6.23.23. Football Articles

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 9 Eugene Asante

JD McCarthy

5–6 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 linebacker Eugene Asante who is entering his second season on the Plains after spending the first three seasons of his career at North Carolina.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia

Height: 6-1

Weight: 222

Previous School: North Carolina (2019-21)

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star / No. 9 in Virginia / No. 20 LB

Career Stats

Year	G	Tackles	TFLs	Sacks	PDs	FFs
2019 (UNC)	13	12	0	0	0	0
2020 (UNC)	12	27	0.5	0	0	1
2021 (UNC)	12	23	0.5	0	1	0
2022	4	1	0	0	0	0

PFF Grades

Year	Defense	Tackling	Run Defense	Pass Rush	Coverage
2019	69.8	74.3	81.7	53.8	59.5
2020	73.0	52.7	83.0	55.4	62.3
2021	41.2	64.5	46.5	65.3	37.4
2022	65.0	74.3	61.2	–	61.3

Depth Chart Overview

Asante is coming off a disappointing first season on the Plains where he appeared in just four games after transferring in from North Carolina. He is now a member of a talented but crowded linebacker room that also features Lary Nixon III and Cam Riley at the Will spot.

Nixon and Riley are competing for the starting job with Riley being a returning veteran and Nixon bringing plenty of experience and production from his time at North Texas. These three will give Auburn plenty of depth and flexibility at the position, Asante has flashed as a good coverage linebacker while Riley has looked strong as a pass rusher.

Eugene Asante’s Photo Gallery

AUBURN, AL - 2023.03.01 - Spring Practice

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Linebacker Eugene Asante (#9) during spring practice at…

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Linebacker Eugene Asante (#9) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Declan Greene

AUBURN, AL - 2023.03.24 - Spring Practice

AUBURN, AL - March 24, 2023 - Auburn Linebacker Eugene Asante (#9) during spring practice at…

AUBURN, AL - March 24, 2023 - Auburn Linebacker Eugene Asante (#9) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman

NCAA Football: Auburn Spring Game

Apr 8, 2023; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Sean Jackson (44) carries as linebacker…

Apr 8, 2023; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Sean Jackson (44) carries as linebacker Eugense Asante (9) makes the tackle during the annual Auburn Spring Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Missouri v Auburn

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Eugene Asante #9 of the Auburn Tigers chases after the…

AUBURN, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 24: Linebacker Eugene Asante #9 of the Auburn Tigers chases after the loose ball as running back Nathaniel Peat #8 of the Missouri Tigers fumbles during the overtime period at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Texas A&M vs North Carolina

Jan 2, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Eugene Asante (7) goes…

Jan 2, 2021; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Eugene Asante (7) goes after Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond (11) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA Football: North Carolina at Georgia Tech

Oct 5, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Eugene Asante (24) celebrates after…

Oct 5, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Eugene Asante (24) celebrates after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Cornelious Brown IV, Eugene Asante

Georgia State quarterback Cornelious Brown IV (4) looks to pass against North Carolina linebacker Eugene Asante…

Georgia State quarterback Cornelious Brown IV (4) looks to pass against North Carolina linebacker Eugene Asante (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

NCAA Football: North Carolina at Duke

Nov 7, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) goes…

Nov 7, 2020; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters (7) goes in for a touchdown past North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Eugene Asante (7) during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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247sports.com

Most Valuable Tigers No 24

Nathan King

5–6 minutes

We're still in the heart of the college football offseason, more than two weeks removed from spring practice, media days still a month away, and more than two months until the start of the 2023 season, Auburn’s first under Hugh Freeze.

So what better time to crank up the rankings? As we do annually this time of year, Auburn Undercover is counting down the top 25 most valuable players for the Tigers' 2023 season.

A few notes to set the table: These rankings are based on a player's previous contributions to the team, as well as his assumed impact in 2023 — how important he is expected to be to Auburn's success in both production and the win-loss column.

It is not simply Auburn's best players in descending order. If a freshman is included on the list, his positioning is obviously a projection of his talent and significance to his respective position group.

