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Auburn running back target Jamarion Wilcox announces top 4 schools JD McCarthy ~2 minutes Auburn offered three-star running back Jamarion Wilcox on Tuesday and are now one of his top schools. The Georgia native announced his top four schools Thursday afternoon and included the Tigers. They will be battling Ohio State, Clemson, and Kentucky for him. Buy Tigers Tickets He is ranked as the No. 39 running back and No. 573 overall recruit in the 247Sports Composite for the 2023 recruiting class. He is also the No. 54 player from Georgia. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder has only taken one official visit to Kentucky and has not yet visited the Plains but that could soon change now that they have offered him. The Douglasville, Georgia product rushed for 2,059 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior for South Paulding High School. He averaged 9.0 yards per carry and 187.2 yards per game. Auburn already has one running back committed in their 2023 recruiting class, four-star Jeremiah Cobb. He is the Tiger’s highest-rated recruit and the No. 5 running back in the country. With Tank Bigsby potentially moving onto the NFL the Tigers are looking to add more depth to the room and Wilcox and Cobb would be a strong pairing.

ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill links transfer quarterback to Auburn Taylor Jones 3–4 minutes Newly named head football coach Hugh Freeze has hit the recruiting trail hard since being named head coach on Nov. 28. Freeze said in his introductory press conference that he feels that he can get Auburn to a respectable level of competition fairly quickly thanks to the emergence of NIL and the transfer portal. “Ten years ago, you didn’t have (NIL and the transfer portal), and so the turnaround is a little different. Kids couldn’t just leave a school and come to Auburn. They can now,” Freeze said. “I do think we’ve got to be careful to get the right kids that fit our culture, but at the same time, it’s much easier to add to your roster now than it was when I took over at Ole Miss and they hadn’t won an SEC game in two years.” One area that needs a boost is the quarterback position. Robby Ashford improved over the final four games of the season, especially in his run game. He is still a prime candidate to remain QB1 heading into 2023, but the position as a whole needs depth. Zach Calzada has already entered the portal, and the status of T.J. Finley is unknown for next season. If Finley leaves, Auburn will have three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster, including Holden Geriner and 2023 commit Keyone Jenkins in addition to Ashford. It would not hurt to have an experienced quarterback on the roster, whether it be to provide a “shot in the arm” or for leadership purposes. Out of all the current quarterbacks occupying the transfer portal, there is one that is viewed as a perfect match for Freeze and Auburn. ESPN College Football analyst Tom Luginbill joined The Next Round on Wednesday to discuss Auburn’s options in the transfer portal. He says that Auburn should pursue Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders as a transfer for a myriad of reasons, including from a momentum standpoint. “When you marry Spencer Sanders and that skillset, and what we saw in the past from Hugh Freeze’s iterations with what we saw from Malik Willis, and even though it’s a one-and-done-type scenario, what if it helps you get off the mat, right,” Luginbill said on the show based out of Birmingham. “What if it helps you accelerate the improvement of the program, (and) generate momentum with the program? I like that marriage of the offensive identity and the skillset and a guy that’s played a lot of football, been highly successful.” Sanders is seen as a prolific passer. In four seasons at Oklahoma State, Sanders threw for 9,953 yards and 67 touchdowns. This season, he passed for 2,642 yards and 17 touchdowns. If Freeze is looking for a one-year option to better develop his quarterback rook, Sanders may be a viable option. List Transfer Portal Tracker: Live updates of Auburn Tigers in the portal Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

