6.26.23 Football Articles

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 11 Elijah McAllister

JD McCarthy

4–5 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 transfer Jack linebacker Elijah McAllister. The veteran is one of three transfers at the Jack spot Auburn added as they completely remade the position over the offseason.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Asbury Park, New Jersey

Height: 6-6

Weight: 271

Previous School: Vanderbilt

Class in 2023: Senior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 19 in NJ / No. 31 SDE

Career Stats

Year	G	Tackles	TFLs	Sacks	PDs	FFs
2019 (Vanderbilt)	12	26	4.5	2.5	1	1
2020 (Vanderbilt)	1	0	0	0	0	0
2021 (Vanderbilt)	12	23	1	0	2	0
2022 (Vanderbilt)	12	16	1	0	1	1

PFF Grades

Year	Defense	Tackling	Run Defense	Pass Rush	Coverage
2019	65.6	73.4	64.1	60.3	74.4
2020	–	–	–	–	–
2021	60.7	61.4	58.6	55.3	68.9
2022	66.9	58.1	67.1	59.0	66.6

Depth Chart Overview

McAllister’s addition was always about what the fifth-year senior could bring to the locker room as a leader and not his on-field production. He was a two-time captain at Vanderbilt and has the ability to be a leader for the whole team.

Auburn brought in five newcomers at the Jack position this offseason and while several are ahead of McAllister on the depth chart, look for him to have a key role in establishing the culture in Freeze’s first year on the Plains.

Elijah McAllister’s Photo Gallery

AUBURN, AL - 2023.03.15 - Spring Practice

AUBURN, AL - March 15, 2023 - Auburn Jack Linebacker Elijah McAllister (#11) during spring practice…

AUBURN, AL - March 15, 2023 - Auburn Jack Linebacker Elijah McAllister (#11) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman

AUBURN, AL - 2023.03.01 - Spring Practice

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Offensive Lineman Izavion Miller (#72) and Jack Linebacker…

AUBURN, AL - March 01, 2023 - Auburn Offensive Lineman Izavion Miller (#72) and Jack Linebacker Elijah McAllister (#11) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Declan Greene

Elijah McAllister, Keon Zipperer

Vanderbilt linebacker Elijah McAllister (1) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Florida tight end Keon…

Vanderbilt linebacker Elijah McAllister (1) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Florida tight end Keon Zipperer (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Elijah McAllister

Vanderbilt's Elijah McAllister (1) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the second half of an NCAA…

Vanderbilt's Elijah McAllister (1) celebrates after recovering a fumble in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Elon, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Syndication: The Tennessean

Vanderbilt wide receiver Amir Abdur-Rahman (2), linebacker Elijah McAllister (1) and defensive lineman Daevion Davis (9)…

Vanderbilt wide receiver Amir Abdur-Rahman (2), linebacker Elijah McAllister (1) and defensive lineman Daevion Davis (9) make their way to the stadium before the game against ETSU at Vanderbilt Stadium Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Nas Vandy Etsu 003

Syndication: The Tennessean

Vanderbilt defensive lineman Elijah McAllister (1) celebrates a tackle against Elon during the first quarter at…

Vanderbilt defensive lineman Elijah McAllister (1) celebrates a tackle against Elon during the first quarter at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. © George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

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si.com

 

Auburn makes top five for four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray

Andrew Stefaniak

3–4 minutes

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Auburn is in the hunt for talented defensive lineman LJ McCray.

LJ McCray is a six-foot-six, 260-pound defensive lineman from Daytona Beach, Florida. 

McCray is the 88th-best player in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports. 

He recently cut his list of schools down to five, including Auburn, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, and Miami. 

McCray took an official visit to Auburn on June 12th, so it's clear that he has a genuine interest in playing his college ball on the Plains. 

247Sport Director Of Scouting Andrew Ivins has this to say about McCray's game, "A big, functional athlete with verified size that can work his way into the backfield. Got snaps on both sides of the ball as a junior for a Daytona Beach Mainland program that made it to Florida’s 3S title game. Initially billed himself as a tight end, but is viewed by many as a defensive lineman long term, and for good reason as he can wedge his way through gaps and blow up protection. Has worked mostly on the edge, but figures to kick inside at the next level given frame (6-foot-5, 255 pounds with a 79-inch wingspan) and growth potential. Not the most explosive point-of-attack player, but can overwhelm blockers with his initial get-off and sheer size on Friday nights. Shifts his weight well and constantly flashes the ability to move laterally. Could improve pad level, and will eventually need to find some more power in the lower half, but should be viewed as a potential multi-year contributor up front for a Power Five program. Could be molded into a variety of different things including probably a space-eating 4i in a 3-4 front."

