3/24/23 Football articles

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Auburn receivers look to answer Freeze's call, finish spring strong

Nathan King

5–6 minutes

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AUBURN, Alabama — The Tigers’ new-look passing game has a long way to go, Hugh Freeze said on the third week of spring practice. Naturally, much of that attention circles back to the quarterback competition.

But half of that equation, as Freeze mentioned, is the receiving corps.

The head coach challenged them Monday to respond over the final couple weeks of practice — calling the receivers and quarterbacks "the farthest off" in the third week of practice — and it’s on first-year position coach Marcus Davis to get an experienced but not overly productive group in a position for a satisfactory finish to the spring.

“One thing is that it's a new offense — getting the guys used to playing with tempo, playing fast,” Davis said Thursday. “It's just the little things right now, as you continue to learn and progress as far as the offense goes. Being on the RPO deal, being able to take shots down the field — it's just getting those guys to practice to the expectation and play to the expectation. But the best thing about the group is that they're buying in, they're hungry and all of them want to do right.”

Of course, the QBs and receivers go hand-in-hand, as first-year coordinator Philip Montgomery looks to implement a new system, with run-pass-option elements sprinkled in, as the Tigers’ offensive install gets heavier and heavier with every day of practice.

And Freeze saying he still wants to see more from his passers can’t be an excuse, Davis said. Auburn’s receiving corps hasn’t been the most consistent unit on the team in recent seasons — the fact that Davis is its fifth position coach in three years doesn’t help — and now the receivers are part of yet another quarterback competition.

“Just doing what you are supposed to do and being where you are supposed to be no matter what else is going on,” Davis said. “If there is an opportunity to make a play, just make a play.”

Despite some of the group’s past struggles, Davis, a former Auburn receiver himself, plans to continue to hold what is one of the more experienced units on the roster to a high standard. Eight of its nine scholarship players are returning pieces from last season, bringing back a combined 1,319 yards and six touchdowns.

The only newcomer this spring is Cincinnati transfer Nick Mardner, who was coached by Davis during their time together at Hawaii two years ago.

“He just gives you another element,” Davis said of Mardner. “And there is definitely room to grow, but he gives you the element of a bigger body, a bigger target and that is always good for any quarterback.”

Like any position on the roster, a clean slate from the new coaching staff opened new opportunities. Someone who would get noticed in any receiving corps, though, is rising sophomore Camden Brown, who’s continued to turn heads this spring after an exciting freshman campaign. He caught a touchdown in Auburn’s first spring scrimmage and could be in line to be a No. 1 target in the offense.

“Really just his everyday approach,” Davis said of what impresses him about Brown. “You don’t know that from talking to a guy, it’s more of an action behind it. And so, his everyday approach is what separates him and makes him get and makes him want to get better because he – attention to the detail that you’re coaching and he wants to get better. So those things continue to show up on the film.”

Ja'Varrius Johnson and Koy Moore are the returning starters, and Davis said he’s certainly leaned on them as linchpins while he, too, faces the challenge of getting acclimated in a new program.

“It’s good to have a guy like (Johnson) in that room — a guy that has got experience and has been out there and has been productive to a point,” Davis said. “It is good to have that and it is good to see him and his work ethic because he naturally has influence and it rubs off. The same with Koy — guys who have been out there.”

With redshirt junior Malcolm Johnson Jr. out for the rest of the spring with a collarbone injury, the main rotation in practice has been combinations of Brown, Johnson, Moore, Mardner and redshirt sophomore Tar'Varish Dawson. Redshirt freshmen Jay Fair and Omari Kelly, along with tight end transplant Landen King, are potential contributors, as well, who still have plenty of opportunities for roles in the offense this season.

The team’s first full scrimmage of spring ball – which should serve as a litmus test for not only the passing game, but the entire roster — is set for Friday and will mark the Tigers’ ninth day of practice.

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Auburn football: Hugh Freeze calls out 'inconsistencies' at QB during Tigers' spring practice

Robbie Weinstein

3–4 minutes

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Auburn will need better quarterback play in 2023 if the Tigers hope to turn things around in the SEC West under first-year coach Hugh Freeze. But Freeze indicated this week that it has been a mixed bag so far from his signal-callers during spring practice.