Freeze: Auburn has 'work cut out' trying to close gap between Alabama, Georgia Updated: Dec. 07, 2022, 11:43 a.m.|Published: Dec. 07, 2022, 11:16 a.m. 5–6 minutes Hugh Freeze isn’t shying away from Auburn’s top rivals. He made that much apparent during his introductory press conference last week, when he said he hoped Nick Saban was “a little nervous” upon finding out Freeze was the new coach at Auburn. Of course, in taking over on the Plains, Freeze is stepping into a job that has a high ceiling but one that has its share of challenges. Among them: Auburn’s two biggest rivals, Alabama and Georgia, are two of the premier programs in college football, and the Tigers are one of only two teams in the country (Tennessee being the other) that must go toe-to-toe with the Tide and Bulldogs annually, both on and off the field. Read more Auburn football: Wesley McGriff returning to Auburn for 3rd stint as assistant coach Goodman: Auburn can catch Alabama, Georgia faster than expected Hugh Freeze discusses QB development, offensive and defensive philosophies It’s a challenge Freeze, of course, is keenly aware of. “We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Freeze said during an appearance on Auburn’s in-house podcast, Talking Tigers. “They’re ahead of us right now, and that’s reality. We’ve got to try to close that gap so that on a given day coming in the fall, we have a chance to compete, we have a chance to win.” Auburn’s struggles against its two biggest rivals have been well-documented. Auburn has beaten Georgia just three times in the last 17 years, with wins in 2010, 2013 and 2017. The Tigers have had more success against the Tide in the Saban era, winning the Iron Bowl five times since he took over in Tuscaloosa; that includes winning two of the last three meetings at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with the lone loss a quadruple-overtime thriller in 2021. The head-to-head results are what they are, but the real gap between Auburn and its two biggest rivals has come on the talent front. Saban and Kirby Smart have both built juggernaut programs thanks to their relentless recruiting efforts and subsequent success on the trails. Alabama and Georgia rank first and second in the 247Sports composite team talent rankings this season. It’s the third straight year those two have occupied the top-two spots, and neither has been outside the top-four since 2017. Auburn is 18th in team talent this season; the Tigers were eighth in 2017, the year they last competed for an SEC title. Freeze, who has back-to-back victories against Saban’s Alabama in 2014 and 2015, understands the quickest way to close the gap between Auburn and its counterparts atop the SEC is to recruit. During an appearance on the set of ESPN’s College GameDay on Saturday, he spoke of the need to “revamp” the roster if Auburn wants to compete for championships again. Recruiting is the top priority for Freeze and his staff (which is still in the process of being assembled), who have wasted little time in making inroads with prospects since the recruiting dead period ended last week and the NCAA transfer portal window opened Monday. RELATED: Assessing Auburn’s biggest positions of need to address through transfer portal Freeze plans to lean into the portal, particularly in Year 1, to help address some immediate needs on Auburn’s roster, but he still wants the foundation of the program to be built on high school prospects. “The last thing you want to do is settle, because, ‘oh yeah, he’s in the portal and we need a body, but really we’re not in love with him,’ — and there may be some positions we have to do that, but I do believe, I think if you wait, you might even get better,” Freeze said of his approach to the portal. “So, we’ve got to be patient and smart. There’s no question the portal is going to be vital in Year 1 — every year, but for sure this year.” Between the portal, a historically rich pool of talent in the state in the 2023 class and the benefits of NIL — complete with a war chest of funds accumulated by Auburn’s On To Victory collective — Freeze is optimistic the Tigers can start to close in on the likes of Georgia and Alabama, even with the early signing period two weeks away. Alabama and Georgia have the top-two recruiting classes this cycle, while Auburn’s class currently ranks 51st in the 247Sports composite with 11 commits after two recruits — four-star receiver Adam Hopkins and three-star defensive lineman Jamarrion Harkless — decommitted last week, and a strong close with this transitional class will be imperative for Freeze. “How quickly that can happen closing the gap, I’m not sure yet,” Freeze said. “I’ve got to get in there and figure it out. There’s only one way to get there, and that’s to start. Let’s close it a little in Year 1 and see what the scoreboard says.” Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

Questions for Hugh Freeze on Auburn’s defense Updated: Dec. 07, 2022, 3:59 p.m.|Published: Dec. 07, 2022, 3:55 p.m. 4–5 minutes Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze speaks during his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 29 2022 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU AthleticsTodd Van Emst/AU Athletics/AU At By Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com All-SEC Edge rusher and team captain Derick Hall, linebacker and team captain Owen Pappoe, defensive lineman Colby Wooden, and defensive tackle Marquis Burks departing the Plains for the 2023 National Football League draft will significantly change the Tigers’ defense. Hall, Pappoe, Wooden, and Burks were leaders on and off the field. Replacing this group of players won’t be easy for new head coach Hugh Freeze at Auburn. Freeze will look to the transfer portal and early signing to address the departures. Here are some areas of concern for the 2023 roster at Auburn for Freeze to address. Read More Auburn Football: Questions for Hugh Freeze on Auburn’s offense Colby Wooden, Derick Hall declare for NFL Draft Auburn president defends Hugh Freeze hire in email response to concerned fans Who’s on edge? Hall, Eku Leota, and Marcus Bragg leaving for graduation/NFL Draft leave a significant gap in an already thin unit for the Tigers. Joko Willis entering the transfer portal adds to the urgency. Dylan Brooks is the only returner with experience as a rusher who can play with his hand on the ground or standing. Auburn hasn’t announced a defensive coordinator yet, so this position might be called something different under the new coordinator. However, if you want to win, hybrid pass rushers with the skills to drop back in coverage on a tight end or tackle running backs on pass patterns are essential in the Southeastern Conference. How Freeze handles this position will impact how quickly the Tigers can overcome consecutive losing seasons and missing a bowl game for the first time in nearly a decade. Linebacker? Cam Riley and Wesley Steiner are expected to return, and both saw considerable playing time this season for the Tigers. There aren’t many players other than Riley and Steiner with experience on the active roster. Robert Woodyard Jr. and Powell Gordon are talented and showed potential as freshmen. Can Woodyard and Gordon step up with Riley and Steiner? If so, there’s a good chance for the Tigers to be victorious next season. It’d also help if Auburn could find some talent in the transfer portal. Defensive back? Jaylin Simpson, Keionte Scott, and freshman J.D. Rhym are expected to return to the Plains. D.J. James is eligible for the NFL Draft as a junior. James had a strong season for Auburn after transferring from Oregon with an invite to the Senior Bowl. He could enter the draft or return his decision will impact the secondary room. Nehemiah Pritchett could use the extra year of eligibility at Auburn or enter the draft. Pritchett is an experienced and talented player. If Auburn can get Pritchett and James back in the mix, it’d be great for Freeze. If both choose to explore the NFL, it’ll leave a hole in the roster. Pritchett and James should do what’s best for their futures, but it’d help the Tigers a lot if they stay. Either way, Freeze and his staff will have lots of work over the next few weeks. “I do think we’ve got to be careful to get the right kids that fit our culture, but at the same time, it’s much easier to add to your roster now than it was when I took over at Ole Miss and they hadn’t won an SEC game in two years,” Freeze told reporters. “Obviously, we were going to some New Year’s Six Bowls in year three and four, so I see no reason why with the current structure we can’t do this fairly fast.” Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

