3/22/23 Football Articles

[aubiefifty 18,259]

247sports.com

Faulk impressing early in his first spring at Auburn

Jason Caldwell

3–4 minutes

AUBURN, Alabama—With Dylan Brooks the only scholarship player returning from last year at the edge (jack) linebacker position for the Auburn Tigers, coach Hugh Freeze and his staff new they needed to go out and try to get as much help as possible in a very short time when recruiting opened back up last December.

A position that is prized at every level, getting an elite pass rusher is about as difficult as finding an elite quarterback or a left tackle. Bringing in Elijah McAllister from Vanderbilt and getting Brenton Williams from Opelika to change his commitment from Coastal Carolina, Auburn took some early steps in the right direction, but things changed dramatically on signing day when Keldric Faulk flipped from Florida State to sign with the Tigers.

Already on campus and making plays while working with the first team defense at times, Faulk is up to 6-6, 275 and showing the type of play that made him one of the country’s best edge defenders in the 2023 class.

"I think he's going to be a phenomenal player and I think he's going to have to play early,” Freeze said of Faulk. “He's a great kid to coach and a prized recruit for us in that first class. Very pleased with him, obviously missed a lot of time, but he's going to catch up fast.

“He's just got to learn now. You're asking him to do a lot. That position on our defense does a lot. So, it's a big learning curve. It's great he's here this spring to get these 15 practices so that he goes into the summer with a better understanding. But we're excited about the future for him."

While the future looks bright with Faulk and Williams at the center of things and Brooks continuing to develop, none of the three are a true edge pass rusher with speed like Derick Hall or Dee Ford, both of whom were difference makers at Auburn. Freeze said that’s still a big need for the Tigers.

"We're not where we need to be in rushing the passer,” he said. “We certainly will improve our guys, but we've got to get better at that spot, for sure. At all spots, but we've got to get better. We're deficient in true pass rushers currently."

One of the options could be to look at someone from another position at the jack spot this spring. Players like Cam Riley or Powell Gordon could be interesting options coming off the edge of the defense, but Freeze said that’s not in the plans at the momen.

"You know, we haven't discussed that,” Freeze said. “I'm not sure who that would be, truthfully. Again, Elijah has given us great reps. He's a heck of a teammate and leader and (he) understands the game and is decent at it, but you sure would like to have a Derick Hall, you know? We've got to get some more of those guys.”

">247Sports

Edited March 22, 2023 by aubiefifty

[aubiefifty 18,259]

Look what they say about our qb's. holy moly...............

 

 

247sports.com

 

College football: Ranking every SEC team's projected starting QB in spring tiers

Brad Crawford

11–14 minutes

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SEC quarterbacks rankings are here amid spring practices ahead of the 2023 season and at first glance, there are questions left to be answered just behind the top tier. The SEC will produce a record-setting three first-round picks at the position in the 2023 NFL Draft and another signal caller coming off consecutive MVP performances in the College Football Playoff. That's a ton of talent exiting the conference and making room for new faces.

How are these quarterbacks ranked, you ask? Under the tier setting with no specific individual grades, I've given equal distribution to projected 2023 success, career track record and intel gathered from boots on the ground. Several of these signal callers are entering Year 1 in a new system, too. This is the first time in several years that there's no clear-cut "top" quarterback in the SEC entering the season and power rankings at the position will likely look vastly different at year's end.

With so many current unknowns under center, it's more fair for the tiered rankings instead of a worst to first power poll.

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Without further ado, here's a look at the SEC's projected starters this season five months out from when many of these competitions will be decided.

(Photo: Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)

Missouri's spring practice has already come and gone with Cook missing its entirety following labrum surgery. He's expected to start for the Tigers, but the last month and change offered coach Eli Drinkwitz plenty of opportunities to see three others in the mix — Sam Horn, Miami transfer Jake Garcia and junior Dylan Laible. The good news for Cook, who started last fall and threw 14 touchdowns with 2,739 yards through the air, is that the Tigers' wide receiver group will be one of the SEC's most talented with Luther Burden, Oklahoma transfer Theo Wease and others.