"I've liked their attitude, I've liked their work ethic and I like the way that they desire to be coached," Freeze said. "I don't like to see the inconsistency that we have seen through six (practices). Again, I want to say that part of that is on us, the staff to (get) fixed. I have challenged myself and some of the quarterback coaches for this to get fixed. I don't want those inconsistencies to be because of indecisiveness or understanding. That falls in our lap."

Starting quarterback Robby Ashford returns for Auburn, as does part-time starter T.J. Finley, an LSU transfer. Redshirt freshman Holden Geriner, a four-star recruit in the 2022 class, also is fighting for playing time. The Tigers have not taken a transfer quarterback to this point, although more players at the position could become available in the NCAA transfer portal after spring practices end across the country.

Last season, Ashford — who previously transferred in from Oregon — appeared in 12 games and completed just 49.2% of his passes for 1,613 yards and seven touchdowns with seven interceptions. The former four-star recruit tore it up on the ground, however, running for 710 yards and seven scores.

Finley appeared in four games, completing 62.3% of his passes for 431 yards and one touchdown with four interceptions. The big-armed, big-framed quarterback flashed for Auburn in 2021 after arriving from LSU but did not carry over that momentum into last season.

Geriner, meanwhile, saw action in just one game and completed two of his three attempts for eight yards while taking a redshirt year. The Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School product ranked as the nation's No. 14 quarterback in the 2022 class and received a comparison to former Missouri and Indiana quarterback Connor Bazelak from 247Sports' Andrew Ivins.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Geriner has solid size for the position and some mobility as well. Geriner threw at Auburn's Pro Day this week and impressed Tigers NFL Draft prospect Tank Bigsby, via Nathan King of Auburn Undercover.

Get the fastest scores, stats, news, LIVE videos, and more. CLICK HERE to download the CBS Sports Mobile App and get the latest on your team today.

“He's one of the most accurate quarterbacks I've ever met, and he's a good guy,” Bigsby said. “And I'm sure that's why they had him throwing today.”

">247Sports

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si.com

 

NCAA changes portal options for undergraduate transfers

Matthew Jacobs

~4 minutes

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On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, The NCAA notified all the college athletic programs under its purview that it is updating the procedural requirements regarding the portal options of two-time transfer undergraduates. The changes do not affect first-time transfers whatsoever and focuses specifically on the two-time transfer “waiver”.

The most significant update is that waivers will no longer be approved due to coaching changes, the athlete’s playing time/role changes, or changes to his or her scholarship status with the current institution. This will strongly control the number of student-athletes entering the portal multiple times as they try to find their footing. The changes are deemed in effect starting the 2023-24 championship season. Here is the memo in its entirety:

"NCAA Division I Undergraduate

Four-Year Transfer Waiver Process

In all sports, four-year undergraduate student-athletes who decide to transfer to a new NCAA school can generally be eligible to compete for the new school provided they have not previously transferred and notify their current school by entering the NCAA Transfer Portal during their sport-specific transfer window.

General information on who qualifies for the one-time transfer exception is available here.

A waiver process remains available for undergraduate transfer student-athletes who do not qualify for the one-time transfer exception; however there have been changes made to the types of requests that will be considered.

UNDERGRADUATE FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER WAIVERS

(Effective for 2023-24 championship eligibility)

An undergraduate transfer waiver will only be considered for student-athletes who transfer:

For reasons related to the student-athlete's physical or mental health and well-being;

Due to exigent circumstances outside the student-athlete's control (e.g., physical or sexual assault or discrimination based on a protected class); or

Assertions involving diagnosed education impacting disabilities.

A detailed description of the documentation and information that is required for each waiver type is available in the updated NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief Information Standards, Guidelines and Directives.

REASONS AN UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER WAIVER WILL BE DENIED

Academic Reasons

Athletic Reasons

Degree program does not meet SA's expectations (e.g., academic difficulty).

Lack or change of participation:

No participation opportunity.
Reduction in playing time.
Change in position or role on the team." -  NCAA Academic Membership and Affairs

This would appear to be just the first of many steps towards gaining more control of the number of athletes in the portal system. The NCAA mentioned this as one of its priorities to tackle when it issued five rule change proposals On January 23, 2023. How any of this will affect the student athletes across the Auburn University campus remains to be seen.

