State of the Roster (Updated 10/24)

[Zeek 16,956]

Regardless of who we hire as head coach it's going to be a challenge to manage the roster that he will have left. Here is a look at how things will look going into next season.

 

Quarterback (4 Returning)

• TJ Finley - SR
• Robby Ashford - RS SO
• Zach Calzada - RS SO
• Holden Geriner - RS FR
• Trey Lindsey - will graduate
• Sawyer Pate - JR walk-on

At least one of Finley/Ashford/Calzada is likely to transfer out. I'm not sure who will and it likely depends on the new staff and how they rank those three. My bet is that Finley leaves. Auburn will have just three scholarship quarterbacks with no signs of adding a high school recruit in this class. Likely opening up a spot for yet another transfer quarterback.

Running Back (5 Returning)

• Tank Bigsby - likely leaving for the NFL
• Jarquez Hunter - JR
• Jordon Ingram - JR
• Damari Alston - SO
• Sean Jackson - RS SO
• Justin Jones - SR walk-on
• Luke Reebals - SO walk-on

I could see someone like Jordon Ingram transferring out if he ever wants to see the field in his career. Right now he is firmly behind Hunter, Alston, and Jackson. Jeremiah Cobb is likely to come in as a true freshman and be out true #3 option assuming we keep his commitment. Tank leaving will hurt but I'm excited to see what Jarquez can do as a full time starter. Man I wish we got Quinshon Judkins; he wanted to be here so bad.

Wide Receiver (10 Returning)

• Shedrick Jackson - exhausted eligibility
• Tommy Nesmith - exhausted eligibility walk-on
• Ja'Varrius Johnson - SR
• Malcolm Johnson Jr - RS JR or SR
• Ze'Vian Capers - RS JR or SR
• Koy Moore - JR
• Tar'Varish Dawson Jr. - RS SO
• Jay Fair - SO or RS FR
• Dazalin Worsham - RS SO or JR
• Landen King - RS SO
• Camden Brown - RS FR or SO
• Omari Kelly - RS FR or SO
• Jackson Billings - JR walk-on
• Trent Mason - SR walk-on
• Jake Kruse - RS FR walk-on
• Colby Stafford - SO walk-on
• Whit Johnson - SO walk-on

We have some recruits in and getting JaV back for his senior year will be important to have some experience and production returning. Shedrick Jackson will be gone and we will lean heavy on the young and unproven guys yet again. This is a position I expect to see some transfers form. Capers, Johnson Jr, and Dawson have been here a while to barely see any targets; they could be looking elsewhere. We will have 2-4 high school receivers coming up and maybe a transfer if we can pull someone. Five walk-ons tells you we are a little thin here.

Tight End (4 Returning)

• John Samuel Shenker - will be out of eligibility I believe
• Tyler Fromm - SR
• Luke Deal - SR
• Brandon Frazier - SR
• Micah Riley-Ducker - RS FR or SO
• Camden Etheredge - SO walk-on
• Grant Hidalgo - JR walk-on

If the next head coach plans on using TEs at all we need to do some serious recruiting. We have none committed in the 2023 class and three rising seniors; none of which are guaranteed to return. It wouldn't surprise me to see Frazier leave considering he has never really seen the field here. I somewhat expect, if he is still at Auburn, Landen King to shift back to TE under a new coach.

Offensive Line (8 Returning)

• Jalil Irvin - graduating
• Nick Brahms - retired
• Brenden Coffey - graduating
• Kameron Stutts -  graduating
• Austin Troxell - graduating
• Alec Jackson - graduating
• Brandon Council - graduating
• Kilian Zierer - graduating
• Tate Johnson - SR
• Keiondre Jones - SR
• Jeremiah Wright (SR)
• Avery Jernigan - RS SO or JR
• Cort Bradley - RS SO
• Colby Smith - RS SO
• Garner Langlo - RS SO
• EJ Harris - RS FR or SO
• Thomas Kirkham - RS SO walk-on
• Evan Richards - SO walk-on

We literally don't have enough guys returning for a two-deep. If the new staff is smart they'll beg some of the seniors to use their bonus year but some are totally out of eligibility. The transfer portal has never been more important for Auburn that it will be this cycle. JuCo guys are going to be heavily recruited as well.

