4/17/23 Football Articles

[aubiefifty 18,259]

yahoo.com

 

5 biggest winners from Hugh Freeze's first spring practice with Auburn football

Richard Silva, Montgomery Advertiser

5–6 minutes

---

AUBURN — Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze still has plenty of work to do this offseason, but some key questions were answered at spring practice.

The biggest question mark surrounding the program remains at quarterback, but the offensive line looks improved, the linebacker rotation seems to be sorting itself out and there looks to be more depth along the defensive line, although Jeffrey M'ba announced Thursday he'd be entering the transfer portal.

Nevertheless, here are five players that may not necessarily be starters in 2023, but are leaving spring practice on a high note and helped address some of those concerns.

PROJECTING FORWARD: Predicting Auburn football's starters for 2023 after Hugh Freeze's first spring practice

ROSTER IMPROVEMENTS: 3 positions of need for Auburn football in second transfer portal window

RB Damari Alston

Jarquez Hunter is going to be Auburn's starting running back next season, and he may even prove to be the Tigers' best weapon.

But he'll need to be spelled, and redshirt freshman Damari Alston has been battling South Florida transfer Brian Battie to be Hunter's understudy. The race has been tight, but Freeze offered up some praise for Alston after he rushed for 43 yards on five carries at A-Day: "I didn't give enough credit to him coming into this job," Freeze said of Alston. "But he's had one heck of a spring for us."

Jack LB Keldric Faulk

Three early enrollees were tagged this spring by Freeze as players who will get on the field in Year 1 − jack linebacker Keldric Faulk, defensive back Kayin Lee and offensive lineman Connor Lew. Of the bunch, none had a better 15 practices than Faulk: "I love Keldric," Freeze said following A-Day. "I love his attitude. I love the way he comes to work."

"The kid is talented," said Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister, who is slated to be the starting jack. "... Like I said earlier, it can happen as fast as he wants it. ... He's going to be successful here. He's a guy that I continue to try to mentor him the right way. Not stepping on his toes, but also understanding we have a unique partnership in this position group."

DL Mosiah Nasili-Kite

 

Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite (33) runs drills during Auburn Tigers football practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center at in Auburn, Ala., on Monday, April 3, 2023.

 

Freeze was asked earlier this month to name a few players who've improved most from the spring's first practice to its last. The first name out of his mouth was Maryland transfer defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite, citing the senior's disruptiveness.

Nasili-Kite, who totaled 80 tackles and nine sacks in three seasons with the Terrapins, wasn't with the starting unit at A-Day − Jayson Jones, Justin Rogers and Marcus Harris made up that group − but he has been practicing at both defensive end and defensive tackle and should be a key reserve in 2023.

LB Robert Woodyard Jr.

Wesley Steiner and Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys were the two linebackers in the starting lineup at A-Day, but it only took four plays for junior Eugene Asante and redshirt freshman Robert Woodyard Jr. to rotate in.

Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts tabbed Steiner and Keys as the top two LBs at the position in early April, with Woodyard and junior Cam Riley taking the next couple spots. Woodyard, who appeared in four games last season and was the defensive scout team player of the year, looks poised to see the field a lot more in his second season at Auburn.

TE Rivaldo Fairweather

Of this group, Florida International transfer Rivaldo Fairweather has the best chance to start this fall. Fairweather was consistently with the first team during the offense's pace drills at practice, and Freeze tapped the 6-foot-5 playmaker as the most reliable option in the passing game this spring.

Freeze has had some notable successes with tight ends in his career, including a couple who made it to the NFL. Fairweather hopes to be next in line: "(Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua) and Coach Freeze showed me a couple different ways they used Evan Engram and Dawson Knox from when they were at Ole Miss," Fairweather said of why he chose to transfer to Auburn. "That played a big part in it."

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football: These 5 Tigers impressed most at spring practice

[aubiefifty 18,259]

ugawire.usatoday.com

 

4-star LB Joseph Phillips names his top schools

James Morgan

2–3 minutes

---

The Georgia Bulldogs are among the top five schools for elite linebacker recruit Joseph Phillips.

Phillips’ top schools are Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, Texas A&M and Tennessee. Auburn is considered the favorite, per 247Sports, to land a commitment from the talented class of 2024 linebacker prospect.

Buy Bulldogs Tickets

Georgia is one of the top schools in the country at recruiting linebacker talent and should not be counted out. UGA inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann helped the Dawgs secure the nation’s best haul at the linebacker position in the class of 2023. The Bulldogs do an excellent job of developing linebackers and producing NFL draft picks.

Phillips is a four-star recruit. He plays high school football and basketball for Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee, Alabama. Phillips is ranked as the No. 197 recruit in the junior class. The four-star linebacker is considered the No. 17 edge in the country and the No. 14 recruit in Alabama.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker has scholarship offers from great college football programs like Tennessee, Texas A&M, Alabama, Penn State, and Auburn.

The Booker T. Washington standout can dunk a basketball and has excellent athleticism. Joseph Phillips has great speed and is not afraid to make a big special teams play. The four-star prospect also plays receiver and tight end. He shows his basketball skills as a receiver and has some incredible jump ball catches in his highlights.