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247sports.com

 

Auburn freshman CB Kayin Lee shows 'he wants to be great'

Nathan King

4–5 minutes

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AUBURN, Alabama — Early on in Auburn’s spring practices, Wesley McGriff was getting ready to leave his office — on the second floor of the new Woltosz Football Performance Center — before he heard a knock on his door.

It was Auburn’s true freshman cornerback, not satisfied with his day of practice, and unwilling to head back to his dorm until he was. So McGriff started to teach.

And that’s happened more than once since Auburn spring ball began in late February.

Everyone in the building involved with Auburn’s secondary continues to bring up Kayin Lee’s name when discussing standouts — not just young players, but impressive defensive backs overall. Considering the secondary is the largest and possibly the best unit on the entire roster, the recognition for one of the youngest players on the team — an early enrollee true freshman — means he’s doing a lot right, on and off the field, in front of his new teammates and coaches.

“Kayin Lee is doing a great job,” McGriff said. “I mean, you got to think that this guy is supposed to be getting ready to go to the prom, but he’s in spring ball, making plays. The thing that’s most impressive about him is we know he has the physical tools, but just off the field, I mean, he will not leave the building if he doesn’t understand the coverage. He’ll knock on the door and say, ‘Hey, coach, I don’t understand this coverage.’ The first thing I do, I’ll look to see if he has something to write on, and he has his notebook, and as soon as he sits down he pulls it out and is taking notes.”

Back in his third stint with the program as an assistant, McGriff coaches Auburn’s cornerbacks, while returning assistant Zac Etheridge oversees the safeties and nickels. The scholarship numbers are slim for Auburn at corner this spring, with Lee serving as one of just four at the moment. That will change in the fall, when three more true freshman corners arrive, but for now, Lee’s been offered consistent second-team reps and hasn’t disappointed.

Auburn’s fifth-year senior safety, Zion Puckett, and last year’s starting nickel, Keionte Scott, immediately mentioned Lee when asked who in the secondary is having a strong spring. Puckett said he remembers the benefits of being an early enrollee, and that it’s nice to get a feel for the speed of practice on the SEC level.

For Lee, that apparently hasn’t been an issue.

“The level of style that he played in high school, I feel like he's bringing that immediately right to the table,” Puckett said. “And I feel like that's not something that a lot of high-schoolers that don't come in early do."

Added Scott: “Kayin Lee, yes, he looked really good. He’s taking the coaching well. He’s been up in the office getting some extra work, too. I noticed that early.”

The second-highest rated signee in Auburn’s 2023 class — behind only pass-rusher Keldric Faulk — Lee flipped from Ohio State on signing day. His role on this year’s defense would have been even larger had D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett not opted to return to school for another year instead of turning pro.

Instead, Lee is absorbing their experience and expertise, while flashing the speed and skills that made him a top-150 overall recruit. In terms of a breakout candidate on the defensive side of the ball, regardless of age, the 5-foot-11 freshman is certainly making his case.

“He wants to be great,” McGriff said. ‘He has the attitude and demeanor where he wants to be great. You can see it transfer over to the field, so I’m excited about his progression. He’s making plays. He’s got a lot of confidence. The biggest thing about him like that is don’t put too much on his plate and make sure you coach his confidence up. But he’s doing great. I’m excited about him. He will have an impact on this football team and this program.”

*** Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more ***

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">247Sports

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al.com

 

Auburn has 'a lot of work to be done' at WR in Hugh Freeze's offense

Published: Mar. 24, 2023, 7:00 a.m.

5–6 minutes

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Marcus Davis presented a word of the day to his wide receiver room earlier this week: Consistency.

It’s one he wants his players to focus on during the back half of spring practices, as the Tigers’ wide receivers haven’t quite been up to par during this first set of practices under new head coach Hugh Freeze.

“The biggest thing is doing the little things better and staying consistent,” Davis said. “…Never get too high. Never get too low. Just stay right in the middle. And I tell them all the time: The difference between good and great — because everybody wants to be great — is doing good consistently. That’s how you become great at whatever it may be.”