McCray has the frame to do damage on the defensive line, and it is scary to think what he will look like a few years into a college lifting program. 

Auburn is going to push hard to try and land this kid, as he would be a massive boost to the 2024 recruiting class. 

Hopefully, Coach Freeze and Jeremy Garrett can get it done and land this talented defensive lineman. 

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Pro Football Focus releases preseason ELO rankings. Where is Auburn?

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

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As the summer continues, more and more publications are beginning to reveal their preseason rankings. Pro Football Focus is the latest to do so ($), using its unique formulas to compile rankings.

Pro Football Focus uses a metric called “ELO”, which meshes grades for each team’s offensive, defensive, and special teams output. Auburn’s grades place them at No. 40 to begin the season.

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To prove just how deep and talented the SEC is, Auburn has 12 teams within the conference ahead of them despite their No. 40 ranking. Auburn only ranks ahead of Vanderbilt in the ELO rankings, who comes in at No. 84.

The Tigers have a lot of questions to answer ahead of the 2023 season, as most units on both sides of the football enter the program as transfers. Looking at Auburn’s top returning players, seven of the top ten highest-graded offensive players are transfers while four of the top ten highest-graded defensive players are transfers.

RELATED: Lindy’s Sports predicts Auburn football’s depth chart for the 2023 season

When it comes to top units that will feature the most “homegrown” players this season for Auburn, look at running back and defensive back. Running backs Jarquez Hunter and Damari Alston return to the gridiron this season, while the defensive backfield welcomes back Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, Keionte Scott, and D.J. James.

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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auburnwire.usatoday.com

 

Auburn offensive line target Kahlil House sets commitment date

JD McCarthy

~2 minutes

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Kahlil House is ready to wrap up his recruitment.

The three-star offensive lineman will announce his commitment on Friday, June 30, he told On3’s Jeffrey Lee. He plans to reveal his decision “around noon.”

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House is from Warner Robins, Georgia, and will be deciding between Auburn, Ole Miss, Stanford, Cincinnati and UCF. He has officially visited each school but Stanford, where he is scheduled to take one on June 24.

He is the No. 777 overall player and No. 56 interior offensive lineman in the On3 Industry Ranking. He is also the No. 91 player from Georgia.

Auburn offered the 6-foot-4, 311-pounder a scholarship on June 8 and quickly became a major factor in his recruitment. He returned for an official visit on June 16 and the Tigers quickly became the favorite to land him.

Christian Clemente of 247Sports put in a crystal ball on June 10 for him to commit to Auburn and the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gives the Tigers a 73.8% chance of landing him.

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

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flywareagle.com

 

Analyst predicts a bleak finish for Auburn football in 2023

Mary Kate Hughes

2–3 minutes

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Auburn football Auburn Tigers running back Damari Alston (22) warms up during the A-Day spring football game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

 

For many, there is a high level of optimism around the Auburn football program heading into the 2023 season. After two years of struggle under Bryan Harsin, changes began immediately once Hugh Freeze was hired on and took charge of the program.

The Tigers have had a lot of momentum lately when it comes to recruiting, from the recent success in the transfer portal to the number of highly-ranked prospects pouring into the Plains for official visits.

With another quarterback added to the mix in former Michigan State QB Payton Thorne and a team full of guys that are ready to “flip the script,” most fans are ready for a new era of Auburn football, the Freeze Era.

However, thinking realistically, fans must remember that this truly is a rebuilding year for the Tigers: rebuilding the coaching staff, rebuilding the team, rebuilding the schemes, and rebuilding the culture. There are a lot of adjustments and a lot of new faces on the Plains heading into the 2023 season, and it’s likely that the level of success everyone wants will take more than just one offseason to reach.

247 Sports Analyst Brad Crawford certainly thinks so, and he predicted a not-so-exciting finish for the Tigers in the SEC this fall. He believes the Tigers will finish second to last in the SEC West, ahead of only Mississippi State, with a 7-5 record and five conference losses:

Considering the Vegas number is 6.5, Auburn fans will be excited if the Tigers hit seven wins this fall. On the contrary, a .500 finish is obviously not what Hugh Freeze has in mind for his first season on the Plains. This roster has vastly improved through the portal, but simply isn’t strong enough yet to fight for a spot near the top of the division standings. It will come, though.

Crawford expects the Tigers to lose to Texas A&M, Georgia, LSU, Arkansas, and Alabama in 2023, but the ambitions of Auburn football and Hugh Freeze mean that Crawford’s view is a pessimistic one.

