6.18.23Football Articles

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

Greg McElroy reacts to Auburn's 2024 SEC schedule

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

Now that the 2024 SEC schedule release has had time to marinate, college football experts from across the region have begun to share their opinions on each program’s draw.

The most recent personality to share his take on SEC team’s fates is former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy. Since hanging up his cleats, McElroy is staying busy by hosting a podcast, co-hosting a radio show in Birmingham with former Auburn lineman Cole Cubelic, and serving as a college football analyst on ESPN.

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In a recent episode of his podcast, Always College Football, McElroy took time to break down Auburn’s 2024 draw. McElroy complimented the SEC’s work in being able to keep Alabama and Georgia on Auburn’s schedule, but went on to say that the rest of the docket was “random.”

“Look at Auburn’s schedule. There wasn’t a whole lot of consistency across the board, but you did protect their two biggest rivals. The Iron Bowl and the [Deep] South’s Oldest Rivalry, Auburn-Georgia,” McElroy said. “So, I’m glad that those two games remained. The others felt just kind of thrown together a little bit with the Auburn Tigers.”

Another topic of note regarding the SEC schedule release is the lack of several games. Auburn will not play LSU or Mississippi State next season, but several notables that McElroy mentioned in his show are Alabama-Mississippi State, South Carolina-Georgia, and Oklahoma–Texas A&M.

Check out the entire episode of Always College Football 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__

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247sports.com

2023 Texas AM schedule preview 12 thoughts on Auburn

Jeff Tarpley

9–11 minutes

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1. Auburn (game four on September 23 at Kyle Field) has spent the last few years in the wilderness because former head coach Gus Malzahn could beat Alabama but not enough of the other schools in the league and Bryan Harsin (brought in by the administration) was never on the same page as fans, donors, and board of trustees.

2. They're passionate enough about the product to insist on maintaining annual rivalries with both Alabama and Georgia and they haven't beaten both schools in the same season since 2017. That same passion translated into a sellout crowd when Texas A&M went there late last year in a battle for last place in the SEC West.

3. Now, former Ole Miss boss Hugh Freeze will try to replicate his success at Oxford and he's literally had to work from the ground up due to the amount of player turnover the program has had in the past three years.

4. Former Tulsa head coach and new offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery is from the Art Briles tree and you'll see the Tigers go with wideouts along the numbers to spread the field as much as possible. This means that the passing game has tags for vertical choice routes (posts that can turn into a hitch depending on the coverage) down the field with running plays based on man blocking (iso, power, dart) with some zone blocking mixed in as well.

5. The Tigers' offensive line has been problematic for years but three transfers out of the portal via at left tackle Dillon Wade from Tulsa, center Avery Jones from ECU, and right tackle Gunner Britton from Western Kentucky should help right away (they were three of the top five linemen available in the transfer portal). They're not mashers but they're experienced and mobile.

6. Dual threat QB Robby Ashford started versus A&M last season but Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne (46 to 21 touchdown to interception ratio) is more accurate, can make better reads, has good touch, and is mobile enough to threaten a defense on the zone read.

7. The Tigers will miss running back Tank Bigsby who carried the running game without much help during his three seasons on The Plains. Insiders think it's a deep group although projected starter Jarquez Hunter may be more of change of pace back. Four star frosh Jeremiah Cobb could be someone to watch here.

8. The portal was good to the Tigers on the flanks too via three four star rated transfers in Caleb Burton from Ohio State, Shane Hooks from Jackson State and Jyaire Shorter from North Texas. They've got a lot of length at the position. Tonight end transfer Rivaldo Fairweather, Jr.is only 210 pounds but averaged 15 yards per reception as a frosh as FIU

9. The new defensive coordinator is former Baylor assistant Ron Roberts who will being the 3-3-5 to the Tigers. He wants to generate negative plays in the 20% range.

10. The front six was reloaded with multiple transfers and they'll generally be in the 285 to 310 pound range in the front three with all of them being upperclassmen. They've got three edges to choose from including Appalachian State transfer Jalen McLeod. Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys is a true Mike and veteran Cam Riley is solid.