Read more Auburn football: Jeffrey M’ba has finally found his identity at defensive end. Now he plans to “destroy people”

Rivaldo Fairweather a “late bloomer,” but Auburn has high hopes for the FIU tight end transfer

A slimmed-down Brandon Council hopes his pro day showing warrants more NFL interest

Before Auburn’s receivers can be great, though, they must first be good, and midway through spring practices, Freeze made it abundantly clear that the Tigers’ passing game is very much a work in progress. While Freeze expressed concerns about the progress of the quarterbacks — conceding that he and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery may need a different approach to how they teach their system — it wasn’t the sole source of his uneasiness entering Week 3 of spring practices. Auburn’s wide receivers, Freeze said, also “have a long way to go” when it comes to what the Tigers want to accomplish offensively.

“Not saying we’ve arrived at other spots yet, but those are the farthest off because they’re probably the most — we ask them to do the most, truthfully,” Freeze said. “It’s brand new to them…. We’re very, very raw at that right now.”

Auburn’s wide receiver room returns just two players who had double-digit receptions last season, Ja’Varrius Johnson and Koy Moore, and while there is a wealth of younger guys who contributed last season and a transfer addition in former Cincinnati receiver Nick Mardner, it’s a group that is still relatively unproven. It’s also one that has been hampered by injuries to varying degrees this spring, most notably a collarbone injury that will sideline Malcolm Johnson Jr. the remainder of the spring.

Ja’Varrius Johnson led Auburn with 493 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 26 receptions. Moore, the former LSU transfer was second on the team with 314 yards and a score on 20 catches. The next leading returning receiver was Camden Brown, who had nine catches for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a true freshman but was the team’s seventh-leading pass-catcher in an offense that struggled to move the ball through the air (119th nationally in passing yards per game and 117th in passing efficiency).

There is no certified go-to receiver yet among the group, though it’s still early and the Tigers have five-plus months before their first game. For now, though, the focus is on making sure Auburn’s wide receivers understand what is asked of them in Freeze and Montgomery’s offense.

An adjustment period and learning curve are to be expected any time a new offense is installed. As Freeze said, this is all new to Auburn’s wide receivers after running more of a pro-style system under former coach Bryan Harsin. Along with the consistency aspect, the biggest issue for the Tigers’ receivers boils down to situational understanding within the offense: Which RPOs should be run based on the defensive coverage, and how to properly create separation based on the technique a defensive back is playing.

“Getting the guys used to playing with tempo, playing fast — it’s just the little things right now, as you continue to learn and progress as far as the offense goes,” Davis said. “…It’s just getting those guys to practice to the expectation and play to the expectation. But the best thing about the group is that they’re buying in, they’re hungry and all of them want to do right. So, it’s just continuing to teach them the ‘how’ part of it.”

It was a similar refrain to the one Freeze expressed when discussing the quarterback position. It’s not a matter of a lack of want-to or even ability; it’s just a process that is going to take some time. That is, after all, what spring practices are for.

It all comes back to that word of the day from Davis: consistency.

So long as Auburn’s receivers continue to focus on the finer details and maintain a consistent approach throughout the remainder of spring — and carry that through the offseason — Davis is confident they’ll get to where they need to be in due time.

“I feel good about the progress we’ve made so far,” Davis said. “And obviously, there’s a lot of work to be done as well.”

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

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al.com

 

Holden Geriner seizes opportunity at Auburn’s pro day to showcase skills

Updated: Mar. 23, 2023, 4:12 p.m.|Published: Mar. 23, 2023, 2:57 p.m.

3–4 minutes

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Hugh Freeze evaluates Auburn QBs; 1st spring scrimmage

By

• Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com

Auburn quarterback Holden Geriner is involved in a competitive quarterback competition with experienced signal callers Robby Ashford and T.J. Finley. His only playing last season came during a brief stint in Auburn’s Sept. 9 comeback victory against Missouri. Although he lacks the experience of his two cohorts, some steps to further establish himself in the battle may have been made Tuesday during Auburn’s pro day.

Head coach Hugh Freeze allowed Geriner to participate in Auburn’s pro day, throwing passes alongside former Auburn quarterback and NFL MVP Cam Newton.

