6.19.23 Football Articles

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Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 6 Ja'Varrius Johnson

JD McCarthy

9–11 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 wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson. The senior was Auburn’s leading wide receiver last season and should benefit from Auburn’s reworked passing attack.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Trussville, Alabama

Height: 5-10

Weight: 167

Class in 2023: Senior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star / No. 10 in Alabama / No. 29 WR

Career Stats

Year	G	Receptions	Yards	YPC	YPG	TDs
2020	1	0	0	0	0	0
2021	12	19	274	14.4	22.8	2
2022	12	26	767	19.0	41.1	3

PFF Grades

Year	Offense	Receiving	Drops	Run Blocking
2020	54.9	55.6	–	60.0
2021	65.4	65.7	50.6	50.7
2022	70.3	73.1	78.4	49.1

Depth Chart Overview

Johnson led Auburn’s wide receivers in every significant category last season and is poised for another big year. The fifth-year senior brings plenty of experience to the table and with Auburn’s addition at the quarterback and other wide receiver spots they should have a much more successful passing attack.

With Johnson’s ability to get open in the slot and Auburn’s expected use of short-quick passes he has a great shot to once again lead Auburn in receptions out of the slot.

Ja’Varrius Johnson’s Photo Gallery

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass in the end zone for a…

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown as Auburn Tigers take on Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi…

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated Auburn Tigers 43-34.

Arkansas v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers looks to…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers looks to catch a pass in front of defensive back Dwight McGlothern #3 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 29, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Mercer v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 03: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers looks to…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 03: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers looks to escape a tackle by safety Myles Redding #34 of the Mercer Bears and linebacker Marques Thomas #55 of the Mercer Bears during the first half of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Mississippi State v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers catches a…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers catches a pass for a first down in front of safety Jay Jimison #36 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the forth quarter of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

15 Auburn-15

10/15/22; Oxford, MS, USA; Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) dodge during Auburn vs Ole Miss

10/15/22; Oxford, MS, USA; Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) dodge during Auburn vs Ole Miss Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Football

Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches during the Football Game between the Auburn Tigers and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers…

Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches during the Football Game between the Auburn Tigers and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Nov 19, 2022. Todd Van Emst/Auburn Tigers

Mercer Auburn Football

Auburn's Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) is forced out of bounds by Mercer's Isaiah Washburn (40) during the…

Auburn's Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) is forced out of bounds by Mercer's Isaiah Washburn (40) during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Mercer Auburn Football

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass as Mercer cornerback TJ Moore (25) defends…

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass as Mercer cornerback TJ Moore (25) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

1 auburn 6

10/01/22; Auburn, AL, USA; Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) touchdown during Auburn vs Louisiana State University

10/01/22; Auburn, AL, USA; Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) touchdown during Auburn vs Louisiana State University Zach Bland/AU Athletics

San Jose State v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 10: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers dives into…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 10: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers dives into the end zone for a touchdown that was later called back during the second half of their game against the San Jose State Spartans at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

NCAA Football: Mercer at Auburn

Sep 3, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) gets past Mercer…

Sep 3, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) gets past Mercer Bears cornerback TJ Moore (25) and makes a catch during the third quarter against at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Syndication: The Montgomery Advertiser

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) fails to pull in a pass during an open football…

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) fails to pull in a pass during an open football practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, March 20, 2021. © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

Georgia State v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 25: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers dives for…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 25: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers dives for a pass in front of linebacker Jacorey Crawford #10 of the Georgia State Panthers during the forth quarter of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Mississippi State v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers runs the…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball in front of safety Collin Duncan #19 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter of play at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

NCAA Football: Birmingham Bowl-Houston at Auburn

Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass…

Dec 28, 2021; Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the 2021 Birmingham Bowl at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn Texas A M Football

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) tries to avoid a tackle during a punt return against…

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) tries to avoid a tackle during a punt return against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

APTOPIX Auburn Arkansas Football

Auburn receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) scores a touchdown against Arkansas during the first half of an…

Auburn receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) scores a touchdown against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

NCAA Football: Auburn at Arkansas

Oct 16, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass…

Oct 16, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) catches a pass for touchdown in the first quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Syndication: Montgomery

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) returns the ball during the first quarter. © Jake Crandall…

Auburn wide receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson (6) returns the ball during the first quarter. © Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Long snapper JR Buckner commits to Auburn

Daniel Locke

~2 minutes

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Hugh Freeze’s big recruiting week continued when the Tigers landed the commitment of long snapper JR Buckner.