Kirby Smart and Georgia football have 12 commitments in the class of 2024. The Bulldogs have a commitment from five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick, who is the No. 3 linebacker in the class of 2024. So far, Georgia has the nation’s best class of 2024.

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

si.com

 

Auburn 2024 Class Snapshot - April Update

Jack Singley

5–6 minutes

---

Recruiting is kicking into high gear all across the country, especially in the SEC. April and March have been key months for a number of programs in the conference. Ole Miss gained five of their six commitments last month, Florida has added a five-star safety to their class in Xavier Filsaime, and Alabama just added another talented receiver to a class that already includes five-stars Jaylen Mbakwe and Perry Thompson. Auburn isn't letting a repeat of the last two recruiting classes happen, however, as they refuse to be left in the dust recruiting. During the past 30 days, Auburn has added two key offensive recruits to a class that has exceeded expectations for a year one staff so far. 

The New Additions:

J'marion Burnette: 6'1 225 lbs, Andalusia, Alabama 

A top running back in the state and the overall cycle, Burnette decided to stay home and committed to the Tigers on March 24th. Burnette was a highly coveted recruit and his addition marks the fourth blue-chip running back that has committed to the Tigers while Carnell Williams has been the RB coach. The only non-blue chip was now starter Jarquez Hunter. Burnette is a larger back and had an amazing Sophomore season where he had well over 2000 rushing yards. In his junior season, he was in more of a committee-style scheme and also dealt with an injury in the playoffs. He has also taken on the role of a recruiter for this class, similar to his future signal caller Walker White. 

Martavious Collins: 6'3 245lbs, Rome, Georgia 

The newest addition, Collins is a consensus three-star. Collins is the first high school commitment for new TE coach Ben Aigauama, as he got Rivaldo Fairweather in the portal. Collins is more of a hybrid end as in his HS film he can be seen blocking, lining up on the line, and going for a route, and even some out wide. When Fairweather was brought in the Auburn Daily staff acknowledged the history HC Hugh Freeze has had with dynamic tight ends, the addition of Collins seems to be further evidence that even in a more scheme-style offense Freeze makes the tight end a priority. 

The Other Guys:

Walker White: 6'3 215 lbs, Little Rock, Arkansas

White is a four-star on all of the main sites, including 247, On3, and Rivals.

He is considered by most the best quarterback in the state of Arkansas. You can see why as he has 48 touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards during his two years as a starter for Little Rock Christian. He also has gained over 1,200 yards rushing with 21 rushing touchdowns during this time. He committed to Auburn on Friday, February 3rd. White has been a key recruiter for the Tigers, as he has constantly hyped up his fellow prospects and has tried to hype up the Tigers to them as well.

Jayden Lewis, Four-star Cornerback: 6'0 175 lbs, Anniston, Alabama

Lewis is a four-star on all sites.

Lewis is a rangy and fast cornerback who has a background in track. Lewis has been an intriguing prospect to watch as he could play anywhere along the defensive backfield for the Tigers. He has also dropped in the rankings and could potentially lose his four-star status The Anniston native joined fellow DB and Alabamian, A'mon Lane, by committing to Auburn on the first of February.

A'mon Lane, Four-star Cornerback: 5'11 180 lbs, Mody, Alabama

Lane rounds out this trio by also being a four-star on all the major recruiting sites.

The class is rounded out by the smaller, twitchy cornerback from Moody, AL. He was previously at Thompson but followed his coach and adoptive father, Jake Ganus to the Moody Blue Devils. Lane has immense speed and great ball skills that will make him a good prospect to watch the rise in the rankings. Lane has been committed since last year's Big Cat Weekend. Lane, similar to Lewis has received a slight drop, but this can be attributed to moving to a much lower classification in high school ball. 

Where the class stands: 

Auburn currently sits at 21st in the country according to 247 Sports, the addition of Collins jumped them three spots from their previous ranking of 24th in the nation. In the SEC, they jumped from ninth to seventh. On3 views the Tigers in a bit more favorable light, as nationally they are 14th and in the SEC they are the same as 247's ranking seventh in the conference. 

With the summer almost upon us, the season of official visits will begin. Auburn looks to be in a position to get multiple five-star prospects on campus and will look to try and gain some flips against their rivals Alabama and Auburn. Big Cat weekend, the annual summer visit and recruiting get-together will also be held at some point in the summer as a date has not been set. The event was held from July 29th-July 31st last year, and expect a similar schedule this year. 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

Auburn’s NFL Draft: Another first-round near miss?

Published: Apr. 16, 2023, 12:00 p.m.

16–20 minutes

Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary just missed first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, as he went to the Tennessee Titans with the third choice in the second round.

A similar circumstance could await Auburn’s top prospect for the 2023 draft – pass-rusher Derick Hall.

The second round worked out well for McCreary, who played all but three of the Titans’ 1,168 defensive snaps during his rookie season.

