War Eagle Daily

It’s the Chad Morris era in Auburn. Here’s what he brings to the table

Auburn has had somewhat recent success in offensive coordinators. Rhett Lashlee was a great offensive mind. Chip Lindsey fit right into the Jarrett Stidham offense. Kenny Dillingham was more of an assistant coach than an offensive coordinator. Auburn just hired Chad Morris, one of the best coaches without a ring out there. While Morris failed to succeed at Arkansas, that’s not to blame on the coach. It’s the lack of talent Arkansas has. Morris was a really good coach at Clemson. And at SMU as well. So what is Auburn getting in Chad Morris and what kind of things will he put in the offense?

Anthony Schwartz will be used more

Anthony Schwartz is the fastest player in America. But last year it seemed like Gus Malzahn didn’t use him nearly enough. Well, this year will be different. I think Morris will flex Schwartz on other teams using his speed and mobility. And Schwartz could very well be the difference between Auburn having a good season or not. He should get 4-5 touches on jet sweeps and end arounds a game. That’s a good thing. Schwartz has proved he’s capable of scoring on top defenses. In 2018 he scored on Alabama and Tennessee. And in 2019, he ran 57 yards to the house. So yeah, he’s explosive. He’s gonna draw scouts in from everywhere if he does well this season.

Tight ends are back!

Auburn simply hasn’t used a tight end much in the last 5 or 6 years. Why? I don’t know. I love tight ends. They’re a great option for the quarterback to throw too. Bo Nix would probably do really well if he had a bigger target to pass to. And because Bo sometimes has to scramble out of the pocket and heave the ball, a big guy that can go up and get that heave would improve the offense significantly. Chad Morris likes tight ends too. Arguably his best player on offense last season at Arkansas was a tight end. Gus Malzahn said this is the year the tight ends will finally be used. There’s not much of a choice though. Auburn has five talented tight ends on the roster. Junior John Samuel Shenker, sophomores Luke Deal and Tyler Fromm, and freshmen Brandon Frazier and JJ Pegues. I think they’ll all get snaps but the players to watch would be Luke Deal and Brandon Frazier.

An improved Bo Nix

Bo Nix went through several ups and downs in his freshman season. There were a lot of goods. There were some big mistakes. But Chad Morris is good with quarterbacks. He’s had some great ones. Bo Nix might be his next best. Nix has the most NFL like attributes there is. He’s a great passer. Also he’s got some pretty good running to go with that. His style is perfect for most any team in the country because of this. Honestly, I think Auburn can get the bad quarterback developing turned around with the addition of Chad Morris. And he’s already attracting the most talented passers in the country. So expect not only a better Bo Nix but a new start to Auburn quarterbacks.

Morris might shift the offense over to a passing offense

Auburn’s always been a running offense. Look at our history. Well, Auburn’s got a potential legendary quarterback on its roster in Bo Nix. And in the year 2020, I believe Auburn will have the most stacked talent at wide receiver in school history. The running game is a bit more of a question this year. That’s why I think the offense under Morris might become more of a passing offense.

We’ll see smart trick plays

Auburn fans had to be very bored considering that there were very few successful trick plays in 2019. Gus called trick plays in games against big time opponents. Well, most of them were either called at a terrible moment, or they was just flat out poorly executed. It makes me wonder if Malzahn went over them as many times as the team should. But Chad Morris is an offensive master mind. So I think when he draws up trick plays, they’ll be ran well and he’ll call them at the right moment. It’s a beautiful thing when a trick play goes perfect. Auburn hardly had that last season. I hope that’ll be different this year.

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NCAA gives Baseball players an extra year

The NCAA has approved another year for spring sports athletes. That includes Baseball. That’s a fair rule as now every player in college baseball will not have a wasted year. You may ask, why not do this for basketball? Well, for one, the basketball regular season was already over. Two, because the rosters would get very crowded and this would upset big time recruits that are hoping to go one and done as a starter for their school.

Auburn is recruiting quarterbacks like crazy for 2021

Auburn is looking to add a couple passers to its 2021 Class. Luckily, they’ve got several options. And they’re all good. Really good. Even though these guys aren’t necessarily up there, or even close to being a 5-star, their talent is mind blowing. And besides, what you’re ranked doesn’t matter. I was watching a 2-star running back vs a 5-star running back yesterday and the two star I thought was almost as good as the 5-star. It’s the work you put in that teams see. And these Auburn quarterback targets work hard. The guys they’re recruiting are, Aaron McLaughlin, Kyron Drones, Kaidon Salter, Ty Keyes, and possibly Cam’Ron Ransom. These guys are all really good. McLaughlin was committed to Auburn before reopening his recruitment. I think Auburn’s most interested in Kyron Drones. But I see the most likely to commit to Auburn is Ty Keyes. I’m making an article that should be out in about a week that will showcase Auburn’s recruits by each position. You’ll get better details of these guys in that article.