• Published on 06/25/2023 at 21:00 PM
• Last updated at 06/25/2023 at 13:44 PM

[aubiefifty 18,259]

i will rarely post anything not Auburn but these guys were awesome.they play for it all this coming saturday.....

 

 

al.com

 

USFL playoffs: Stallions roll back to championship game

Updated: Jun. 25, 2023, 9:59 p.m.|Published: Jun. 25, 2023, 9:42 p.m.

4–5 minutes

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Birmingham Stallions quarterback Alex McGough carries the football during a USFL playoff game against the New Orleans Breakers on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.(Photo by Stew Milne/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)

By

• Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com

The Birmingham Stallions had the best record in the USFL during the regular season at 8-2. They backed that up by playing like the best team in the league on Sunday night in a 47-22 victory over the New Orleans Breakers. But to be the USFL’s best team for the 2023 season officially, the Stallions need to win one more time on Saturday.

Birmingham’s one-sided win over New Orleans gave the Stallions the South Division’s spot in the USFL Championship Game. Birmingham will seek its second straight league title when the Stallions square off against the Pittsburgh Maulers at 7 p.m. CDT Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. NBC will televise the game.

Birmingham defeated the Philadelphia Stars 33-30 in last season’s USFL Championship Game.

After posting a 4-6 regular-season record, Pittsburgh reached this year’s title contest by beating the Michigan Panthers 31-27 in overtime on Saturday night.

Six players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Breakers-Stallions game at Protective Stadium in Birmingham:

· Breakers wide receiver Dee Anderson (Alabama A&M) had three receptions for 64 yards, including a 32-yarder.

· Breakers defensive tackle Connor Christian (Jacksonville State) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Breakers quarterback Aqeel Glass (Alabama A&M) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Kirk Kelley (Troy) started at left guard for the Breakers.

· Breakers linebacker Zakoby McClain (Auburn) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Stallions wide receiver Myron Mitchell (Jasper, UAB) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Stallions wide receiver Peyton Ramzy (Bessemer Academy, Tuskegee) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Breakers guard Steven Rowzee (Troy) did not record any stats.

· Breakers linebacker Shaheed Salmon (Samford) made two tackles.

· Stallions running back Bo Scarbrough (Northridge, Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Breakers tight end Jared Scott (Jacksonville State) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Wide receiver Eli Stove (Auburn) caught a 14-yard pass and returned two kickoffs for 15 yards.

· Stallions wide receiver Austin Watkins (UAB) did not record any stats.

· Stallions wide receiver Marlon Williams (McGill-Toolen) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

Sunday night’s playoff game matched the teams that had the best regular-season records and the two clubs based in Birmingham. After going 7-3 in the regular season, the Breakers played their seventh game at Protective Stadium this year, the same number as the Stallions. Three of those games were New Orleans-Birmingham matchups.

On Sunday night, the Stallions scored on their first seven possessions, building a 40-7 lead before Birmingham running back Ricky Person Jr. lost a fumble with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

Birmingham rolled up 553 yards as quarterback Alex McGough completed 21-of-31 passes for 310 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions and ran for 84 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.

Wide receiver Davion Davis had five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns, and tight end Jace Sternberger and wide receiver Josh Johnson also caught touchdown passes.

The Stallions ran for 245 yards on 30 carries, with Person gaining 84 yards on 10 rushing attempts and C.J. Marable going for 72 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.

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

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

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thanx for stopping by.

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si.com

Payton Thorne named top SEC transfer addition

Lance Dawe

~3 minutes

The Tigers have pulled their projected starting quarterback out of the transfer portal.

Alongside 19 other valuable additions Hugh Freeze and his staff landed.

Payton Thorne, former Michigan State quarterback turned Auburn Tiger, is projected by a variety of outlets to be the Tigers' starting quarterback week one vs UMass despite not having taken a single rep in practice. Statistically, he's better than what the Tigers had coming back - Robby Ashford and Holden Geriner.

Mike Farrell recently released an article of his top five SEC transfer portal additions, with Thorne sitting at the top of the list.

This is what Farrell had to say about Thorne's transfer to the Tigers:

"Thorne’s entry into the portal came as a surprise to most. While he had some struggles, which included 21 interceptions over the last two seasons, he also experienced his fair share of success during his time in East Lansing. So, when he became available, there was plenty of immediate buzz about his potential landing spot. Some of the loudest buzz revolved around Auburn, who quickly made Thorne a priority after striking out on a couple of other portal possibilities. Now that the Tigers have Thorne, he will have to earn the starting job against Robby Ashford. While this is far from a forgone conclusion, adding a quarterback with two years of starting experience does make him the likely starter when the season opens in September.