11. The secondary was perhaps the best part of the team last year outside of the running backs. Corners Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James are one of the better tandems in the SEC allowing under a 50% completion rate last season.

12. The Aggies are catching the Tigers early in the season which should be better than later on when they've had time to potentially come together and figure some things out. Auburn struggled to throw the ball in their spring game and trying to get so many new faces on the same page could be a problem in a hostile environment. If A&M's offensive line can keep the negative plays down, they should be able to move the ball well enough to eventually emerge from Kyle Field with the win.

2023 A&M profile: LT Overton's agility sets him apart at DE

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Texas A&M's 2022 season was much more of a downer than anyone could have anticipated given the fact that the roster was composed of four top ten recruiting classes and most recently the number one class of all time (per the 247 Sports Composite). Instead, injuries forced too many expected contributes off the field and too many of those highly touted freshmen onto it. The result was a 5-7 record and things seemed to get worse before they got better when about two dozen members of the roster (including about half a dozen players from that 2022 class) departed College Station in the weeks immediately following the season.

However, the reality is that the Aggies remain a talented program on paper. A&M returns 19 of 22 starters from the last game of the 2022 season (which was a win over then fifth ranked and SEC West champion LSU). ESPN's Bill Connelly has the Aggies seventh in the nation in returning production (per his calculations) as they bring back 80% of their production from last year (82% on offense and 77% on defense) and this includes former five-star quarterback Conner Weigman, their top two receivers, eight offensive linemen with starting experience, a three deep in the defensive front, and replacements both from within the program and outside of it in the portal to fill some losses in the secondary. New offensive coordinator is expected not only to improve the offense but enable head coach Jimbo Fisher to be a more effective game and program manager.

This series is a look at those players in terms how they were rated coming out of high school, how they got to Aggieland, how well they've played so far, and most importantly what we can expect from them in 2023.

Second year defensive end LT Overton reclassified from the Aggies' 2023 recruiting class to the 2022 class which enabled him to get on campus a year ahead of schedule, see some playing time, and get into the off season program earlier. It will be interesting to see what kind of impact he makes at perhaps the team's most loaded position on defense.

Overton was a two-sport athlete in football and basketball.  During Alpharetta (GA) Milton's 2021 season he played multiple spots in the defensive line and got even got limited snaps on offense as a running back. Milton went 13-2 and reached the Georgia AAAAAAA state championship game.  The previous year, he played defensive end, defensive tackle, and tight end as a sophomore. Milton had an 11-1 record and a Georgia AAAAAAA state quarterfinal appearance.

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Overton was originally a member of the 2023 class before announcing in early February that he would be graduating a year early. Thus, he was reclassified to 2022 but was still rated as a five star prospect and the 17th best player in the country (sixth best defensive lineman).

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Since he was a member of the 2022 class, Overton still had yet to use any of his official visits while his peers were signing. Thus, Overton held off from making a decision until April of 2022. He had a final five of A&M, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Oregon. In March of 2022, Overton took official visits to A&M, Georgia and Oregon, with the most recent being to Aggieland. He had two others set up to Ohio State and Oklahoma for April but canceled both of those as he set his announcement.  He ended up choosing the Aggies on ESPN2. 

Overton had been to College Station a number of times throughout the recruiting process prior to selecting them. However, he was also born there as his father Milton was an Associate Athletic Director at Texas A&M from 1999-2009.

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- He's comes out of his stance with a flat back and great pad level which sets himself up to use his long arms free himself up early on the snap.

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- He's got the upper body and punch to take on offensive tackles, leverage them, and either move them or keep them off balance so that he can shed them and make plays. 

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- Overton has great get off for someone listed at 6 foot 5 and 270 pounds, plays with great bend and change of direction, and can beat you any number of way off of the edge.

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- He played in a two point stance in high school and has the get off to come off of the ball with an advantage and the bend and leverage to maintain it. 

