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247sports.com In final college season, Elijah McAllister hopes to lead Tigers' locker room Nathan King 5–6 minutes AUBURN, Alabama — Elijah McAllister was mentored by Jeremy Garrett for just nine months, but it was enough for the veteran pass-rusher to have confidence in re-joining the assistant coach nearly three years later. A prior connection from their time together at Vanderbilt was key in Auburn landing McAllister out of the portal as Hugh Freeze’s second transfer pickup of the cycle in late December, as the sixth-year senior brings depth to what was previously a thin scholarship situation at the “jack” linebacker position — what Auburn previously called its edge rushers. Ahead of McAllister’s first season contributing for Vanderbilt in 2019, after he redshirted as a true freshman, the program hired Garrett as an analyst, after one season as the head coach at Ensworth High School, just down the road in Nashville. McAllister played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman and had what still stands as a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. “I had a great relationship with him throughout my years of college, and he's a guy that remembered plays I made at Vanderbilt,” McAllister said Wednesday. “And it was great for him to reach out to me and recruit me here at Auburn — and I'm glad to be here.” Before Vanderbilt’s spring practices the next year — and a month before COVID-19 began its impact on the country and college sports — Garrett was on the move again, plucked by the Cleveland Browns as an assistant defensive line coach. From afar, McAllister followed Garrett’s progression as a coach, as he was hired in 2022 as Freeze’s defensive line coach at Liberty. Garrett returned to the SEC as a full-time assistant — one of the first coaches brought in by Freeze on his new Auburn staff — in late November. “I always knew he had a talent to be a top-level coach, and I think he'll continue to ascend the ranks as years to come,” McAllister said. “He's a young guy who loves ball, who's played at the highest level and also knows how to teach at a high level. … Being hands on and being able to teach guys — being able to connect with guys is unique for him to be able to be a successful coach.” McAllister followed him to the Plains less than a month later. “They reached out to me, they wanted me — it feels good in this world to be wanted,” McAllister said. “I think the tradition of this place is like no other. They had success in the past here and success will come in the future.” Hindered by a couple different knee injuries at Vanderbilt, McAllister brings 36 games of experience to a young outside linebackers room, though he hasn’t registered a sack since that 2019 season under Garrett. Still, as one of six defensive transfers for Auburn this spring, the 6-foot-6, 265-pounder has settled in as a fixture in the first-team defensive rotation in practice. As Auburn ushers in a new era under Freeze — and a staff that turned over eight of 10 assistants — perhaps McAllister’s veteran presence on the field will be just as important as his leadership in the building. The New Jersey native was a two-time team captain at Vanderbilt from 2021-22 — the program’s first two years under Clark Lea after making a coaching change from Derek Mason. After helping the Commodores’ locker room during a transition period, he hopes to do the same with the Tigers — and he holds firm that Auburn’s success early in the Freeze era will be dictated first and foremost by leaders like him. “A successful program happens as fast as the players turn it around,” McAllister said. “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. “We're the guys that turn it around, do things on the field and really change the culture internally inside that locker room.”

sports.yahoo.com A-Day 2023: Taylor Jones’ ten players to watch this Saturday Taylor Jones 5–6 minutes Auburn football is putting the finishing touches on its’ spring practice period and will showcase what they have been working on this Saturday at the annual A-Day game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will not only be exciting from a new staff standpoint, but fans will have the opportunity to see players such as Jarquez Hunter in his new role, transfers settling into their new teams, and the progress that several “flipmas” presents can bring to the program. There are so many storylines and players to follow during A-Day, which sparked Auburn Wire writers Taylor Jones, J.D. McCarthy, and Daniel Locke to make a list of the top 10 players that they will be keeping an eye on this Saturday. Taylor Jones’ top 10 is first up. His top players consist of transfer linemen, running backs, and quarterbacks. Here’s a look at the top 10 players that Jones is keeping an eye on this Saturday. Mosiah Nasili-Kite AP Photo/Julio Cortez Taylor’s take The first member of the top-10 list is a transfer from Maryland in [autotag]Mosiah Nasili-Kite[/autotag]. Kite has accumulated 81 tackles and nine sacks in three years in College Park, and has been dubbed as an underrated transfer by Mike Farrell. Reports from camp this spring are positive surrounding Nasili-Kite, and it will be fun to watch him compete in action. Nick Mardner Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Athletics Taylor’s take [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag] brings a tall presence to the receiving corps with a 6-6 frame, and has the ability to be a leading receiver. In his junior season at Hawaii, he caught 46 passes for 913 yards and five TD. Last season, he caught 55.9% of passes where he was targeted at Cincinnati. He, along with Camden Brown, will be the receivers to watch this season. Dillon Wade Photo by Austin Perryman/Auburn Athletics Taylor’s Take The first of three offensive linemen that make this list is transfer [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag]. Wade had the fourth-most snaps on Tulsa’s offensive line last season, and made them count. He allowed just five sacks in 818 snaps, and racked up a 96.3 pass-blocking efficiency score according to Pro Football Focus. One of Auburn’s biggest weaknesses is the offensive line, and Wade will play a key role in the rebuilding process. T.J. Finley Jake Crandall/ The Montgomery Advertiser Taylor’s take Damari Alston Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser Taylor’s take Avery Jones Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Taylor’s take Another boost to the offensive line is former ECU center, [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag]. Jones allowed just one sack and three QB hits in 852 snaps last season at center, which will provide yet another comfort system for Auburn’s quarterbacks. I look forward to seeing how much time Auburn quarterbacks have to pass and make decisions with the likes of Jones and Wade blocking up front. Keldric Faulk The Montgomery Advertiser Taylor’s take Shifting things over to true freshmen that could have a great A-Day, let’s take a look at Keldric Faulk. Auburn will need to find players that can fill the EDGE role following the departure of Derick Hall. Lucky for them, they have many options in Elijah McAllister, Dylan Brooks, and [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag]. Faulk has great size at 6-5, 270 pounds, and has quick foot work. Ever since Freeze and staff flipped Faulk’s commitment from Florida State, I have been jumping at the bit to watch him work. Brian Battie Austin Perryman/Auburn Athletics Taylor’s take Another running back with 1,000-yard potential? Yes, please! [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] rushed for 1,186 yards as a junior at USF last season, and joins Auburn to be a part of a remarkable unit with Jarquez Hunter, Damari Alston, and soon, Jeremiah Cobb. Battie has impressed Cadillac Williams this spring due to his ability to make defenders miss. “He has that natural running style where he makes guys miss, Williams said of Battie. “Very seldom does one guy tackle or the first guy ever tackles him so he’s a guy you get him out in space, he breaks tackles, but he also is a guy who can run between the tackles.” Jarquez Hunter AP Photo/Butch Dill Taylor’s take It’s your time to shine, young man. After spending two season’s as RB2 behind Tank Bigsby, it is now time for [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] to step up and become the leader of the RB unit. He is passing with flying colors so far in that role. So much so, that Freeze has already given Hunter the title of “the best running back I’ve ever coached.” I’m excited to watch Hunter play as the “top dog.” Holden Geriner Declan Greene/Auburn Athletics Taylor’s take I couldn’t not round out this list with a quarterback. The quarterback position has got to be the biggest question surrouding Auburn’s squad this season. If neither [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], T.J. Finley, or Robby Ashford prove that they can lead the offense, then expect Freeze to dip into the portal on May 1. Freeze recently said that Geriner is grasping new concepts and has started to impress him. Is the the QB to beat? I truly don’t know. Watching all three take snaps on Saturday is what most of my focus will be on. Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

