6.26.24 Football Articles

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247sports.com

Latest on Brian Battie Auburn RB making progress each day able to eat

Nathan King

6–8 minutes

Another promising update from Battie's family after the Auburn running back was shot last month

Auburn running back Brian Battie is making "progress each day" in his recovery after being shot last month, and this week was cleared to eat food at a rehab facility in his hometown of Sarasota, Florida, according to Battie's mother, Adriene, on the family's GoFundMe page.

Two weeks ago, Brian took a major step in his recovery by being discharged from the intensive care unit, according to Adriene, and he was making progress with movement and speech. Initially, Battie's prognosis via court documents was "permanent paralysis," as reported by the Tampa Bay Times.

"Update on Brian's journey: We're incredibly grateful for the outstanding care and support Brian has continually received at Sarasota Memorial Hospital," Adriene wrote Tuesday morning. "Their dedication has been instrumental in his progress so far. As of Monday, June 17th, Brian has moved on to the intensive rehabilitation facility at SMH. The past week Brian has made progress each day and as of yesterday, Brian was cleared to eat regular foods with zero restrictions. These small victories remind us of Brian's amazing resilience and strength. Bringing us optimism, hope and joy.

"However, there are also moments of deep agony and helplessness. The struggle in Brian's eyes after his traumatic brain injury is heart-wrenching and profound. It's as if I can see the battle he faces every moment, grappling with tasks that used to come effortlessly. His eyes, once filled with strength and confidence, now hold a mixture of confusion, frustration, and determination. In those moments when he tries to communicate but struggles to find the right words, or when he attempts to move independently but is met with physical limitations, I feel ALL the emotions: helplessness, sadness, and an overwhelming desire to alleviate his pain. It's a reminder of the challenges he must overcome, and the immense courage it takes for him to navigate this new reality.

"I find myself searching his gaze for signs of hope and resilience, and sometimes, amidst the struggle, I catch glimpses of his unwavering determination to reclaim what was lost. His eyes speak volumes about his strength and his unyielding spirit in the face of adversity. As a parent, witnessing this struggle has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life. The most difficult has been losing my oldest son, Tommie, forever. Telling Brian why his brother Tommie isn't coming to see him at the hospital or ever again and having to explain to him how the same person who ended his brothers life, also maliciously tried to end Brian's too… this is a pain that comes with so many emotions and a void that will never be filled.

"My determination is to support Brian wholeheartedly, to celebrate every small victory, and to provide the unwavering encouragement he needs to keep pushing forward. Through it all, I thank God for his healing hands and hold onto the belief that with time, patience, and the support of loved ones and healthcare professionals, he will continue to make progress. His eyes, though clouded with uncertainty at times, reflect a resilience that inspires me daily. We have so many people who would love to see Brian and we appreciate all the love. The Dr's have recommended much needed rest for Brian in the weeks to come. With a Traumatic Brain Injury, its important to keep the stimulation to a minimum and to allow much needed rest. With that said, we continue to ask for privacy as we follow the Dr.'s orders and keep the number of visitors to a minimum… so, in order to support Brian's best interest, Visitors are strictly limited. This is for the wellbeing of Brian.

"We can not Thank everyone enough for the continued love and support during this challenging time. #RoadToRecovery#BattieStrong."

The GoFundMe has raised more than $100,000 for Battie's care.

Several members of Auburn's coaching staff went to Florida to visit Battie and his family late last month.

"He's getting better," Hugh Freeze said at SEC spring meetings, via the Tampa Bay Times. "(To) honor the family, I don't want to go into too many things, but they appreciate all the prayers, for sure. It's been a difficult time for the whole family, but he seems to be getting better each day."

On May 18, Battie, a former USF transfer, was one of five victims of a shooting at an outdoor shopping center in Sarasota. His brother, 24-year-old Tommie Battie IV, was pronounced dead that day. The Tampa Bay Times reported Brian was shot in the head.

Last month, Darryl Brookins, 28, was arrested by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, and is being charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm as a felon.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, which received a copy of the arrest affidavit, security footage shows Brian and Tommie approached Brookins shortly after 3 a.m. Brookins pulled a gun and began firing, and the Battie brothers fired back before both being shot. 

Brookins' attorney said he will plead self-defense. The affidavit from the Sarasota police department said, via security footage, that Brookins "immediately" fired at the Battie brothers when approached.

Brian played his first three college seasons at South Florida, where he amassed 1,841 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was a consensus All-American kick returner in 2021, when he led the nation at 32.5 yards per return, and housed three kicks for touchdowns.

Brian transferred to Auburn last January. In his lone season as a Tiger, he rushed for 227 yards and a touchdown, and returned 28 kickoffs.

Defensive Camp Dandy Dozen: Who impressed during Auburn's camps?

A breakdown of some of the players on the defensive side of the ball who impressed this summer.

While Auburn hosted 38 official visitors over the course of the summer, it was also time for camps, 7-on-7 tournaments and private workouts for the coaches to get a look at some top targets and even some other names that popped up and impressed throughout the summer.

Today, a look at a dozen players on the defensive side of the ball who either caught our eye or impressed the staff.

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

Alvin Henderson's pledge to Auburn among top commitments of the week

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

Auburn football received a pleasant surprise last week.

After missing out on four-star running back Alvin Henderson in April to Penn State, Auburn found a way to reel him back in and flip his commitment. Henderson became Auburn’s fifth 2025 commitment of June last Friday, and arguably the most notable.

On3 dropped their selections for last week’s top commitments from across the country, and included Henderson’s pledge to Auburn on the list. Henderson’s flip from Penn State to Auburn was one that On3’s Collin Ginnan saw happening.

