6.21.23 Football Articles

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million three-stage project scheduled to be completed by the 2026 season. It will include box seats behind home plate, premium seating areas down the third base line and in the current press box, seats on top of the green monster in left field and more.

Everything will begin this July with phase one of the project scheduled to be completed for the 2024 season and phases two and three to be done later.

Phase one will be called the ‘Hall of Fame Club’ in honor of Frank Thomas. That’s the area beneath the grandstands and includes the previous batting cage/weight room and the alumni room.

A look at the seating that will extend out behind home plate. (Photo: Auburn Athletics, 247Sports)

The renovations will include 113 field level reserved seats that will extend from dugout to dugout behind home plate. There will be access for additional fans along a drink rail behind the seating area. Those will be available for purchase by existing season ticket holders who want to keep their existing seats, but also purchase the add-on to have access to club level before, during and after games. This renovation will also include a 3000 square foot club level that encompasses what is currently the weight room and alumni room. 

That area will be constructed out from what is currently the home plate area at Plainsman Park. Only a few seats (less than 20) will be lost in the renovations, with construction coming out approximately 12 feet from the current brick wall. That will allow the construction of the two rows of reserve seats along with the drink rail. 

The first project is scheduled to be done for the 2024 season with work beginning in just a few weeks.

The other steps will also begin construction at a similar time with some scheduled to be done for next season and the rest in 2025 with all team spaces by 2026.

One area that will continue to get upgraded is the right-center field area that has become a huge draw for students and others wanting to have a true outfield experience. The upgrades include tiering the area to allow more viewing areas while continuing to have that tailgating experience from outside the ballpark. That’s scheduled to be completed before next season.

Another project that will start construction this summer, but won’t be ready until 2025 is in three pieces. The first piece will be a three-level structure down the first base line that will be built where the current Plainsman Park patio is located. On the bottom of level will be on street level from Donahue Drive. That will feature renovated and expanded restroom areas. On the second level, the patio level is going to be significantly expanded to include a full walk-in concessions market where fans will be able to walk in and shop during the game. 

The structure located down the first base line from street view (Photo: Auburn Athletics, 247Sports)

The entire area will be covered with the patio area an open-air section while the walk-in concession area will be indoors.

Rounding out the third floor of the structure will be a first base club area that features roughly 200 seats. They will be a mixture of chairback seating options as well as loge seating options (sectioned off areas) for fans to purchase. 

That facility will also house the press box, which will move from behind home plate to the area down the first base line. That’s similar to what both Mississippi State and Ole Miss have done recently. That will allow for an expanded area to make some improvements. 

A look at the area down the first base line that will include seating areas, press box, market and more. (Photo: Auburn Athletics, 247Sports)

Both the TV and radio booths will remain in the current press box configuration with scholarship seating going into what is currently the press areas in the middle. Those will be similar to what has been done at Jordan-Hare Stadium with the Broadway Club taking on what used to be the press box.

Those renovations aren’t scheduled to be completed until the 2025 season and won't begin construction until after the 2024 season.

That brings us to the final piece of the puzzle, seating on top of the green monster. Those seats will be done in connection with the Tiger Terrace area down the third base line and they will be general admission tickets. The terrace and green monster areas are going to become one big area with the ability to move back and forth between the two. There will be two-tiers on top of the monster to allow better viewing areas and will be more of a concourse area instead of fixed seats. It will be ticketed with the Tiger Terrace.

A view of what the area on top of the green monster will look like. (Photo: Auburn Athletics, 247Sports)

With that facility going up top, Auburn is going to build a pitching lab underneath. That will include a renovation of Auburn’s bullpen areas to include more room and the ability to work more pitchers and more efficiently during the winter months and during inclement weather.

In conjunction with these months, the current weight room (located in the old batting cages underneath the stadium on the first base line) will be moved to the bottom floor of the facility located behind Plainsman Park. That’s where the coaches offices and administrative staff are currently located. They will move to the second floor of that facility with Dr. Mike Goodlett and his staff making the move to the old athletic complex.