Jalen Green, biggest Auburn Hoops target ever, announces commitment date

Auburn’s basketball team is looking to land their highest ranked recruit ever. Jalen Green, the #3 ranked recruit in the 2020 class, will announce his commitment on around April 15. The guard from California is trending mightily towards Auburn and he is the Tigers’ most coveted recruit, perhaps of all-time. If Green commits, he’ll be Auburn’s second 5-star recruit for 2020 and the third 5-star commit in program history. Auburn will have to replace all five starters plus two other seniors. It looks as if Auburn’s biggest threat to not get Green, is playing pro ball for a year overseas. Memphis and Oregon are also in the mix. War Eagle!

Daniel Carlson can’t wait to kick in “the Death Star”

The leading all-time scorer in SEC History and former Auburn kicking star Daniel Carlson is exited about something. He’s exited about kicking. But, that’s what you’d expect. He is a kicker after all. Well, he’s not just exited about kicking, he’s exited about where he’s kicking. Carlson, a kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders, who just moved into Las Vegas after moving from Oakland, are getting a new stadium. Allegiant Stadium is on track to be massive. And of coarse it’s gonna be really nice too. It’s so big, that Daniel Carlson compares it to the Death Star, a massive star ship in the Star Wars series. That’s the nick name that’s growing for this new stadium. I think it fits quite well.

“I think it’s super-exciting,” Carlson said. “This stadium looks like the Death Star. It’s beautiful, and it’s going to be awesome just playing in that environment, and then the practice facilities and everything are going to be brand new. I think, obviously, we’re very excited about that. The city, I think, is very excited. It’s a unique place where, hopefully, a lot of fans are going to want to fly in, visit and, hopefully, we’ll have a new, good local fan base as well. In addition, hopefully, the Oakland fans transition and whether they drive or fly or however they get there. I’m sure there’s a lot of excitement around the transition. I know the players and the coaches and everybody’s really excited about the future of the Raiders.”

Carlson can’t wait to get kicking again. Fans can’t wait to see football again. Let’s hope that all happens. War Eagle. #AUNextLevel

Remember the good days when Kerryon Johnson would effortlessly punish defenders and rush for multiple touchdowns a game?

The year 2017 was a good one for Auburn football. We had chances to compete for a championship and you could feel that in the atmosphere in Jordan-Hare. We also had this dude named Kerryon Johnson. He was really good. Johnson, a running back from Madison Academy, was only a junior and yet, he was dominating SEC defenses constantly. Kerryon would always wait for there to be a hole in the line and once he saw it, he went full steam ahead. His break away speed wasn’t fantastic but it was enough to get by. The way he turned from a patient wrecking ball, to an accelerating work horse was seen before in a few different former Auburn runners. Like the greatest athlete of all time, Bo Jackson, and even the famous Cadillac Williams. Kerryon was one word. A work horse. A flat out work horse. He would literally carry Auburn to smooth victories. He never stopped. He kept battling. He just wouldn’t go down. Johnson was Auburn’s 2017 1000 yard rusher. The Tigers haven’t had one since. Here’s what I’m saying. Auburn needs that running back that every time he gets the ball, Auburn fans are like, “that’s our guy.” A running back that you can feel the atmosphere rise when he gets the ball. One that gets the loudest noise when they’re announced on in the starting lineups. A name that the whole country knows. It would be a breath of pure fresh air for Tiger fans. And here’s why I think Auburn has that guy this year. Auburn has a very solid group of running backs for the 2020 season. Sophomore DJ Williams ran through LSU defenders last season and made himself known as an underrated recruit coming out of high school. Mark Antony Richards who was injured last year, has high praise and even Kerryon like comparisons from Coach Cadillac Williams as he’ll make his freshman debut. Shaun Shivers, a small but punishing back who is probably the toughest, most boulder like running back we’ve ever had, is entering his junior season. But I don’t think any of those guys are gonna be that new guy. I think true freshman and 5-star running back Tank Bigsby is gonna be that guy. He just flat out punishes defenders. He has electric speed and a strong body. He’s got jukes. He’s got burners. He’s got legs that don’t stop until he’s in the end zone. He’s got tackle breaking blood. He’s got everything. Bigsby is a monster. And that’s why, he’s gonna take the breath out of defenders and give fans that fresh air they desire. War Eagle.

