aubiefifty

247sports.com Veteran DB coach sees his group coming together early in spring Jason Caldwell 4–5 minutes AUBURN, Alabama—One of the biggest questions surrounding Auburn football and Auburn athletics in general the past few years has been wondering if everyone was pulling in the same direction? Someone who has been at Auburn two times before and has also coached at several other SEC schools and in the NFL, assistant Wesley McGriff knows what it looks like when everyone is on the same page. That’s what he sees inside the Auburn football program right now under the direction of Hugh Freeze. That is something that has carried from the coaches to the players and it’s that bond that is continuing to be built with the Tigers going through their first spring together as a new team. McGriff said it hasn’t taken him long to see that culture of working together once he got his cornerbacks and nickel defensive backs together to start working on the spring. “You move around a lot of different places, but when you come in those walls and you realize you have a lot of guys in the building who share the same background, share the same goals, the same seriousness about being better and being a champion, then that's an immediate bond,” he said. ““That's what you'd witness if you were a fly on the wall in our building, particularly during in our meeting sessions, particularly in our conversations, like now it's a handful of guys who came downstairs and want to watch the tape on their own. “They sense that, and when you sense that there's another man with the same vision -- the same taste and desire that you have -- that bond grows immediately. That's what you see behind those walls at Auburn right now is a bunch of guys with the same goals in mind, and those guys are really bonding.” Back at Auburn and reuniting with Freeze, McGriff has one familiar face in his room with Nehemiah Pritchett still on the Plains. With plenty of new guys to learn while at the same time trying to get them up to speed on a new defensive system, he said these are the moments he loves as a coach. “It has been absolutely fun,” he said. “It’s fun to be around the guys. They are doing a great job in the classroom, first of all, of communicating and being one. It’s carrying over to the field. You see a lot of communicating with them and you see a lot of bonding and a lot of coaching going on. It has been a lot of fun to be around the guys on the grass and share this thing with Zac (Etheridge) and us doing it together. I’m looking forward to the remainder of the spring and the season with the chemistry we have in that room.” Chemistry is something that is talked about plenty when discussing the offensive line, but it’s equally as important when talking about the secondary. With the passing game a bigger part of offenses now than it has ever been, McGriff said it forces the secondary to make sure everyone is on the same page at all times. 2COMMENTS “ We defend the second most precious thing in the game,” McGriff said. “The o-line defends the quarterback and we have to defend the goal line. If anything gets behind us on the ground or in the air, that could be the game, the season, it could be somebody’s career. To have that bond and be on one page, it’s dynamic and very, very important. It’s one of the critical things of why we meet together a lot. “We have to be on the same page. The communication between the corner and the nickel has to start in the meeting room. It cannot be for the first time on the grass that they hear each other’s voice. That’s where the bonding starts. It’s really critical to the success of any team, particularly the defense.” ">247Sports

247sports.com Auburn coach predicts Zac Etheridge will become 'household name' Nathan King 4–5 minutes AUBURN, Alabama — Zac Etheridge became etched in Auburn lore when he overcame a frightening injury, then was a team captain on the 2010 BCS national title team. He’s adding to his legacy on the Plains as a coach, entering his third season as an assistant. And Wesley McGriff believes Etheridge’s star is only beginning to shine. He and Etheridge are tag-teaming Auburn’s secondary on Hugh Freeze’s inaugural staff, with Etheridge overseeing safeties and nickels, and McGriff — who’s back at Auburn for his third stint with the program and his third stint with Freeze — working with cornerbacks. Before working together, McGriff knew of Etheridge’s recruiting prowess — he was ranked the No. 10 recruiter in the country last month by 247Sports — and knew of his name from working at Auburn previously. But through four days of spring practice, McGriff has seen Etheridge’s abilities first hand — and he’s seen a dynamic coach who’s made a impact on his room. “You refer to him as a young coach, but he's a guy who has a lot of knowledge and a lot of wisdom,” McGriff said during a chat with reporters Tuesday. “It's been fun to be around him, and just to be in the same room as him, watching tape and just knowing — we do a lot of things together. You'd be surprised if you were in a meeting with him, just his football IQ. People always refer him as a recruiter — and he does a great job recruiting — but that young man is also a great football coach.” Etheridge's first assistant job came in 2018 at Louisiana, where he worked under Ron Roberts, now Auburn's new defensive coordinator. He coached the following two seasons at Houston before returning to his alma mater under Bryan Harsin in 2021. He's coached two All-Americans — Marcus Jones at Houston and Roger McCreary at Auburn — and his defensive backs have been one of the better position units on the Tigers' roster the past two seasons. This past season, cornerbacks D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett both could have been NFL draft selections before opting to return to school. McGriff now inherits them as crucial pillars of his cornerbacks room. “I'm closer to the end than I am the beginning, so I'm excited to go on this ride with him,” McGriff said. “But I'm also excited about watching his career down the road and watching where he's going to go. Keep an eye on him, now. He's going to be a rockstar; he's going to be a household name. One, he's smart, he's passionate, he cares about the players, he's good with people, he's very articulate. He's been blessed with a lot of qualities that are going to not only make him a good football coach but a great person.” Etheridge has already seen multiple promotions at Auburn — being given control of the entire secondary last offseason, and earning the additional title of associate head coach ahead of the 2022 season, too — and McGriff sees his partner in the defensive backs room continuing to blossom into one of the more well-renowned coaches in not only the conference, but in the sport. “I'm telling you, his career is definitely going to take off, and Auburn is blessed to have him in the building and I'm blessed to be around him,” McGriff said. “I've been doing this a long time, but when you have an opportunity to do it with a young man like that, chalk it up because it's fun.”

