Auburn got some depth to its quarterback chart with Grant Loy, a grad transfer from Bowling Green. The 6’5 dual threat passer is happy with a backup role. Auburn will have lots of insurance with Loy along with Newton, if he’s needed to switch from receiver, and sophomore Cord Sandberg and freshman Chayil Garnett. Loy could potentially switch to receiver or tight end if needed.
This is great news for the Tigers. War Eagle!
First of all, sorry for the lack of posts recently. There’s little content this week.
Auburn’s recruiting in running backs has been fantastic every single year. A few of its best in the 2000s, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown, Michael Dyer (transferred to Louisville), Tre Mason, Corey Grant, Cameron Artis-Payne, Kamryn Pettway, and Kerryon Johnson. It’s looking to continue its star studded back field with some young backs. Here’s a few of them, and why they could emerge as stars.
Mark Antony Richards
The redshirt freshman was out for 2019, but is getting praise from coaches as a potential star. It only helps that he wears #21. #21 was worn by two great Auburn runners. Tre Mason, and Kerryon Johnson. Maybe, Richards, a solid third down back, can be the next great #21. Richards is a slick runner, weaving through gaps. He’s also a great receiver. A sentence that describes him, like a satellite working through defenders.
D.J. Williams
DJ Williams, a solid running back that had a great game vs LSU, could be really good. He seized his opportunity when Whitlow was out. The compact runner combines speed and jolt. When he breaks free, it’s hard to stop him. Like a bolder, he effortlessly pushes through defenders. A sentence that describes him, a defender neutralizer, one jolt, and he’s gone.
Shaun Shivers
You’d expect a 5’7 guy to be a shifty running back. Not Shaun Shivers. Arguably the most powerful running back in college football, Shivers is the dark horse to make an impact for Auburn. Shivers is like ant man, with crazy strength, and small explosiveness, he’s a very interesting back. His signature play, was a game winning touchdown when he knocked the helmet off of Alabama safety Xavier McKinney. A sentence that describes him, a short, but insanely powerful bowling ball.
A solid compact runner from Georgia, Bigsby can do lots of damage. The former 5-star looks to impress with his crazy footwork and powerful drive. Explosiveness and speed plus immense power makes Tank, a potential star. Football analysts say his juke, is the nastiest juke they’ve seen in his class. That’s a really good thing. A solid build, the star out of Callaway high, will be developed under Cadillac Williams, who was a similar build in college. A sentence that describes him, like a elusive bowling ball, Tank takes two steps and he’s gone.
Armoni Goodwin
Elusiveness and grind makes Armoni Goodwin a superstar in the making. Similar to Shaun Shivers, Goodwin has great speed and has developed powerful attack. Precision and burst are two words that Goodwin validates. Although being only 5’8, Goodwin excels in the run game, bullying larger defender whether it’s through speed, or power. The Trussville native is a hard commit to Auburn and by what we know, we see absolutely no chance he changes that. A sentence that describes him, a powerful burst of speed, he must be related to the Flash.
Hope you enjoyed this article. War Eagle!
Sad news was confirmed on Monday. Former Auburn head coach, Pat Dye, has died after being diagnosed with coronavirus, and dealing with kidney issues.
When I think of a true Auburn man, Pat Dye always comes to my mind. Selfless, loyal, and wise are a few words that describe him. Unfortunately, his time came. Dye is now with his Lord and Savior.
Dye led Auburn to Southeastern Conference championships in 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame for his coaching successes at East Carolina University, the University of Wyoming and Auburn, Dye was an All-American player at the University of Georgia.
This news is somewhat shocking to the Auburn family. It only adds to the pain of the passing of Rod and Paula Bramblett, which occurred a year and six days ago.
Coach, we know you’ll be cheering on your Tigers and watching above from that orange and blue sky.
Rest in paradise. War Eagle always.
The last time there was a major Auburn vs Alabama vs Clemson battle for a superstar player, Clemson won. It was Justyn Ross, one of the best receivers in the country.
Auburn has another chance vs the Tide and Tigers to land another in-state superstar. Two sport athlete Ga’Quincy McKinstry is looking like it will come down to Clemson, Auburn, and Alabama. LSU and Georgia are also in the mix. LSU is a much bigger threat than Georgia however.
Somethings that help Auburn in the race for McKinstry are…… He played with Bo Nix and won two State Titles with him. Also, he’s looking to play basketball in college. Auburn has the best basketball team out of all the schools in his top 5.
But the fact that Auburn has the best basketball team could actually hurt their chances with McKinstry. He’d be guaranteed playing time in football, but not basketball. At Alabama, he’s good enough a football player to get easy playing time for the Tide, and easy playing time in basketball since Alabama doesn’t have the best basketball team.
Another thing that hurts Auburn, Patrick Nix left Pinson Valley for Phoenix City. That opened a door for Sam Shade, a former Alabama star. He took that opportunity. Which means Shade will likely encourage McKinstry to play for the Tide.
It’s obvious Alabama is the slight favorite for the incredible defensive back.