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- Not only that, he's got quick feet and moves well enough in space that he can chase plays that are run away from him or even drop in coverage. In fact, it's kind of a revelation to see him change direction at his listed 270 pounds. 

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Despite his youth relative to the rest of the 2022 recruiting class, Overton wound up playing 322 snaps during the season as the Aggies eventually lost both starting defensive ends by later in the season. His length helped him keep blockers away with an average depth of tackle of only 3.8 yards per Pro Football Focus and he had 14 pressures as well. His run stop rate was solid (sixth among all A&M defenders with more than 150 snaps).

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- Overton emerged as a backup at the edge spot to Fadil Diggs in spring ball, making an impression on people with his overall athleticism (especially his agility relative to his size). 

- He was quiet  in the spring game as he had three total stops.

- Overton has to fight multiple other four and five stars for playing time even though he has agility unlike most of them. He should be an effective player in the rotation up front but it might be another year before he potentially becomes an impact guy due to his youth and how much he may have to split reps. 

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Auburn football 2023 schedule: Tigers' all-time records vs upcoming opponents

Lance Dawe

2–3 minutes

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Hugh Freeze has his work cut out for him in year one with the Tigers.

Hugh Freeze has his work cut out for him in year one with the Tigers.

Auburn football's 2023 schedule ranks as one of the toughest in the nation, and will prove to be a tall task for Freeze in his first season on the Plains.

Thankfully the Tigers get both Alabama and Georgia at home, but even having to play the two schools alongside the likes of LSU and Texas A&M is daunting. Such is life in the SEC.

Here's a look at where Auburn stands in the all-time series vs every single opponent they face this fall:

Vs UMass - No Previous Matchups

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

At California - No Previous Matchups

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Vs Samford - AU leads 28-0-1

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

At Texas A&M - A&M leads 7-6

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Vs Georgia - UGA leads 63-56-8

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

At LSU - LSU leads 32-24-1

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Vs Ole Miss - AU leads 35-12

Austin Perryman/AU Athletics

Vs Mississippi State - AU leads 65-29-2

© Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

At Vanderbilt - Series Tied 21-21-1

© Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

At Arkansas - AU leads 19-12-1

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Vs New Mexico State - AU leads 3-0

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Vs Alabama - UA leads 49-37-1

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

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How Auburns 2024 class looks following a very successful week

Jack Singley

7–9 minutes

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It was quiet over the plains for almost exactly two months then we heard the sound of a freeze warning. The last commitment for the Tigers was April 14th with the addition of Matavious Collins, a former Alabama TE/FB hybrid from Calhoun, Georgia. There were rumblings of a few prospects that could pop during May but to no avail. June looked to be a bit more promising as it meant more visitors, whether they be official visitors or guys coming in for camps or 7v7 tournaments. 

Bryce Cain, Kensley Faustin, and Joesph Phillips are the newest recruits to commit and they all either camped or officially visited the Tigers this month. Cain, the first to commit was on campus July 9th for an Elite Camp where he built a very quick and strong bond with Walker White and this staff. He announced his commitment four days later. Kensley Faustin, a Florida native made the trip up for his official visit on the same day as Cain's camp, Faustin also committed four days later. Phillips came on to campus on the 14th for an unofficial visit and this seemed to change the game. Phillips was seen as a Georgia lock for the past three weeks, but this trip changed his mind and he committed to the Tigers a day later.

How the class looks

Walker White, Four-star Quarterback: 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.

Joseph Phillips, Four-star Linebacker: 6'2 250 lbs, Tuskegee, Alabama

Phillips is a consensus four-star across all sites.

He used to be considered the best JACK prospect on the board but following a decision to move to inside linebacker, he is now one of the best interior backers of the class. The four-star has totaled 82 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also has played tight end for the Golden Eagles, totaling 29 receptions, 336 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Phillips becomes the first defensive recruit that is not a defensive back in the 2024 class.

J'marion Burnette, Four-star Running Back: 6'1 225 lbs, Andalusia, Alabama

Burnette is a consensus four-star recruit.

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.

 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. 

Jayden Lewis, Four-star Cornerback: 5'11 175 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.