Next up in our top 25 is Maryland transfer defensive lineman Mosiah Nasili-Kite.

AS A RECRUIT

Hometown: Pittsburg, California

Class: 2020 (JUCO)

247Sports ranking: No. 16 SDE, No. 96 overall (JUCO)

(Jason Caldwell, 247Sports)

AS A PLAYER

A California native, Nasili-Kite began his career at Washington, where he didn't see the field as a true freshman, then on the JUCO level before joining the Terps in 2020. At 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds, he quickly emerged as a starter on the interior defensive line and was one of the most experienced Power Five defensive linemen when he entered the portal New Year's Day.

Nasili-Kite started 22 games at Maryland and appeared in every game over the past three seasons. His 2021 season was his most productive, racking up seven tackles for loss, four sacks and two batted passes. In 2022, he had 2.5 TFLs, one sack and a fumble recovery.

Nasili-Kite was mostly an interior player at Maryland, but he possessed the athleticism to kick outside to defensive end for a few snaps per game, as well. He also was able to play nose tackle in a pinch. He finished this past season No. 2 at Maryland in quarterback hurries and No. 4 in pressures.

In early January, Nasili-Kite was the fifth transfer pickup for Freeze and company, helping to replenish a defensive line room that was, at the time, thin on proven depth heading into the 2023 season, after a blend of NFL draft declarations, exhausted eligibility and transfers.

2023 OUTLOOK

Nasil-Kite represents exactly what the Tigers needed from the transfer ranks: a veteran to complement returning starter Marcus Harris.

At 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, Nasili-Kite played a handful of positions along the defensive front during spring ball, with the athleticism to kick out to defensive end, and the size and strength to play on the interior. As spring practices progressed, he was complimented more by his coaches and teammates for his consistency. By the time A-Day rolled around, Nasili-Kite was a regular on the first-team defensive line rotation.

As versatile as Nasili-Kite has proven himself to be, the task for first-year position coach Jeremy Garrett will be to hone in the most successful aspects of his game to coincide with the skill sets brought to the table by Harris, Kentucky nose tackle transfer Justin Rogers and others. As Garrett said in the spring, Nasili-Kite is capable of playing much bigger and taking up more space on the interior than his size would indicate: “He's not the biggest, but that kid has some power and strength — and he moves well. So it's just putting him in position to use his ability and to do what he does well. He has quickness and he's strong. So we want to have him on the move, want to have him doing different things to highlight his strengths.”

Especially with Jeffrey M'ba having transferred after spring ball, Nasili-Kite looks to have a decent hold on the starting spot at defensive end, where fellow transfers like Elijah McAllister (Vanderbilt) and Stephen Sings V (Liberty) can also contribute, along with true freshman Keldric Faulk.

WHAT THEY SAID

“Mosiah Nasili-Ki — I thought he improved, probably, the most from practice 1 to last week on the D-line as any. He was disruptive and plays the game extremely passionately and hard. He definitely caught my eye.” — Freeze

WHAT SAY YOU?

What do you think of Nasili-Kite’s spot in our Most Valuable Tigers rankings? Too high? Too low? Just right? Share your thoughts on the Bodda Getta message board, on Twitter or on Facebook.

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sandmountainreporter.com

 

BECK: Alabama, Auburn offensive success hinges on supporting cast, not just the quarterbacks

TAYLOR BECK

6–7 minutes

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Unless you live under a rock, you’ve heard the quarterback situation at Alabama and Auburn is a long way from being decided.

For the Tide, redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe and redshirt freshman Ty Simpson are now battling Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner for the starting job. Most “insiders” tend to give Buchner the edge due to his familiarity with new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ system, who also hails from Notre Dame, and the potential he’s shown. Plus, he has three years of eligibility.

Last season, he entered the year as the Fighting Irish’s No. 1 QB but got injured in the second game. Buchner was able to return for the Gator Bowl and shined in a 45-38 win over South Carolina, accounting for five TDs. As Buchner may seem locked in, I wouldn’t throw away the key just yet.