MORE NFL DRAFT:

· THE SEC’S BEST PICK AT NO. 12

· KIRBY SMART OUTPACING NICK SABAN IN PICKS

· AL.COM MOCK DRAFT 2: TRADES WILL SHAKE UP THE FIRST ROUND

If Hall does appear among the picks when the NFL teams make their selections on April 27 in Kansas City, Missouri, he would become the 32nd player from Auburn to be selected in the first round of an NFL Draft.

Auburn also has produced 12 other players who were not first-round draft choices when they were picked but would be this year if selected in the same slot. That’s because the number of choices in the first round has grown over the years, starting from nine in the first NFL Draft in 1936.

The first Auburn player picked in the NFL Draft – center Walter Gilbert – would be the final choice in the first round this year. When he was drafted in 1937, Gilbert was the first selection in the fourth round.

The 2023 draft will have one fewer first-round pick than it’s supposed to. The Miami Dolphins forfeited their selection as part of their NFL-imposed punishment for violating the league’s tampering rules. That leaves the first round in the 88th NFL Draft at 31 choices.

The Auburn players who have been picked in the first 31 selections of an NFL Draft include:

No. 1 picks: Tucker Frederickson, running back, New York Giants, 1965; Bo Jackson, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1986; Aundray Bruce, linebacker, Atlanta Falcons, 1988; Cam Newton, quarterback, Carolina Panthers, 2011.

Four schools have provided more No. 1 picks in the NFL Draft than Auburn – Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Southern Cal with five apiece. Newton has been the most successful of the Tigers’ top picks in the pros, earning the NFL MVP Award in 2015 to go with his 2010 Heisman Trophy. Frederickson was a Pro Bowler as a rookie, but knee injuries wrecked his career. Bruce played in 11 NFL seasons but was a starter for only the first two. Jackson pursued football as a “hobby” with the Los Angeles Raiders while playing Major League Baseball, appearing in 38 games in four NFL seasons before an injury ended his football career.

No. 2 picks: Ronnie Brown, running back, Miami Dolphins, 2005; Greg Robinson, tackle, Los Angeles Rams, 2014.

Brown had a 10-year NFL career that included a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2006, a Pro Bowl invitation in 2008 and a brief stint as a league trendsetter as a wildcat quarterback.

Robinson started 70 games for three teams in six NFL seasons.

No. 4 pick: Brent Fullwood, running back, Green Bay Packers, 1987.

Fullwood was one of four Auburn running backs drafted in 1987, along with Tommy Agee, Tim Jessie and Bo Jackson, who was on his second time around in the NFL Draft after stiff-arming the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986. Fullwood ran for 274 yards as a rookie and 483 in his second season before producing 821 rushing yards as Green Bay’s fullback in 1989. He earned a Pro Bowl invitation for that performance. The next season, though, the Packers traded Fullwood to the Cleveland Browns after five games. He’d been spotted out dancing at a Green Bay nightspot after being too sick to play in the second half against the Chicago Bears earlier in the day. Fullwood played in only one more game in his NFL career. In his only appearance for the Browns, Fullwood did not have a rushing attempt but did return six kickoffs for 119 yards in a 30-13 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 25, 1990.

No. 5 picks: Jim “Red” Phillips, end, Los Angeles Rams, 1958; Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2005.

Phillips was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro who led the NFL in receptions with 78 for 1,092 yards and five touchdowns in 1961.

Williams ran for 1,178 yards and earned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2005.

No. 7 picks: Travis Tidwell, quarterback, New York Giants, 1950; Joe Childress, running back, Chicago Cardinals, 1956; Derrick Brown, defensive tackle, Carolina Panthers, 2020.

The MVP of the first Senior Bowl (and the only one not played in Mobile), Tidwell played two seasons in the NFL before playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Canada in 1954. New York had a 3-0-1 record in games started by Tidwell in 1950 and 1951.

A two-time Gator Bowl MVP, Childress’ NFL career as a fullback straddled the Cardinals’ move from Chicago to St. Louis in 1960. He retired after nine seasons to go into coaching. His 2,210 NFL rushing yards stood as the most for an Auburn alumnus for 15 years, until William Andrews passed him in 1980.

After becoming Auburn’s first unanimous All-American since guard Ed King in 1990, Brown became the Tigers’ first first-round draft choice since Greg Robinson and Dee Ford in 2014. Auburn hadn’t had a defensive player come off the draft board so fast since Aundray Bruce was the No. 1 pick in 1988. Brown earned a spot on the 2020 All-Rookie team.

No. 8 pick: Ken Rice, tackle, St. Louis Cardinals, 1961.

Rice never played for St. Louis despite being the No. 8 pick. Instead, he signed with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL, which had existed for one season at the time. Rice was an all-star in the first of his six AFL seasons.

No. 9 pick: Carlos Rogers, defensive back, Washington Redskins, 2005.

Rogers reached the Pro Bowl in 2011, his first season with the San Francisco 49ers after six in Washington.

No. 10 pick: Willie Anderson, tackle, Cincinnati Bengals, 1996.

Anderson spent 12 seasons as Cincinnati’s right offensive tackle. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2004, 2005 and 2006 and a Pro Bowler annually from 2003 through 2006. Anderson was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 and Class of 2023.