Buckner is a native of Auburn, Alabama, and attends Auburn High School.

In an interview with Bryan Matthews of Auburn Rivals, Buckner gave his thoughts on getting to play for the Tigers.

“It means everything,” said Buckner, “I grew up wanting to be an Auburn Tiger, and getting an opportunity to do it just means the world to me.”

Buckner also elaborated on what made him decide to pursue long snapping.

“I knew I wasn’t going to play SEC football as a 6-foot offensive lineman,” he said, “So I had to find my niche and long snapping was it.”

Buckner hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Auburn long snapper Josh Harris who has been in the NFL for over a decade.

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On3 Roundtable highlights Auburn’s playmakers at wide receiver

Taylor Jones

~3 minutes

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The 2023 edition of the Auburn Tigers will look vastly different.

Auburn’s offense will see notable changes at offensive line and wide receiver. The latter position group was discussed on a recent episode of The On3 Roundtable.

Host J.D. PicKell welcomed Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson to chat about the Tigers last week. Auburn will have several new faces lining up to catch passes from either Robby Ashford or Payton Thorne this season thanks to the transfer portal. Players such as Jyaire Shorter, Shane Hooks, and Nick Mardner will be tall targets for Auburn’s quarterbacks, but the one transfer receiver that Hokanson is most looking forward to watching is FIU transfer Rivaldo Fairweather.

Fairweather comes to Auburn after reeling in 28 catches for 426 yards and three touchdowns last season at FIU and is poised to help out the Tigers at tight end.

He’s only played football for four or five years of his life, but played basketball, played soccer in high school, super athletic and super raw,” Hokanson said. “That kid’s got NFL potential written all over him. He’s going to be really interesting to see. Is he involved in just the red zone or is he involved all the way up and down the field? He’s a guy that’s going to be a big target.”

Outside of the new transfers, Auburn’s leading receiver from a season ago returns to the roster.

Ja'Varrius Johnson caught 26 passes for 493 yards last season for the Tigers. Hokanson believes that Auburn’s fresh receivers will provide relief to Johnson.

“I think there’s a lot to be determined. I don’t know that there will be a premier pass catcher,” Hokanson said. “I feel like you’ve got some guys that can maybe turn into reliable guys across the board but I would probably start with those four.”

According to Pro Football Focus, three of Auburn’s top offensive players reside in the receiving corps.

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Hayes: 2024? Let’s predict every SEC game for 2023 first …

Matt Hayes

10–12 minutes

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The SEC released its 2024 schedule on Wednesday and, predictably, predictions ensued.

Can we get through 2023 first?

It’s more than just picking games. It’s reading schedules and trends, and identifying potential trap games.

What could be now, and in Week 0, and in November will be completely different at every stage. Teams grow and develop and sustain critical injuries.

But that doesn’t mean it’s throwing darts when picking the winner of every game of the SEC season.

The predicted record for every team, including ceiling and floor, for the last season of division play in the SEC in 2023:

East Division

1. Georgia (11-1, 7-1)

Wins: UT-Martin, Ball State, South Carolina, UAB, Auburn, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Florida, Missouri, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech.

Loss: Tennessee.

The ceiling (national title): Coach Kirby Smart takes the final step in recreating Alabama at Georgia, replacing 1 elite quarterback (Stetson Bennett) with another (Carson Beck) — and the Dawgs win their 3rd straight national championship.

The floor (10-2, 2nd in East Division): Beck doesn’t play to his potential, and a long offseason full of off-field distraction finally takes its toll.

2022 prediction: 11-1, 7-1.
2022 finish: 12-0, 8-0.