mr bird there a lot of fans that throw air around would you not agree? lol

does anyone know the date auburn goes to full pads? i think this is when we might learn some real info.

is anyone interested in filling in to post articles on days i have doctors appointment or other things i cannot get out of? it would not be often but it would help. give me a shout.

Auburn football March 13th practice notes Zac Blackerby 2–3 minutes Here's what stood out from Auburn football's practice on Monday. This coaching staff still has a way to go when building out the 2023 offense. After Hugh Freeze's press conference wrapped up, he let members of the media hop into practice before the scheduled viewing window. The first two sessions included stretching and warm up drills then went into special team preparation with some field goal and punting units getting some reps. While the special teams drills were going on, TJ Finley was throwing to Micah RIley-Ducker. Robby Ashford was throwing to Rivaldo Fairweather. Holden geriner was throwing to Jarquez Hunter. Auburn then ran some pace drills. Here were the offensive units. First group QB: TJ Finley RB: Jarquez Hunter WRs: Camden Brown, Ja'Varrius Johnson, Nick Mardner OL (Left to right): Dillon Wade, Jeremiah Wright, Avery Jones, Tate Johnson, Gunner Britton TE: Tyler Fromm Second Group QB: Robby Ashford RB: Damari Alston WRs: Malcolm Johnson Jr., Koy Moore, I was unable to see the third receiver. OL (Left to right): Garner Langlo, Colby Smith, Connor Lew, EJ Harris, Izavion Miller TE: Luke Deal Third Group QB: Holden Geriner RB: Sean Jackson WRs: Jay Fair, Whit Johnson OL (Left to right): Evan Richards, Bradyn Joiner, Cort Bradley, Jalil Irvin, Clay Wedin TE: Micah Riley-Ducker After the pace drills, the quarterbacks threw to the pass catcher against air. There were a lot of inconsistencies. Here were some of the positives: - Finley threw to Brown on a beautiful comeback route. His ability to move his large frame is impressive. - Mardner made good use of his long arms by catching a handful of tough grabs that were a result of low throws. - Tar'Varish Dawson was the best-looking player in the drill today. He operated solely out of the slot and look exceptional in his routes. Seemed quicker and more crisp than everyone else. - Ashford had a great deep ball to Brown. His best throw of the day. Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!

my apologies folks i had an extended doc visit today so i could not do this early like it should be. IN PHOTOS: Auburn spring football photo gallery 3 Jason Caldwell Auburn got back to work on Monday with a spirited practice at the new Football Only Facility. The workout was the fourth of 15 spring practices for the Tigers. Take a look at some of the scenes from Monday in this latest gallery. Avery Jones is an impressive transfer OL from East Carolina. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Running back Brian Battie continues to impress after transferring from USF. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Opelika's Brenton Williams definitely looks the part as an early graduate. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Gunner Britton is a good looking transfer OT from Western Kentucky. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Elijah McAliister and Keldric Faulk are two big jack linebackers for the Tigers. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Marcus Harris is one of the defensive leaders for the Tigers. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Jayson Jones is back after getting some valuable experience last season for the Tigers. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Sophomore wide receiver Omari Kelly shows good form while hauling in a pass on Monday. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys is a physical linebacker. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Maryland transfer Mosiah Nasili-Kite gets ready for Monday's practice. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Jeffrey M'ba shows off his green hair as Auburn prepares to practice on Monday. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) Izavion Miller is a junior college transfer offensive tackle and may be tough to keep off the field. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports) 3COMMENTS ">247Sports

i was bluffing anyone...........grins

i wonder if this means stat thinks rob is our guy? grins

i did not notice. there could be so many answers to that. his favorite receiver might be on that side. want me to post his shigh school highlights let me know if you want to look at him longer.

i got a hundred bucks that says that does not happen. of course i would love to see them make it. houston is already crying cus auburn is playing in birmingham.

the movie is decent but the book is awesome. they had to leave a ton of stuff out. i read the book years ago and new they would make a movie out of it.