Defensive Line & Edge Rusher (8 Returning)

• Derick Hall - NFL
• Colby Wooden - SR but likely enters the NFL Draft
• Marcus Bragg - I believe will be out of eligibility
• Morris Joseph Jr. - I believe will be out of eligibility as well
• Marcus Harris - SR he wants to leave early but idk if he will/should
• Marquis Burks - likely gone?
• Eku Leota - likely the NFL but injury might make him take the bonus year
• Zykeivous Walker - RS JR leaving the team
• Garrison Walker - SR
• Jayson Jones - JR
• Jeffrey M'ba - RS SO or JR
• Tobechi Okoli - RS SO
• Marquis Robinson - RS SO
• Dylan Brooks - RS SO
• Enyce Sledge - RS FR
• Joe Frazier Jr - walk-on
• Jackson Kelly - RS SO walk-on
• Godwin Owolabi - RS SO walk-on
• Hayden Brice - out of eligibility walk-on

Honestly we need to hope that Eku Leota getting injured makes him want to use that bonus year (which I believe he still has). Otherwise things look really rough for next year's DL group. We have some guys coming in from high school but we'll need the portal and other guys to develop. M'ba has been hurt and Jayson Jones doesn't have the power to go with his size. This is a position of concern next season.

Linebacker (9 Returning)

• Owen Pappoe - likely doesn't use his bonus year
• Sammy Cohen - out of eligibility walk-on
• Barton Lester - out of eligibility walk-on
• Wesley Steiner - SR
• Desmond Tisdol - SR
• Cam Riley - SR
• Eugene Asante - SR
• Kameron Brown - SR
• Jake Levant - JR
• Joko Willis - JR
• Powell Gordon - RS FR
• Robert Woodyard Jr - RS FR
• Jonathan LeGrand - SR walk-on

Going to be blunt here. Steiner has been terrible, Riley is too thin, not sure if Kam Brown is a walk-on, Levant is a former walk-on and a warm body, Joko is a borderline edge rusher, Powell isn't really an SEC linebacker, and it's sounding like Woodyard might not be that capable either. Our linebackers look terrible this year and it looks worse next season. Plus there will be five seniors next year... not a great path we're heading down.

Defensive Backs (12 Returning)

• Nehemiah Pritchett - out of eligibility I believe
• Jaylin Simpson - SR
• DJ James - SR
• Zion Puckett - SR
• Marquise Gilbert - JR
• Donovan Kaufman - JR
• Craig McDonald - JR
• Keionte Scott - JR
• Cayden Bridges - RS SO
• JD Rhym - RS FR or SO
• Austin Ausberry - RS FR or SO
• AD Diamond - RS SO
• Caleb Wooden - RS FR
• Tony Hunley Jr - SR walk-on
• Greg McConico Jr - SR walk-on
• Mac McClinton - SO walk-on
• John Reese Bellew - JR walk-on
• Paul Thompson Jr - SO walk-on

I think Pritchett could use his bonus year but I don't know if he will. Otherwise we return everyone other than whomever might transfer out. This group is in desperate need of some speed and height. We have been decent in coverage but nowhere near ball hawks. We have only had two interceptions and both were off weird tips. Simpson and Pritchett are brutal in coverage. We have some talent coming in and guys with upside. One of our better returning positions next season.

Kicker (1 Returning)

• Anders Carlson - out of eligibility
• Alex McPherson - RS FR
• Evan McGuire - JR walk-on

I think we'll be better next year with Carlson gone.