Alvin Henderson committed to Penn State on April 11 despite Auburn being a longtime favorite in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. On Friday, the Tigers flipped Henderson back to the home-state team.

Henderson shared his reasoning for the swap, saying that he feels Auburn is “home.”

“Auburn is home,” Henderson told On3 in a recent interview. “I really appreciate Penn State and I love it up there and their coaches, but Auburn is home. It always has been.”

Henderson’s commitment bumped Auburn to No. 4 in 247Sports’ 2025 recruiting rankings, which is a six-spot increase from their No. 10 ranking to begin the month of June. Henderson joined four-star OT Broderick Shull, four-star safety Eric Winters, and four-star CB Donovan Starr by committing to Auburn this month.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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si.com

Unsung Heroes of Auburn Tigers Defense

Terrance Biggs

3–4 minutes

At first blush, the Auburn Tigers’ 4-2-5 defensive look de-emphasizes linebackers. Yet, looking deep within, you see a scheme that not only depends on linebackers but needs them to lead in various ways. In 2024, the corps of 'backers will once again thrive in a fast-flowing scheme that places priority of playmaking over profound structure.

As a result, the linebacker room will stabilize the scheme, providing support versus the run and pass. In the SEC, linebackers need to prepare for every contingency, as talent combined with innovation keeps them on their proverbial toes. For Auburn, Austin Keys and Eugene Asante play a pivotal in the success of their defense. 

Two, Only Two

In Auburn's defense, the Tigers theoretically deploy three linebackers. However, the BUCK position, will see their hand in the dirt occasionally. Their main responsibility is to rush the passer, pressure, and hopefully, generating big plays.

In that case, the other two linebackers clean up. Meaning, they must be the ones to stop the ball carriers on wide-veering run plays. Also, the 'backers need to display some semblance of pass coverage, especially in the short area. Auburn relies on them to handle coverage of opponents underneath. 

The Leader

In watching film, Austin Keys personifies the middle linebacker spot. From his pre-snap communication to his sure tackling, he controls the action in front of him. Equally important, Keys uses hand fighting to shed blocks, winning before making the tackle.

In some college circles, linebackers will dance or use just speed to evade the blocker. However, Keys, loves to get downhill, forcing contact, before sliding off to make the play. 2024 serves as a redemptive year for Keys. He sat for over a month, needing thumb surgery, following the UMass victory. Now healthy, Keys wants to play a full year, culminating in an Iron Bowl with a far different result.

The Playmaker

Looking at Asante, you'd expect him to continue the tremendous playmaking history of Auburn linebackers. In fact, that looks like a fair assessment. Although not the largest player, listed 6'1 and 219 pounds, Asante uses quick hands and feet to get underneath to secure the tackle.

In 2023, Asante enjoyed a breakout season. His tally of 86 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks caught the attention of opponents and coaches alike. Not to mention the 67- yard fumble return for a touchdown. against Texas A&M.

LET'S WORK 🗣️@_kayinlee forces the fumble and Eugene Asante takes it all the way for the touchdown‼️ https://t.co/kMLtqxbSn3 pic.twitter.com/t471VkVQGh

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) September 23, 2023

Although Asante played well, he needs not improve on line fundamentals. When engaging with blockers, he must disengage sooner, allowing for time and space to make the play. Asante flashes enough speed on his side to shed and move. 

Dirty Work

Neither Austin Keys and Eugene Asante will typically make the flashy play. However, more often than not, each will make the secure one. In a conference where freelancing leads to chunk yardage, Auburn and their linebackers choose a different path. Now, the two must anchor this defense, inspiring them to play better with passion.

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athlonsports.com

 

Auburn Football Expected To Have One Of The Better Offensive Lines In the SEC

Lance Dawe

2–3 minutes

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The Auburn Tigers should have one of the better offensive lines in the SEC this upcoming season.

The Tigers' line was lackluster a season ago when it came to protecting its quarterback, ranking 104th nationally in sacks allowed per game. Auburn did, however, have the 24th-best rushing attack in college football. There were some positives, some negatives, but overall it wasn't one of the best units in the SEC.

According to 247Sports' Brad Crawford, Auburn will have one of the most talented lines in the conference this fall.

Crawford recently released a list of the 10 most talented offensive lines in the SEC, with the Auburn's ranking No. 10.

Here's what Crawford had to say about the Tigers' offensive line:

Auburn's offense needs to improve — that is known. And Hugh Freeze should feel good about the guys up front making that happen with All-Freshman center Connor Lew returning, Dillon Wade moving inside and Izavion Miller holding it down at right tackle. The two other positions are still up for grabs coming out of spring and two guys who will play a lot are Tate Johnson and Jeremiah Wright. Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis could be the starter at left tackle.

Here's a look at Auburn football's entire 2024 schedule:

Aug. 31 - Vs Alabama A&M Bulldogs

- 6:30 p.m. SEC Network+

Sep. 7 - Vs California Golden Bears

- 2:30 p.m. ESPN 2

Sep. 14 - Vs New Mexico Lobos

- 6:30 p.m. ESPN 2 or ESPNU

Sep. 21 - Vs Arkansas Razorbacks

- Flex (2:30 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Sep. 28 - Vs Oklahoma Sooners

- Afternoon (2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.)

Oct. 5 - At Georgia Bulldogs

- Flex (2:30 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Oct 12 - Bye Week

Oct 19 - at Missouri Tigers

- Early (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Oct 26 - at Kentucky Wildcats

- Night (5 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Nov. 2 - Vs Vanderbilt Commodores

- Early (11 a.m.-12 p.m.)