A final area that will get touched are the locker room and training areas for the team. Those renovations will be staggered for completion between the 2025 and 2026 seasons. That will include an expanded locker room area, a new nutrition center to go along with the weight room, and a new team meeting room.

https://twitter.com/auburnbaseball/status/1671197868999446530?s=46&t=nFiN8kaa9HvchkjUq9LpwA

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

No LSU? No problem: Oklahoma to become Auburn's most notable SEC opponent in 2024

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

Tradition is sacred, and often the most comfortable aspect of life. But there is something exciting about shaking things up a bit.

That’s what Auburn football will experience in 2024. It will not play LSU for the first time since 1992 due to the SEC’s decision to eliminate divisions with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas.

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Despite the lack of LSU on the schedule, Auburn will still have a challenging slate thanks to scheduled road trips to Alabama and Georgia in 2024. Who replaces LSU as the notable even-year home game for Auburn? AL.com’s Mark Heim said that honor will go to the new kid on the block, Oklahoma.

Heim broke down every SEC program’s 2024 schedule and selected the most notable game for every SEC team. Auburn’s date with Oklahoma will be exciting. It will mark the first time the Tigers face the Sooners at a home site in both programs’ history.

Auburn has faced Oklahoma twice, both at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. The Sooners defeated Auburn and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Pat Sullivan in the 1972 Sugar Bowl, 40-22, behind a solid day from quarterback Jack Mildren.

The second meeting between these two programs took place in 2017. Oklahoma beat Auburn, 35-17. The Tigers trailed Oklahoma, 14-13, at halftime, but the Sooners scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to run away with the win. Sooners’ quarterback Baker Mayfield won the MVP award after gaining 330 all-purpose yards.

In addition to Oklahoma, Auburn will also host Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Arkansas in 2024.

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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si.com

 

Why Brian Battie will break out for Auburn football in 2023

Joshua Collins

3–4 minutes

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Will Brian Battie be the breakout special teams performer at kick returner for Auburn football in 2023?

Returning with another installment of our “Break Out Performer” series, this time with a focus on the often underrated and underreported special teams play, we ask once more who on Auburn football’s roster will break out this 2023 season?

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

With this consideration in mind, we can return once more to the incredible haul of transfer portal and high school talent that Hugh Freeze and Co. has managed to reel in over the course of an impressive off-season. Fortunately enough, this decision was fairly easy to come to, as the coaching staff recognized a need to add a return specialist on special teams, and they subsequently succeeded with the addition of the University of South Florida running back Brian Battie.

Brian Battie comes to us by way of the transfer portal from USF, where he played 3 seasons as a running back and kick returner. The 5-foot-7, 170-pound consensus 4-Star running back hails from Sarasota, Florida where he played his senior season at Sarasota High School. After committing to the University of South Florida on April 17, of 2019, he instantly began producing impressive numbers as a kick returner. Through the course of his three seasons at USF Battie logged a total of 59 returns totaling to 1,427 yards, while raking in three touchdowns in the 2021 season alone.

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Per the stat lines, Battie’s 2021 season was his most impressive season to date as a kick returner, averaging 32.5 yards per return. Despite showing a slight dip in stats on his 2022 seasons kick return performance, it should be noted that Brian Battie stepped into the RB1 role for USF that year as well, nearly tripling his number of snaps in the backfield from his previous season. His logging considerably more reps in the backfield likely affected his stat line for special teams.

With this in mind, I would confidently wager that Brian Battie will be the explosive break out performer on special teams this season for the Auburn football program. Although his number of snaps in backfield will likely affect his return numbers slightly, I believe the faithful Auburn fanbase has a lot to be excited about on Special teams this season, with Brian Battie leading the charge of that excitement.

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si.com

 

ChatGPT ranks Auburn football's best running backs of all-time

Lance Dawe

~3 minutes

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Here's ChatGPT's list of Auburn football's greatest running backs.

The ChatGPT saga continues.