Of course, pro day wasn’t about Geriner, but it didn’t stop observers from noticing the crispness of his passes to running back Tank Bigsby and tight end John Samuel Shenker.

Read More Auburn Football: Tank Bigsby bounces back with blazing 40-yard dash time at Auburn’s pro day

Zion Puckett is becoming a mentor to younger DB’s at Auburn

Derick Hall’s journey comes full circle at Auburn’s pro day

“The young man has a cannon,” an AFC assistant coach told AL.com. “He makes a lot of throws we like to see on the pro level. I didn’t know much about him before this, but he’s someone I’ll be keeping an eye on as his career unfolds.”

Bigsby noticed the growth in Geriner’s game since leaving campus at the end of the season to prepare for the NFL draft.

“He’s a mature guy. He looked at me today before we started throwing,” Bigsby said. “He said, ‘Hey, I ain’t a freshman no more.’ I said, ‘Hey, you don’t look like it.”

Shenker told reporters that he requested Geriner to throw to him at pro day. Getting selected by Shenker is a positive statement since pass-catchers want to look their best for scouts and GMs. A quarterback with sound timing makes receivers shine.

Bigsby also wanted to show his pass-catching skills to receivers. He ran the 40-yard dash and caught balls from Geriner.

“Certain teams just say they see the ability of me catching,” Bigsby said. “They say they see on film that we didn’t throw the ball as much, but they want to see me catch more. So that’s what made me do receiver drills today, made me do more routes today.”

Bigsby agreed with Shenker on picking Geriner to throw to him. He continued to praise Geriner when speaking to reporters after the workout.

“He said, ‘It’s gonna be a good day,’ and I said, ‘I know it,” Bigsby said. “He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks I’ve ever met, and he’s a good guy. And I’m sure that’s why they had him throwing today.”

Spring practice for Auburn culminates on April 8 with the A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Fans can buy tickets for the scrimmage for $10 through the university.

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.

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Tank Bigsby bounces back with blazing 40-yard dash time at Auburn’s pro day

Updated: Mar. 22, 2023, 1:28 p.m.|Published: Mar. 22, 2023, 12:20 p.m.

3–4 minutes

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Tank Bigsby Auburn Pro Day highlights and interview

By

• Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com

Tank Bigsby entered Auburn’s pro day on Tuesday at the Woltosz Football Performance Center with redemption as a primary goal. He was so unhappy with running the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds at the NFL scouting combine that he canceled visits with prospective teams. The reasons behind those moves were to focus on building his speed in advance of pro day workout in front of scouts and executives from NFL teams.

Bigbsy showcased his hard work with an unofficial 4.45 40-dash at the facility.

Bigsby has plenty of game footage to show his value with nearly 3,000 yards rushing during his three seasons on the plains. He had 25 touchdowns and last season, had over 700 yards after contact. Several draft boards have him going anywhere from the third round to the Dallas Cowboys or in the fourth round to the Tennesse Titans.

The 6-foot-1 running back could’ve leaned on film but wanted to embrace the challenge of working on his 40-yard dash time.

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Shedrick Jackson “not done yet” after an unofficial 4.25 40-yard dash at pro day

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

“That time at the combine just did something to me,” Bigsby said. “I knew I run faster than that, and I knew I moved faster than that. I know I play faster than that. I couldn’t sleep at night, thinking about that time, tossing and turning, and (I was) getting up early just to call my trainer and be like, ‘Hey, we need to do it again. We need to do it again.’ He’s like, ‘Man, you’re fine. You’re fine. You know you play faster than that.’ And I’m like, ‘No, we need to do it again.’”

An aspect of Bigsby’s game that he didn’t get to show off much at Auburn was pass-catching. He had 30 catches for 180 yards last season. Most of the routes were quick passes, but in the NFL teams want running backs that can line up on the hashes and run routes. Bigsby ran several routes and made some nice catches during his pro day workout.

“Certain teams just say they see the ability of me catching,” Bigsby said. “They say they see on film that we didn’t throw the ball as much, but they want to see me catch more. So that’s what made me do receiver drills today, made me do more routes today. You get the opportunity to do all those things, and it’s a blessing. So I’m excited to be here, excited to do what I did today. Just get that work in.”