Kensley Faustin, Four-star Safety: 5'11 170 lbs, Naples, Florida

Faustin is a four-star on 0n3 and Rivals, but 247 has him as a three-star.

The Naples, Florida native plays for Naples which is in one of the more competitive regions in Florida high school football. Tough competition aside Faustin has made a name for himself, so far in his career he has 121 career tackles, 10 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and five forced fumbles. The most impressive thing is the forced fumbles, Faustin is a smaller player at five-foot-eleven and 170-pounds his ability to hit and hit hard is intriguing and could help an Auburn team that has struggled to generate turnovers in the past.

Martavious Collins, Three-star Tight End: 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. 

Bryce Cain, Three-star Wide Receiver: 5'11 170 lbs, Mobile, Alabama

Cain is the epitome of the slot receiver, fast, twitchy with spectacular hands. The intriguing thing about Cain is that he has only been playing football for the last year or so, as he was a baseball player up until his Junior season. Cain looks to do both for Baker High School in his senior season. Cain was productive in his first season on the football field, racking up almost 500 yards to go along with six touchdowns, one of which was a rushing touchdown.

How the class stands

The trifecta this week pushed Auburn in the 247 rankings from 48th to 29th. 247 also moved them up from 11th to eighth in the SEC. On3 has had Auburn in the high teens or low twenties pretty much all year, and with these three additions that is no different as they sit at 15th nationally. On3 has Auburn as the seventh-best class in the SEC. The recruiting site that views Auburn least favorably is Rivals, where Auburn sits at 30th nationally and 10th in the SEC.

The class looks to keep improving as many targets look to wrap up their recruitment before their senior seasons start. Malik Blocton, who commits on July 8th looks to be the next probable commitment for the Tigers.

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saturdaydownsouth.com

 

Auburn lands commitment from long snapper in class of 2024

Spenser Davis

~1 minute

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Auburn made a notable addition to its 2024 recruiting class on Friday.

The Tigers picked up a commitment from long snapper JR Buckner. He’s expected to begin his career as a walk-on.

Here’s his announcement:

Buckner is a local product. He attends Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama. He’s listed at 6-foot, 245 pounds.

He chose to stay closer to home rather than accept a scholarship offer at Louisiana-Monroe.

“I grew up wanting to be an Auburn Tiger and getting an opportunity to do it just means the world to me,” Buckner told Rivals on Friday.

Auburn quarterback commit Walker White also welcomed Buckner to the program.

Here was his message to Auburn’s next long snapper:

Auburn has 8 scholarship players committed in the class of 2024. The group sits at No. 29 nationally, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 5 Donovan Kaufman

JD McCarthy

8–10 minutes

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Going into the 2023 football season, Auburn Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Hugh Freeze in his first season on the Plains.

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Up next is veteran safety Donovan Kaufman. He entered the spring in a battle with Keionte Scott for the starting Star spot but has the option to play multiple roles in Auburn’s loaded secondary.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisianna

Height: 5-10

Weight: 204

Previous School: Vanderbilt

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 18 in LA / No. 37 S

Career Stats

Year	G	Tackles	TFLs	INT’s	PDs	FFs
2020 (Vanderbilt)	2	15	0	0	1	0
2021	13	33	2	1	3	3
2022	7	39	1.5	0	2	1

PFF Grades

Year	Defense	Run Defense	Tackling	Pass Rush	Coverage
2020	56.1	59.2	74.2	59.7	54.7
2021	67.9	71.1	81.7	72.3	65.7
2022	72.1	61.6	57.5	76.1	74.7

Depth Chart Overview

Kaufman is entering his third season at Auburn after starting his career at Vanderbilt and is one of several proven veterans in Auburn’s secondary. He and Scott were in a battle during spring practice for the starting Star spot but Scott appeared to be getting more reps towards the end.

Scott looks to be better in coverage than Kaufman which is a key part of being the third corner and this could free Kaufman up to spend some time at safety, a position he’s played in the past.