We turned to ChatGPT, OpenAI's advanced language model, to dive into the rich history of Auburn football. We requested a list of the top ten Auburn running backs of all time, hoping to highlight some of the most formidable talent in the program's history. ChatGPT took us on a nostalgic journey, featuring players whose tenacity and skill left indelible marks on Auburn's gridiron.

Here's what it came up with (it wrote this entire article):

Bo Jackson (1982-1985)

Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

Heisman Trophy winner in 1985, and one of the greatest athletes in history.

Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (2001-2004)

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2004 Dale Zanine

He is Auburn's all-time leading rusher and was a key player in the Tigers' undefeated season in 2004.

James Brooks (1977-1980)

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Brooks ranks third in Auburn history for all-purpose yards and was a versatile back who also had success as a receiver.

Joe Cribbs (1976-1979)

© Robert Johnson / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

A dual-threat running back, Cribbs ranks fifth in Auburn history in terms of rushing yards and was also a capable receiver.

Brent Fullwood (1983-1986)

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Fullwood led the SEC in rushing in 1986 and was named a consensus All-American that same year.

Tre Mason (2011-2013)

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

He holds the Auburn record for most rushing yards in a season, set during the 2013 season when Auburn played in the BCS Championship Game.

Ronnie Brown (2000-2004)

© Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Brown was a powerful runner and effective receiver out of the backfield, playing alongside Cadillac Williams.

Kenny Irons (2005-2006)

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Despite only playing two seasons for the Tigers, Irons ran for over 2,000 yards.

Ben Tate (2006-2009)

Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

Tate had a very consistent career, finishing with 3,321 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns.

Stephen Davis (1993-1995)

Scott Halleran/Allsport

Davis ranks eighth in Auburn's history in terms of rushing yards and also had success in the NFL.

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thanks for stopping by. i will update later if i get the chance. war eagle guys!

[bigbird 60,942]

1 hour ago, aubiefifty said:

thanks for stopping by. i will update later if i get the chance. war eagle guys!

Appreciate having all the podcast and videos in one place. Thanks, 50

[ellitor 33,896]

Auburn Live just dropped a recruiting podcast reviewing last weeks OVs and looking ahead yo the next couple of weeks.

 

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si.com

 

Auburn's Jake Thornton named top-10 OL coach in college football

Lance Dawe

3–4 minutes

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Thornton is one of the best o-line coaches in the country according to Big Game Boomer.

Auburn's offensive line should be much improved in 2023.

It's largely due in part to the acquisitions the Tigers landed through the transfer portal - but having a new coach heading up the group should give them a boost as well.

Big Game Boomer, a college football social media influencer, has released a graphic ranking the best offensive line coaches in the country. Auburn's Jake Thornton, who is moving over from Ole Miss, is ranked No. 7 nationally.

The only SEC o-line coach ranked ahead of Thornton is Stacy Searels of Georgia.

The Rebels ranked in the top 10 in the country in total offense in each of Thornton's two seasons in Oxford, leading the Southeastern Conference in the category (492.5) in 2021 before pacing the league and ranking third in the country in rushing offense (261.6) in 2022.

This season, the Rebels offensive line paved the way for 3,139 total rushing yards, led by SEC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-SEC honoree Quinshon Judkins, who led the league and set Ole Miss single-season records in both rushing yards (1,476) and rushing touchdowns (16). In two years at Ole Miss, Thornton mentored a pair of All-SEC offensive linemen and helped another achieve his goals of making a National Football League roster.

In his first season, Thornton's offensive line helped the Rebels lead the SEC in total offense at 492.5 yards per game. Anchoring that offensive line was eventual NFL signee Ben Brown, stalwarts like center Orlando Umana, tackle Nick Broeker, as well as Freshman All-SEC honoree Eli Acker.Thornton came to Ole Miss after spending the 2020 season as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Gardner-Webb

Thornton joined the Gardner-Webb staff after two seasons in the same role at FCS Tennessee Tech. There, he helped the Golden Eagles to one of the top turnarounds in the subdivision nationally in 2019.Thornton's offensive line cleared a path for 4,501 offensive yards in 2019 and protected one of the OVC's most productive quarterbacks in Bailey Fisher. Guard Trevor Stephens earned Freshman All-America honors from Phil Steele following a season that saw him start 11 games. Sophomore guard Mike Rhoades was a Second Team All-OVC choice following the season.The offensive yardage produced by the Golden Eagles in 2019 marked the second-highest total in program history for a single season.