i always talk about trump. i always will. i need a link for jill being racist. joe might have been at one time but .AGAIN>>>>>>>>>>>>trump is more racist than most.

dude you can call me a liar all you want. people on here make fun of me as th eol cut and paste guy.the links show on videos i post were cut and pasted as well. but hey i am done.

i do not know how to do it. i am not going to jump through hoops for you so you can stop. they talked about it nonstop for two days after the game. everyone had an opinion. many claimed it was racist and i agree and still do. it is so cut and dried it is laughable you keep saying it did not happen.

it was on espn and the sec network. it was quite a hot topic in fact. but you believe what you want.

i thought jones was ugly so trump had better taste on looks as well. trump should have stuck with that playboy bunny. now that was a good looking woman.

typical right wing response while you guys cry about your daddy trump at the same time. it was low ball and you know it. judges get threatened all the time so they are careful about family photos being released. oh and the right claims the same privilege. this is a bad look for you.

i just did.. and never tell me what to do scooter. you do not get that right. you people told us to shut up about trump and how did that work out for you? racism is rampant in this country right now. hell the mods admit there are racists on the board. they will not name any names but go ask them.

Why Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister chose to finish college with Auburn football Richard Silva, Montgomery Advertiser Wed, April 5, 2023 at 3:04 PM CDT AUBURN — After spending five seasons at Vanderbilt, jack linebacker Elijah McAllister decided to enter the transfer portal and finish his collegiate career with Auburn football. McAllister, who was a team captain for the Commodores in 2022, was at Vanderbilt when current Auburn defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett was on the staff as a defensive quality control assistant in 2019. That familiarity played into his decision to join the Tigers. "He's a guy that has a lot of energy and (is) a very unique coach," McAllister said of Garrett on Wednesday. "He does a great job of being hands on and allowing us to work different pass-rush moves (and) do great things in the run game. So, I had a good relationship with him throughout my years in college, and he's a guy that remembered the plays I made at Vanderbilt. SPRING GAME: Hugh Freeze aims to temper expectations ahead of first A-Day with Auburn football CADILLAC WILLIAMS: How Auburn football RB coach remains strong recruiter despite coaching changes "It was great for him to reach out to me and recruit me here at Auburn. I'm glad to be here." Beyond his relationship with Garrett, McAllister also said Auburn's staff reaching out and showing interest meant a lot to him: "It feels good in this world to be wanted," he explained. "I think the tradition of this place is like no other," McAllister said. "They've had success in the past here and success will come in the future. I think it's a place that loves their football. And I also had a great sit-down talk with coach Freeze, and I enjoyed getting to know him during that hour or so during my recruiting visit. As I continue to get to know him every single day, it has been great. I'm enjoying him. That's also what helped draw me to Auburn." McAllister registered 65 tackles in 37 career games at Vanderbilt. He added 2.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception. Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football: Why Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister chose Tigers

defend the crap all you want dude. this is stupid as hell. later...............

i expect cowboy to be a monster this year. people will rightly or wrongly say he is better than tank but i believe tank would just kill it with a decent line. the man had to break tackles in the backfield and then breaking tackles past the line of scrimmage. i bet he stayed frustrated a lot.

nope but it has been all over the news. look before i found out the truth they had ME thinking she was a thug ok? i am not sure how you link a tv show but it was on several.

i agree on that. but hey at least she is not an ex porn star right?

i tried posting this before and it screwed up. anyway does toddc give you boys this kind of coverage? lol

the racist part was the media made the white chick a media darling and thought her trash talking was cute. reese did the same thing and she is a thug amd trash along with the lsu program. she is getting hate mails and i want to say death threats but i do not want to go look it up. lets make it real simple. white girl running her mouth is good and cute. a black girl does it and she is a thug. that is THE issue.