Thorne finished an accomplished quarterback at Michigan State, setting single-season records for total yards, total touchdowns and passing touchdowns. He ranks fifth in career total touchdowns, fifth in career total yards, fourth in career passing touchdowns and third in single-season passing yards.

He's not a dazzling arm talent but was excellent attacking downfield in his two seasons with the Spartans. He's a great system fit for Freeze and Montgomery.

 

THIS! THIS! THIS!   this is why i believe we might one or two we are not supposed to beat.

[gr82be 14,913]

10 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

i will rarely post anything not Auburn but these guys were awesome.they play for it all this coming saturday.....

 

 

al.com

 

USFL playoffs: Stallions roll back to championship game

Updated: Jun. 25, 2023, 9:59 p.m.|Published: Jun. 25, 2023, 9:42 p.m.

4–5 minutes

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Birmingham Stallions quarterback Alex McGough carries the football during a USFL playoff game against the New Orleans Breakers on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.(Photo by Stew Milne/USFL/Getty Images for USFL)

By

• Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com

The Birmingham Stallions had the best record in the USFL during the regular season at 8-2. They backed that up by playing like the best team in the league on Sunday night in a 47-22 victory over the New Orleans Breakers. But to be the USFL’s best team for the 2023 season officially, the Stallions need to win one more time on Saturday.

Birmingham’s one-sided win over New Orleans gave the Stallions the South Division’s spot in the USFL Championship Game. Birmingham will seek its second straight league title when the Stallions square off against the Pittsburgh Maulers at 7 p.m. CDT Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. NBC will televise the game.

Birmingham defeated the Philadelphia Stars 33-30 in last season’s USFL Championship Game.

After posting a 4-6 regular-season record, Pittsburgh reached this year’s title contest by beating the Michigan Panthers 31-27 in overtime on Saturday night.

Six players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Breakers-Stallions game at Protective Stadium in Birmingham:

· Breakers wide receiver Dee Anderson (Alabama A&M) had three receptions for 64 yards, including a 32-yarder.

· Breakers defensive tackle Connor Christian (Jacksonville State) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Breakers quarterback Aqeel Glass (Alabama A&M) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Kirk Kelley (Troy) started at left guard for the Breakers.

· Breakers linebacker Zakoby McClain (Auburn) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Stallions wide receiver Myron Mitchell (Jasper, UAB) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Stallions wide receiver Peyton Ramzy (Bessemer Academy, Tuskegee) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Breakers guard Steven Rowzee (Troy) did not record any stats.

· Breakers linebacker Shaheed Salmon (Samford) made two tackles.

· Stallions running back Bo Scarbrough (Northridge, Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Breakers tight end Jared Scott (Jacksonville State) was designated as a game-day inactive.

· Wide receiver Eli Stove (Auburn) caught a 14-yard pass and returned two kickoffs for 15 yards.

· Stallions wide receiver Austin Watkins (UAB) did not record any stats.

· Stallions wide receiver Marlon Williams (McGill-Toolen) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

Sunday night’s playoff game matched the teams that had the best regular-season records and the two clubs based in Birmingham. After going 7-3 in the regular season, the Breakers played their seventh game at Protective Stadium this year, the same number as the Stallions. Three of those games were New Orleans-Birmingham matchups.

On Sunday night, the Stallions scored on their first seven possessions, building a 40-7 lead before Birmingham running back Ricky Person Jr. lost a fumble with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

Birmingham rolled up 553 yards as quarterback Alex McGough completed 21-of-31 passes for 310 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions and ran for 84 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.

Wide receiver Davion Davis had five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns, and tight end Jace Sternberger and wide receiver Josh Johnson also caught touchdown passes.

The Stallions ran for 245 yards on 30 carries, with Person gaining 84 yards on 10 rushing attempts and C.J. Marable going for 72 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.

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

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Mcgough (Magoo) is playing smart football and having a blast out there. He may get a chance with an NFL team to see what he can do. Skip Holtz has done a great job in two seasons. I'm a throwback fan from the original USFL and the Stallions were one of the best teams then too.

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Just now, gr82be said:

Mcgough (Magoo) is playing smart football and having a blast out there. He may get a chance with an NFL team to see what he can do. Skip Holtz has done a great job in two seasons. I'm a throwback fan from the original USFL and the Stallions were one of the best teams then too.

i am as well and i sure enjoyed that game. the hoofs were on fire.............lol. does my lil nicname sound funky?

[bdc81 90]

2 hours ago, aubiefifty said:

i am as well and i sure enjoyed that game. the hoofs were on fire.............lol. does my lil nicname sound funky?

Rollie Ball, bad azz old school