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Lindy's Sports predicts Auburn football's depth chart for 2023 season

Taylor Jones

8–11 minutes

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Let the projections begin!

June is on the back half, which means talking season is in full swing. College football fans are beginning to head to local newsstands to grab the latest edition of season preview publications to scratch their itch until the season begins in early September.

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Lindy’s Sports recently released its season preview magazine that features an in-depth analysis of every college football program in the Football Bowl Subdivision, including the Auburn Tigers. One of the aspects that Lindy’s dives into is the Tigers’ projected depth chart.

If Lindy’s prediction comes true, only eight starters from last season’s team will return to the field. The prediction is not far-fetched; Hugh Freeze added many transfers who are ready to take the field as starters.

Here’s a look at Lindy’s Sports’ forecast of Auburn’s 2023 starting lineup.

Justin Ford/Getty Images

Projected Starter: Robby Ashford

Backup: Payton Thorne

There will be a quarterback battle on The Plains this summer as incumbent Robby Ashford will square off with Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne for the role of QB1. Lindy’s is going with the safe bet early by choosing Ashford as the opening-day starter.

AP Photo/Butch Dill

Starter: Jarquez Hunter

Backup: Damari Alston

Hunter is set to take over the part as premier back after playing behind Tank Bigsby the last two seasons. Alston, for what it was, had a solid A-Day game, and USF transfer Brian Battie will add speed to this position as well. By season’s end, expect Auburn’s RB unit to be considered one of the SEC’s best.

Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser

Starter: Camden Brown

Backup: Nick Mardner

Size will be the headliner with this position. Whether it be Brown or Mardner, Auburn’s starting quarterback will have two tall targets to throw to. Brown stands 6-3, and Cincinnati transfer Nick Marder stands 6-6. Matchups will be key with this slot.

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Ja’varrius Johnson

Backup: Caleb Burton

Auburn’s leading receiver from last season returns to the roster for the 2023 campaign. He reeled in 26 passes for 493 yards last season, and will complement Koy Moore and Camden Brown. Ohio State transfer Caleb Burton will look to get a fresh start on The Plains this season as well.

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Starter: Koy Moore

Backup: Jay Fair

Moore ended last season as the Tigers’ second-leading receiver by snagging 20 catches for 314 yards and a touchdown. Fair hopes to get more opportunities as well, as he caught just two passes for 34 yards. Out of all Auburn’s position groups on offense, receiver should be the most experienced.

Austin Perryman/AU Athletics

Starter (LT): Dillon Wade

Backup: Garner Langlo

Starter (RT): Gunner Britton

Backup: Izavion Miller

Auburn will receive a boost at tackle with transfers Dillon Wade and Gunner Britton. Last season at Tulsa, Wade allowed 14 quarterback pressures in 818 snaps while Britton allowed 10 pressures in 1,039 snaps at Western Kentucky.

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter (LG): Jeremiah Wright

Backup: Connor Lew

Starter (RG): Kam Stutts

Backup: Tate Johnson

Stutts is the lone projected returning starter on Auburn’s offense. He played in 12 games last season, and allowed ten quarterback pressures in 580 snaps. Wright looks to slide into a starting role after playing in seven games last season. True freshman Connor Lew could see action on the interior line, while Tate Johnson looks to bounce back following a season-ending injury in 2022.

AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker

Starter: Avery Jones

Backup: Jalil Irvin

Like Britton and Wade, Auburn will gain plenty of experience at center with Avery Jones. Jones is a three-year starter from East Carolina, and has logged 2,298 snaps between guard and center in that time.