2. Tennessee (10-2, 6-2)

Wins: Virginia, Austin Peay, UTSA, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Kentucky, UConn, Missouri, Georgia, Vanderbilt.

Losses: Florida, Alabama.

The ceiling (Playoff): QB Joe Milton III had 10 TD and 0 INT in 2022, and triples those numbers as the starter while the Tennessee defense gets more stops.

The floor (8-4): Milton isn’t as much of a run threat as Hendon Hooker, and isn’t as accurate or efficient at avoiding bad plays — leading to a QB change (freshman Nico Iamaleava) and a step back from 2022.

2022 prediction: 9-3, 5-3.
2022 finish: 10-2, 6-2.

3. South Carolina (7-5, 4-4)

Wins: North Carolina, Furman, Mississippi State, Florida, Jacksonville State, Vanderbilt, Kentucky.
Losses: Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Missouri, Clemson.

The ceiling (9-3): Gamecocks are just about maxed out, unless QB Spencer Rattler has a Heisman Trophy-worthy season. In that scenario, 11 wins isn’t out of the question.

The floor (4-8): Rattler plays more like the first 2 months of 2022, and holes in the South Carolina defense are exposed.

2022 prediction: 7-5, 4-4.
2022 finish: 8-4, 4-4.

4. Kentucky (7-5, 3-5)

Wins: Ball State, EKU, Akron, Vanderbilt, Florida, Missouri, Louisville.

Losses: Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Alabama, South Carolina.

The ceiling (10-2): Just how good can QB Devin Leary be — and can UK protect him? If he plays like he did in 2021 at NC State (with UK’s elite receivers), it’s going to be a fun season in the Commonwealth.

The floor (6-6): The SEC isn’t the ACC, folks. The defenses are bigger and faster, and the coverage windows tighter. And if UK doesn’t improve pass protection? Yikes.

2022 prediction: 9-3, 5-3.
2022 finish: 7-5, 3-5.

5. Florida (6-6, 4-4)

Wins: McNeese, Tennessee, Charlotte, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Missouri.

Losses: Utah, Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia, LSU, Florida State.

The ceiling (7-5): QB Graham Mertz has the best season of his uneven career, and significantly reduces turnovers. A young team isn’t intimidated by playing fistfight SEC games.

The floor (4-8): The Gators were a handful of plays from losses to Utah and USF in 2022, and that would’ve translated to 4 wins. Here we are again, and a lot has to go right on both sides of the ball to avoid a 4-win season.

2022 prediction: 7-5, 4-4.
2022 finish: 6-6, 3-5.

6. Vanderbilt (4-8, 1-7)

Wins: Hawaii, Alabama A&M, UNLV, Missouri

Losses: Wake Forest, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee.

The ceiling (7-5): The Commodores could beat Auburn at home, and Florida and Kentucky again (like 2022). With QB AJ Swann, every game will be interesting.

The floor (2-10): The UNLV game on the road won’t be easy, and Vandy will more than likely be an underdog — just like the Commodores will be in every SEC game.

2022 prediction: 3-9, 0-8.
2022 finish: 5-7, 2-6.

7. Missouri (4-8, 1-7)

Wins: South Dakota, Middle Tennessee, Memphis, South Carolina.

Losses: Kansas State, Vanderbilt, LSU, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas.

The ceiling (8-4): 8 starters return from 1 of the SEC’s best defenses in 2022. If Mizzou finds a QB (Sam Horn?) who can stretch the field accurately, there are at least 4 more wins on the schedule.

The floor (3-9): No matter the QB, the defense alone will get Missouri through 3 non-conference games. If you’re going to win SEC games, you better have a legit quarterback.

2022 prediction: 4-8, 1-7.
2022 finish: 6-6, 3-5.

West Division

1. LSU (11-1, 7-1)

Wins: Florida State, Grambling, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Missouri, Auburn, Army, Alabama, Florida, Georgia State, Texas A&M.

Losses: Ole Miss.