Bigbsy will continue working until April’s draft. He’ll watch the draft with his family in Atlanta. He enjoyed his last time working out on campus as an Auburn Tiger.

“It went great. Being here with my teammates again, it did a lot to me,” Bigsby said. “Made me feel that joy again, being around the team. Two months without being on the team, it felt kind of weird. But I feel like, me personally, I had a great workout with the guys and had a great workout.”

Nubyjas Wilborn covers Auburn for Alabama Media Group.

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not sure if anyone wants to hear this mess.

[JuscAUse! 1,678]

1 hour ago, aubiefifty said:

al.com

 

Holden Geriner seizes opportunity at Auburn’s pro day to showcase skills

Updated: Mar. 23, 2023, 4:12 p.m.|Published: Mar. 23, 2023, 2:57 p.m.

3–4 minutes

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Hugh Freeze evaluates Auburn QBs; 1st spring scrimmage

By

• Nubyjas Wilborn | nwilborn@al.com

Auburn quarterback Holden Geriner is involved in a competitive quarterback competition with experienced signal callers Robby Ashford and T.J. Finley. His only playing last season came during a brief stint in Auburn’s Sept. 9 comeback victory against Missouri. Although he lacks the experience of his two cohorts, some steps to further establish himself in the battle may have been made Tuesday during Auburn’s pro day.

Head coach Hugh Freeze allowed Geriner to participate in Auburn’s pro day, throwing passes alongside former Auburn quarterback and NFL MVP Cam Newton.

Of course, pro day wasn’t about Geriner, but it didn’t stop observers from noticing the crispness of his passes to running back Tank Bigsby and tight end John Samuel Shenker.

Read More Auburn Football: Tank Bigsby bounces back with blazing 40-yard dash time at Auburn’s pro day

Zion Puckett is becoming a mentor to younger DB’s at Auburn

Derick Hall’s journey comes full circle at Auburn’s pro day

“The young man has a cannon,” an AFC assistant coach told AL.com. “He makes a lot of throws we like to see on the pro level. I didn’t know much about him before this, but he’s someone I’ll be keeping an eye on as his career unfolds.”

Bigsby noticed the growth in Geriner’s game since leaving campus at the end of the season to prepare for the NFL draft.

“He’s a mature guy. He looked at me today before we started throwing,” Bigsby said. “He said, ‘Hey, I ain’t a freshman no more.’ I said, ‘Hey, you don’t look like it.”

Shenker told reporters that he requested Geriner to throw to him at pro day. Getting selected by Shenker is a positive statement since pass-catchers want to look their best for scouts and GMs. A quarterback with sound timing makes receivers shine.

Bigsby also wanted to show his pass-catching skills to receivers. He ran the 40-yard dash and caught balls from Geriner.

“Certain teams just say they see the ability of me catching,” Bigsby said. “They say they see on film that we didn’t throw the ball as much, but they want to see me catch more. So that’s what made me do receiver drills today, made me do more routes today.”

Bigsby agreed with Shenker on picking Geriner to throw to him. He continued to praise Geriner when speaking to reporters after the workout.

“He said, ‘It’s gonna be a good day,’ and I said, ‘I know it,” Bigsby said. “He’s one of the most accurate quarterbacks I’ve ever met, and he’s a good guy. And I’m sure that’s why they had him throwing today.”

Spring practice for Auburn culminates on April 8 with the A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Fans can buy tickets for the scrimmage for $10 through the university.

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.

I thought he had no zip on the ball and was dead armed in practice? I'm too lazy to look it up, but I believe I read that on the forum. I know one thing for sure. The only message that is getting out about the spring practice sessions is HFs message. The rest of the talk seems to be pure guesswork. That's not a bad thing, IMO.

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yahoo.com

 

Jarquez Hunter listed among underrated SEC players

daniellocke

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Now that three-year starter Tank Bigsby is preparing for the NFL, it is time for Jarquez Hunter to take the reigns of the top spot on the running back depth chart for the Auburn Tigers.

Hunter has made his mark on Auburn football in a short time. Hunter has rushed for 1,268 yards and 10 touchdowns off of 193 carries in two seasons at Auburn, he rushed for 668 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. He is considered an “under the radar” player now but could become a popular name within the college football world once the season begins.