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Marcus Harris

Backup: Darron Reed

Harris kicks off a moderate list of returning starters on the Tigers’ defense. Harris had 30 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, and should mesh well with a plethora of new talent on the defensive line. Reed, who signed with Auburn as part of the 2023 recruiting class, could easily see playing time this season as well.

Jake Crandall/The Montgomery Advertiser

Starter: Mosiah Nasili-Kite

Backup: Quientrail Jamison-Travis

A couple of transfers highlight the interior defensive line. Nasili-Kite comes to Auburn from Maryland, where he recorded 81 tackles and nine sacks in three seasons. He is seen as a player that can take his level of play up a notch, as Mike Farrell called Nasili-Kite “the SEC’s most underrated transfer.” Jamison-Travis was the nation’s No. 3 JUCO defensive lineman, and looks to make noise in the SEC.

Declan Greene/AU Athletics

Starter: Justin Rogers

Backup: Jayson Jones

Jones logged 370 snaps on Auburn’s defensive line last season, but Kentucky transfer Justin Rogers looks to take on the starting role at defensive tackle. Rogers made 35 stops last season for the Wildcats, and recorded 21 quarterback pressures. Rogers and Jones will be a great combo at defensive tackle.

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Starter: Elijah McAllister

Backup: Keldric Faulk

This linebacker slot, which will be known as the “jack” linebacker spot this season, will feature two solid pass rushers. McAllister’s final season at Vanderbilt saw him record 26 stops with two fumble recoveries and 2.5 sacks. His presence will be valuable to Faulk, who is Auburn’s top signee from the 2023 class. He will gain valuable knowledge from McAllister, which will allow him to grow into the player that Auburn can rally behind for the next several years.

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Cam Riley

Backup: Wesley Steiner

Like quarterback, this position really could go either way. There were 110 tackles recorded last season between both Riley and Steiner, which will make for a solid rotation.

AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

Starter: Austin Keys

Backup: Robert Woodyard

This slot will allow Ole Miss transfer Austin Keys to be a mentor to youngster Robert Woodyard. Keys made 39 tackles last season at Ole Miss, and looks to continue his hot streak in Auburn. Woodyard hopes to see more playing time this season as well. Transfers Demario Tolan, Larry Nixon III and Jalen McLeod should see time at linebacker in 2023 also.

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Nehemiah Pritchett

Backup: Kayin Lee

Lindy’s calls Auburn’s defensive backfield its’ strongest position. It is by far Auburn’s most experienced unit: Four of five starters return this season. Nehemiah Pritchett made 37 tackles with eight pass break ups last season, and he has the chance to teach freshman Kayin Lee a thing or two this season.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: D.J. James

Backup: J.D. Rhym

James is Auburn’s highest-graded returner from last season. The Oregon transfer made 37 tackles with eight pass breakups and a pick six. Rhym should be a factor on the corners as well.

Michael Chang/Getty Images

Starter: Keionte Scott

Backup: Donovan Kaufman

Keionte Scott and Donovan Kaufman will have a solid rotation at star this season. Kaufman and Scott combined to record 92 tackles last season with five pass deflections and an interception.

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Starter: Jaylin Simpson

Backup: Marquise Gilbert

Jaylin Simpson returns as the Tigers’ leader in interceptions as he snagged two last season. He also allowed opposing receivers to catch just 55.6% of passes thrown his way. Can Simpson take his game to a new level this season?

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Starter: Zion Puckett

Backup: Austin Ausberry

Puckett was sixth on the team last season with 45 total tackles. He also had a sack, pass breakup, and a forced fumble. He joins Simpson, Scott, James, and Pritchett as players who have significant experience in the Tigers’ backfield.

Zach Bland/AU Athletics

Starter: Alex McPherson

Backup: Evan McGuire

After nearly a decade of someone named “Carlson” holding down the role of placekicker, Alex McPherson will assume the role full time in 2023. McPherson took over as kicker last season after Anders Carlson suffered a knee injury in Auburn’s loss to Mississippi State in November. In his short time as starter, McPherson was 6-of-7 with a long of 51 yards. He was also 9-of-9 in extra point attempts.