Auburn basketball headlines 4-team field for 2023 Legends Classic Updated: Dec. 07, 2022, 10:21 a.m.|Published: Dec. 07, 2022, 10:19 a.m. ~2 minutes Bruce Pearl during the game between George Mason University and the #15 Auburn Tigers at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Wednesday, Oct 26, 2022. Zach Bland/Auburn TigersZach Bland/Auburn Tigers Auburn is returning to Brooklyn, N.Y., next season. Bruce Pearl’s team will compete in the 2023 Legends Classic in Brooklyn as part of a four-team field. Auburn headlines a group that includes Oklahoma State, Notre Dame and St. Bonaventure. The event will take place Nov. 16-17, 2023, at Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. It will be Auburn’s first trip back to Brooklyn since it won the Legends Classic during the 2019-20 season. That year, the Tigers defeated New Mexico and then Richmond to take home the event title. Notre Dame and Oklahoma have also competed in the Legends Classic in previous years. Notre Dame won it in 2016, while Oklahoma State won the consolation game in 2017. This will mark St. Bonaventure’s first appearance in the nonconference showcase. Tickets and schedule for the two-day event will be announced at a later date. The 2023 Legends Classic will mark the 17th annual iteration of the showcase, which began in 2007. Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game: Day One Eye Catchers from the Yellowhammer State Cooper Petagna 5–6 minutes MOBILE, Ala. -- Considered one of the most talented postseason all-star events in the country, the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game rarely fails to deliver a quality product. Taking place on Thursday evening at the University of South Alabama, both Alabama and Mississippi teams participated in their first of six practices before Saturday’s matchup. 247Sports takes you inside the event. ALPHA DOG Although Thursday evening’s practice setting was somewhat controlled, Top247 defensive lineman and Florida commit Kelby Collins did not waste any time making the case that he’s one of, if not the best player in Mobile this week. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 280-pounds, Collins possesses a lean muscular frame with long arms and room to grow as he continues to physically develop. An explosive and disruptive interior pass rusher on film, Collins’ ability to play multiple positions across the defensive line, as well as flashing some natural ability off the edge helped separate him on day one of practice. A multi-dimensional athlete with excellent position and scheme versatility, it feels as though Collins is only scratching the surface of his ascending ceiling. Top Performers Next up, Top247 defensive lineman and Clemson pledge Peter Woods. If there was one name that I had circled coming into this week’s full week of practices, it was Woods. Possessing a sawed-off frame at 6-foot-3 and 270-pounds, the Thompson standout has arguably the best motor of any prospect in the 2023 cycle. Although there was a knock or two coming into the week about Woods’ true size and growth potential when projecting to the next level, there’s no denying his ability to be disruptive anywhere on the defensive line. A quick twitch explosive player, the combination of Woods’ first step and heavy hands continue to be no match for even some of the best offensive linemen in Alabama. The good thing about events like these is that it becomes increasingly difficult to overthink what’s right in front of you. Woods has been a terror on the defensive front for his entire career, there’s no reason to believe that won’t be the case on Saturdays as well. I’m not sure there was a prettier prospect in attendance on Tuesday evening than Top247 defensive lineman and Florida State commit Keldric Faulk. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 240-pounds, I wouldn’t be surprised if Faulk is hovering around closer to 260-pounds as of today. A multi-sport athlete with a basketball background, Faulk is exactly what coaching staffs across the country seek in up and coming front-seven defenders. Not only does Faulk look the part of the hoof but he flashed some juice off the edge and showed he can hold up comfortably on the interior as well. Ranked the No. 128 prospect in the country according to 247Sports, don’t be surprised if you see Faulk boost his stock with a strong week in Mobile. Flipping to the offensive side of the ball, Top247 offensive tackle Stanton Ramil was one of the most consistent players on a talented offensive line unit. At 6-foot-7 and 310-pounds, Ramil is a better athlete than given credit for. Although he’s seen as a potential right tackle on Saturdays, the Thompson standout looked very comfortable manning the left tackle spot where he’s spent the majority of his career playing. A big body with excellent technique and a nasty streak, Ramil’s an ideal fit for Mel Tucker and company in East Lansing. One name to keep an eye out for down the stretch as a potential late riser is Auburn corner commit JC Hart. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 175-pounds, Hart is somewhat of a raw athlete but the movement skills and athletic clay are there to mold. Although he’ll need some polish and coaching at the next level, Hart’s size, speed, and athleticism are typically hard to find at a corner position that values his type of physical traits. Another noticeable standout from this evening's practice included Alabama pledge and Top247 EDGE Yhonzae Pierre. A long and explosive pass rusher from Eufaula, Pierre has the makings of a blossoming developmental prospect that will undoubtedly benefit from an SEC weight room and nutrition program at the next level. Although he’ll need to add some additional weight to his frame to be ready to play on Saturdays, Pierre’s get off and physicality don’t disappoint when setting the edge in the run game. A big plus when evaluating his three-down capability as a pass rusher in Tuscaloosa. ">247Sports