(Photo: Michael Chang, Getty)

Midway through Hugh Freeze's first spring camp at Auburn, it's Ashford and T.J. Finley — along with Holden Geriner — handling reps at the position. Mind you, this is Ashford's job to lose. He deserves a lot of credit for raising the Tigers from the muck last season over the final three-quarters of the season, rushing for 710 yards and seven touchdowns. Finley is the more experienced option, but Ashford is the dual-threat who seems to fit Freeze's philosophy like a puzzle piece. There's a reason Auburn's first-year coach didn't tap the portal for a signal caller. He's confident in this bunch.

(Photo: Max Siker, 247Sports)

In order for Florida to avoid a second straight losing season under Billy Napier, this Wisconsin transfer at quarterback needs to be a difference-maker. Early on, the Gators have liked what they've seen from Mertz, a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder who is the SEC's most-seasoned quarterback from an experience perspective after starting 2.5 seasons with the Badgers in the Big Ten. Without much depth behind him, Mertz is the guy for Napier and has taken a professional, business-like approach to spring, according to his coach. At his best, Mertz makes things happen with his arm (19 touchdowns, 10 interceptions last season). At his worst, decision-making can be an issue (10 touchdowns, 11 interceptions in 2021).

(Photo: Justin Ford, Getty)

Most were expecting Ole Miss to enter spring practice with Jaxson Dart saddled in as QB1 with Luke Altmyer entering the portal, but then Lane Kiffin added two transfer additions — LSU's Walker Howard and Oklahoma State's Spencer Sanders. The latter was the bigger surprise given Sanders' four years of starting experience in the Big 12, an obvious move designed to motivate Dart. There's some speculation that Sanders' shoulder situation is worth keeping an eye on during the spring, so for now, Dart is the quarterback we're expecting to be out front in the position battle. The leash will be short if he retains the job, however.

(Photo: © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK, USA TODAY Sports)

Swann helped stabilize the Vanderbilt offense as a four-star true freshman last season, finishing with a 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and nearly leading the Commodores to bowl eligibility. His best performances came during the first half of the campaign when opposing defensive coordinator didn't yet have ample film on his strengths and weaknesses and there was no feel for Swann's tendencies from the pocket. Ken Seals is behind him as Vanderbilt's No. 2, but he could be a transfer casualty after spring if he's not satisfied with his positioning given how much he played during the 2020 and 2021 seasons in Nashville.

(Photo: Bob Levey, Getty)

Assuming the Bobby Petrino hire works out well for the Aggies at OC, Weigman should flourish this fall. Anchored by Evan Stewart, there's talent at wide receiver and Texas A&M welcomes back versatile playmaker Ainias Smith, who will keep defenses honest. Both of Texas A&M's previous starters each of the past two seasons — with mixed results — transferred out, so Jimbo Fisher needs to ensure his "guy" in 2023 is the right choice. Max Johnson went 2-1 as a starter last fall before suffering a season-ending hand injury while Weigman handled some heavy-lifting later in the year as a true freshman. Both are fits in Petrino's scheme.

(Photo: Jacob Noger | UK Athletics)

The highest-rated SEC quarterback transfer signee this cycle, the former NC State signal caller takes his talent to the Bluegrass and most importantly for him, Kentucky brought back one of its top play-callers in recent memory with Liam Coen's return. At full strength, Leary is one of the nation's top passers. He threw 35 touchdown passes as a redshirt sophomore in 2021 and 11 scores last season before being sidelined with a chest injury. Leary's health concern is part of the reason he landed at Kentucky and not one of the elite-tier programs that was in the market for a quarterback this cycle.

(Photo: Stuart McNair, 247Sports)

Talk to any source around Tuscaloosa and they'll tell you some version of the same storyline — no one knows who will start at quarterback for the Crimson Tide this season under former Notre Dame OC Tommy Rees' new scheme. Alabama knows what it's getting with Jalen Milroe, a raw passer with impressive ability on the move. Simpson's a versatile threat outside of the pocket as well, though his playing time was limited to four games last fall as QB3 behind Bryce Young and Milroe. Whether it's Simpson or Milroe as Alabama's first-teamer, expect notable numbers given the talent around them for the Crimson Tide and historical production at the position under Nick Saban.