An article from Mike Farell Sports titled “Underrated Players: SEC Edition” was written by Luke Brumm and included Hunter as Auburn’s selection on the list. Brumm says that Hunter could etch his name into Auburn lore this season.

Jarquez Hunter was in Tank Bigsby’s shadow last season, but it’s his time now. The running back went for 668 yards on 104 attempts and added 7 touchdowns. I see him becoming a 1,000-yard rusher next season.

Bigsby will leave a big spot to fill in the Auburn offense, but Hunter will have some help. Hunter will be joined in the running back room by sophomore Damari Alston, USF transfer Brian Battie, and incoming freshman Jeremiah Cobb.

More Football!

Jordan-Hare Stadium to provide one of 2023's most electric environments

Second Auburn linebacker to enter the transfer portal

Hugh Freeze says that Robby Ashford's skills are 'hard to evaluate'

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

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flywareagle.com

 

Analyst: Redshirt freshman could win Auburn football QB battle

Andrew Hughes

~2 minutes

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Dawgs Daily recruiting analyst Connor Jackson believes a redshirt freshman can win the Auburn football quarterback battle this spring Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

 

Red-shirt freshman Holden Geriner, deemed the forgotten man in the room, could win the Auburn football quarterback battle this spring — this at least according to Dawgs Daily recruiting analyst Connor Jackson.

Jackson even went as far as to say that Geriner has an NFL arm:

Auburn football has only had two NFL draft picks at the quarterback position since 2010, Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham, and including with Jason Campbell, has only had three NFL draft picks in the 21st century.

2023 Auburn football quarterback battle as open as it was in 2022

Interestingly enough, it appears as though the quarterback battle is just as open in 2023 as it was last year around this time. Once again, it’ll be Geriner, Robby Ashford, and T.J. Finley battling in the spring — and, if things aren’t definitive enough, fall camp as well — for the QB1 position on the Plains.

Though Ashford did well enough to earn the job and keep it from Week 4 onward, the new coaching staff changes the game. Hugh Freeze and Philip Montgomery may have offensive tendencies that favor Ashford, but Geriner’s arm is almost unanimously seen as the one with the most potential in the room.

Perhaps Finley finally has the coaching personnel to bring out his best. He’s always been an elite practice performer who gets the yips when games start. Freeze could be the perfect anecdote for his problems for all we know.

Things are widen open for the QB1 job. Same as it ever was.

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Tigers looking to build quality depth on defensive front

Mark Murphy

4–5 minutes

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AUBURN, Alabama–Auburn’s new defensive line coach says the youngest two additions to his group have the potential for promising futures playing football in the Southeastern Conference. Auburn’s 2023 signee class includes early high school graduates Wilky Denaud and Stephen Johnson.

“They are freshmen, they are learning,” Coach Jeremy Garrett said. “They are learning how to play blocks, learning how to take notes, learning how to balance the college life.

“I think they are both going to do well here, it's just putting that time in and just figuring college out for them right now,” Garrett noted. He points out that they are adjusting to a busy schedule dealing with academic and athletic responsibilities.

“I think the first couple weeks they were spinning, (but) now I think they are getting used to the schedule of practice, going to class, tutoring and all of that,” he said. “It is huge to get guys here early to get acclimated.

“Now, once we get into summer, you are doing it on a smaller scale, but we are installing again,” he said. “Now we are in fall camp, now you are getting install a third time so those guys will be ahead of the game.”

Denaud was ranked four stars by 247Sports as a senior at John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce, Fla. Johnson, who is from Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Ga., was ranked three stars. He was originally committed to Arkansas before choosing Auburn.

The Tigers hit the halfway point of spring drills at Wednesday’s practice. Spring training will wrap up with the annual A-Day scrimmage on Saturday, April 8th at 1 p.m. CDT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Garrett is also working with new Auburn defensive linemen who are at the other end of the experience spectrum. That group includes 6-3, 340 Justin Rogers, a transfer from the University of Kentucky, 6-2, 299 Lawrence Johnson (transfer from Purdue) and 6-2, 288 Mosiah Nasili-Kite (transfer from Maryland).