The ceiling (national title): Coach Brian Kelly says QB Jayden Daniels wants to be the best at his position. If he is — with significant improvement on the lines of scrimmage — no one beats LSU.

The floor: (9-3): There are 3 teams with enough talent to beat LSU: FSU, Alabama and Texas A&M. But if Daniels makes the same jump this season that he did last year and increases from an impressive 2022 (28 total TDs, 3 INT), it will be difficult.

2022 prediction: 8-4, 4-4.
2022 finish: 9-3, 6-2.

2. Alabama (9-3, 6-2)

Wins: Middle Tennessee, USF, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Chattanooga, Auburn.

Losses: Texas, Texas A&M, LSU.

The ceiling (Playoff): It all has to work out perfectly for whoever plays QB, like 2015 when Jake Coker was a caretaker early and developed into a dominant player in the last month of the season.

The floor (8-4): As long as Alabama doesn’t have a problem with ball security at quarterback, it will simply out-talent 8 teams on the schedule. The one potential hiccup: Tennessee.

2022 prediction: 11-1, 7-1.
2022 finish: 10-2, 6-2.

3. Texas A&M (9-3, 5-3)

Wins: New Mexico, Miami, Louisiana-Monroe, Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Abilene Christian.

Losses: Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU.

The ceiling (10-2): I’m going all in on the impact of OC/QBs coach/play caller Bob Petrino and his development of talented sophomore QB Conner Weigman. This is a Playoff team in 2024.

The floor (7-5): How do we get here? An ugly loss at Miami in Week 2 will absolutely make coach Jimbo Fisher rethink the idea of giving Petrino full control of the offense and play calling. Then egos clash, and then it gets interesting.

2022 prediction: 9-3, 5-3.
2022 finish: 5-7, 2-6.

4. Ole Miss (8-4, 4-4)

Wins: Mercer, Tulane, Georgia Tech, LSU, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State.

Losses: Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, Georgia.

The ceiling (10-2): I really like this team with the addition of QB Spencer Sanders, and the improvement of QB Jaxson Dart. They’ll both play and make significant contributions, and the transfer portal has helped fortify the defense.

The floor (6-6): Tulane could get tricky in New Orleans, as could Arkansas after back-to-back games against Alabama and LSU. But this team will win 1 big game it shouldn’t, and I’m convinced it’s LSU in Oxford.

2022 prediction: 7-5, 3-5.
2022 finish: 8-4, 4-4.

5. Arkansas (8-4, 4-4)

Wins: Western Carolina, Kent State, BYU, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Auburn, FIU, Missouri.

Losses: LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida.

The ceiling (10-2): The Hogs could have won 11 games last season, but lost 4 games by a combined 7 points. QB KJ Jefferson’s adjustment to new OC/QB coach Dan Enos can change everything — 1 way or the other.

The floor (6-6): Don’t underestimate the loss of OC/QB coach Kendal Briles. He not only developed Jefferson, his play-calling was impactful. Also: how do the Hogs adjust to 18 transfers?

2022 prediction: 9-3, 5-3.
2022 finish: 6-6, 3-5.

6. Auburn (6-6, 3-5)

Wins: UMass, Stamford, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, New Mexico State.

Losses: California, Texas A&M, Georgia, LSU, Arkansas, Alabama.

The ceiling (8-4): A big jump from 2022, yes. But the defense will be strong again, and the offense will be more consistent and coherent. Auburn will play with confidence for the first time in 2 years.

The floor (5-7): There’s a huge chasm between what could be at quarterback and what will be. There were times over the past 2 years when Payton Thorne make game-changing plays at Michigan State — and game-turning mistakes.

2022 prediction: 7-5, 3-5.
2022 finish: 5-7, 2-6.

7. Mississippi State (5-7, 1-7)

Wins: SE Louisiana, Arizona, Western Michigan, Kentucky, Southern Miss.

Losses: LSU, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Texas A&M, Ole Miss.

The ceiling (8-4): QB Will Rogers adjusts to a brand new offense, and the Bulldogs adjust to a new head coach and philosophy. New OC Kevin Barbay can’t get too far away from what made the Bulldogs a threat every week under the late Mike Leach: the arm of Rogers.