No. 12 picks: Dave Middleton, end, Detroit Lions, 1955; Jackie Burkett, linebacker, Baltimore Colts, 1959.

Middleton was a halfback at Auburn and an SEC 100-yard dash champ. In the NFL, he played wide receiver and caught a touchdown pass in the 1957 championship game -- the last time that Detroit won the league crown.

Burkett was drafted as a future pick, so he played a season at Auburn after being chosen by Baltimore, then missed his rookie NFL season with a shoulder injury, delaying his pro debut until 1961 -- more than two years after he’d been drafted. Burkett was drafted again in 1967, when the New Orleans Saints made him the fourth player picked in that year’s NFL expansion draft.

No. 13 picks: Takeo Spikes, linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals, 1998; Nick Fairley, defensive tackle, Detroit Lions, 2011.

With 1,425 NFL tackles, Spikes has recorded more than any other Auburn player. In 15 NFL seasons, Spikes played in 219 games, and his 215 starts are the most for any Auburn alumnus. In addition to Cincinnati, Spikes played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers. He was twice a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2004 with Buffalo.

After four seasons with the Detroit Lions and one apiece with the St. Louis Rams and New Orleans Saints, Fairley’s career came to a premature end after the 2016 season because of a heart issue.

No. 14 picks: Lloyd Cheatham, back, Chicago Cardinals, 1942; Jerry Wilson, defensive end, Chicago Cardinals, 1959; Gerald Robinson, defensive end, Minnesota Vikings, 1986.

A Carbon Hill High School alumnus, Cheatham played one season with the Chicago Cardinals before missing the next three years for military service in World War II. He returned in 1946 to play three seasons with the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference.

From Phillips High School in Birmingham, Wilson got traded twice in his two NFL seasons. After drafting him, Chicago shipped him to the Philadelphia Eagles before he’d played a game for the Cardinals. Philadelphia traded Wilson to the San Francisco 49ers four games into his second season, and the Eagles went on to win the 1960 NFL championship. After spending 1961 in the military, Wilson closed his career with three seasons for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canada Football League before a knee injury ended his playing days. Wilson almost started his pro football career in the CFL. The Cardinals successfully sued to keep Wilson from joining the Edmonton Eskimos, who’d made him a better offer. After winning the legal challenge, Chicago traded him. With 16 receptions for 207 yards, Wilson had been Auburn’s leading receiver in 1958, but he was a defensive end in the pros, although in the CFL he also caught nine passes.

A prep standout at Notasulga, Robinson played in 89 regular-season games in nine seasons, but early injuries derailed his promise after he set Auburn’s career sacks record. From 1987 through 1989, Robinson played in six games. His only season as a full-time regular came in 1992, when he started every game for the Los Angeles Rams and recorded five of his career total of 19 sacks. Robinson got 2.5 of his sacks in his seventh NFL game, a performance that earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award.

No. 15 picks: Forrest Blue, center, San Francisco 49ers, 1968; Wayne Gandy, tackle, Los Angeles Rams, 1994.

Blue earned first-team All-Pro recognition in 1971 and 1972 with San Francisco and followed that with two more Pro Bowl seasons.

Gandy never earned all-star recognition, but in 15 NFL seasons, he played in 219 games and was a starter in all but the last of those campaigns. He and Takeo Spikes are the only former Auburn players with at least 200 NFL starts. In his first 13 seasons in the league, Gandy missed one game.

No. 16 pick: Frank D’Agostino, guard, Philadelphia Eagles, 1956.

After The Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association selected D’Agostino as a first-team All-American tackle in 1955, his pro football career covered three leagues –Philadelphia in the NFL in 1956, the Grey Cup champion Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Canada in 1957 and the New York Titans in the AFL in 1960.

No. 17 pick: Monk Gafford, back, Philadelphia Eagles, 1943.

Considered the first 1,000-yard rusher in Auburn history, Gafford didn’t reach the NFL until three years after he was drafted. That’s because he was in military service in World War II after leaving the Tigers. His teammate, fullback Jim Reynolds, had the same timeline after being selected by the New York Giants with the 46th choice in the 1943 draft. Heading off to war robbed Gafford of the opportunity to play for the Steagles, the unofficial nickname for the one-year merger of the NFL’s Pittsburgh and Philadelphia franchises because of the shortage of players due to the worldwide conflict. Gafford never played in the NFL, but he spent three seasons in the All-American Football Conference with the Miami Seahawks and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

No. 19 pick: Terry Beasley, wide receiver, San Francisco 49ers, 1972.

A College Football Hall of Fame member, Beasley played in 29 NFL games over three seasons with San Francisco before head injuries ended his career.

No. 21 pick: Rufus Deal, back, Washington Redskins, 1942.

Deal played in six games and ran for 12 yards on five carries in his only NFL season. Yet he has a Pro Bowl selection from when the NFL’s all-star game was called the NFL All-Star Game. From 1938 through 1942, the event featured the NFL championship team playing an assemblage of all-stars from the rest of the league, and Washington was the NFL championship team in 1942. The all-stars defeated Washington 17-14 on Dec. 27, 1942, before 18,671 fans in Philadelphia.