Auburn target Cliff Omoruyi commits to Rutgers

You could say Auburn hoops is in need of a center for 2020. Since Austin Wiley graduated, Auburn’s only center on the roster is sophomore Stretch Akingbola. And he has very little experience. Well, Auburn fans hoped they’d pick up a commitment from 4-star center Cliff Omoruyi. But unfortunately, the big man from New Jersey committed to Rutgers on Sunday. So with that, Auburn must reach deep into the transfer portal to grab some sort of center or post player. Even if he’s not good enough to start, Auburn still needs at least a back up.

Jarrett Stidham is the NFL’s most undiscovered talent

Is Jarrett Stidham good? Is he bad? No one really knows how he’ll do in the NFL. But everyday the odds get better for him to get his shot. The former Auburn quarterback plays for the New England Patriots. The player he sat behind just so happened to be the great Tom Brady so he has experience talking to the greats. Now Tom Brady is out of New England. So that leaves Jarrett Stidham the leader of a bunch of iffy quarterbacks. He’s gotten praise from lots of great athlete’s and coaches. But when Stidham got his shot early last season, he couldn’t even close out a blowout win as he threw a pick 6. So what is he? A whole bunch of untapped talent? A future franchise passer? A bust perhaps? Who really knows? Right now, he’s getting a lot of praise. But should he be getting that much? Probably not. I mean, he’s a good athlete with a bright future but remember, he’s only been in the pros for one season. So here’s the run down. As long as the Patriots don’t sign Cam Newton, I think Jarrett will start. I think he’ll be decent to start the season. But he’ll improve as his experience grows. So will Jarrett Stidham be great? Yeah, maybe. If he’s in the right situation he will be. But not in his first year as a starter. But then again, I could be wrong. Second year quarterbacks having a break out year is a growing trend in the NFL. Guys like, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson had great second years. But you can also have terrible second years like Baker Mayfield. But hey, Patriots fans love Stidham. Unlike at Auburn, Stidham’s style fits the Patriots’ offense. So I do think he’ll do really good, but in order to do that, I think he’s going to have to go through an up and down first year as a starter. War Eagle! #AUNextLevel

2020 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

The NBA Draft is always a fun event. While they may do it with out fans, it’ll still be fun to watch. Auburn is looking to put their first ever lottery pick in the books. Dayton is hoping to get a first round pick for the first time since 1979. The lottery picks haven’t been announced yet so these will be guesses of which teams will pick where.

1. Warriors – James Wiseman / Center / Memphis

2. Cavaliers – Obi Toppin / Forward / Dayton

3. Pistons – Anthony Edwards / Shooting Guard / Georgia

4. Timberwolves – Lamelo Ball / Point Guard / Australia

5. Hawks – Deni Avdija / Forward / Israel

6. Knicks – Cole Anthony / Point Guard / North Carolina

7. Bulls – Isaac Okoro / Small Forward / Auburn

8. Wizards – Onyeka Okongwu / Power Forward / USC

9. Hornets – Tyrese Haliburton / Guard / Iowa State

10. Suns – Precious Achiuwa / Power Forward / Memphis

11. Spurs – RJ Hampton / Guard / New Zealand

12. Kings – Saddiq Bey / Forward / Villanova

13. Trail Blazers – Aaron Nesmith / Guard / Vanderbilt

14. Pelicans – Killian Hayes / Guard / France

15. Timberwolves – Isaiah Stewart / Forward / Washington

16. Magic – Tyrese Maxey / Guard / Kentucky

17. Celtics – Jaden McDaniels / Forward / Washington

18. Thunder – Nico Mannion / Guard / Arizona

19. Mavericks – Theo Maledon / Point Guard / France

20. Bucks – Jalen Smith / Center / Maryland

21. Nuggets – Patrick Williams / Forward / Florida State

22. Nets – Tre Jones / Point Guard / Duke

23. Heat – Jahmi’us Ramsey / Guard / Texas Tech

24. Jazz – Josh Green / Guard / Arizona

25. Thunder – Xavier Tillman / Forward / Michigan state

26. Celtics – Vernon Carey Jr / Center / Duke

27. Raptors – Zeke Nnaji / Forward / Arizona

28. Knicks – Kira lewis Jr. / Point Guard / Alabama

29. Lakers – Cassius Winston / Point Guard / Michigan State

30. Celtics – Nick Richards / Power Forward / Kentucky

2020 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Thankfully, there will be a 2020 NFL Draft. Will it have people attending it? Probably not but at least it’s still on. Here’s my second mock draft of the year.