2020 squad draws inspiration from Chris Davis and others

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Auburn’s 2020 squad draws inspiration from Chris Davis and other alumni

Posted Aug 20, 2020

Auburn cornerback Chris Davis (11) returns a missed field-goal attempt 100-plus yards to score the game-winning touchdown as time expired in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against No. 1 Alabama in Auburn, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013. Auburn won 34-28. Davis spoke to the 2020 Auburn team before the season started. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) APAP

 

 

By Giana Han

Gus Malzahn has a bunch of hungry guys on his team this year, so he decided to feed their hunger by inviting former Auburn Tigers who have championship experience to speak.

The summer’s lineup has included defensive end Nosa Eguae, wide receiver Sammie Coates, kicker Wes Byrum and cornerback Chris Davis.

“I really just wanted to get more guys off the 2010, 2013 teams to talk about the characteristics of those teams that were able to win a championship here at Auburn,” Malzahn said. “I just really wanted our players to hear from those guys about what they felt like was important for success.”

Davis, who is now the cornerbacks coach at Pinson Valley High School, was not only present for two national championships and a SEC championship, but he was also responsible for one of the most iconic plays in Auburn football history, the “Kick Six.” He finished his career at Auburn with 199 tackles and then joined the San Diego Chargers.

 

Like Davis, Eguae’s career also spanned several championships. He was a redshirt freshman during the 2011 BCS championship win over the Oregon Ducks, and he also played in the 2013 SEC Championship game. He spent time on the Atlanta Falcons’ team after leaving Auburn.

 

Byrum also brings the experience of making a clutch play in a high-pressure environment with little time on the clock. In the 2011 championship, he kicked the 19-yard field goal to secure the win. Now, he has found success outside of football as an attorney after graduating from law school at Nova Southeastern University.

Coates is the youngest of the group and missed out on the 2010 season. But he was on the team for the 2013 SEC Championship and the 2014 national championship. During his career as a Tiger, he had 1,757 receiving yards, which is the 10th most in the program. He declared early and was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2015 draft. At the moment, he is a free agent.

 

The current Auburn Tigers soaked up what all the speakers, with their long lists of accomplishments, had to say. Malzahn said they were attentive, asking specific questions, and trying to “get any wisdom from them that they could.” Quarterback Bo Nix felt that listening to the speakers was an “essential” thing to do before the season started.

Nix believes people can get confused when they have a plan for their futures, but they don’t know how to put that plan into action. That makes it important to talk to people who have walked a similar path and know how to navigate it already. The conversations help the younger guys learn from the mistakes and successes of the older ones, and it helps the older guys, as well, by allowing them to see how they can affect the younger ones.

 

“I just believe it’s very important to help build a championship or help build a brotherhood or camaraderie,” Nix said.

 

Linebacker K.J. Britt, who will be a key part of Auburn’s defense, said listening to Auburn alumni speak really emphasizes that Auburn is different, just like Malzahn likes to preach. It demonstrates the Auburn family and the Auburn mentality. Although they left years before any of the current players arrived, they have a lot of similarities.

 

“Obviously we have the same goals and aspirations as they do,” Britt said. “We’re looking to do similar things, if not the same thing.”