No. 22 pick: M.L. Brackett, defensive end, Chicago Bears, 1956.

The former Etowah High School standout played in three NFL seasons but appeared in two league championship games. Unfortunately for Brackett, his team lost both title contests. In 1956, Chicago lost 47-7 to the New York Giants in the championship game. With the Giants in 1958 and in his last appearance, Brackett played in what’s often referenced as the NFL’s greatest game – the Baltimore Colts’ 23-17 overtime victory against New York.

No. 23 pick: Dee Ford, outside linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs, 2014.

After a back injury limited him to six games in 2017, Ford bounced back to record 13 sacks and force seven fumbles to earn Pro Bowl recognition in 2018. That led to an eventful offseason, during which he was franchise-tagged by Kansas City, traded to San Francisco and signed a five-year, $85.5 million contract with the 49ers. San Francisco then played in Super Bowl LIV. But a recurring back injury has limited Ford to seven games since.

No. 24 pick: James Brooks, running back, San Diego Chargers, 1981.

Brooks led the NFL in all-purpose yards in each of his first two NFL seasons. He went on to record three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and earn four Pro Bowl invitations with the Cincinnati Bengals.

No. 25 picks: Reese McCall, tight end, Baltimore Colts, 1978; Jason Campbell, quarterback, Washington Redskins, 2005.

Washington traded three picks to move up to draft Campbell, then had him sit his whole rookie season behind Mark Brunell. He finally got on the field as the starter for the final seven games of 2006, then spent the next three seasons as the starter for Washington and one more as the Oakland Raiders’ regular QB. Campbell had four more seasons mainly as a backup and was Auburn’s top NFL passer until Cam Newton surpassed him.

No. 26 pick: Alexander Wright, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys, 1990.

In his seven NFL seasons, Wright caught 101 passes for 1,597 yards and 10 touchdowns after being the first wide receiver picked in the 1990 draft. In his second NFL game, Wright returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, and he had a 102-yard kickoff return for a TD in 1991, too.

No. 27 pick: Victor Riley, offensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs, 1998.

Riley rebuilt his career after being arrested in the middle of it for ramming a vehicle driven by his wife and carrying his daughter several times with a vehicle that he was driving. Riley started 47 games in his first three seasons with the Kansas City, but he had five starts in 2001, the year of his arrest. After counseling and a two-week jail sentence, Riley played four more seasons – three with the New Orleans Saints and one with the Houston Texans – and started 41 more games.

No. 29 picks: Joe Cribbs, running back, Buffalo Bills, 1980; Doug Smith, nose tackle, Houston Oilers, 1984; Ed King, guard, Cleveland Browns, 1991; Ben Grubbs, guard, Baltimore Ravens, 2007.

The most Auburn players picked at one draft position are four -- at No. 1, No. 29, No. 47, No. 83, No. 113 and No. 114.

Cribbs was a three-time Pro Bowler and a 1,000-yard rusher in three of his first four seasons for the Bills (and a strike likely kept him from going four-for-four), then led the USFL in rushing yards in 1984 and had two more 1,000-yard seasons after jumping to the Birmingham Stallions.

Ben Grubbs was a nine-year starter and two-time Pro Bowler – once for Baltimore and once for the New Orleans Saints. Smith was a starter in six of his eight years with the Oilers. King was a starter for three of his six NFL seasons.

No. 30 picks: Kendall Simmons, guard, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2002; Noah Igbinoghene, cornerback, Miami Dolphins, 2020.

Simmons started the first 80 games of his NFL career with Pittsburgh before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in 2008. He played in only four more NFL games -- three with the Buffalo Bills and one with the New England Patriots.

No. 31 picks: Walter Gilbert, center, Philadelphia Eagles, 1937; Billy Wilson, tackle, St. Louis Cardinals, 1961; Lawyer Tillman, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns, 1989.

Gilbert was the first Auburn player picked in the NFL Draft, and he chose not to play professionally. He went on to become a Texaco executive instead of an NFL star. Auburn presents an award to outstanding alumni who were athletes that is named for Gilbert. Gilbert entered the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956 as a member of its fourth induction class.

Wilson was a future pick by the Cardinals. He played for Auburn in 1961 after being drafted by Chicago, but he never played in the NFL.

Auburn’s hero of the 1986 Iron Bowl, Tillman also played tight end during his NFL career, which consisted of 37 games and 38 receptions for 658 yards and three touchdowns.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

This one starts at Seven Central this morning.

Edited April 17, 2023 by aubiefifty

[aubiefifty 18,259]

flywareagle.com

 

Auburn football transfers, offers after portal window opening

Mary Kate Hughes

~3 minutes

---

Another Auburn football receiver has hit the transfer portal (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

 

The Auburn football team just finished up their first spring training under the new coaching staff led by head coach Hugh Freeze. Though the terrible weather made it hard to truly get a feel for the team, it is clear that the Tigers will be looking to the transfer portal to add talent and depth to the roster.