The floor (4-8): Coach Zach Arnett is quickly turning over the roster (37 new players, including 10 transfers), and it will take time. What will it look like? Arkansas in 2022 — with too many close losses.

2022 prediction: 7-5, 3-5.
2022 finish: 8-4, 4-4.

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Auburn is 'at the top somewhere' for 4-star OL DeAndre Carter

JD McCarthy

~2 minutes

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Auburn hosted four-star offensive lineman DeAndre Carter on an official visit over the weekend and its safe to say they knocked it out of the park.

“They (Auburn) shot pretty high up,” Carter told Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente. “I really loved it here, they’re definitely up at the top somewhere.”

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“It went really good, I loved it a lot,” Carter added. “My first time being here, pretty much everything stood out. It was a big eye-opener for everything. It was very family-oriented. I love the coaches, I love their energy, I love what they want to do with the program. Loved everything.”

It was the first trip to Auburn for the Santa Ana, California native as Auburn is looking to pull him all the way across the country, something Carter is ok with doing.

“I’m open to it, it doesn’t really bother me leaving or staying,” Carter said. “I’ve been gone far from home for a couple months and didn’t really bother me.”

Carter is the No. 88 overall player and No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite ranking. The 6-foot-4, 340-pounder is also the No. 13 player from California.

While he is listed as a potential guard, Auburn offensive line coach Jake Thornton thinks he has a chance to stick at tackle and is recruiting him as a guard or tackle.

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.

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aupreacher man thanks for the love my auburn friend!  i appreciate it so much!

 

happy holiday guys!

[W.E.D 11,071]

1 hour ago, aubiefifty said:

6. Auburn (6-6, 3-5)

Losses: California

All credibility gone from that author 

[AuCivilEng1 12,204]

15 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

All credibility gone from that author 

Auburn is getting a ton of disrespect from the national sports media this offseason. And maybe it’s deserved. I’m choosing to chalk this up to them not taking the time to research the state of our football program. I’m hoping that I’m not just blind to reality at this point and these guys are right, but I just don’t think thats the case.

[W.E.D 11,071]

50 minutes ago, AuCivilEng1 said:

Auburn is getting a ton of disrespect from the national sports media this offseason. And maybe it’s deserved. I’m choosing to chalk this up to them not taking the time to research the state of our football program. I’m hoping that I’m not just blind to reality at this point and these guys are right, but I just don’t think thats the case.

National media has always done a really bad job of being overly simplistic in CFB of "Good last year = Good this year & Bad last year = Bad this year".  Portal has made this much different.

I think there i some in between of us being bad b/c we were bad & first year coach and how good most AU fans think we got.  Probably leaning towards AU fans than media tho.

But....the idea we'd lose to Cal is just stupid.  We would have demolished them last year and will this year.  They are Vandy level bad.  I don't know how we'll fair vs mid-tier teams like Miss Schools/A&M/Ark....but I think we're on par with them right now.

[AuCivilEng1 12,204]

1 hour ago, W.E.D said:

National media has always done a really bad job of being overly simplistic in CFB of "Good last year = Good this year & Bad last year = Bad this year".  Portal has made this much different.

I think there i some in between of us being bad b/c we were bad & first year coach and how good most AU fans think we got.  Probably leaning towards AU fans than media tho.

But....the idea we'd lose to Cal is just stupid.  We would have demolished them last year and will this year.  They are Vandy level bad.  I don't know how we'll fair vs mid-tier teams like Miss Schools/A&M/Ark....but I think we're on par with them right now.

I agree. The only thing I can see being an issue with that Cal game is the travel and time zone issues. It's going to be the equivalent of a 9:30 kickoff for Auburn.  But that is it. By every other metric, Auburn should dominate Cal. 

[W.E.D 11,071]

20 minutes ago, AuCivilEng1 said:

I agree. The only thing I can see being an issue with that Cal game is the travel and time zone issues. It's going to be the equivalent of a 9:30 kickoff for Auburn.  But that is it. By every other metric, Auburn should dominate Cal. 