Even if he losses out on the battle to Scott, Kaufman will be a key reserve in the secondary who is capable of playing multiple positions and can fill in wherever he is needed.

Donovan Kaufman’s Photo Gallery

Mercer Auburn Football

Auburn's Donovan Kaufman (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer…

Auburn's Donovan Kaufman (1) defends during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mercer on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

AUBURN, AL - 2023.03.01 - Spring Practice

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Defensive Back Donovan Kaufman (#5) during spring practice…

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Defensive Back Donovan Kaufman (#5) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Declan Greene

NCAA Football: Arkansas at Auburn

Oct 29, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (9) runs after a…

Oct 29, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jadon Haselwood (9) runs after a catch as Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) moves in during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Football: Auburn at Mississippi

Oct 15, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) is tackled by Auburn…

Oct 15, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during the first quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) pumps up the crowd as Auburn Tigers take on San…

Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) pumps up the crowd as Auburn Tigers take on San Jose State Spartans at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. Auburn Tigers defeated San Jose State Spartans 24-16.

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) takes the field before Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears…

Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) takes the field before Auburn Tigers take on Mercer Bears at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Auburn Tigers leads Mercer Bears 28-7 at halftime.

San Jose State v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 10: Wide receiver Charles Ross #7 of the San Jose State Spartans…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 10: Wide receiver Charles Ross #7 of the San Jose State Spartans attempts to catch a pass in front of safety Donovan Kaufman #1 of the Auburn Tigers during the second half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

AUBURN, AL - 2023.03.01 - Spring Practice

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Defensive Back Jaylin Simpson (#36) and Defensive Back…

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Defensive Back Jaylin Simpson (#36) and Defensive Back Donovan Kaufman (#5) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Declan Greene

NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Auburn

Nov 13, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Malik Heath (4) avoids the…

Nov 13, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Malik Heath (4) avoids the tackle of Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) deflects a pass intended for LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian…

Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) deflects a pass intended for LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Auburn Tigers lead LSU Tigers 17-14 at halftime. © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Auburn

Nov 13, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) is tackled…

Nov 13, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) is tackled by Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Football: Birmingham Bowl-Houston at Auburn

Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Cougars tight end Christian Trahan (85) carries the ball…

Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Houston Cougars tight end Christian Trahan (85) carries the ball against Auburn Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during the second half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Football: Auburn Spring Game

April 9, 2022; Auburn, Alabama; Auburn Tigers running back Sean Jackson (24) carries as safety Donovan…

April 9, 2022; Auburn, Alabama; Auburn Tigers running back Sean Jackson (24) carries as safety Donovan Kaufman (1) closes in during the Spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Birmingham Bowl Football

Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) catches a pass for a first down as Auburn linebacker…

Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell (1) catches a pass for a first down as Auburn linebacker Wesley Steiner (32), cornerback Ro Torrence (14) and safety Donovan Kaufman (1) defend during the second half of the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

NCAA Football: Alabama at Auburn

Nov 27, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) breaks up a…

Nov 27, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) breaks up a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the first half at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Football: Alabama at Auburn

Nov 27, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) breaks up a…

Nov 27, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers Tigers safety Donovan Kaufman (1) breaks up a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the first half at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Penn St Football

Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker (53) looks to block Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during…

Penn State offensive lineman Rasheed Walker (53) looks to block Auburn safety Donovan Kaufman (1) during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.18, 2021.Penn State defeated Auburn 28.20. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

Auburn's 2024 draw is one of the SEC's toughest says CBS Sports

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

Auburn football playing a challenging SEC slate? Color us shocked.

The 2024 SEC schedule reveal took place on Wednesday, and even without the limitations of divisional play, Auburn is still going to face a gauntlet when Oklahoma and Texas join the conference next season.

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The Tigers will face their usual rivals in Alabama and Georgia next season, both on the road. Auburn will also have to travel to bowl-eligible teams in Kentucky and Missouri and will face Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Following the schedule reveal, CBS Sports writer Barrett Sallee ranked each program’s SEC slate by difficulty and ranked Auburn’s schedule as the second toughest in the conference.