John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Oscar Chapman

Backup: Daniel Perez

Chapman is set to return as Auburn’s starting punter for the third-straight season. The product from Austrailia punted the football 57 times last season for a 43.1 yard average.

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 8 Austin Ausberry

JD McCarthy

~2 minutes

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 safety Austin Ausberry. The redshirt freshman had limited action in his first season on the Plains and looks to be transitioning to the star position.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Height: 6-0

Weight: 200

Class in 2023: Redshirt Freshman

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star / No. 13 in LA / No. 20 23

Career Stats

YearGTacklesTFLsSacksPDsFFs

2022410000

Depth Chart Overview

Ausberry was one of Auburn’s top signees in their 2022 recruiting class before redshirting in his first season on the Plains. He was listed as a corner on last year’s roster but the new staff has him listed as a safety and he took reps at the star position in spring practice.

With both Keionte Scott and Donovan Kaufman ahead of him at that spot, he looks to be headed for a reserve role. However, he has plenty of potential and will be a player to watch moving forward due to his size and athleticism.

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247sports.com

 

FourStar 25 QB Madden Iamaleava having strong offseason

Greg Biggins

3–4 minutes

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Downey (Calif.) Warren junior quarterback Madden Iamaleava recently picked up several offers after a couple standout camp performances.

Iamaleava is part of a strong crop of West Coast ’25 quarterbacks. He’s the younger brother of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and has been on college radars since he was a freshman.

He has steadily made a name for himself as a legitimate high major prospect in his own right and has looked good in multiple settings this off-season including the Overtime OT7 event over the weekend . 

Earlier in the month, he attended summer camps at TCU and SMU and pulled in scholarship offers from both programs along with Auburn, Liberty and UTSA.

“I had a great time at both schools,” Iamaleava said. “At SMU, I was able to spend more time on campus and did more of the tour then I was at TCU but they’re both really nice colleges.

“Coach Brewer at SMU is a good guy and I enjoyed talking to him. It was my second time doing the TCU Camp so I’ve walked the campus before and it’s really nice there and I love the environment for sure.”

Auburn OC/QB coach Philip Montgomery offered Iamaleava.

“I want to visit Auburn for sure,” Iamaleava said. “I’m not sure when I’ll be able to, maybe later this summer but that’s a big time school in the SEC and I’ve heard great things about the place.

“I will for sure visit Tennessee at some point too so maybe I can just hit up both schools on the same visit. I’ve never been to Auburn but I’m definitely interested.”

Iamaleava has obviously been to Tennessee a number of times and said he has a strong comfort level on campus.

“Tennessee feels like it’s in my backyard because I’ve been there so much,” Iamaleava said. “Nico is there and doing great and I already have a great relationship with the coaches as well.

“I don’t have anything planned right now, my dad sets up the visits but I’m sure at some point I’ll get over there again. I can see my brother and visit the school on my own, kill two birds at the same time.”

Iamaleava said recruiting in general is taking a back seat to development this off-season.

“This is going to be my first year as a starter so I’m really worked hard on getting better as a quarterback,” Iamaleava said. “I want to learn the offense more and be able to take total command of everything I’m doing.

“I’m really focusing hard on my junior season and having a great year. Once the season is over, that’s when I’ll start to focus more on what schools I like and where I want to go for my official visits. I’ve already seen a lot of schools so that's cool but I'm not even close to narrowing anything down or making an early decision."

Iamaleava looks about 6-2 with an athletic 200 pound frame and like his older brother, is also a talented two-sport athlete and a standout on the volleyball court.

He’s a true dual-threat quarterback who is athletic enough to have taken some snaps last season at receiver for Warren.

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si.com

 

Auburn briefing: June has been an active month for the Tigers recruiting

Lance Dawe

3–4 minutes

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The Tigers have been doing everything they can on the recruiting trail this offseason.

The Tigers have been doing everything they can on the recruiting trail this offseason.