(Photo: Tony Walsh/UGA Athletics)

Based on intel we've gathered from Athens, Beck could have a spectacular campaign between the hedges as a first-year starter for the two-time defending national champions. There's a considerable spotlight to fill following the footsteps of a player like Stetson Bennett, but Beck's reputation as someone who can take the top off defenses is already growing. The redshirt sophomore's skill set as a passer has been compared to UNC quarterback Drake Maye, the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Beck is battling Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton. Beck is the most experienced of the trio, having completed 36 of 58 passes for 486 yards and five touchdowns to two interceptions in his career.

(Photo: Tennessee Athletics Communication)

This is Milton's job and the way the 6-foot-5, 240-plus-pound passer ended last season with wins over Vanderbilt and Clemson in the Orange Bowl, the sky's the limit in terms of what he can accomplish in a full-time leadership role. Tennessee five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava is getting his share of reps this spring as the only other scholarship quarterback on campus. The No. 2-ranked player in the country in the 2023 class on 247Sports will stay close behind Milton, but Vols coach Josh Heupel said this week that the staff believes the former Michigan transfer and third-year player in the program can be elite this season.

(Photo: Getty)

One of the most difficult signal callers to slot heading into what's expected to be his final year with the Gamecocks prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, Rattler will partner up this season with Dowell Loggains, his third play-caller in as many seasons. Over his final three games, including wins over nationally-ranked Tennessee and Clemson, Rattler looked like the elite five-star most believed South Carolina was getting in the portal ahead of the 2022 season. However, the first two months of the campaign were frustrating and his game didn't seem to gel with former OC Marcus Satterfield's ideas. Rattler has one of the highest upsides at the position in the SEC, but there are obvious unknowns with a first-time play-caller at the college level, hence the ranking here.

(Photo: Matt Bush, USA TODAY Sports)

Can Rogers shake the system quarterback label? He'll get an opportunity this fall to show NFL scouts his full bag with Kevin Barbay taking over as Mississippi State's new OC. He runs a pro-style scheme, very different than the Air Raid attack that Rodgers has mastered over his career in Starkville. Rodgers has 72 touchdown passes over his past two seasons and is one of the SEC's most accurate returning starters, part of that due to Mississippi State's reliance on the quick game. It'll be interesting to see how Rogers operates in a different system entirely.

(Photo: Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY Sports)

Jefferson is another veteran SEC quarterback learning a new playbook this spring following the Razorbacks' hire of Dan Enos, who replaces Kendal Briles.Enos previously held play-calling duties in Fayetteville from 2015-17. Jefferson didn't have the Heisman-like campaign many were projected as a fourth-year player last fall, but numbers reflected consistency. He increased his touchdown pass total (24), rushing scores (9) and was Mr. Reliable when it came to knowing what to expect from a production standpoint. Jefferson's goal in his final season is to look NFL-ready and more polished as a quarterback in Enos' pro-style set.

(Photo: Stephen Lew, Getty)

1COMMENTS

Daniels managed 28 total touchdowns last season and 3,798 yards of offense in his first season at LSU. He enters his final campaign as the Tigers' QB1 ahead of Garrett Nussmeier, another talented signal caller, giving LSU substantial depth at the front of its quarterback room despite the offseason transfer of Walker Howard. There will be debate on whether Daniels deserves to be in the No. 1 spot here in terms of SEC quarterback power rankings and if his game will translate to the next level, but he has first-team All-SEC potential and has played more games than any player at his position entering his fifth year in college.

">247Sports

 

 

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[aubiefifty 18,259]

How 14 former Auburn players performed at 2023 pro day

Published: Mar. 21, 2023, 9:29 p.m.