Punter (1 Returning)

• Oscar Chapman - SR (he should return)
• Marshall Meyers - JR walk-on
• Daniel Perez - SO walk-on

Chapman has been great this year. There is a small chance he could bolt for a pro job.

Long Snapper (1 Returning)

• Jacob Quattlebaum - out of eligibility
• Kyle Vaccarella - RS SO not sure if he is on scholarship but he was rated the #1 LS coming out of HS
• Reed Hughes - JR walk-on

[W.E.D 11,071]

28 minutes ago, Zeek said:

My bet is that Finley leaves.

How can he transfer unless he graduates?

[metafour 4,978]

2 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

How can he transfer unless he graduates?

Pretty sure he's going to graduate. No way he sticks around here.

[JerryAU 1,846]

Dear God!

What the devil did this current staff have planned?  They didn't know last month if they'd be retained or not, what was the plan to fill the roster? 

 

 

[bigbird 60,939]

The tidal wave is cresting

[ThurstontheWelshCorgi 576]

Jav Johnson is a senior? That's a bummer.

[Zeek 16,956]

45 minutes ago, metafour said:

Pretty sure he's going to graduate. No way he sticks around here.

Yeah it's his third year in college and these dudes usually take summer courses so he should be done or close. Nowadays it's pretty easy transfer even multiple times. NCAA is essentially asleep at the wheel in that department.

I don't know if he is really a shoulder issue still or if the staff has given up on him.

[Zeek 16,956]

33 minutes ago, JerryAU said:

Dear God!

What the devil did this current staff have planned?  They didn't know last month if they'd be retained or not, what was the plan to fill the roster? 

 

 

No clue. We undersigned last year and are on track to undersign again this season. The first set of portal guys were strong but this last cycle was very very very weak for the most part. A big part of this is the obvious turmoil at Auburn. IF we can get everyone pulling in the same direction we can right the ship. It's going to take a very smart and deliberate plan to correct the roster.

[alabastertiger 637]

We are going to have to pull off a Kiffen like performance in the transfer portal this year.   He basically brought in a whole new team in transfers and we'll have to do something similar.

[DAG 34,763]

8 minutes ago, alabastertiger said:

We are going to have to pull off a Kiffen like performance in the transfer portal this year.   He basically brought in a whole new team in transfers and we'll have to do something similar.

It can be done if the PTB does not screw around. 

[Maverick.AU 13,291]

10 minutes ago, DAG said:

It can be done if the PTB does not screw around. 

I think it was mentioned in the Wedin thread that NIL had started to turn the corner. All of this turmoil and we gain our first composite 4star HS OT, since 2017 and have had some good vibes from other OL  as of late.  My hope is that everyone is pulling the same way (those that care at least, not the ones that have been said aren't even recruiting), we have hiring an AD and NIL at the upmost forefront and that we weather the storm until we get a new HC announced. That being said, I'm holding my breath until then 😂

Edited October 18, 2022 by Maverick.AU

[alabastertiger 637]

17 minutes ago, DAG said:

It can be done if the PTB does not screw around. 

Well there goes that plan!

[AUMASTERS 555]

We literally don't have enough guys returning for a two-deep

Where did all of that depth go? I thought we were set for at least a couple of years (lol). 

[abw0004 10,303]

2 hours ago, Zeek said:

Offensive Line (6 Returning)

• Jalil Irvin - graduating
• Nick Brahms - retired
• Brenden Coffey - graduating
• Kameron Stutts -  graduating
• Austin Troxell - graduating
• Alec Jackson - graduating
• Brandon Council - graduating
• Tate Johnson - SR
• Keiondre Jones - SR
• Avery Jernigan - RS SO or JR
• Cort Bradley - RS SO
• Colby Smith - RS SO
• EJ Harris - RS FR or SO
• Thomas Kirkham - RS SO walk-on

Good thing Harsin has been recruiting this position of need hard since he took the Auburn job.  It is refreshing to see that depth for next year.

