5.1.24 Football Articles

[aubiefifty 18,259]

247sports.com

Jason Caldwells Monday morning quarterback column

Jason Caldwell

4–5 minutes

Portal work continues

After bringing in key guys Phillip Blidi, Isaiah Raikes and Keyron Crawford for the front seven on defense and adding Penn State wide receiver transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn is still looking to upgrade the roster heading into the 2024 season. Expected to begin his visit on Tuesday, South Alabama linebacker Khalil Jacobs is an interesting prospect for the Tigers. Not the biggest linebacker, he can really run and is just scratching the surface of what he can be down the road. 

Speaking of upgrading the roster, that's the key when talking about the transfer portal and NIL. You better be looking to make your team better with every opportunity that's available. I think it's something that has happened under Hugh Freeze and company since they arrived on campus. It's a job that will never be complete if you hope to get back to competing for SEC titles and in the College Football Playoffs.

Parker Carlson

A junior that is getting his first extensive experience in SEC games this season, Carlson is coming into his own down the stretch of the 2024 season. Currently 2-1 with an ERA of just 3.38 in 17 appearances, the Mobile native has been on fire in his last five outings. Starting with the Georgia Tech game on April 16, Carlson has allowed just three hits and no runs in six innings and hasn't walked a batter. Against LSU on Sunday, Carlson allowed just one hit in three innings to pick up his first save of the season.

Important week for Auburn softball

After losing two of three at Ole Miss over the weekend, the Auburn softball team will host Alabama this weekend needing to win at least two games to avoid having to play in the 12/13 game on day one of the SEC Tournament. Hosting the event at Jane B. Moore Field on May 7-11, Auburn is currently 25-17-1 overall and 7-14 in SEC play. One more win would all but wrap up a spot in the NCAA Tournament for this team because of their RPI, but that would probably mean a trip to future conference opponent Texas or Oklahoma in a regional. Winning two against Alabama and getting a couple of wins in the SEC Tournament could really change things in a hurry for this team. You're not going to get on a host line, but you could become a really strong 2-seed and get a more favorable draw. All those things are important, but it's Alabama. That's reason enough to make this a big week for the Tigers.

NFL Draft thoughts

There is always plenty of second-guessing when it comes to the NFL Draft and I'm no different. For me, that stars with the Falcons picking Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall. I don't think taking a quarterback is a bad thing and I think Penix could be a great fit, but taking him in the Top 10 after the contract you just gave Kirk Cousins is crazy. It wasn't an immediate need for the Falcons and that's what you do in the Top 10 of the draft.

I thought the Arizona Cardinals had a huge draft by getting Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first round along with Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson. Robinson was one of the best players I saw in Mobile during the Senior Bowl. 

Another team that killed it was the Los Angeles Rams. Getting Jared Verse from FSU in the first round and his FSU teammate Braden Fiske in the second round, they filled some huge needs early. Getting Michigan running back Blake Corum was another great pickup for the Rams. 

For the Auburn players, I think both Jaylin Simpson and Marcus Harris wound up in great situations with the Colts and Texans respectively. Going to be interesting to see them work and get on the field this season.

[aubiefifty 18,259]

 

[aubiefifty 18,259]

al.com

Auburn wide receiver goes No. 2 in CFL Draft

Updated: Apr. 30, 2024, 11:32 p.m.|Published: Apr. 30, 2024, 8:28 p.m.

~3 minutes

Auburn wide receiver Nick Mardner catches the football during practice on Aug. 17, 2023, in Auburn.(AL.com Photo/Stew Milne)

By

Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com

The Ottawa Redblacks chose Auburn wide receiver Nick Mardner with the second pick in the Canadian Football League Draft on Tuesday night.

Ottawa selected Mardner after the Edmonton Elks made Cincinnati linebacker Joel Dublanko the No. 1 pick.

The CFL Draft is limited to players who will be able to play with a national designation. The 6-foot-6 Mardner is from Oakville, Ontario.

Also selected was former South Alabama linebacker DK Bonhomme, who grew up in Canada. Bonhomme played at USA in 2022 after three seasons at Indiana.

The Elks chose Bonhomme at No. 10, the first pick of the second round.

Mardner did not have any receptions and played in only four games – against Samford, Texas A&M, Georgia and LSU – in 2023, his lone season at Auburn.

Mardner was at Hawaii for three seasons and Cincinnati for one before coming to Auburn. He had 81 receptions for 1,488 yards and 11 touchdowns during his college career.

CFL teams are required to dress at least 21 players and start a minimum of seven who are Canadians. All enter the league via the draft.

CFL teams are drafting 74 national players on Tuesday night with the league’s nine teams scheduled to start rookie camps on May 8. Training camps start on May 12 in preparation for the first preseason game on May 20 and the 2024 regular-season opener on June 6.

Mardner also has an invitation to participate as a tryout player at the New York Giants’ rookie minicamp on May 10-11.

Reuben Foster sticks up for Alabama’s 2016 team

Former Alabama prep star gets a hit in his first MLB at-bat

SEC Football by the Numbers: Top 10 from the 2024 NFL Draft

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 a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.