While the Tigers will be bringing in new players, they are also expected to lose players during this portal window, and several have already announced transfer intentions. Linebackers Desmond Tisdol and Kameron Brown were early entrees and were primarily depth pieces, so their leaving does not hugely affect the roster. While Tisdol is still looking for his new home, Brown announced his transfer destination several days ago.

Jeffrey M’ba’s decision to enter the transfer portal came as somewhat of a surprise due to the expectation that he would contribute on the defensive line this fall. Defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett moved M’ba to defensive end and allowed him to focus on that one position, and M’ba was reportedly excited to “destroy people” this fall.

The most recent player to enter the portal is sophomore wide receiver Tar’Varish Dawson. He caught a great pass during the A-Day game and has shown potential during his time with Auburn football, but was never able to stand out as a go-to receiver. He’ll be looking to take his talents elsewhere this fall. It’s likely that more players will enter the transfer portal during the spring window, which will last from April 15-30.

The Tigers have also made their first offer to a player from the portal, recruiting a former player of offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery. Offensive lineman Jaden Muskrat declared his intentions to leave Tulsa and has received an official offer from Auburn football.

During the 2022 season, Muskrat played left tackle, complimenting Dillon Wade—who transferred to Auburn from Tulsa prior to spring—at right tackle. The coaching staff has made it clear that they’re still looking for depth pieces on the offensive line, and bringing in a player who is already familiar with Montgomery’s style and will have chemistry with another lineman right away would be a great scenario.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

ON3 vip headlines......

 

Auburn to see nation's top-ranked interior OL Casey Poe Monday

Auburn offers Wyoming transfer offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon

In-state OL Bo Cagle receiving interest from Auburn, other SEC schools

Cole Pinkston•04/15/23

Article written by:Cole Pinkston

ColePinkston

Bo Cagle (Photo- Cole Pinkston/Auburn Live)

One name to keep an eye on moving forward is Bo Cagle, an offensive lineman from Mobile (Ala.) Mobile Christian.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

Auburn 'in a good spot' after first visit for 5-star WR Terry Bussey

VIP ByChristian Clemente 19 hours ago

The 5-star receiver is looking to get back to Auburn again this summer.

 

guys here is a vip title from Fox News. there is little detail but at least we see some names that we are interested in. if i am wasting my time doing this please let me know. thanx

[aubiefifty 18,259]

montgomeryadvertiser.com

 

5 biggest winners from Hugh Freeze's first spring practice with Auburn football

 

4–5 minutes

---

AUBURN — Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze still has plenty of work to do this offseason, but some key questions were answered at spring practice.

The biggest question mark surrounding the program remains at quarterback, but the offensive line looks improved, the linebacker rotation seems to be sorting itself out and there looks to be more depth along the defensive line, although Jeffrey M'ba announced Thursday he'd be entering the transfer portal.

Nevertheless, here are five players that may not necessarily be starters in 2023, but are leaving spring practice on a high note and helped address some of those concerns.

PROJECTING FORWARD:Predicting Auburn football's starters for 2023 after Hugh Freeze's first spring practice

ROSTER IMPROVEMENTS:3 positions of need for Auburn football in second transfer portal window

RB Damari Alston

Jarquez Hunter is going to be Auburn's starting running back next season, and he may even prove to be the Tigers' best weapon.

But he'll need to be spelled, and redshirt freshman Damari Alston has been battling South Florida transfer Brian Battie to be Hunter's understudy. The race has been tight, but Freeze offered up some praise for Alston after he rushed for 43 yards on five carries at A-Day: "I didn't give enough credit to him coming into this job," Freeze said of Alston. "But he's had one heck of a spring for us."

Jack LB Keldric Faulk

Three early enrollees were tagged this spring by Freeze as players who will get on the field in Year 1 − jack linebacker Keldric Faulk, defensive back Kayin Lee and offensive lineman Connor Lew. Of the bunch, none had a better 15 practices than Faulk: "I love Keldric," Freeze said following A-Day. "I love his attitude. I love the way he comes to work."

"The kid is talented," said Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister, who is slated to be the starting jack. "... Like I said earlier, it can happen as fast as he wants it. ... He's going to be successful here. He's a guy that I continue to try to mentor him the right way. Not stepping on his toes, but also understanding we have a unique partnership in this position group."

DL Mosiah Nasili-Kite

Freeze was asked earlier this month to name a few players who've improved most from the spring's first practice to its last. The first name out of his mouth was Maryland transfer defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite, citing the senior's disruptiveness.

Nasili-Kite, who totaled 80 tackles and nine sacks in three seasons with the Terrapins, wasn't with the starting unit at A-Day − Jayson Jones, Justin Rogers and Marcus Harris made up that group − but he has been practicing at both defensive end and defensive tackle and should be a key reserve in 2023.

LB Robert Woodyard Jr.

Wesley Steiner and Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys were the two linebackers in the starting lineup at A-Day, but it only took four plays for junior Eugene Asante and redshirt freshman Robert Woodyard Jr. to rotate in.

Defensive coordinator Ron Roberts tabbed Steiner and Keys as the top two LBs at the position in early April, with Woodyard and junior Cam Riley taking the next couple spots. Woodyard, who appeared in four games last season and was the defensive scout team player of the year, looks poised to see the field a lot more in his second season at Auburn.