~3 minutes

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Auburn running back Tank Bigsby runs the 40-yard dash during Auburn pro day, attended by NFL football scouts, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)AP

Auburn held its annual pro day Tuesday at the Woltosz Football Performance Center, where former 14 Tigers -- plus special guest Cam Newton, the Auburn legend and former Heisman-winning quarterback -- worked out in front of personnel from all 32 NFL franchises.

Along with the six Auburn players who were at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis (Derick Hall, Owen Pappoe, Tank Bigsby, Eku Leota, Colby Wooden and Anders Carlson), the following players participated in pro day on the Plains: wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, tight end John Samuel Shenker, edge rusher Marcus Bragg, defensive linemen Morris Joseph and Marquis Burks, offensive linemen Brandon Council and Kilian Zierer, as well as former Auburn receiver Caylin Newton, the younger brother of Cam Newton who spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Tigers before finishing his career at William & Mary last season.

Read more Auburn football: Cam Newton throwing at Auburn pro day was as much about his brother as it was his NFL comeback hopes

Auburn “deficient in true pass-rushers,” but a freshman has Hugh Freeze’s attention

Observations from Day 7 of Auburn spring practice

It was a loaded day of meetings, drills and workouts for those former Auburn players, and while much of the attention was on Newton as he threw with hopes of making an NFL comeback, several Tigers stood out on their own Tuesday afternoon. The most notable performance came from Jackson, who ran an unofficial 4.32 in the 40 while registering a 38.5-inch vertical and 11-foot-2 broad jump.

Here’s a look at how every participating player measured and performed at pro day:

Player	Height	Weight	Vertical	Broad	Bench	40	40
Tank Bigsby	5-11 1/2	215	--	--	--	4.45	--
Marcus Bragg	6-3 5/8	237	21 1/2	9-2	19	5.08	5.11
Marquis Burks	6-2 1/4	315	25	8-4	18	5.58	5.61
Anders Carlson	6-5	219	--	--	--	--	--
Brandon Council	6-3 3/8	302	29 1/2	8-3	29	5.43	5.42
Derick Hall	6-3	254	--	--	--	--	--
Shedrick Jackson	6-1 1/4	193	38 1/2	11-2	13	4.25	--
Morris Joseph	6-1 3/8	280	30	8-11	19	5.09	5.03
Eku Leota	6-3 1/4	263	--	--	--	--	--
Caylin Newton	5-10 7/8	206	31	9-8	13	4.52	--
Owen Pappoe	6-0 1/4	224	--	--	--	--	--
John Samuel Shenker	6-2 7/8	242	29	9-1	27	4.53	--
Colby Wooden	6-4 1/8	278	--	--	--	--	--
Kilian Zierer	6-7 1/4	307	27	8-7	--	--	--

Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.

[Mikey 16,781]

5 minutes ago, aubiefifty said:

There's a reason Auburn's first-year coach didn't tap the portal for a signal caller. He's confident in this bunch.

This writer couldn't be further from the truth. There is a reason Freeze didn't get a QB from the portal but it's not because he's confident in his current QB's. The reason we didn't get one from the portal is that several deals simply didn't work out.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[W.E.D 11,071]

2 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

Shedrick Jackson 6-1 1/4 193 38 1/2 11-2 13 4.25 --

Quality genetics 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[AUGoo 2,703]

8 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

There's a reason Auburn's first-year coach didn't tap the portal for a signal caller. He's confident in this bunch.

And there you have it. 

From the mouth of an "expert".

[aubiefifty 18,259]

48 minutes ago, AUGoo said:

And there you have it. 

From the mouth of an "expert".

i think folks trying to make a living on podcasts and articles do not have as much to opine about so they just make it up. this year i saw three different articles saying almost the same thing and i assumed it was because they did not have much new info and still want to get paid.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[AUpreacherman22 3,945]

4 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

 

Man, I like this dude!!!  Great interview!!! I can’t wait to see him “destroy people” this fall!!!

[AUpreacherman22 3,945]

4 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

 

I AM A FAIRWEATHER FAN!!!!!!