One of the biggest endeavors the staff has taken on is attempting to flip five-star wide receiver Perry Thompson away from Alabama, and following a visit to the Plains this past weekend Thompson says that Auburn is "right there" with the Crimson Tide.

It will be interesting to see if Thompson truly does flip to the Tigers, as he expects to sign with either the Tide or the Tigers before the beginning of his senior season.

Visiting alongside the five-star receiver were eight other players this past weekend, including offensive line prospects Jameson Riggs, Casey Poe, DeAndre Carter, Preston Taumua, and Khalil House. Wisconsin OT commit Kevin Heywood was also present.

Freeze has identified the offensive line as a point of emphasis in recruiting since his arrival at Auburn, and he's done an excellent job thus far of grabbing what he's needed through the portal.

The next step is getting some talented freshmen committed.

Defensive linemen Sean Sevillano Jr. and Justin Greene (Georgia commit) rounded out the visits this weekend.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the summers goes with the pursuit of Perry Thompson.

We wrote it

Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Brian Battie may prove to be an extremely valuable edition to not just Auburn's running back rotation, but also the Tigers' special teams unit in 2023.

Read about why Battie may become a breakout performer here.

© Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Iron Bowl rivalry between Alabama and Auburn has been heralded as one of the best matchups in all of college football regardless of either program's current state or talent roster.

The Tigers have usually been on the short end of the stick throughout the years but have managed to spring a few upsets and big-time wins over the Tide throughout the course of the rivalry's history.

Big Game Boomer, a college football social media influencer, has released a graphic including the big brother and little brother in every state for college football.

Read about the Iron Bowl rivalry and whether not the Tigers are little brothers to Alabama here.

Tweet of the day

Plainsman Park is getting new renovations! Take a look at what the University has planned for the Tigers' ballpark:

The Tigers kick off the 2023 season on September 2nd at home vs UMass at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN.

Here's a look at the entire 2023 schedule:

Sept. 2nd vs UMass

Sept. 9th at California

Sept. 16th vs Samford

Sept. 23rd at Texas A&M

Sept. 30th vs Georgia

Oct. 14th at LSU

Oct. 21st vs Ole Miss

Oct. 28th vs Mississippi State

Nov. 4th at Vanderbilt

Nov. 11th at Arkansas

Nov. 18th vs New Mexico State

Nov. 25th vs Alabama

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JD Pickell from ON3 posted a video where he has us going 6-6, because he doesn’t believe Payton or the defense will be up to speed early enough this season.

Man, I just can’t see it. I don’t know if I can do another sub 7-5 season. 

[W.E.D 11,071]

2 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

Lindy’s is going with the safe bet early by choosing Ashford as the opening-day starter.

lol

[W.E.D 11,071]

57 minutes ago, AuCivilEng1 said:

JD Pickell from ON3 posted a video where he has us going 6-6, because he doesn’t believe Payton or the defense will be up to speed early enough this season.

Man, I just can’t see it. I don’t know if I can do another sub 7-5 season. 

What is "early in the season"??  like they have us losing to Cal early?  We can realistically start out 3-3 and still be on track to go 8-4.  6 games and a bye week is plenty of time to get ready

[AuCivilEng1 12,364]

16 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

What is "early in the season"??  like they have us losing to Cal early?  We can realistically start out 3-3 and still be on track to go 8-4.  6 games and a bye week is plenty of time to get ready

I don't know what he meant by it. Part of me thinks he's doing it to rile up the fans. But I am getting tired of seeing experts pick us to only be marginally better than that sh*t show last year, with an easier schedule and greatly improved roster talent, including a way better QB. 

[W.E.D 11,071]

1 hour ago, AuCivilEng1 said:

I don't know what he meant by it. Part of me thinks he's doing it to rile up the fans. But I am getting tired of seeing experts pick us to only be marginally better than that sh*t show last year, with an easier schedule and greatly improved roster talent, including a way better QB. 

I've now seen 2 or 3 national media sites giving Ashford the starting job.