Nov. 9 - Bye Week

Nov. 16 - ULM Warhawks

- 11:45 a.m. SEC Network

Nov. 23 - Texas A&M Aggies

- Flex (2:30 p.m.-7 p.m.)

Nov. 30 - Alabama Crimson Tide

- Flex (2:30 p.m.-7 p.m.)

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247sports.com

 

Biggest strength concern for each Auburn position group

Nathan King

14–18 minutes

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The Tigers appear to be much more well-rounded entering Freeze's second year on the Plains

Hugh Freeze feels he's gotten Auburn's roster to a much healthier place in 2024.

As compared to the scramble drill Freeze and his inaugural coaching staff had to enact in the weeks and months after arriving on campus — relying heavily on the transfer portal to piece together a competitive roster — the Tigers appeared to be much more well-rounded entering Freeze's second year on the Plains. That said, a team is always going to have its strengths and weaknesses, and for a program still in the early stages of a hopeful climb toward championship contention, even the most proven of position groups are not without flaws.

Auburn's roster picture is concrete at this point in the offseason, so let's take a look at what each position boasts entering 2024 as its biggest strength, along with a facet of that group that should be monitored and nurtured in fall camp and into the season. For variety's sake, we'll bounce between offense and defense down the list.

(Kyle Okita, 247Sports)

 

QUARTERBACK

 

Strength: Experience

Concern: Improvement 

There aren't going to be many teams in college football with a sixth-year senior quarterback getting set to start his fourth straight season at the Power Four level. There isn't much Thorne hasn't seen as a QB at this point, and Auburn believes it has surrounded him with the level of receiving talent necessary to improve from an unsightly 2023 campaign. 

The question is: Just how much better can Thorne and the passing game be? There's really nowhere else to go but up, and all indications are that Thorne is properly insulated with the right pieces to help him get back to his 2021 form, when he threw for more than 3,o00 yards and 27 touchdowns at Michigan State. Players are allowed to improve when their surroundings do, and Auburn believes that's the case in 2024.

(Austin Perryman / Auburn Athletics)

 

NICKEL/SAFETY

 

Strength: Choices

Concern: Proven production

Three starters are gone from this lumped-together position group last season, so the concerns are essentially tied in with the excitement of the new faces. Sylvester Smith and Terrance Love are former 4-star recruits looking to take on bigger roles in their second seasons with the program, while someone like Caleb Wooden has been groomed nicely to settle into a starting job this season. Champ Anthony played sparingly last season but now appears primed to start at nickel. True freshman Kaleb Harris is viewed as an under-the-radar contender for playing time. Laquan Robinson was a top JUCO prospect. And Jerrin Thompson transfers in from Texas as a sure-fire contributor on the back end.

There's plenty to like about the options that position coach Charles Kelly has at his disposal. There's also not a ton of production to speak of from that group in an Auburn uniform. The most returning tackles for Auburn's safeties from the 2023 season are Wooden's 15.

(Kevin C. Cox, Getty)

 

RUNNING BACK

 

Strength: Reliability

Concern: Bottom of rotation

Jarquez Hunter was a few carries away from 1,000 yards last year, Damari Alston was ultra-explosive when healthy, and Jeremiah Cobb might be the most all-around talented player in the room entering his second season. Auburn certainly knows what it has at running back, but those names are the only ones on scholarship right now. Things appear to be trending the right way for Brian Battie, as he's been discharged from the ICU after being shot last month. But he's obviously not going to play football again anytime soon. 

If Auburn can maintain its trio of ball-carriers, the Tigers should boast one of the better running back rooms in the conference — a unit that led the way for the No. 3 rushing attack in the SEC last season. If there's an injury, though — like the one that sidelined Alston for a few games last year — the Tigers would be down to just two scholarship running backs. That's grounds for at least a bit of concern this offseason.

(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)

 

CORNERBACK

 

Strength: Ceiling

Concern: Second group

Auburn has become accustomed to strong cornerback pairings in the past several seasons — just look at what the program has been able to produce in the NFL draft at that position — and the duo of Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee in 2024 is as exciting as any before them. Scott makes the move after starting at nickel for two seasons, and Lee looked like a future star while contributing as a true freshman last season. There are little, if any question marks surrounding those two, with the only asterisk being that Scott hasn't played much outside corner at the SEC level.

However, especially after Colton Hood transferred out, Auburn's two-deep at cornerback is blurry. Hood owned the No. 3 spot in the spring, and that's now up for the taking in fall camp. There will be plenty of young talent oozing from that competition, but the combination of contenders like Jay Crawford, Antonio Kite and JC Hart have 37 combined snaps to their names. Quality depth is important in the secondary, and Auburn will have to hope some of those aforementioned players step up and are able to contribute at a decent level.

(Jake Crandall / Syndication: Montgomery Advertiser, USA TODAY Sports)

 

WIDE RECEIVER

 

Strength: Talent

Concern: Proven production

Auburn hasn't had a crop of receivers that's looked like this getting off the bus in quite some time. Top recruits Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson are the headliners of an extremely impressive 2024 class at receiver. The other two freshmen are both blue-chip prospects, too. Veteran transfers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Robert Lewis bring more than 3,000 combined receiving yards in their careers.

But none of those players have ever caught a pass in an Auburn uniform. Only two scholarship receivers return from last year's team. Freeze wanted to overhaul this group, and he's done so masterfully. Now it's time to prove they're capable of infusing the talent and big-play ability necessary to shift this passing game up a couple gears.

(Matthew Maxey, Getty)

 

LINEBACKER

 

Strength: Experience

Concern: Bottom of rotation

Much in the same vein as cornerback, first-year Auburn coordinator D.J. Durkin inherited a strong duo in the linebacking corps, as leading tackler Eugene Asante looks to build off his breakout 2023 campaign, and Austin Keys looks primed for a starting position after being injured several games last year. Duke transfer Dorian Mausi, with nearly 200 career tackles, was the veteran Auburn was looking for to top off the primary rotation with experience. 