Auburn football defensive coordinator hot board: An impressive list of candidates Lance Dawe ~3 minutes Auburn's defense needs a refresh. Since the departure of former DC Kevin Steele, the Tigers have struggled on that side of the ball - and after Jeff Schmedding took over as DC this season, the dam broke. Bryan Harsin is out, Hugh Freeze is in, and a quick reset and restoration is in order. Here are some candidates to take over as defensive coordinator under Freeze. Zach Arnett - Mississippi State Arnett has piloted one of the most successful SEC defenses over the last three seasons for the Bulldogs. He's considered a riser in the industry. His 2019 defense at San Diego State was a top ten unit nationally. Although he is probably looking to make a move up as a head coach in the near future, Arnett would be a solid choice. Charles Kelly - Alabama Kelly is the current assistant defensive coordinator/safeties coach for the Crimson Tide. He's a former defensive back for Auburn was a GA on the Plains in 1993. We have had multiple sources tell us before Freeze was hired that Kelly would be a name to watch for DC. He's still on our list as of December 7th. Travis Williams - UCF Former player? Check. Former position coach? Check. Former Co-DC? Check. Experience as a true DC? Also check. Auburn fans would likely be thrilled with this hire. Proving he can coach a solid defense at UCF has done wonders for his potential to move up in the coaching ranks. Tony Gibson - NC State After spending five seasons at West Virginia as DC, Gibson moved over to NC State in 2019. All four of his defenses with the Wolfpack have finished in the top half of the ACC. Most notably, he's statistically improved with every year, having finished in the top 25 in total defense the past two seasons. Gibson has been around the block, and would be an intriguing hire from an X's and O's standpoint. Recruiting may be a question mark.