TE Rivaldo Fairweather

Of this group, Florida International transfer Rivaldo Fairweather has the best chance to start this fall. Fairweather was consistently with the first team during the offense's pace drills at practice, and Freeze tapped the 6-foot-5 playmaker as the most reliable option in the passing game this spring.

Freeze has had some notable successes with tight ends in his career, including a couple who made it to the NFL. Fairweather hopes to be next in line: "(Tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua) and Coach Freeze showed me a couple different ways they used Evan Engram and Dawson Knox from when they were at Ole Miss," Fairweather said of why he chose to transfer to Auburn. "That played a big part in it."

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

auburn.rivals.com

 

AuburnSports - STULTZ: Rambling on A-Day, Buc-ee's and Crime sayings

Jay G. Tate AuburnSports Tigers clinch series with walk-off 11h ago

6–8 minutes

---

A recent Twitter thread asked people to list some of the stupid things they thought were true as kids, and it did not disappoint. Of course, this popped up on my feed and immediately brought back so many things that, if I listed them all, it would probably make people question how I ever graduated college.

Going to Cincinnati Reds games growing up, I was adamant that a grand slam was when a player hit it into the upper deck, only to be told by my father that that wasn't the case. I still didn't believe him for some time. When the television showed a show's time as 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT, it was two types of televisions that caused the difference. And we have already been through the "not knowing what Braille was until I was 19" debacle.

So what's my point? We all had dumb thoughts as a kid, and admitting them is not embarrassing. In fact, I want to hear yours in the comments. For now, let's get onto some ramblings.

Two guys discussing how they will beat the Stultz/Moncrief team next time on the course. (Robin Conn/AuburnSports.com)

- You have to be confident as a parent that your kid will grow up to be something when you give them the name of a city. The latest example is Denver Jones, who will play for the Tigers and Bruce Pearl next season. Also, that is a great name and great for possible headlines.

- When interviewing Cooper McMurray last week, he was asked why he had stopped using ABBA's "Dancing Queen" as his at-bat music. This prompted the great Jason Caldwell to ask if I could name more than three ABBA songs. After running off five in five seconds, Caldwell looked at me and said, "Just stop." I proved my case.

- Wesley "Crime Dawg" McGriff has some catchphrases or sayings that come up every golf round. In order of weirdness:

1. "Center cut" - Used when he or someone hits a drive down the middle.

2. "No doubt" - I have learned this can be used at any time.

3. "Top shelf" - This is also said after a nice shot.

4. "Did you see that/the ball?" - Reserved for when he hits one straight down the fairway.

5. "Sounded better than an oven running at 350" - I have stopped trying to figure this one out.

- The portal opens on Saturday, so all hell is about to break loose around college sports. I think it is excellent for the players to have their choice because we all know coaches can leave without penalty and, of course, have the right to cut their scholarship at any time.

- If you aren't a soccer fan, you won't realize the importance of this, but my English Premier League team, Fulham, is making a tour in the USA this summer. The closest they will be to Auburn is Orlando, so I might travel down and catch up with a former coach as well. Solid, I say. Up the Cottagers!

- Dylan Cardwell is great for Auburn because he is a fan favorite, works his tail off on and off the floor, and is one of those personalities representing what is great about the university. However, the fact he won Best Athlete, as voted on by the students, is egregious. It is, however, a sign of how popular he is on campus.

- I refuse to talk about a specific golf club anymore because as soon as I wrote about my 60° wedge last week, I lost it for a few days. No trouble, though, as someone found it and immediately handed it into the clubhouse. The same can't be said for my 6-iron, which broke in my hands. That was a sad day.

- Maybe it is because I attended a high school famous for its cheerleading squad (Greenup County High School, represent!), but the number of competitions and so-called "national champions" nowadays bother me. You had one national champion back then, and everyone else had to suck it up. My sister, Lori, won twice wearing the green, black and gold in 1992 and 94, respectively. My friends won our sophomore year in 1997. Now everyone is a frigging national champion.

Frank Thomas is acknowledged at A-Day. (Robin Conn/AuburnSports.com)

- Recently watched the new "All Quiet on the Western Front" that was filmed from the German perspective and, well, I don't think I can view that again for quite some time. It's also strange feeling bad for the German soldiers. I didn't sleep well that night.

- Devan Cambridge shot 50.4 percent from the floor, including 33.3 percent from three while grabbing 5.8 rebounds last season at Arizona State. He's also a 6-foot-6 guard. I'm pretty sure Pearl would love to have that production if he decides to come back.

- If Auburn can get Joseph Gonzalez back for the late part of the schedule, that would be a bonus, but I don't think he can return and be his old self so soon. If he does, great, but his performance expectations should differ from the 2022-Gonzalez level.

- I'm protesting Buc-ee's, and not because I have something against it. I've never been to one and will not fall into the trap of those people who travel hundreds of miles to go to one. Maybe one day I will see what all the hype is about, but right now, I refuse. Brisket can only be so good.