[dyehardfanAU 2,117]

3 year rebuild.  

[aucom96 1,652]

It's never been more important to get a smart head coach that can quickly build bridges and recruit quickly and strategically. 

There's one or two of those on the assumed lists. I sincerely hope whoever is doing the hiring looks in their direction first. 

[alabastertiger 637]

2 minutes ago, dyehardfanAU said:

3 year rebuild.  

in the old days yes, but the transfer portal has changed things drastically.    This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for old sis.

[JerryAU 1,846]

22 minutes ago, Maverick.AU said:

I think it was mentioned in the Wedin thread that NIL had started to turn the corner. All of this turmoil and we gain our first composite 4star HS OT, since 2017 and have had some good vibes from other OL  as of late.  My hope is that everyone is pulling the same way (those that care at least, not the ones that have been said aren't even recruiting), we have hiring an AD and NIL at the upmost forefront and that we weather the storm until we get a new HC announced. That being said, I'm holding my breath until then 😂

How is recruiting optional?  How are "those that care" and "ones that aren't even recruiting"????  What are "the ones that care" selling to prospects right now?  What are "the ones that aren't recruiting" doing with their time IF they aren't recruiting?  

I can't imagine what it's like to have a few recruiting and a few that aren't, what do the staff recruiting meetings entail when the staff gets together?  

SO many questions.  

[dyehardfanAU 2,117]

10 minutes ago, alabastertiger said:

in the old days yes, but the transfer portal has changed things drastically.    This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for old sis.

It'll take at least 2 years of transfers just to get our OL decent again.  We're not findign 5 SEC ready lineman in one transfer class.  It's not like we're trying to plug a few holes, our roster is depleted at every position starting next season.

[Zeek 16,956]

18 minutes ago, dyehardfanAU said:

3 year rebuild.  

The portal has definitely made an instant turnaround plausible (look at USC). If we get Grimes like I expect idk how strong his pull in the transfer portal will be once he has his staff in place. We are going to have to play some young kids or crush it in the portal. Both routes have their downsides.

[AuburnEagle79 2,188]

All that attrition on the OL is a good thing.

Hit the portal hard with a new coach. Prime of Kiffin would kill it in the portal.

Have a decent class this year, great class the following, hit the portal again next year, and we are looking at a 2 year rebuild of sorts.

[Auburnguy101 325]

This is where a coach like Deion would immediately bring in talent and depth to a depleted roster. He’s really the only one I think that could make an immediate impact on our roster…

[Zeek 16,956]

6 minutes ago, AuburnEagle79 said:

All that attrition on the OL is a good thing.

Hit the portal hard with a new coach. Prime of Kiffin would kill it in the portal.

Have a decent class this year, great class the following, hit the portal again next year, and we are looking at a 2 year rebuild of sorts.

A part of the problem is there isn't really a team geographically close to us imploding like LSU did with coach O. So there won't be as much talent to easily snake last second. 

[DAG 34,763]

5 minutes ago, Auburnguy101 said:

This is where a coach like Deion would immediately bring in talent and depth to a depleted roster. He’s really the only one I think that could make an immediate impact on our roster…

If the Utah State AD is hired, I presume Grimes is the run away favorite. I think we need to get our mental ready for that and to support him.

[Maverick.AU 13,291]

23 minutes ago, JerryAU said:

How is recruiting optional?  How are "those that care" and "ones that aren't even recruiting"????  What are "the ones that care" selling to prospects right now?  What are "the ones that aren't recruiting" doing with their time IF they aren't recruiting?  

I can't imagine what it's like to have a few recruiting and a few that aren't, what do the staff recruiting meetings entail when the staff gets together?  

SO many questions.  

I personally can't understand it either, one from the aspect that the ones that "aren't" are being allowed to get away with it, and two, I can't imagine how the ones that are busting their tails feel about it either.