5 Auburn freshmen burn redshirts in productive season for 2022 class Nathan King 7–9 minutes Manage Trending Live Hugh Freeze is hard at work attempting to secure a strong 2023 finish for Auburn on the recruiting trail ahead of this month's signing period. But the Tigers' new head coach is also inheriting more than a few talented youngsters from the 2022 class, as well. Five of Auburn's 14 true freshmen — four on offense, one on defense — burned their redshirts this season. The Tigers saw encouraging production primarily at more than a few positions, and now it's up to Freeze and his new assistant staff to continue that development into this offseason and next fall. Here's how Auburn's 2022 class performed during their true freshman campaigns, plus a look at how they project on the Tigers' roster in 2023 and beyond. (Greg McWilliams, 247Sports) QB Holden Geriner Games played: 1 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: 2-3, 8 yards 2023 outlook: The highest-rated recruit in Auburn's quarterback room, Geriner came in for two drives in Week 4 against Missouri after a minor injury to Robby Ashford. When T.J. Finley was unavailable down the stretch, Geriner became Auburn's full-time backup, though he wasn't needed in another game. Regarded as a high-ceiling passer, Geriner should benefit from Freeze's tutelage and could challenge for the starting job within the next couple years. RB Damari Alston Games played: 10 (not eligible for redshirt) Stats: 14 carries, 85 yards 2023 outlook: The former 4-star Atlanta recruit showed some flashes as Auburn's No. 3 ball-carrier this past season, and he figures to move up to the backup spot behind Jarquez Hunter next year, assuming Tank Bigsby enters the draft. WR Camden Brown Games played: 11 (not eligible for redshirt) Stats: 9 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TDs 2023 outlook: One of the most exciting newcomers on the roster this season, Brown had touchdowns against LSU and Arkansas, along with a few impressive catches downfield. He didn't play as much as Auburn's more veteran receivers, but that could change with another year of experience. Brown also resembles some of the big-bodied wideouts Freeze had so much success with at Ole Miss. (Greg McWilliams, 247Sports) WR Omari Kelly Games played: 10 (not eligible for redshirt) Stats: 3 catches, 56 yards 2023 outlook: Auburn perhaps would have liked more production out of Kelly if it was going to burn his redshirt. Regardless, the former 4-star recruit was able to break into the rotation and only adds to the athleticism and long-term talent in the receivers room moving forward. WR Jay Fair Games played: 7 (not eligible for redshirt) Stats: 2 catches, 34 yards 2023 outlook: The least utilized of Auburn's trio of freshman receivers, Fair still played a fair amount, as all three players will be true sophomores in 2023. Fair's usage next year could depend on who's left in the receiving corps and who Freeze brings in from the transfer portal. TE Micah Riley-Ducker Games played: 4 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: N/A 2023 outlook: Though Riley-Ducker didn't catch a pass, he graded out fairly well as a blocker in the games he did play, particularly springing a Hunter touchdown against Mississippi State with a nice job of setting the edge on a sweep. It might be another year for Riley-Ducker to really contribute, considering John Samuel Shenker is the only tight end out of eligibility from this year's team. OL E.J. Harris Games played: 0 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: N/A 2023 outlook: A local product from Auburn High School, Harris could have an opportunity to move up the depth chart next year, considering the exodus of several veteran offensive linemen. DT Enyce Sledge Games played: 2 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: N/A 2023 outlook: Both lines of scrimmage for Auburn will see notable turnover this offseason, so Sledge could work his way into a rotational role if he makes a strong impression on new defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett. A monstrous athlete at 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Sledge could benefit from the departure of nose tackle Marquis Burks, who is out of eligibility. (Greg McWilliams, 247Sports) LB Robert Woodyard Games played: 4 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: 4 tackles 2023 outlook: The top recruit in Auburn's 2022 class, Woodyard got his feet wet as a true freshman but will still maintain a redshirt. Auburn will likely target a linebacker in the transfer portal to help offset the loss of senior Owen Pappoe, but Woodyard has plenty of talent and figures to develop into a starting-caliber player. It also helps that his position coach, Christian Robinson, is likely to be retained on Freeze's staff. LB Powell Gordon Games played: 0 Stats: N/A 2023 outlook: Gordon may still be buried on the linebacker depth chart next season, but at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, he could kick outside to a thin edge rusher room if needed. (Greg McWilliams, 247Sports) CB J.D. Rhym Games played: 12 (not eligible for redshirt) Stats: 14 tackles, 2 PBUs 2023 outlook: After settling in for a few games, Rhym emerged as Auburn's No. 4 cornerback behind D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson. And when Simpson moved to safety late in the year due to injuries, Rhym had six tackles and a pass breakup in Auburn's last four games. The Tigers' top producing true freshman on defense, Rhym looks to have a bright future in the secondary. His position coach, Zac Etheridge, is also likely to be retained. CB Austin Ausberry Games played: 3 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: N/A 2023 outlook: A former top-200 overall recruit, Ausberry wasn't able to crack the main secondary rotation as a true freshman but still projects as a talented contributor at any defensive back spot. He took the majority of his snaps at nickel during his limited playing time. S Caleb Wooden Games played: 4 (eligible for redshirt) Stats: 9 tackles, 1 pass breakup 2023 outlook: Wooden saw increased snaps late in the season after injuries to safeties Donovan Kaufman and Zion Puckett, and showed good speed and tackling skills. It's unclear whether the Tigers will have any exits at safety, though, with Kaufman a rising senior, and Puckett still with a year of COVID-19 eligibility. ">247Sports

Auburn football offensive coordinator hot board: Candidates to watch Lance Dawe ~3 minutes December rolls on, and Auburn still has not found its offensive coordinator. the Tigers have begun to fill out their staff underneath head coach Hugh Freeze but have yet to name either coordinator - despite the regular season being over for all of the named candidates floating out there. The previous regime at Auburn sucked the life out of the offense, left the cupboard pretty bare and left (shoutout Will Friend for making it work through November). There needs to be a solid hire made - one that can evaluate and elevate whatever quarterback the Tigers choose to go with. Here's a list of candidates. Phil Longo - North Carolina There's some legitimate smoke surrounding Phil Longo, the current offensive coordinator for North Carolina. The Tar Heels rank 11th in the nation in total yards while also possessing the individual leader in total yards (QB Drake Maye). Longo was Freeze’s OC at Ole Miss in 2017. Charlie Weis Jr. - Ole Miss Weis is in his first year with the Rebels - and it's going swimmingly. Ole Miss is eight nationally in total offense, fourth in rushing yards and 24th in yards per play. Despite a drop-off in talent from a season ago, the Ole Miss offense is still clicking. Auburn has already nabbed the Rebels' offensive line coach Jake Thorton. Who's to say Weis doesn't follow him over to the Plains? Garrett Riley - TCU Riley is on here simply because of what he's done for the Horned Frogs this season - and he's probably not leaving. TCU is top 15 in total offense, yards per play, and scoring offense. Riley turned decent Big 12 quarterback Max Duggan into a Heisman finalist. There's little chance Riley leaves TCU - the timing also doesn't work out with the Horned Frogs in the playoff - but he's a coordinator name to watch everywhere. Kendal Briles - Arkansas Briles is most known for his high-flying offenses during his time at Baylor (OC from 2015-16). Two of his three seasons with the Razorbacks included top 30 finishes nationally in total offense. His style would likely mesh well with Hugh Freeze.