So if Auburn wants to land him, Gus Malzahn will have to go all in on him. That means pushing hard, constant conversations with him, and talking to his parents about how he can get a great education, as well as a great team, if he chooses Auburn.
War Eagle.
On Saturday, big news was released. It was not good news if you’re a Florida fan. Gators’ basketball star Andrew Nembhard withdrew his name from the NBA Draft, but is likely going to enter the transfer portal.
Nembhard, a guard, did wonders for Florida in the 2019 SEC Tournament.
So does Bruce Pearl need to go after him? Here’s why he should, but why it likely won’t happen.
Why Auburn needs to pursue Nembhard
A lack of experience on Auburn’s roster
Andrew Nembhard has something Auburn doesn’t have. Experience. He’s been in the big moments. He’s played tough schools. Auburn’s point guard will be Sharife Cooper. But it’s uncertain who the shooting guard will be. Jamal Johnson and Tyrell Jones are the two that could be the guards. They haven’t played in those big moments.
Someone reliable for Cooper to pass it to
Sharife Cooper is a really good passer. Which is why he needs a partner to pass the ball to for easy buckets. Nembhard provides that.
A great three point shooter
Last year, Auburn went from the best three point shooting team in the country, to worst in the SEC from 2018-19 to 2019-20. To get back to a Final Four, we need three point shooters. Nembhard is a steady three point bomb waiting to explode.
Why it likely won’t happen
Pearl isn’t concerned about his current team
Bruce Pearl trusts that he has a fantastic team. He does. He doesn’t think he needs a veteran to come in and play.
Nembhard probably won’t even consider Auburn
There are probably ACC and Big 10 schools on Nembhard’s mind right now. Most transfers that leave an SEC school do not transfer to another SEC school. Texas Tech, Gonzaga, and Louisville are a few schools that will probably try and land him. Those are some good and safe options.
Auburn Basketball has missed out on some big time transfers and recruits this year. Mac McClung, a former Georgetown star, picked Texas Tech over Auburn. McClung would have given Auburn more leadership. But the guard saw an opportunity for the Raiders. But it’s all good. We’ve still got a fantastic team. War Eagle!
Auburn now has two commits from North Shore in Houston. Ten days after Dematrius Davis picked Auburn, his teammate did too. Jaeden Roberts, a highly ranked 4-star lineman verbally chose Auburn on Wednesday. This is a big boost to Auburn’s offensive line recruiting.
“It’s a really good school, a lot of good people, the coaching staff was awesome — couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Roberts, a 6’6, 330 pound lineman, is the No. 8 guard and No. 148 overall recruit nationally according to 247 Sports.
Roberts is commitment #9 for Auburn in the 2021 recruiting class. The Tigers now are 20th in the class rankings, up from #25. Auburn was #50 just two weeks ago.
War Eagle!!
I thought it would be fun to make some nick names for Auburn basketball players. They’re in order from jersey number (assumed jersey numbers for freshmen.)
* = Assumed numbers
Tyrell Jones #0 – Turbo
Tyrell already has a nickname. So this one was easy.
Jamal Johnson #1 – Jamal Three Ball
This nickname fits for Jamal since he’s a good three point shooter
Jaylin Williams #2 – Jay on Display
Jaylin’s signature is displaying a self alley oop.
Sharife Cooper #3* – The Sharif
Sharife resembles Sharif. It fits.
Chris Moore #5* – Moore Talent
Moore of everything with Chris Moore.
Dylan Cardwell* #10 – Dylan the Villain
Dylan is a dunker. He’s a legit villain.
Babatunde Akingbola #13 – Stretch
Stretch is already his nickname.
Allen Flanigan #22 – The Left Handed Machine
Flanigan, a lefty, is a true machine.
JT Thor #23* – Thor
Thor, a super hero, is truly what JT Thor is.
Justin Powell #24* – Justin And One
Justin Powell is known for drawing fouls.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a freshman insider. But I’m back. You’re locked into the freshman insider. Today we take a look at elusive forward Chris Moore. Let’s dive in.
What he brings
Chris Moore is an electrifying player. He’s quick but compact. He’s a steady shooter and a solid dunker. Size and speed is what Moore presents. He’s very similar to Danjel Purifoy. Moore can jump high and has a nose for blocking shots. He’s pretty big at 6’7. The play maker will have a great role in Bruce Pearl’s team. Quick physicality and jumping makes Chris Moore a top defender.
Where was he ranked?
Moore was a 3-star forward and the #3 player in Arkansas. Moore is the #129 playuer nationally and the #26 power forward.
Which NBA player does he compare to?
Moore reminds me of Denver Nuggets power forward Paul Millsap.
Which jersey number will he wear?
Chris Moore is #2 for his high school. That number is already taken however. I think he’ll wear #5 on the Plains.
Soon I’ll be doing a mailbag podcast. Please comment your questions on this website or my YouTube channel. (YouTube will be easier). Thanks! Below is the link to my channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpXGMte69SmHyWwsl4mV7Zg?view_as=subscriber
War Eagle Daily