Sallee says that Auburn’s road schedule is enough by itself to warrant the high ranking.

The Tigers currently have to play rivals Alabama and Georgia on the road during even-numbered years, so their road presence on the 2024 schedule isn’t exactly a shock. However, the big news is that they’re the only SEC team to have that distinguished (sarcasm intended) honor when the Longhorns and Sooners join.

The top honor goes to Oklahoma, who will have the pleasure of playing Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, and LSU in its initial season in the SEC. Florida checks in at No. 3 on the list, but its’ nonconference slate of Miami, UCF, and Florida State is reason enough to claim that it will have the most challenging schedule overall.

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__

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yahoo.com

 

Auburn is making a serious run to land five star LB Demarcus Riddick

Taylor Jones

2–3 minutes

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Auburn has already landed several four-star prospects from the 2024 recruiting cycle. The confidence that the staff has built is being put to the test as Hugh Freeze, Ron Roberts, and company are working to flip a five-star linebacker from his commitment to Georgia.

Demarcus Riddick, the No. 3 prospect from the state of Alabama for the class of 2024, recently paid a visit to Auburn to compete in a 7v7 camp with his high school teammates from Chilton County High School in Clanton.

While there, he told Jason Caldwell of Auburn Undercover that he enjoyed interacting with Auburn coaches and players, and says that he feels at home when he is on campus.

That is a bold statement from Riddick, who has been committed to Georgia since last November. Since his commitment, Riddick has been on campus for three unofficial visits and one official visit which took place last weekend. The hiring of Hugh Freeze has changed Riddick’s impression of Auburn, which has caused him to do a double take of his decision to commit to Georgia.

“Basically, they said they’re going to develop me as a player,” Riddick said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. “They want me here. I’m going to work my hardest to see what Alabama and Georgia are talking about. If they’re not really talking for real, I’m coming home.”

Be on the lookout for Riddick to announce his commitment on July 26. He tells Caldwell that the Tigers have “a big chance” to earn his commitment.

More Recruiting!

Four star DL Malik Blocton's decision is down to two schools

In-state WR names Auburn his leader

UAB slugger Christian Hall commits to Auburn baseball

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__

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

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yahoo.com

 

In-state WR names Auburn his leader

JD McCarthy

2–3 minutes

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Auburn has made recruiting the state of Alabama a priority in the 2024 cycle and one of their key targets is four-star wide receiver Mario Craver who is from Pinson, Alabama.

The interest is mutual as Craver recently named the Tigers the leader in his recruitment in an interview with On3’s Chad Simmons.

“Auburn is the leader right now,” he told Simmons. “I have visited Auburn three times since Coach Freeze took over and things have changed. The staff is much more involved with recruiting. The old staff was tense and it was just a different feeling. It is chill now, the staff is cool and the new staff is building something new over there.”

Craver is the No. 268 overall player and No. 45 wide receiver in the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also the No. 15 player from Alabama.

One of the reasons for Auburn’s move up Craver’s leaderboard is his relationship with wide receiver coach Marcus Davis, who Craver talks to frequently and is able to relate to as a smaller slot receiver.

Craver checks in at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds, nearly identical to Davis who Auburn listed at 5-foot-9 and 176 pounds ahead of his freshman season in 2013.

He is far from the only player from Clay-Chalkville High School that Auburn is targeting. They are the favorite to land four-star linebacker De’Angelo Barber and are working to flip five-star cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe from Alabama.

More Recruiting!

UAB slugger Christian Hall commits to Auburn baseball

Local 4-star wide receiver puts Auburn in top seven schools

J'Marion Burnette becomes latest Auburn commit to 'shut down' recruitment

Twitter reacts to Joseph Phillips' commitment

Four-star LB Joseph Phillips commits to Auburn over Georgia, Tennessee

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 JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire

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first time i have seen this guys podcast. let me know if you want more from him and i will include his stuff when it pops up..........

[AUwent 3,837]

SIAP but this was surprising:

Edited June 19, 2023 by AUwent