The transfer portal is officially open and Auburn is going to be heavily involved. One of the Tiger’s early targets is tight end Rivaldo Fairweather. In fact, the Tigers were the first school to call and offer him a scholarship on Monday according to Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover. While nothing has been scheduled yet he plans to visit the Plains. The former FIU Panther had a breakout season this year, catching 28 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns as a junior. He will have two seasons of eligibility left at his next destination due to his covid year. Auburn has a need for a pass-catching tight end now that John Samuel Shenker has run out of eligibility. New tight end coach Ben Aigamaua will have luke deal, tyler fromm, Brandon Frazier, and Micah Riley-Ducker to work with next season. While Deal, Fromm, and Frazier are all experienced upperclassmen they have been primarily used as blockers and lack experience as receiving threats.

Auburn set to host former Mississippi State wide receiver Rara Thomas Taylor Jones Mon, December 5, 2022 at 12:00 PM We are in the early stages of transfer portal season, and Auburn is already set to receive a visitor. Rara Thomas, who spent two seasons catching passes from Will Rogers at Mississippi State, will visit the Plains this weekend according to Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover. Auburn will be his first visit, he also is expected to visit Alabama and Georgia as well. Thomas, who signed with Mississippi State from Eufaula High School, caught 62 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons at Mississippi State. He did most of his damage this season, catching 44 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns. He was the Bulldogs’ leading receiver in yards and was second on the team in touchdown receptions behind Caleb Ducking, who caught eight touchdowns this season. Thomas did not receive much interest from Power Five programs as a high school recruit, as Mississippi State and South Carolina were the only major programs to offer. But his success at Mississippi State may aid him in draft stock. He was the No. 28 overall prospect from the state of Alabama for the 2021 cycle. Auburn needs help in the receiving department, and Thomas would give the Tigers a boost. Auburn’s highest-graded receiver according to Pro Football Focus was Ja'Varrius Johnson, who graded at 70.3 and caught just 26 passes despite being targeted 45 times. List Players Hugh Freeze and Auburn should target in the transfer portal Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

Auburn offers Wester Michigan transfer DE Andre Carter JD McCarthy ~2 minutes The transfer portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 5 and there are already over 1,000 players looking for a new home. Auburn and Hugh Freeze are expected to be heavily involved in the transfer market as he looks to revamp Auburn’s roster which needs an infusion of talent. One of Auburn’s top needs is along the defensive line, where Auburn has a need along both the interior of the line and at the outside. One of the players who could play both of those positions is Western Michigan transfer Andre Carter and Auburn offered him a scholarship Tuesday morning. While he has primarily been used as a pass rusher, he is capable and willing to play along the interior of the defensive line when needed. He has been productive in each of his five seasons, but he broke out this season racking up 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He has made 135 tackles, 29.0 tackles for loss, 14.0 sacks, and six forced fumbles in his career. Aubrun will to have to replace edge rushers Derick Hall, Eku Leota, Joko Willis, Marcus Bragg, and defensive linemen Colby Wooden, Marquis Burks, Morris Joseph Jr., and Zykeivous Walker. While some of these players are in the portal and could very well return to the Plains, the Tigers need to add multiple players along both the interior of the line and along the outside. List Players Hugh Freeze and Auburn should target in the transfer portal Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

i bought a five gallon bucket of tar and some ol ratty feather pillows to tar and feather his butt and i am binging 1_am with me to see if he really is done with the ol dumpster. Trump is starting to get it from all angles. and i was about ready to give up on this country. now they are coming for him and hershel lost.

Former Auburn defensive tackle named as Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee River Wells ~2 minutes A former Auburn football player has been nominated for one of the NFL’s greatest honors. Derrick Brown, who played for the Tigers as a defensive tackle from 2016-19, was selected as the Panthers’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, given to the NFL player that creates the biggest community impact through philanthropy and other means. Brown is one of 32 nominees, one for each NFL team. Here is what Brown said on Twitter about being nominated for the award: “Truly Honored (sic) to be nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. It wouldn’t have been possible without all the amazing people behind the scenes and all the Amazing (sic) partners that have helped in so many events and helped bring my vision to life in numerous ways!” Brown’s community work involves helping high-risk children, both in Charlotte, North Carolina, and his hometown of Sugar Hill, Georgia. Brown’s efforts are numerous, including a football camp for 200 kids in Georgia and donating money and school supplies to high school children attending his alma mater. The winner of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award is always announced at the NFL Honors ceremony the Thursday before the Super Bowl.

Auburn Basketball remains in top-20 of latest Basketball Power Index rankings Taylor Jones ~2 minutes The Auburn Tigers saw a significant climb in the latest polls after a dominating effort last Friday, beating Colgate 93-66 at Neville Arena behind 10 made three-pointers. Due to the win, as well as several big names falling in the last week, Auburn has climbed five spots to No. 14 in the latest USA TODAY Sports’ coaches poll, while rising four places to No. 11 in the Associated Press Poll. Buy Tigers Tickets Auburn’s week is off to a great start thanks to the voters, but how do analytics favor the Tigers? The Basketball Power Index from ESPN ranks Auburn at No. 16 overall, and No. 5 in the SEC ahead of this week’s action. Their 8-0 record has kept the Tigers high in the rankings, but there is one aspect of Auburn’s schedule that keeps them lower than most would expect them to be. The BPI “is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of performance going forward. BPI represents how many points above or below average a team is.” Here is a look at where Auburn falls in the major categories that make up the ESPN Basketball Power Index. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports John Reed-USA TODAY Sports Michael Chang/Getty Images Michael Chang/Getty Images Michael Chang/Getty Images Michael Chang/Getty Images

si.com Three things I like, three things I don't like about Auburn basketball's 8-0 start Lance Dawe 6–8 minutes Auburn basketball is off to an 8-0 start. All things considered, that is excellent - The Auburn offense has not been extremely giving so far this year and the Tigers have found themselves in a couple of rock fights because of it. Anyone will take 8-0 any day of the week. The biggest question heading into the season is whether or not Auburn would be able to survive without the frontcourt duo of Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith. In replacement of that tandem many figured Yohan Traore would be the ice to Morehead State transfer Johni Broome's fire. Although Traore has not necessarily given the production some might have expected (mostly due to Pearl wanting to keep the rotation fresh and kind of holding him back like we've seen him do with freshmen in the past), the front court has still been dominant. Although it's been a rugged start from an offensive perspective, there are a lot of positives to take away from the beginning of the 2022-23 season for the Tigers. Here are three things I have liked, and three things I haven't liked about the eight-game stretch. The defense Auburn's defense is simply championship-caliber. Despite only having played two teams with an adjusted offensive efficiency inside the top-100 nationally (Colgate, St. Louis), the Tigers defense could be believed to bee as good as advertised against any opponent - they've clamped down in tight contests when they needed to the most. No Walker Kessler has not been an issue (at least defensively) for Auburn through eight games. Now, that tune might change once we get into SEC play... But its good to see the aggressive nature of Bruce Pearl's squad hasn't left now that Kessler and Jabari Smith are gone. Johni Broome has been the shot block that everyone expected Auburn had picked up in the portal (5th nationally in block percentage). Backup center Dylan Cardwell hasn't been half bad, either (3rd nationally in block percentage). Allen Flanigan Flanigan looked rough last year following a return from an Achilles tear. There were questions about whether or not Flan would play this season after he stepped away form the team for a while for personal reasons. He's only started one game this season at small forward - taking a bench role behind Chris Moore - but is third on the team in minutes. The number that impresses me with Flanigan the most is his effective field goal percentage. A brief explanation on eFG% from KenPom: Effective field goal percentage (eFG%) is computed from (FGM + 0.5*3PM)/FGA. This differs from conventional field goal percentage by taking into account the extra value of a made 3-pointer. Flanigan's eFG% is 53.7%, the second-best on the team so far this year (behind Dylan Cardwell). That's up 11.2% from last season. His outside shot has arguably been the most valuable for Auburn through eight games. If he's able to keep it up, he's got a decent shot of getting a look in the NBA Draft. Flan has shown this year that he can still score in a variety of ways and should be ready for the next level. Strength in numbers Another fun stat here: Auburn utilizes their bench more than almost anybody in the country - more than all but four teams, to be specific - that's largely due in part to the fact that KD Johnson (10.5 PPG) and Allen Flanigan (8.8 PPG) come off of the bench, but still. There aren't many teams that are as interchangeable without a significant drop-off as the Tigers are. If Chance Westry and Yohan Traore pick things up here as the SEC schedule arrives, this rotation should be one of the nation's best... at least, on defense. Defensive rebounding Unlike Bruce Pearl teams of the past, Auburn is not hurting for height in their frontcourt. This has not helped them grab defensive rebounds. 31.2% of opponent misses are offensive rebounds for them. That's 11th in the SEC. It's one of the smaller reasons why Auburn isn't making a huge impact on the offensive end. They simply aren't maximizing the amount of possessions they have where a shot goes up because the opponent gets second chance opportunities far too often. That's going to need to change soon. Outside shooting and decision making Personally, I did not expect Auburn to be good from beyond the arc this season. This negative does not come as a surprise. The Tigers are a cool 29% through eight games, last in the SEC. It's not about "making the adjustment," or "figuring it out." Auburn doesn't have shooters. Plain and simple. That's not hating, it's just reality. The hope is that they've hit their floor and start to work their way up as the season goes on. Finding a rhythm late is the most important thing. If it takes a while for Auburn to start shooting at an average clip, so be it. Even if that means settling down from beyond the arc and pulling the trigger less, that's fine too. It's all about selecting the best shots. If they even get to average (about 33.7%), that helps things out tremendously. Johni Broome's offense Broome has taken the second-most shots on the team through eighth games (72) and has the seventh best field goal percentage (41.7%). That's not good for a guy that's 6-foot-10. In the four games he eclipsed double-digit field goal attempts, only once did he surpass 50% shooting. What Broome has brought to the table this season has been valuable, don't get me wrong - he's the best offensive rebounder the Tigers have, and easily one of the best shot-blocking bigs in the nation. He had eight blocks against St. Louis, the best offense Auburn has played up until this point. We're all about efficiency here. Putting the ball in the basket as often as possible with the possessions earned is the named of the game. This is not a call to reduce Broome's minutes or to say he's a bad player - by no means. Everyone has their own skillset. We just need to see him find a rhythm in the post.