Late is a weird thing, but these are 20 year olds and time doesn't effect them like my old ass

[Hank2020 3,358]

46 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

Late is a weird thing, but these are 20 year olds and time doesn't effect them like my old ass

I agree (but only about late times not effecting 20 year olds. I know nothing about your anatomy). lol

[toddc 13,197]

Auburn's Battie tabbed preseason All-American by Phil Steele

An All-America nod in 2023 would be the second of Battie’s career

Nathan King18 mins

Auburn hopes one of its most productive transfer additions is a game-breaker on special teams in 2023.

And Brian Battie is being recognized as such, at least by one notable outlet early in the summer. Phil Steele’s annual college football preview magazine has hit the stands, and the new Auburn running back has earned third team All-American honors in the all-purpose category.

This time last year, Steele tabbed Auburn’s Derick Hall (second team defensive line) and Owen Pappoe (fourth team linebacker) as preseason All-Americans.

An All-America nod in 2023 would be the second of Battie’s career; the USF transfer was a consensus first team All-American kick returner in 2021, after he led all of college football with three kick-return touchdowns, and was No. 6 nationally at 32.5 yards per return.

The two players chosen above Battie by Steele were Louisiana Tech’s Smoke Harrison the first team, and Colorado’s Travis Hunter on the second team.

Looking to create one of the SEC’s best rushing duos with rising junior Jarquez Hunter in the Auburn backfield, Battie ran for 1,185 yards last season (6.8 yards per carry). According to Pro Football Focus, Battie’s “breakaway percentage” of 45.8 was the ninth-best in college football last season, directly behind All-SEC running backs Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) and Raheim Sanders (Arkansas).

The 5-foot-7, 170-pound Battie was one of Auburn’s first transfer pickups back in early January, and 247Sports rates him as the No. 6 transfer running back this cycle. His overall grade of 87.5 by Pro Football Focus last season is the highest of Auburn's 20 incoming transfers, followed closely by App State pass-rusher Jalen McLeod (86.6).

“I’m super excited about Brian,” Auburn running backs coach Cadillac Williams said during spring practice. “He’s dynamic, explosive, a one-cut runner. Like I said before, I know he’s a smaller guy, but you don’t see clean licks on him. He understands leverage, angles — tough kid, will stick his face in the fan, pass block.”

Auburn’s top kick-return option last season was Hunter, who averaged 21.6 yards per return. During spring practice, Battie also repped on kick returns with fellow running back Damari Alston, defensive back Keionte Scott and receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson, among others.

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It's just a matter of time': Former Hugh Freeze receiver sees Auburn as a future championship contender

Cole Pinkston

(Photo by Auburn Athletics)

The Hugh Freeze era is on its way for Auburn football.

Auburn fans have already gotten an idea of what to expect in recruiting with some late flips in the 2023 class, a top 5 transfer portal class, and a some big wins so far in the 2024 class. 

There is plenty of evidence of Freeze turning programs around. He brought both Ole Miss and Liberty up during his time at those schools.

What about when Freeze took over at Arkansas State in 2011? He took the Red Wolves from a 4-8 record as offensive coordinator to 10-3 as head coach the very next year. 

One of his top players on that team, wide receiver Dwayne Frampton, still covets his time under Freeze. His son, class of 2027 athlete Hakim Frampton, has already received an offer from Auburn and Freeze. The bond between Frampton and Freeze is still going strong today.

[ California ATH Hakim Frampton has deep ties with Hugh Freeze, Auburn ]

Frampton spoke in-depth with Auburn Live about what Auburn fans can expect with Freeze in charge. 

Dwayne Frampton at Arkansas State

Frampton was a play maker for Freeze’s offense at Arkansas State. In 2010, when Freeze was the offensive coordinator for the Red Wolves, Frampton had 69 catches, 738 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

In 2011, when Freeze went from offensive coordinator to head coach, Frampton had a huge uptick in stats. He recorded 94 catches, 1,156 yards, and 6 touchdowns.