Milroe has some starting experience, as well as elite athleticism that could be showcased in a plethora of ways, and Simpson has tremendous arm talent. Whoever can demonstrate the most maturity and make the best in-game decisions (à la no turnovers) will win the job.

Down on The Plains, another quarterback battle is ongoing. Offensive-minded first-year head coach Hugh Freeze will have to decide between returning starter sophomore Robby Ashford, redshirt freshman Holden Geriner and the junior Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne.

Although Ashford showed much improvement over the course of nine starts last season, national opinions are right to view Thorne as the likely Week 1 starter, if not for the entire season. In three seasons with the Spartans, Thorne was 16-10 over 26 starts.

Thorne left Michigan State ranked among the school’s career leaders in passing TDs (fourth with 49), completion percentage (fifth at .609), passing yards (sixth with 6,494), pass completions (sixth with 524), pass attempts (sixth with 860) and passing efficiency (eighth with 137.6 rating). He was a team captain for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

No matter who starts at quarterback for the Tide and Tigers this season, their success will hinge on the players they’re surrounded by. And while several position groups appear to look good on paper, can they put it all together?

Something that hasn’t been questioned this offseason is the running back position. Alabama and Auburn each have a stable of ball carriers ready to flourish.

For the Tigers, Jarquez Hunter is primed to make a big jump this season behind what’s expected to be a much better offensive line (more on that later) as the No. 1 option.

Last season, Hunter rushed for 675 yards and 7 TDs, averaging 6.5 yards per carry behind former starter Tank Bigsby. He also tallied 224 receiving yards and 2 TDs through the air. Hunter is arguably one of the best playmakers returning in the SEC and could be a dark horse Heisman candidate. If not for Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss, I would say there is no argument.

Alabama brings back a duo of talented backs in Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams. McClellan tallied 655 yards rushing, 174 yards receiving and 10 total TDs in 2022 as the second-string running back. But here’s another name to remember: true freshman Justice Haynes.

At wide receiver, the story is virtually identical for the rival schools: The position group is deep, full of talent and experience, but can they put it all together and help their QB (whoever it may be) succeed?

The Tide brings back starters Jermaine Burton and Ja’Corey Brooks, as well as contributors Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice and Kendrick Law.

However, incoming junior transfer (No. 1 JUCO prospect) Malik Benson – a speedster who shined in the spring game with five catches, 70 yards and a TD – is expected to make an immediate impact. But, who will step up to be a consistent, reliable target for QB1 this season? It seemed like no one wanted to a year ago.

Ja’Varrius Johnson and Koy Moore return as Auburn’s leading receivers from a year ago, which isn’t saying much. But the Tigers have added a lot of talent through the transfer portal this spring, including Jackson State wide receiver Shane “Hollywood” Hooks, which should provide an instant boost to the unit.

Hooks, listed at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, caught more touchdowns last year (10) than all of Auburn’s wide receivers combined. Also added through the transfer portal are Jyaire Shorter (North Texas), Caleb Burton III (Ohio State) and Nick Mardner (Cincinnati) – all of whom should make an immediate impact.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, is the offensive line, which appears to have been reshuffled based on reports.

For Auburn, the offensive line will likely be led by mostly transfers. The Tigers added eight offensive linemen for the upcoming season (the most in a single cycle since Gene Chizik signed seven in 2012), landing four high school signees, a top-rated junior college prospect in Izavion Miller and a trio of plug-and-play transfers: offensive tackles Dillon Wade (Tulsa) and Gunner Britton (Western Kentucky) and center Avery Jones (Eastern Carolina).

As of this writing, reports indicate Jones has assumed the first-team job at center in a group that also includes Wade at left tackle and Britton at right tackle.

Unlike the Tigers, Alabama returns four starters from last year’s offensive line group, but a constant criticism was the lack of consistency in pass protection and run blocking. This offseason, reports indicate the line will be retooled to fit a run-first, “smash-mouth” style of play likened to the days of old.