- Don't you hate it when you remember something you did in 3rd grade but can't remember what you went to the grocery store for? It happens to me so often that I just accept it now. Yes, I recall calling my best friend a "son of a motherless goat" and getting sent to the principal's office. Do I regret it? Absolutely not. Anytime you can use a line from a Chevy Chase, Steve Martin and Martin Short movie, you have to do it.

- To those who attended A-Day and sat in the stands in that cold, rainy weather, I applaud you. In fact, Bryan Matthews and I made the executive decision that those who remained for the entirety should have been handed Samford tickets on their way out the gate. We reward loyalty.

- Speaking of A-Day, I predicted that there were 8,673 people there, only to be told that the attendance was announced on how many tickets were sold. I felt cheated in that contest.

- One more thing on A-Day: everyone in the band, the cheerleaders, the dance team, and all involved in making it a great environment on Saturday deserves credit. Kudos to them.

- I thought the Frank Thomas statue turned out perfect. It would have been boring to have him standing there doing nothing, but his being in midswing is magnificent.

- TikTok Update of the Week: Can you imagine this happening to you? It's every nightmare you have ever had but as a prank.

- Finally, thanks to everyone on The Bunker – the greatest message board in the history of the world – who wished me a happy birthday on Tuesday. It was a fantastic day spent with good friends on the golf course, having drinks and a nice dinner before heading off to bed at a reasonable hour.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

Auburn extends over to a west coast offensive tackle

Originally posted on FanNation Auburn Daily
By Jack Singley  |  Last updated 4/16/23

 

Auburn under the reign of Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin struggled with acquiring and maintaining talent across the trenches, specifically the offensive line. Jake Thornton the new offensive line coach, under the direction of Hugh Freeze has made it a priority to get depth and talent to the Plains. 

Thornton and co. have just added another potential name to the offensive line board, as Mark Schroller, who holds offers from Vanderbilt and Arkansas received his third SEC offer from the Auburn Tigers on Sunday, April 16th. 

 

Schroller, a three-star from Mission Viejo, California has mostly been targeted by west coast teams but took a trip to Minnesota, so a potential visit to Auburn isn't out of the realm of possibility. 

The frame is there for Schroller, he stands at 6'6 and weighs around the 270 mark. He mostly was a right tackle for Mission Viejo, he excels at getting out of his stance quickly on run plays and helps push through on tighter runs. Schroller has incredible feet and stays within himself, rarely getting off balance. The key thing on film for Schroller is his tenacity and his willingness to play through the whistle, it seems at times that he has a personal vendetta against the opponent. 

Though Schroller is lower-rated and fans might not see this offer as an important one but he has the size, grit, and mindset to play at the next level. The main thing for Schroller would be the coaching up and Thornton, who offered him, would be the perfect man for the job.  

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

Freshman QB wants to have a say in Auburn’s ongoing battle

Taylor Jones

3–4 minutes

---

Now that spring practice has concluded, one thing is apparent about Auburn football’s quarterback battle… it is far from over.

Quarterbacks Robby Ashford, T.J. Finley, and Holden Geriner each played adequate snaps in the abbreviated A-Day game back on April 8. But due to the cold, rainy conditions on that dreary Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium, neither player was able to showcase exactly what they needed to do in order to separate themselves.

“I think you saw today that (Ashford) got the capability of making some plays. I thought he threw a really good seam ball in those conditions. I thought Holden (Geriner) threw some good balls. He missed a couple of reads on some RPOs I think, T.J. (Finley) did too,” Freeze said following Auburn’s A-Day game. “It’s kind of been that way all spring. Some real positives one day and some inconsistencies the next day. We’ve still got some time to help them improve, hopefully.”

Freeze has suggested that he is willing to dip into the transfer portal to find the right quarterback, but there is one player that is ready to have his shot at winning the quarterback battle.

Hank Brown, a three-star quarterback from Nashville that signed with Auburn as part of the 2023 signing class, has yet to arrive on campus. However, the ongoing quarterback battle has him excited to be able to show off what he can add to the Tigers’ offense.

“It’s definitely more motivation just for me to be ready,” Brown said in a recent interview with Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover. “When that time comes, to be able to compete with them, I’m super excited. I’m going to do whatever I can to help out.”

Brown is already familiar with Hugh Freeze, as well as quality control coach Kent Austin, as he was once committed to Liberty before Freeze made the move to Auburn. He spent time on campus earlier this spring watching practice and says that he is impressed with what each quarterback brings to the table, and how they can help him become a better signal caller.

“It was really awesome to see how three or four different quarterback guys are able to help us,” Brown said. “They all have different strengths, so it’s going to be such a blessing to be able to get feedback from them at all times. Being able to work with them and help me get through the playbook and working with my mechanics, it’s going to be awesome.”

Brown completed 73% of his passes for 3,264 yards during Lipscomb Academy’s 13-0 championship run in 2022, tossing 47 touchdown passes. He was led by former Super Bowl-winning quarterback and current UAB head coach, Trent Dilfer.

Brown signed with Auburn during the early signing period as the No. 59 quarterback in the country, and the No. 34 player from Tennessee for the 2023 class.

Check out some of Brown’s senior year highlights here

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

 

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by aubiefifty