That trio should be ready to go. But with the outgoing transfers of Cam Riley and Wesley Steiner, Auburn is in need of some inexperienced players to slide into the two-deep. Redshirt sophomore Robert Woodyard Jr. is joined by a standout freshman class, including top-70 overall recruit Demarcus Riddick. Auburn can probably get away with relying on that experienced group at the top, but the staff is hopeful that someone like Riddick or Woodyard will be able to occupy enough snaps to give the Tigers a reliable two-deep.

(Kyle Okita, 247Sports)

 

TIGHT END

 

Strength: Experience

Concern: Consistency

At the end of the day, it's difficult to find much to complain about with Auburn's tight end room. There's a nice blend of big-bodied athleticism and experienced blocking with Rivaldo Fairweather and Luke Deal, respectively, while Micah Riley and Rico Walker and impressive-looking players down the depth chart. That's not to mention sixth-year senior Brandon Frazier, who caught two touchdowns last season.

If there was one area to focus on, though, perhaps it would be the overall consistency of a group that saw most of its production in the passing game from Fairweather, and most of its blocking work from Deal and the now-departed Tyler Fromm. It's nit-picky, sure, but a more consistent and dynamic depth chart at tight end would serve to be an even more reliable piece of the offensive equation.

(Jason Caldwell, 247Sports)

 

EDGE

 

Strength: Production

Concern: Second group

Funny enough, returning Auburn sack leader Jalen McLeod and Arkansas State transfer Keyron Crawford had the exact same stat line in terms of negative plays last season: 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. More than 20 combined TFLs between two pass-rushers is solid, and Auburn is excited about what Crawford means for McLeod being an even more explosive player, since he presumably won't have to play as many snaps and can be fresher when needed on passing downs.

To call the second grouping of edge rushers a concern would discredit the absurd talent Auburn has in the freshman class with Amaris Williams, Jamonta Waller and Joseph Phillips. But can those youngsters be SEC-ready for a few snaps a game?

(Wesley Hitt, Getty)

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

 

Strength: Depth

Concern: Improvement

Under Jake Thornton, Auburn's offensive line quietly took some steps forward last season after being a group that struggled on almost an annual basis for the past several seasons. The Tigers would be the first to point out some of the holes, sure, but it was a group that had to rely on four transfers — then a true freshman later in the year — in the starting lineup. Now with more stability and familiarity in the room, how can the Tigers take things up a notch in 2024?

Sometimes it's hard to quantify improvement on an offensive line, so starters like Dillon Wade, Connor Lew and Izavion Miller taking the next step forward in their second seasons with the program would be a good place to start. While it may not be as talented a group as Auburn hopes to establish in the coming years, it is one that boasts as good a two-deep on paper as the Tigers have had in a a few years.

(Joe Robbins, Getty)

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

 

Strength: Depth

Concern: SEC experience

Auburn took a by committee approach in replacing first team All-SEC performer Marcus Harris, signing four Power Four transfers at defensive tackle. Those moves created a plethora of options at nose tackle, too, not to mention a solidified defensive end rotation with Keldric Faulk spelled by veteran Zykeivous Walker. Besides the young cornerstone Faulk, it's anyone's guess who will step up and contribute the most for the Tigers' front line in 2024. Depth isn't a question, and Auburn should be able to rotate a ton and have fresh bodies available.

But is there a fearsome force on this line like Harris was last year? Faulk is probably the best bet in that category, but all the other former top recruits along the D-line are freshmen. The interior line of scrimmage was inconsistent last season, as Harris couldn't do it all himself. Whether a steady rotation of experienced transfers does the trick remains to be seen, but the Tigers would be a lot more comfortable if at least one of the newcomers broke out and became a big matchup problem. 

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Most Valuable Tigers: No. 20

Next up is a Power Four starter Auburn nabbed from the transfer portal to help satisfy the Tigers' needs for playmakers along the defensive front. Can he get up to speed quick enough in fall camp to become a major SEC contributor?

We're still in the heart of the college football offseason: more than two months removed from spring practice, a month from media days, and several weeks until the start of the 2024 season, Auburn's second 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' 2024 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 2024 — 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 is No. 21: Philip Blidi, a Power Four starter Auburn nabbed from the transfer portal to help satisfy the Tigers' needs for playmakers along the defensive front. Can Blidi get up to speed quick enough in fall camp to become a major SEC contributor?

AS A RECRUIT

Hometown: Trenton, N.J.

Class: 2020

247Sports ranking: 3-star, No. 14 SDE, No. 688 overall

(Indiana Athletics)

AS A PLAYER

In terms of career games played, Blidi now becomes one of the most experienced players on Auburn's defense. After ranking as the No. 1 recruit in the state of New Mexico, Blidi appeared in every game his three college seasons at Texas Tech, contributing as a rotational piece.

His final season with the Red Raiders was his most productive, and he parlayed that success into a transfer landing spot at Indiana. Blidi proceeded to start every game at defensive tackle for the Hoosiers, posting 30 tackles and four tackles for loss.

After Blidi hit the portal in March, he had an extensive list of power-program offers, and LSU, Oklahoma and Washington appeared to be Auburn's primary competition. Auburn got Blidi on campus in mid-April, though, and got its first spring transfer commitment a week later from the fifth-year senior, adding to the Tigers' efforts to add playmakers along the defensive front.

At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, Blidi's size and skill set should remind Auburn fans of last year's first team All-SEC defensive tackle, Marcus Harris, though what Blidi lacked in run-stuffing ability as compared to Harris, he made up for with strong pass-rushing numbers. 

