also just as likely to see a quarterback come in through the portal. Now, there are some names that could fit both the mold of being Coach Freeze’s “guy” and have the requisite skills to turn this Auburn team into something very competitive. These guys are the possible jewels in all of this. It would be impossible to play out every scenario that could happen here, but there are some athletes that immediately jump out as good fits. Just to name a few Any quarterback Georgia currently has that doesn’t feel like he is the number one guy after Spring. Georgia has a stable of SEC-caliber quarterbacks that have been sitting behind Stetson Bennet for a while. There is also a serious redshirt freshman that can ball and wants to now. It seems silly to type such a thing, but there are several guys that could be leaving the Bulldogs depending on Kirby Smart’s choices. ANY of which would be an outstanding addition to Auburn. Not to mention, add to the rivalry. Spencer Sanders. Ole Miss ended up with three quality quarterbacks. Sanders Is the one of the bunch that is a grad transfer and could transfer out if he doesn’t win the job. He would be no slouch in Freeze’s scheme and could easily slide into the starting role and be productive. Winning football, no waiting. By this point, some of you are screaming at your screens wondering how a quarterback that didn’t make it on an SEC team could start at Auburn. Tighten your chinstrap friends: None of our current quarterbacks could start for any other SEC team right now. Whoever transfers out will be taking a ride down to somewhere they could start. So, while you are good and irritated, wait, there is one more SEC team that could provide Auburn with a starter. That team across the state whose name we do not mention has a few very viable options that might be hitting the portal if a decision is made in Spring practice. Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson will more than likely get the nod. The one that doesn’t may bolt. If they both stay, there are three more guys there with SEC-caliber skillsets. Much like Georgia, someone is going to want to leave and play. Think of THAT rivalry boost. Casey Thompson would be a wish list jewel. A sixth-year senior with a ton of experience. He is in a tough situation right now at Nebraska, where he is sitting out after a shoulder procedure and watching a new coaching staff that is very fond of the “new guy” they have. Thompson is a moonshot as he and his father both committed in the media to the idea of working through the Nebraska off-season. However, if things go south in Spring ball, he is a grad transfer and would be a perfect fit for Auburn. Evan Prater is another interesting prospect. He is in a battle with the Cincinnati Bearcats' starting quarterback that was injured most of last year. Prater showed promise and toughness in the backup role that would translate wonderfully to Auburn, and he might just want a way out if he isn’t QB1 come the end of Spring. The never-ending story There are too many more to list. The real choice, if there is one, more than likely isn’t on that list. Rest assured that while I didn’t provide my exhaustive list, the coaches at Auburn have a better one. Here is the caveat to this entire story: Does it even matter? If we waved a magic wand and have an injury-free off-season and Fall camp, Auburn will have an elite defense that will be schemed beyond belief and will keep offensive coordinators up at night. Auburn will have a really, really good running back room. One of the best in the country. They are stacked fairly deep at receiver and have more than can see the field. The offensive line, while needing depth, should be one of the better ones that have been on the field in years for the Tigers. Tight ends that can do what is asked of them, led by one that might be one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the country (Fairweather). And just for kicks, a kicker that should be solid as well. Why do we all feel as if we need a dynamic quarterback to win games? Maybe we shouldn’t. The NFL has rarely had an interest in most of the game manager quarterbacks, yet there were quite a few that have won a lot of college football games over the years. Either way, A-day will only lead to more questions. One-hundred and forty-nine more days' worth of them. Isn’t it great?

auburnwire.usatoday.com Hugh Freeze, Auburn reveals unique A-Day format Taylor Jones 2–3 minutes Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has not been shy when it comes to sharing his thoughts about spring games because it gives fans a false sense of what to expect from the team. “Unrealistic expectations lead to frustration,” Freeze said this week. “I don’t want anybody to be frustrated. Don’t want to show too much of what we think we might be really good at. There’s nothing on tape of what this new staff is exactly like.” Buy Tigers Tickets He has even gone as far as saying that he hopes to one day schedule a spring scrimmage against an in-state team rather than pitting teammates against themselves. He can not do that just yet, so he will do the next best thing… alter the current model. This season’s spring game, which will take place on Saturday, April 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, will feature a format with a running 60-minute clock with no quarters. The concept seems fun itself, but the kicker is even better. The defense will begin the game with a 24-0 lead. Freeze calls it “the best format I know,” and says it provides motivation for each side of the ball to win the game. “If the defense can hold the offenses to under that number of points the defense wins the spring game and they’ll get to eat steak and the losers will eat a hot dog,” Freeze said. In addition to the unique format of the game rules, Freeze says that fans will see more contact in this season’s A-Day game as opposed to years past. “They’re going to see us hit, they’re going to see us tackle, they’re going to see people run the ball and throw the ball,” Freeze said. “Will it be exactly the same that they see this fall? I sure hope not. I hope it’s better and probably a little different. I want to prepare the Auburn family that we’re going to do the best we can to hopefully give them a game I hope they can enjoy.” RELATED: Taylor Jones’ top 10 players to watch at A-Day RELATED: JD McCarthy’s top 10 players to watch at A-Day A-Day 2023 will begin at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium.