Auburn true freshmen

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Auburn true freshmen work toward chances to play 'real football'

ByPhillip Marshall

10-13 minutes

hen Auburn starts preseason camp, 21 scholarship true freshmen will get their first real tastes of college football. They’ve been on-campus since June, going through walkthroughs, lifting weigh and dealing with preparing as the COVID-19 rages. But they’ve never played football against grown men.

Tank Bigsby will have an opportunity to be Auburn's go-to running back. (Photo: 247Sports)

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic,, none of them got to have spring practice, but some of them will have to play if Auburn is going to achieve its lofty goals.

On signing day in February, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said he believed in the talent and character of his recruiting class.

"When you combine that with how good of players and how good of athletes they are, I think it really says a lot," Malzahn said. "That's how we win here at Auburn, with talent, character, togetherness and team. I really feel like that's what we sign.

"We work extremely hard to do that. A lot of these guys, our coaches develop long-term relationships - not just a couple months, but years. We are really excited about this group and feel that we met our needs."

Some will be counted on early. Some will play special teams. Some will provide depth. Some will be redshirted.

Here is a look at each one of them:

TANK BIGSBY, RUNNING BACK, HOGANSVILLE, GA. (CALLAWAY)
***** 6-0, 209

Outlook: Bigsby is Auburn’s first 5-star running back signee since Roc Thomas in 2014, and he will have an early opportunity to show if he is ready for prime time. He will have an opportunity to prove he’s go-to runner, but other backs will have something to say about that.

In high school: Widely considered one of the top five running back prospects in the country, Bigsby rushed for 1,636 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior, leading his team to the state semifinals. He was the 2018 Class AA state Offensive Player of the Year as a junior after rushing for 2,221 yards for a team that finished 11-3 and reached the state semifinals.

ELIJAH CANION, WR, SUNRISE, FLA. (CHAMINADE-MADONNA)
*** 6-4, 201

Outlook: Canion has the skills to play early and provide some depth at wide receiver.

In high school: Big-play receiver who averaged more than 21 yards per catch in his career. He helped win three consecutive Class AAA state championships. He was first-team All-County as a junior and senior and also lettered in track.

ZE’VIAN CAPERS, WR, ALPHARETTA, GA. (DENMARK)
**** 6-4, 192

Outlook:  At 6-foot-4, Capers is another tall, athletic receiver to go with Seth Williams. Though Auburn has most of its receivers back for last season, there is room for Capers.

In high school: As a senior, Capers had 45 catches for 922 yards and a touchdown as a senior. He was a first-team All-State selection. As a junior, he had 60 catches for 1,182 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also lettered in track.

J.J. EVANS, WR, MONTEVALLO
**** 6-2, 192

Outlook: Like the other receiver signees, Evans has the tools to play early if he’s healthy after an injury-plagued senior season.

In high school: Despite injury problems, Evans caught 38 catches for 617 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior. As a junior, he caught 74 passes for 1,706 yards and 18 touchdowns.

DANIEL FOSTER-ALLEN, DE, SARALAND, ALA. (ST. PAUL’S)
*** 6-4, 264

Outlook: Only 17 years old when he signed, Foster-Allen still has growing to do. His high school coach says he has All-SEC potential, but he might need a year before becoming a significant contributor.

In high school: As a senior, Foster-Allen had 53 tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hurries. He also lettered in basketball.

BRANDON FRAZIER, TE, MCKINNEY, TEXAS (MCKINNEY NORTH)
**** 6-7, 247

Outlook: Frazier, tall and fast, is the kind of tight end Auburn needs in offensive coordinator Chad Morris’ tight end-friendly offense. He’ll have an opportunity to play early and make an impact early.

In high school: Frazier was a two-time All-District selection. He was rated the No. 9 tight end prospect nationally and the No. 212 prospect overall by 247Sports. He played H-back, slot and wide receiver.

CHAYIL GARNETT, QB, LAKE WALES, FLA. (LAKELAND)
*** 6-1, 211

Outlook: Garnett, a true dual threat, will be among those competing to back up starter Bo Nix. Missing spring practice will hurt, but he is one of three quarterback who have no Auburn experience.

In high school: As a senior, Garnett battled injuries and played in just one game. As a junior, he passed for 2,028 yards and 18 touchdowns. He was an honor student.

JAY HARDY, DL, CHATTANOOGA, TENN. (MCCALLIE)
**** 6-4, 280

Outlook: Big, strong and athletic, Hardy has everything it takes to play early. It’s a matter of getting comfortable with the defense once preseason camp begins.

In high school: Hardy was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports. He led his team to a state championship as a senior, playing defensive end and tight end.

ROMELLO HEIGHT, BUCK, DUBLIN, GA.
*** 6-4, 217

Outlook: Height, who flipped from Miami to Auburn on signing day, has star potential, but he probably needs to gain some weight to play significant role in Auburn’s defensive rotation.

In high school: Height set the Dublin High record for sacks and led Dublin to the Class AA state championship as a senior. He also lettered in basketball. His high school coach said he had more offers t than any player he had coaches.

KOBE HUDSON, WR, TROUPE COUNTY (LAGRANGE, GA.)
**** 6-0, 185

Outlook: Hudson is a talented athlete who played quarterback his last two years in high school. He’s not the fastest, but he’s fast. He doesn’t jump the highest, but he jumps high. His coaches say he is a ferocious competitor. He will be a strong candidate for early playing time.

In high school: He was the Class AAAA as a junior quarterback, passing for 3,386 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushing for 1,410 yards. He was named the state Player of the Year. As a senior, he passed 1,629 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 976 yards. He played receiver as a sophomore, catching. He was rated one of the top 10 prospects in Georgia by 247Sports. He also lettered in basketball.

AVERY JERNIGAN, C, BLACKSHEAR, GA. (PIERCE COUNTY)
*** 6-3, 306

Outlook: Playing as a true freshman is difficult for an offensive lineman, particularly a center. Blackshear will get his chance to show he’s ready to be the exception.

In high school: Jernigan was a two-time All-State performer. He was an honor student and also lettered in basketball.

TATE JOHNSON, OG, LAGRANGE, GA. (LAGRANGE)
*** 6-4, 325

Outlook: Like other offensive linemen, he’ll have to learn how to play at the college level. Getting into the playing rotation will be a difficult challenge, but he will get his chance.

In high school: Johnson was an All-State performer as a senior. He was rated the No. 27 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports and in the top 15 by other services. Size and athleticism indicate a bright future.

JJ PEGUES, TE, OXFORD, MISS.
**** 6-2, 298

Outlook: Pegues is a unique athlete. He will likely play tight end in Morris' offense. Malzahn says he will even get a look at being a wildcat quarterback. He has a very good chance to be an early contributor.

In high school: Pegues was rated the nation’s No. 6 athlete and the No. 3 prospect in the state of Mississippi by 247Sports. As a senior, helped Oxford High School win the 6A state championship.  He also lettered in basketball.

ERIC REED, CB, SHREVEPORT, LA. (CALVARY BAPTIST)
**** 6-0, 195

Outlook: With a starting job open at one cornerback, Reed will have an early opportunity to either start or be in the playing rotation. He has elite speed and could also play safety or nickel.

In high school: An All-State performer, he was rated the No. 8 prospect in Louisiana by 247Sports. He also lettered in track and basketball.

CAM RILEY, LB, EVERGREEN (HILLCREST)
**** 6-4, 207

Outlook: With the two-deep set at linebacker, Riley probably will need to gain weight  before he gets into the playing rotation. He can play inside and out and has the speed and athleticism to be an effective pass rusher.

In high school: He helped Hillcrest win two state championships. He had 112 tackles as a junior before battling injuries as a senior.

WESLEY STEINER, LB, WARNER ROBBINS, GA. (HOUSTON COUNTY)
**** 6-0, 226

Outlook: Steiner has the attributes to an early contributor, even at the most loaded position on Auburn’s defense. He’ll have an opportunity to show early that he belongs on the field early.

In high school: He was rated the nation’s No. 7 inside linebacker prospect by 247Sports. He had 81 tackles and six tackles for a loss as a senior and played in the Under Armour All-America Game. He was a two-time state champion in the discus and lettered in wrestling.

LADARIUS TENNISON, S, ROCKLEDGE, FLA.
**** 5-10, 195

Outlook: Auburn needs depth at safety, and Tennison, known as physical player, is one of two signees who could provide it early. He is ranked No. 4 nationally as an athlete by 247Sports.

In high school: Tennison had 98 tackles and 24 tackles for loss as a senior. He was the Space Coast Player of the Year as a senior.

CHRIS THOMPSON JR., S, DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS
**** 6-1, 201

Outlook: Like Tennison, he will get a get an opportunity to provide depth at safety. He, too, is known as a physical player who loves contact.

In high school: He was the nation’s  No. 17 safety prospect according to 247Sports and the No. 2 safety prospect according to ESPN. He was the 2A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and played in the

DESMOND TISDOL, LB, ROCHELLE, GA. (WILCOX COUNTY)
**** 6-0, 210

Outlook: Tisdol needs to gain some weight, but he has the skills to get on the field and provide some depth at linebacker. He’ll get his opportunity.

In high school: Rated the No. 14 linebacker prospect nationally by 247Sports and No. 6 by ESPN. Played on both sides of the ball and was a first-team All-State selection at linebacker, the Region 2-A Defensive Player of the Year and played in the All-American Bowl.

ZYKEVIOUS WALKER, DE, ELLAVILLE, GA. (SCHLEY COUNTY)
**** 6-4, 267

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Outlook: There is room for playing time, but the competition will be stiff. Life is difficult for freshman defensive linemen, but Marlon Davidson showed it can be done and became a four-year starter.

In high school: As a senior, Walker had 85 tackles, 11 sacks and 29 tackles for loss. He was an All-State selection and played in the Under Armour All-America game. He also lettered in basketball and track.

JEREMIAH WRIGHT, OL, SELMA, ALA.
*** 6-5, 340

Outlook: Wright, big and powerful, is potentially a dominant player but is likely to have to wait his turn.

In high school: Wright played offensive tackle and defensive tackle. He an All-Dallas County selection and was ranked the state’s No. 28 prospect by 247Sports.

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