2024 OUTLOOK

Finding a one-to-one replacement for Harris and his playmaking ability is obviously a big task, so Auburn went for a by-committee route along the defensive line. Blidi joins Isaiah Raikes (USC), Gage Keys (Kansas) and Trill Carter (Texas) as Power Four pickups that Auburn hopes will be able to break through and provide enough juice for the Tigers to compete on SEC lines of scrimmage this fall.

Blidi played 66 percent of his snaps as a 3-tech defensive tackle for the Hoosiers, with the ability to play big on the interior.  But given the Tigers' stockpiling of bigger, space-eating defensive tackles like Carter, Raikes, Jayson Jones and Quientrail Jamison-Travis, Auburn shouldn't need Blidi to move around too much. That means it will likely be him and Keys at the 3-tech spo.

On paper, Blidi brings more production to the lineup than Keys, who was able to comfortably work his way into the first-team defense in spring practice. Blidi could certainly be an SEC starter, but Auburn is also prepared to win with depth.

WHAT SAY YOU?

MOST VALUABLE TIGERS

No. 25: DT Trill Carter

No. 24: OG Jeremiah Wright

No. 23: LB Dorian Mausi

No. 22: OT Izavion Miller

No. 21: DT Isaiah Raikes

*** Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more ***

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athlonsports.com

 

Auburn Has Several Top Recruiting Targets Still On The Board

Brian Smith

~4 minutes

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Recruiting is beginning to come to a head for the Auburn Tigers.

While everyone is anxious to see what quarterback recruit Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis will decide, there are several other talented prospects still on the board as well.

For Auburn targets, here are a few talking points to consider.

Jacobe Ward, Offensive lineman, Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School

Auburn (June 7) is trending for the massive blocker but Tennessee (June 14) and LSU (June 21) are also threats. With Auburn's need for offensive linemen within the 2025 class, Ward would be a fantastic addition to the class.

Herbert Scroggins, Edge, Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School

Look for Auburn to win out with Scroggins barring something unforeseen. He is one of the more athletic and versatile edge defenders in Dixie.

Tavaris Dice, Offensive Tackle, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes

The Auburn commitment recently took an official visit to Florida. It’s not clear if Dice is completely locked in with the Tigers or not. He’s a really important part of Auburn’s recruiting class and would be a big loss.

Elijah Melendez, Linebacker, Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola

A long-time Miami (June 21) commitment, Auburn (May 31), Ole Miss (June 7), and Oklahoma (June 14) are also in the thick of the race. NIL is a big part of his recruitment and it could come down to a combination of negotiations and comfort for Melendez.

Antonio Coleman, Defensive Tackle, Saraland (Ala.) High School

The back-and-forth battle for Coleman has him committed to the Crimson Tide. For now. Auburn is in play. This is a recruitment that may not be 100% decided until National Signing Day.

Derick Smith, Wide Receiver, Selma (Ala.) Southside

An elite athlete who could play safety or receiver, Smith is currently committed to Bama. With an Auburn (June 7) official visit under his belt, it’s still not a lock he heads to Tuscaloosa for college. Intel says it will be hard to flip Smith but Auburn does have a shot. Time will tell.

Zion Grady, Edge, Enterprise (Ala.) High School

This recruitment is all over the map. Grady is familiar with several schools and perhaps Auburn the most of all. Tennessee, Georgia, Miami, Florida State, and other programs are also still possible, too. It would not be wise to bet on Grady’s college choice.

Blake Woodby, Cornerback, Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances

The former Ohio State commitment is definitely an option for Auburn and the Tigers might hold the edge. He’s a burner with verified electronic sub-4.5 speed.

Ousmane Kromah, Running Back, Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County

Simply put, this is probably a three-horse race between Auburn, Florida State, and Georgia. Much like Grady, don’t place any bets as it’s a really tight competition.

Malachi Goodman, Offensive Line, Paramus (N.J.) Catholic

Southern California (June 21) receives the last official visit. It could be important with Auburn (May 17), Georgia (May 31), and Penn State (June 7) also prime contenders. Will his recruitment become more muddled with Goodman’s trip to Los Angeles? He’s a big-time prospect who Auburn has a legit shot to land.

Andrew Babalola, Offensive Tackle, Overland Park (Kan.) Blue Valley West

An elite academic performer, Babalola is looking hard at Stanford, Auburn, and Michigan. Do not discount the Cardinal here despite its 2024 record of 3-9. The degree value from Stanford could be a determining factor. 

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247sports.com

Auburn signs former Alabama and Colorado DB transfer Jahquez Robinson

Christian Clemente

2–3 minutes

A little thin at the defensive back spots, Auburn has signed former Alabama and Colorado transfer Jahquez Robinson to help shore up the room. Robinson arrives at Auburn with two years of eligibility remaining as a graduate transfer. He is a scholarship addition.

Robinson previously played under new Auburn defensive backs coach Charles Kelly.

In the Class of 2020, Robinson signed with Alabama and was ranked as the No. 285 player, No. 21 cornerback and No. 49 player from Florida in the class. Out of Sandalwood (Fla.), Robinson also visited Oklahoma and South Carolina during the recruiting process. 

Spending the 2020-'22 seasons at Alabama, Robinson did not play in 2020 and redshirted in 2021. The next two years he played in a combined seven games and registered two tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack against Vanderbilt. Robinson spent the 2023 season at Colorado, appearing in seven games and starting two games. He totaled nine tackles and an interception with the Buffaloes. Robinson was listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds.

According to PFF, Robinson played 123 defensive snaps and graded out at 61.7. Robinson dealt with a hamstring injury that limited his action in the 2023 season.

Robinson initially entered the transfer portal back in January prior to spring practices, but did not land on a new destination until now signing with the Tigers. He has experience at safety, nickel and cornerback, a position where Auburn was filled with talent but lacking depth especially after Colton Hood left for Colorado in the spring transfer portal.

Auburn exited the spring portal window still hovering right around the 80 scholarship mark, giving Hugh Freeze and his staff plenty of spaces available to elevate a preferred walk-on or in this case get a late addition in Robinson. 

Overall Robinson is addition No. 15 in the transfer portal for Auburn in this cycle combining the winter and spring portal windows. In the secondary Auburn also added former Texas safety Jerrin Thompson and former Alabama cornerback Antonio Kite prior to spring practice.

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al.com

Auburn’s Brian Battie improving, has been moved to rehabilitation facility, update says

Updated: Jun. 25, 2024, 9:44 a.m.|Published: Jun. 25, 2024, 9:39 a.m.

3–4 minutes

Auburn running back Brian Battie continues to improve following the May 18 shooting that left him in critical condition and killed his older brother Tommie Battie IV, according to an update posted to the GoFundMe campaign organized to benefit the Battie family on Tuesday.

According to Brian Battie’s mother Adriene Battie, who wrote Tuesday morning’s update, Brian Battie was moved to the intensive care rehabilitation facility at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on June 17.

“The past week Brian has made progress each day and as of yesterday, Brian was cleared to eat regular foods with zero restrictions,” Adriene Battie wrote. “These small victories remind us of Brian’s amazing resilience and strength. Bringing us optimism, hope and joy.”

However, despite the improvements to Brian Battie’s physical health, the tragedy continues to take its toll mentally and emotionally as there are moments of “deep agony and helplessness,” Adriene Battie admits.

“The struggle in Brian’s eyes after his traumatic brain injury is heart-wrenching and profound,” Adriene Battie wrote. “It’s as if I can see the battle he faces every moment, grappling with tasks that used to come effortlessly. His eyes, once filled with strength and confidence, now hold a mixture of confusion, frustration, and determination.”

According to court documents, Brian Battie suffered a gunshot wound to the head during the May 18 shooting, which occurred outside a Sarasota, Florida strip mall.

Sarasota deputies arrested suspected shooter Darryl Brookins and charged him with the murder of Tommie Battie IV and attempted murder for Brian Battie. Deputies also arrested Brookin’s girlfriend Nicole Roberts, according to reports, for allegedly discarding the gun used in the shooting.

Previous court documents filed to deny Brookins a pre-trial release stated that Brian Battie could have “permanent paralysis” if he survived.

However, in a positive update posted to the GoFundMe campaign on June 5, Brian Battie’s godmothers, Kelli Raines and Tanya Babinski, wrote that Brian did have movement in all his extremities and was able to give a thumbs up.

In a separate update on June 14, Adriene Battie wrote that her son was “smiling, laughing and getting words out.”

“In those moments when he tries to communicate but struggles to find the right words, or when he attempts to move independently but is met with physical limitations, I feel ALL the emotions: helplessness, sadness, and an overwhelming desire to alleviate his pain,” Adriene Battie wrote in Tuesday’s update. “It’s a reminder of the challenges he must overcome, and the immense courage it takes for him to navigate this new reality.”

The full update can be read at the GoFundMe link below. As of Tuesday morning, more than $110,000 had been raised for the Battie family.

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247sports.com

 

PMARSHONAU How did college football get here Where is it going

Phillip Marshall

16–20 minutes

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How college athletics got to these unprecedented times

How did we get to this confusing and tumultuous time in college athletics, particularly football? You have to go back decades in any attempt to understand. There was a time when you could make a real case – unlike the fake one being made today – that college athletes were being exploited. They got a scholarship and $15 a month "laundry money." That was it. And then the laundry money went away.

Athletes were not allowed to work during the school year. The NCAA limited how much those who qualified for Pell Grants could accept. If they qualified for more, they literally had to write a check to the university. Medical care was good at some places and almost non-existent at others. Those days are gone and have been for a long time.

Today's football players at the highest level get $6,000 a year in educational expenses, cost of attendance stipends of around $1,000 a month, unlimited food, the best living conditions on campus, elite training in elite facilities and, of course, scholarships worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. They get top-notch medical care and free tutors if needed.

So why isn't that enough? It started 40 years ago before the Supreme Court..

It started when Oklahoma and Georgia, representing the College Football Association, went to court in an effort to get control of college football television. In 1984, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor. Almost immediately, major football programs signed their rights over to their conferences. In 1984, ESPN was only five years old. No one could have imagined what was to come. That same year, ABC bought 100 percent control of ESPN, opening the door for ESPN to bid on major college and professional sports.

Thus began, the flood of money that eventually led to coaches being paid seven-figure and even eight-figure salaries.

Along the way, some remaining onerous regulations were removed. Players were still required to sit out a season if they transferred, but they no longer had to get releases from the programs they were leaving. Coaches could no longer dictate the programs to which they were allowed to transfer. Even before that, rules that prohibited players from working during the school year were overturned. Players were allowed to keep whatever Pell Grant money for which they qualified.

In 2014, former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA's rule against athletes profiting from their name, image and likeness. The outcome, while in O'Bannon's favor, wasn't overly damaging to the NCAA. But the floodgates had been opened.

Former NCAA president Mark Emmert had an opportunity at that point to recognize the dangers ahead and make allowances in areas like NIL. He chose not to. On the rare occasions that he spoke publicly, he vowed there would not be pay for college athletes. No one with vision spoke up.

Lawsuits came from every direction. The NCAA lost just about all of them. The Ashton case, regarding educational expenses, got to the Supreme Court. In a unanimous decision, the court swatted down the NCAA and made it clear that other antitrust suits would likely end the same way. States passed laws that said student-athletes could take money whether the NCAA liked it or not.

Some of those lawsuits don't make a lot of sense to a layman like me, but they obviously make sense to judges. A settlement agreement has been reached that will cost the NCAA and – by extension – member schools almost $3 billion in back pay to athletes who were prohibited from making NIL deals. The settlement still must be approved by the judge.

In 2021, athletes were given the freedom to profit from their name, image and likeness. Collectives, groups who raised and dispersed money, sprung up like weeds. Agents swung into action. NIL became something few people imagined. Some players became wealthy.

On top of the money issues, the NCAA decided to allow unlimited transfers with no penalty. The combination of NIL money and those transfers has created something never before seen in college athletics.

All those things contributed to where we are today. If the settlement is approved, programs will be able to spend up to $22 million of television money to pay players. Schools will be on the hook for more millions a year for 10 years to pay those former athletes. It is all but certain that Power 4 programs will soon by separate from the rest of Division I and will be able to make and enforce their own rules.

As part of the settlement, programs would be able to offer full scholarships to full rosters in all sports. Walk-ons could be eliminated. Some non-revenue sports could be cut or reduced to something akin to club-level teams.

All this is causing heartburn for athletics directors and presidents. If they want to compete for championships, they will have to pay up. But how? Even in the SEC and Big Ten, there is no easy answer to those questions.

The money has to come from somewhere, and the notion that athletics programs have millions of dollars lying around is far from accurate. Jobs are going to be lost. Opportunities for student-athletes to compete are going to be lost, too. The $22 million limit won't be just for football. And what about Title IX?

On top of all those things, nobody can say for sure if the judge will approve the settlement. What if she doesn't? What then? Other lawsuits remain in the pipeline.

Strap in tight. There is no way to know when or where this runaway train will stop.

Biggest strength, concern for each Auburn position group

The Tigers appear to be much more well-rounded entering Freeze's second year on the Plains

Hugh Freeze feels he's gotten Auburn's roster to a much healthier place in 2024.

As compared to the scramble drill Freeze and his inaugural coaching staff had to enact in the weeks and months after arriving on campus — relying heavily on the transfer portal to piece together a competitive roster — the Tigers appeared to be much more well-rounded entering Freeze's second year on the Plains. That said, a team is always going to have its strengths and weaknesses, and for a program still in the early stages of a hopeful climb toward championship contention, even the most proven of position groups are not without flaws.

Auburn's roster picture is concrete at this point in the offseason, so let's take a look at what each position boasts entering 2024 as its biggest strength, along with a facet of that group that should be monitored and nurtured in fall camp and into the season. For variety's sake, we'll bounce between offense and defense down the list.

(Kyle Okita, 247Sports)

 

QUARTERBACK

 

Strength: Experience

Concern: Improvement 

There aren't going to be many teams in college football with a sixth-year senior quarterback getting set to start his fourth straight season at the Power Four level. There isn't much Thorne hasn't seen as a QB at this point, and Auburn believes it has surrounded him with the level of receiving talent necessary to improve from an unsightly 2023 campaign. 

The question is: Just how much better can Thorne and the passing game be? There's really nowhere else to go but up, and all indications are that Thorne is properly insulated with the right pieces to help him get back to his 2021 form, when he threw for more than 3,o00 yards and 27 touchdowns at Michigan State. Players are allowed to improve when their surroundings do, and Auburn believes that's the case in 2024.

(Austin Perryman / Auburn Athletics)

 

NICKEL/SAFETY

 

Strength: Choices

Concern: Proven production

Three starters are gone from this lumped-together position group last season, so the concerns are essentially tied in with the excitement of the new faces. Sylvester Smith and Terrance Love are former 4-star recruits looking to take on bigger roles in their second seasons with the program, while someone like Caleb Wooden has been groomed nicely to settle into a starting job this season. Champ Anthony played sparingly last season but now appears primed to start at nickel. True freshman Kaleb Harris is viewed as an under-the-radar contender for playing time. Laquan Robinson was a top JUCO prospect. And Jerrin Thompson transfers in from Texas as a sure-fire contributor on the back end.

There's plenty to like about the options that position coach Charles Kelly has at his disposal. There's also not a ton of production to speak of from that group in an Auburn uniform. The most returning tackles for Auburn's safeties from the 2023 season are Wooden's 15.

(Kevin C. Cox, Getty)

 

RUNNING BACK

 

Strength: Reliability

Concern: Bottom of rotation

Jarquez Hunter was a few carries away from 1,000 yards last year, Damari Alston was ultra-explosive when healthy, and Jeremiah Cobb might be the most all-around talented player in the room entering his second season. Auburn certainly knows what it has at running back, but those names are the only ones on scholarship right now. Things appear to be trending the right way for Brian Battie, as he's been discharged from the ICU after being shot last month. But he's obviously not going to play football again anytime soon. 

If Auburn can maintain its trio of ball-carriers, the Tigers should boast one of the better running back rooms in the conference — a unit that led the way for the No. 3 rushing attack in the SEC last season. If there's an injury, though — like the one that sidelined Alston for a few games last year — the Tigers would be down to just two scholarship running backs. That's grounds for at least a bit of concern this offseason.

(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports)

 

CORNERBACK

 

Strength: Ceiling

Concern: Second group

Auburn has become accustomed to strong cornerback pairings in the past several seasons — just look at what the program has been able to produce in the NFL draft at that position — and the duo of Keionte Scott and Kayin Lee in 2024 is as exciting as any before them. Scott makes the move after starting at nickel for two seasons, and Lee looked like a future star while contributing as a true freshman last season. There are little, if any question marks surrounding those two, with the only asterisk being that Scott hasn't played much outside corner at the SEC level.

However, especially after Colton Hood transferred out, Auburn's two-deep at cornerback is blurry. Hood owned the No. 3 spot in the spring, and that's now up for the taking in fall camp. There will be plenty of young talent oozing from that competition, but the combination of contenders like Jay Crawford, Antonio Kite and JC Hart have 37 combined snaps to their names. Quality depth is important in the secondary, and Auburn will have to hope some of those aforementioned players step up and are able to contribute at a decent level.

(Jake Crandall / Syndication: Montgomery Advertiser, USA TODAY Sports)

 

WIDE RECEIVER

 

Strength: Talent

Concern: Proven production

Auburn hasn't had a crop of receivers that's looked like this getting off the bus in quite some time. Top recruits Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson are the headliners of an extremely impressive 2024 class at receiver. The other two freshmen are both blue-chip prospects, too. Veteran transfers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Robert Lewis bring more than 3,000 combined receiving yards in their careers.

But none of those players have ever caught a pass in an Auburn uniform. Only two scholarship receivers return from last year's team. Freeze wanted to overhaul this group, and he's done so masterfully. Now it's time to prove they're capable of infusing the talent and big-play ability necessary to shift this passing game up a couple gears.

(Matthew Maxey, Getty)

 

LINEBACKER

 

Strength: Experience

Concern: Bottom of rotation

Much in the same vein as cornerback, first-year Auburn coordinator D.J. Durkin inherited a strong duo in the linebacking corps, as leading tackler Eugene Asante looks to build off his breakout 2023 campaign, and Austin Keys looks primed for a starting position after being injured several games last year. Duke transfer Dorian Mausi, with nearly 200 career tackles, was the veteran Auburn was looking for to top off the primary rotation with experience. 

That trio should be ready to go. But with the outgoing transfers of Cam Riley and Wesley Steiner, Auburn is in need of some inexperienced players to slide into the two-deep. Redshirt sophomore Robert Woodyard Jr. is joined by a standout freshman class, including top-70 overall recruit Demarcus Riddick. Auburn can probably get away with relying on that experienced group at the top, but the staff is hopeful that someone like Riddick or Woodyard will be able to occupy enough snaps to give the Tigers a reliable two-deep.

(Kyle Okita, 247Sports)

 

TIGHT END

 

Strength: Experience

Concern: Consistency

At the end of the day, it's difficult to find much to complain about with Auburn's tight end room. There's a nice blend of big-bodied athleticism and experienced blocking with Rivaldo Fairweather and Luke Deal, respectively, while Micah Riley and Rico Walker and impressive-looking players down the depth chart. That's not to mention sixth-year senior Brandon Frazier, who caught two touchdowns last season.

If there was one area to focus on, though, perhaps it would be the overall consistency of a group that saw most of its production in the passing game from Fairweather, and most of its blocking work from Deal and the now-departed Tyler Fromm. It's nit-picky, sure, but a more consistent and dynamic depth chart at tight end would serve to be an even more reliable piece of the offensive equation.

(Jason Caldwell, 247Sports)

 

EDGE

 

Strength: Production

Concern: Second group

Funny enough, returning Auburn sack leader Jalen McLeod and Arkansas State transfer Keyron Crawford had the exact same stat line in terms of negative plays last season: 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. More than 20 combined TFLs between two pass-rushers is solid, and Auburn is excited about what Crawford means for McLeod being an even more explosive player, since he presumably won't have to play as many snaps and can be fresher when needed on passing downs.

To call the second grouping of edge rushers a concern would discredit the absurd talent Auburn has in the freshman class with Amaris Williams, Jamonta Waller and Joseph Phillips. But can those youngsters be SEC-ready for a few snaps a game?

(Wesley Hitt, Getty)

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

 

Strength: Depth

Concern: Improvement

Under Jake Thornton, Auburn's offensive line quietly took some steps forward last season after being a group that struggled on almost an annual basis for the past several seasons. The Tigers would be the first to point out some of the holes, sure, but it was a group that had to rely on four transfers — then a true freshman later in the year — in the starting lineup. Now with more stability and familiarity in the room, how can the Tigers take things up a notch in 2024?

Sometimes it's hard to quantify improvement on an offensive line, so starters like Dillon Wade, Connor Lew and Izavion Miller taking the next step forward in their second seasons with the program would be a good place to start. While it may not be as talented a group as Auburn hopes to establish in the coming years, it is one that boasts as good a two-deep on paper as the Tigers have had in a a few years.

(Joe Robbins, Getty)

 

DEFENSIVE LINE

 

Strength: Depth

Concern: SEC experience

Auburn took a by committee approach in replacing first team All-SEC performer Marcus Harris, signing four Power Four transfers at defensive tackle. Those moves created a plethora of options at nose tackle, too, not to mention a solidified defensive end rotation with Keldric Faulk spelled by veteran Zykeivous Walker. Besides the young cornerstone Faulk, it's anyone's guess who will step up and contribute the most for the Tigers' front line in 2024. Depth isn't a question, and Auburn should be able to rotate a ton and have fresh bodies available.

But is there a fearsome force on this line like Harris was last year? Faulk is probably the best bet in that category, but all the other former top recruits along the D-line are freshmen. The interior line of scrimmage was inconsistent last season, as Harris couldn't do it all himself. Whether a steady rotation of experienced transfers does the trick remains to be seen, but the Tigers would be a lot more comfortable if at least one of the newcomers broke out and became a big matchup problem. 

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