Auburn climbs 4 spots in latest AP poll JD McCarthy 1–2 minutes An 8-0 start has Auburn climbing up the rankings and knocking on the door of the top 10. The Tigers jumped four spots to No. 11 in the Week 5 AP poll that was announced Monday. That is their highest ranking of the season, after checking in at No. 12 in two previous editions of the poll. Buy Tigers Tickets They are one of just 12 undefeated teams remaining in college basketball and Auburn is the sixth-highest ranked unbeaten team. They trail No. 1 Houston, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Virginia, No. 4 Purdue, and No. 5 Uconn. The Tiger are fresh off a 93-66 win over Colgate in Neville Arena Friday night. It was their best offensive performance of the season as they made 10 3-pointers and showed their impressive depth. Auburn is the fourth-highest ranked SEC team. They are behind No. 7 Tennessee, No. 8 Alabama, and No. 9 Arkansas. They are ahead of No. 16 Kentucky, and No. 23 Mississippi State. The Tigers will return to action Saturday against Memphis in the Holiday Hoopsgiving contest. The Tigers received votes in this week’s AP poll.

D.J. Uiagalelei to the Plains? One expert believes Auburn is a great fit Taylor Jones 3–4 minutes The transfer portal officially opened on Monday. While Auburn did not take as big of a hit as many programs did, they are in the hunt to boost several key areas. One of those positions is quarterback. Zach Calzada, who missed the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury, has announced that he will enter the transfer portal. His departure leaves Auburn with three scholarship quarterbacks, which could decrease even more if T.J. Finley elects to enter the portal, as rumors suggest. Buy Tigers Tickets There are several strong options in the portal, including NC State’s Devin Leary and Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed. However, there is one transfer candidate that ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg feels is a good fit for the Tigers. After recent struggles at Clemson, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has elected to get a fresh start elsewhere. Rittenberg explains why he and Auburn could pair well together. Uiagalelei visited the Plains during his recruitment back in 2018, and might consider returning there to suit up for Tigers coach Hugh Freeze. Auburn certainly needs more competition at quarterback, and Freeze runs a QB-friendly offense and typically stacks up talented wide receivers. Freeze’s work in transforming Malik Willis, who struggled at Auburn before transferring to Liberty, likely will appeal to Uiagalelei and his camp. He would get a chance to play in the SEC and develop his game against top defenders. Clemson and Auburn also have many similarities, so the environment wouldn’t be a big adjustment for Uiagalelei. Auburn should regain Robby Ashford, who showed some promise this season, and added an ESPN 300 recruit earlier this year in Holden Geriner. But there’s not much depth in the quarterback room. Uiagalelei enrolled at Clemson as the No. 1 quarterback from the 2020 recruiting cycle from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. He was expected to live up to the expectations of former Clemson quarterbacks Tahj Boyd, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence. He appeared to be on his way to doing just that when he passed for 439 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Lawrence during a losing effort to Notre Dame in 2020. However, his Clemson career did not pan out as he intended. He took over the starting job in 2021, where he threw for 2,246 yards, nine touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He improved in 2022 by tossing 22 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions, but a struggling performance against South Carolina, where he completed just 8-of-29 passes for 99 yards, was enough for head coach Dabo Swinney to bench Uiagalelei for freshman Cade Klubnik. Klubik would start the ACC Championship Game against North Carolina, thus closing the book on Uiagalelei’s career at Clemson. Florida, Oregon, and Notre Dame are among other programs that Rittenberg believes Uiagalelei could be a great fit for.