Returners with starting experience include Seth McLaughlin, Darrian Dalcourt, JC Latham and Tyler Booker. The program’s top offensive line recruit for the last cycle was five-star tackle Kadyn Proctor. This could be the starting group with returning reserve Elijah Pritchett getting time at tackle.

 

i hate when they combine auburn and bama articles. i still post it because it has auburn news.

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si.com

Why Connor Lew will break out for Auburn football in 2023

Joshua Collins

2–3 minutes

Could Connor Lew be the breakout freshman performer for Auburn football’s offense in 2023?

Playing another round of our predictive series, who will be a breakout performer for Auburn in 2023, this time with a focus on the newly added freshman talent, we ask once more who can rise to the occasion and be a breakout performer in 2023?

Of the 19 enrollees currently on campus seven of them are offensive players, all of whom possess the talent to be breakout performers, yet I would place my wager on the interior offensive lineman Connor Lew being the breakout freshman performer for the Auburn Tigers in the upcoming 2023 season.

The 6-foot-3 290-pound freshman offensive lineman comes to us from Kennesaw Mountain High School, in Kennesaw, GA. This versatile young man is capable of playing both center and guard, when necessary, as he displayed during his Spring A-Day performance, lining up with the 2s at center and subsequently stepping in for Tate Johnson at guard after his injury. Being the obvious choice to replace Avery Jones at center once that young man has moved on from his collegiate career, I imagine the coaching staff will look to get Connor active in the rotation as quickly as possible to make sure the young man is developed and ready to perform consistently at the SEC level during his sophomore year.

Lew has a solid and quick first step with an amazing amount of upper body strength to size up with the mass majority of the SEC-level defensive linemen he will most certainly face across the trenches. I feel that given the frequency of injuries across the offensive line as the season progresses, I see the likelihood of seeing Connor lining up with the 1s being extremely high. This in concert with the numerous compliments made about his performance since his being on campus from both coaches, staff, and players is why I would place my bets on Connor Lew being the breakout freshman offensive performer for Auburn football this upcoming 2023 season.

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Puckett already building coaching resume

AUBURN | Auburn has a number of former players that have moved into the coaching ranks.

The next one up could be senior Zion Puckett, who is already a proverbial coach on the field for the Tigers this season. 

“We call him Teach Tape 10. He does everything perfect in terms of teach tapes,” sald secondary coach Zac Etheridge, who was a captain of AU’s national championship team in 2010. “He does everything right from a technique standpoint. He is really a vocal guy. Everybody in the room, when they have a question they go to Zion because he actually studied the game.

Puckett gives the secondary a seasoned veteran on the backend. (Declan Greene/Auburn athletics)

“He knows his ability, he knows his range and his football IQ is through the roof so he is able to put himself in a position at that size to get everybody lined up and in the right position every time.”

Auburn’s staff includes three former players in Etheridge, running backs coach Cadillac Williams and receivers coach Marcus Davis.

Puckett is certainly open to following in their footsteps once his playing days are over.

“I know a lot of coaches have been telling me they can see a coach in me,” said Puckett. “I feel like once you try to drive yourself away from the game, I really think the game will bring you back.

“I feel like, going down the road, I might be a coach somewhere. I feel like I can impact children and also other people around me the right way.”

But Puckett still has unfinished business at Auburn and he enters his senior season as a key team leader and returning starter at safety.

He’ll be playing under his third head coach and fourth defensive coordinator at AU, which Puckett credits for making him a stronger person and better player.

"I would say the best thing that I've been through is, through the storm I would say, just going through adversity, overcoming it, not thinking about transferring,” said Puckett. “I just feel like that's something that helped me a lot with being here, and get my faith stronger with God.”

One thing that stood out to Puckett this spring was the new staff bringing a little joy back to playing football. 

“Everybody is starting to figure out what they really loved about football and just going out each and every day and getting better,” he said.

"I don't think anyone lost it. I just feel like people go through things, and when you go through things you've just got to get out the storm. And I feel like that's what everybody did.”