Including the returnees at the other interior positions with guys such as Marcus Harris, Jayson Jones, Zykeivous Walker, Jeffrey M'ba, Tobechi Okoli and Enyce Sledge the interior defensive line coach is hoping to have at least eight linemen ready for the playing rotation to open the season at the three positions he coaches. Garrett noted a variety of his guys are pushing for playing time.

Mosiah Nasili-Kite and Wilky Denaud listen to Coach Jeremy Garrett give instructions. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Auburnundercover, 247Sports)

“Justin is a good player, an explosive player,” Garrett said about Rogers, a four-year starter at Kentucky. “The next step we are getting with him is I want him to be able to play multiple positions.”

The coach wants to use Rogers at noseguard and tackle. “He has been great. He’s a fundamental guy. He’s very coachable. He’s explosive and he is one of those leaders in the room also who will call me at any time: ‘Coach, can we watch this? Can we look at this film? I’m going to come in on this time.’ He’s been great to have. Great addition to the team.”

“Lawrence coming in, another one-year guy,” the coach said about Johnson, a three-year starter in the Big Ten for the Boilermakers. “He will be able to help us out. He has given us some good reps in practice and constantly improving. It's just, you know, with him, just learning a new scheme like everybody else. Everybody is on the same page with the scheme so he is learning a new scheme just like all the other guys. We are counting him on to be there for us in the fall to help that rotation.”

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Commenting on Nasili-Kite, who was honorable mention All-Big Ten playing for the Terps, Garrett said, “Mosiah is really learning the scheme and the technique we are asking him to do. One thing is that he is very twitchy. He is not the biggest, but that kid has some power and strength, and he moves well so it is just putting him in position to use his ability and to do what he does well. He has quickness and he is strong so we want to have him on the move, want to have him doing different things to highlight his strengths.”

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Auburn lands commitment from Top247 RB J'Marion 'Phat' Burnette

Christian Clemente

~3 minutes

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J'Marion Burnette is an Auburn Tiger.

After being a known Auburn target and Auburn lean for quite some time, the Top247 running back from Andalusia (Ala.) joined Auburn’s commit list on Friday, picking the Tigers over Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Florida State and others.

“It’s because they make their recruits feel like family,” Burnette told Auburn Undercover. “It’s a great program, great coaching staff. Coach Caddy is amazing. He’s been going out of the way since Auburn first offered me a year ago. He’s just been keeping up with me nonstop.”

A former Auburn running back and NFL running back, Cadillac Williams first offered Burnette back in April of 2022. Since then, he’s seen the back nicknamed ‘Phat’ grow to where he currently is at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds.

Running like a mini Derrick Henry, Burnette brings a unique running style to Auburn’s running back room.

“It’s real important,” Burnette said about playing for Williams. “I believe that’s even better. I think Coach Caddy can get me to the league. I think he can put me where I want to be.”

Burnette is looking to “flip the script,” as Auburn’s new head coach Hugh Freeze likes to say.

“Since Coach Freeze got here I’ve seen more recruits, more — everybody’s trying to come together more,” Burnette said. “It’s turning into a winning culture, it’s going to be something special this year.”

The big back won’t be Auburn’s only back, though. Excited to be part of a two-running back class, Burnette is the No. 2 running back in the state of Alabama in the 247Sports rankings.

He’s looking to add a commitment from the state’s No. 1 back.

“I’ll probably try to get Kevin Riley,” Burnette said.

His message to Riley?

“Come home,” Burnette said.

Burnette is the No. 153 overall player, No. 10 running back and No. 10 player from the state of Alabama in the Top247. Riley is the No. 112 player, No. 7 running back and No. 9 player in the state.

Riley isn’t the only recruit Burnette is after, though.

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“Perry (Thompson) Alabama commit, Sterling (Dixon) Alabama commit, Demarcus Riddick, Georgia commit,” Burnette named. “We want them all.”

With four commitments in the Class of 2024 now, Auburn's class is currently No. 19 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. All four of Auburn's commits are inside the Top247 and three are from the state of Alabama in Burnette, Moody (Ala.) cornerback A'Mon Lane and Anniston (Ala.) defensive back Jayden Lewis.

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