One of those touchdown catches came in the 2010 season opener against Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium, a place that Frampton remembers fondly.

via GIPHY

“My first collegiate football game at the division one level was against Auburn,” Frampton said. “I scored on them first. When Cam was there, I scored on them first. That’s when Steve Roberts was our head coach, still. When I came into that stadium, I was like wow, what it would feel like to play here. Wish I could have had the opportunity to play here. I was playing against Trovon Reed, Zac Etheridge, Neiko Thorpe, Josh Bynes, I was playing against some serious talent. I had their respect because I had about 8 catches for 74 yards, and a touchdown.”

“For them (Auburn) to be my son’s first scholarship, from the man that coached me in that same stadium–for me, it’s just nothing short of God’s work,” Frampton said. “That’s so ironic for my son to get a scholarship offer from the man who is now the head coach in that same stadium in which I played in.”

Frampton knew Freeze would be a head coach while he was an offensive coordinator

Frampton learned how to appreciate the game of football from Freeze.

“Man, my time with Pop (Freeze) was beautiful, I was blessed,” Frampton said. “He was the first coach I ever had change my mindset on the game of football and my approach. I learned how to be more appreciative. God says when you’re grateful, he gives you more, and that is what Freeze taught me. He has been my father-like figure ever since.”

Frampton knew when he met Freeze that he would be a head coach. 

“Freeze got there 2010 when I got there. Clay Helton was my original offensive coordinator, he got the USC job. Then they brought Freeze in, I believe from Lambuth,” Frampton said. “He was the OC, but I knew he was going to be our head coach. Just the way Coach Steve Roberts allowed him to take the floor, how we just all bought into his system, bought into his beliefs, and bought into what it was that he was selling. We turned the tide from 4-8 to 10-3.”

Frampton still uses Freeze’s offensive philosophy to this day. In his opinion, there was no better offensive mind that he came across during his football career.

“I played slot receiver and on the outside,” Frampton said. “Freeze, the way he dissects, man he is a chemist when you sit on the board with him. His football knowledge is, in my opinion, second-to-none, especially offensively. He has this thing called the Talladega system where it’s just go, go, go. We bought into it so much to where we didn’t know anything else but to hurry up. He would either say Talladega or he would say Nascar. It’s just the system that I learned and now it is helping me bring that back to these kids that I’m coaching out here in Cali.”

He knows how to connect with people, first and foremost

Former Arkansas State receiver Dwayne Frampton and his son, 2027 Athlete Hakim Frampton, after a game

Aside from football, Freeze had a unique approach with his football team. When it came to appreciating football, he first wanted his team to appreciate life. Frampton says he broke everything down to a specific science.

“Obviously, man, I don’t know how much people believe in God, but I do and he does,” Frampton said. “I promise you man, if I could write a book about it we should. The way he told us to be more appreciative for our opportunities. 95 percent of the team bought in to that saying: ‘Be grateful.’ When you were grateful you received more. We all just started to appreciate being able to have the legs to run around, the hands to catch the ball, the sight to see. Coach just broke it down to a science. Man, these things are a privilege that we are allowed to use. We all bought in man. I’m sure he did that at Liberty just as he did at Ole Miss. And, I’m sure he’s going to do that at Jordan-Hare Stadium.”

What, in Frampton’s opinion, made Freeze so great? Why does the relationship between the two mean so much to him years later?

“He’s a great head coach because he knows how to connect with people,” Frampton said. “He knows how to connect with his players, he is a player’s coach. Anybody who played for Freeze will love him. Yes, he is going to ride you when you’re messing up, that’s what his job is, but for the most part, he is a great man. Everybody is flawed, I’m sure there are a lot questions about what happened at Ole Miss and stuff like that, but the only man who should cast a stone is the one who hasn’t committed sin. Freeze, to me, is the epitome of a man that I would want my son to play college football for. I was blessed with the luxury to do so.”

What can Auburn fans expect from Freeze?

“What Auburn fans can expect from him, realistically, is for him to put everything on the line and to get them back to that national championship era. I highly doubt he won’t, I highly doubt he won’t, it’s just a matter of time,” Frampton said.