Category: Auburn News

How does Payton Thorne stack up against SEC quarterbacks?

Podcast host Michael Bratton is the latest to reveal his SEC QB power rankings. Can Thorne boost his outlook as the season goes along?

[autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] will be tasked with leading the revamped Auburn offense through its grueling 2023 schedule.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] must be confident in his ability to do it. He did bring in the former Michigan State Spartan after all. Perhaps it was simply because of the lack of options, but Thorne is a Tiger nonetheless.

On “That SEC Football Podcast,” Michael Bratton ranked each SEC team’s expected starting quarterback and Thorne slid in at No. 12. He beats out Florida‘s Graham Mertz and Vanderbilt’s AJ Swann, and falls just behind Missouri’s Brady Cook.

Bratton on Thorne: “It’s not because I think he’s a bad player. It’s just so hard for me to predict what Auburn is going to be with a new coaching staff and with essentially a new starting offense with all the transfers.

I’m not saying you can’t win with Payton Thorne. I think you can. They (Michigan State) won 11 games two years ago.”

Expectations will be high, and soon it will be evident if Thorne is up to the challenge of leading an SEC offense.

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Auburn volleyball welcomes Jack Burton as assistant coach

Burton was a part of Florida Gulf Coast’s staff last season, which led the Eagles to a 26-7 record.

Just a few weeks after head coach [autotag]Brent Crouch[/autotag] received a five-year contract extension, Auburn has added [autotag]Jack Burton[/autotag] to its staff as an assistant coach.

“My wife Cori and I want to thank Athletics Director John Cohen, Senior Associate AD Joy Vrbka and head coach Brent Crouch for this opportunity,” said Burton. “We could not be more excited to be a part of the Auburn family. I look forward to working with each of these amazing student-athletes and this entire staff to continue building upon the success they’ve already accomplished. It is truly an honor to work here and I cannot wait to get started. War Eagle!”

Burton spent last season in Fort Meyers, Florida as an assistant coach for Florida Gulf Coast and helped lead the team to one of the best seasons in program history.

The Eagles went 26-7 overall and 13-3 in Atlantic Sun Conference play, back-to-back conference titles, and the third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.

“Jack is going to be a substantial addition to an already deep, first-class staff,” said Crouch. “His expertise will lift all areas of our program from practice planning to recruiting. I’m particularly excited for him to help with the development of our outside hitters and scouting. Jack’s character, integrity and overall demeanor will perfectly fit what Auburn Volleyball is all about. We are delighted to welcome him and his wife Cori to the Plains.”

Auburn volleyball finished with a 22-9 record in 2022, and will look to build in 2023.

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Auburn Softball hires Hannah Sparks as assistant coach

Sparks won two national championships at Oklahoma, one as a player and another as an assistant coach.

Auburn has announced the addition of [autotag]Hannah Sparks[/autotag] to its coaching staff. Sparks spent last season as a volunteer assistant coach with the national champion Oklahoma Sooners.

“We’re excited to welcome Hannah to our staff,” head coach [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] said of the hiring. “Hannah will work with our catchers as well as assist with our infielders. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from her time as a player and coach at Oklahoma.”

The Thomasville, Alabama native won a national championship with the Sooners as a catcher in 2017. After graduating the next year, Sparks immediately launched her coaching career.

She spent three seasons as a hitting and catching coach and recruiting coordinator at Pearl River Community College in Mississippi and as a graduate assistant at Lee University in Tennessee prior to returning to Oklahoma.

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Rodney Colton Jr places Auburn in top six

Colton has quickly become one of the areas most popular prospects for the 2026 cycle.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has ramped up Auburn’s recruiting efforts and has already gotten started on the class of 2026.

[autotag]Rodney Colton Jr[/autotag], an athlete in the class of 2026, listed his top six school choices and Auburn cut along with Cincinnati, Florida, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee.

His recruitment has taken off over the last two months. Liberty was the first program to extend an offer to Colton back on May 3. Since then, Colton has received offers from ten programs across the country. Auburn was one of five schools to offer Colton on May 3 according to 247Sports.

The Newnan, Georgia native is a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder who typically plays the nickel position. Due to his age, he has not received a rating from 247Sports, On3, or Rivals.

The rising sophomore is a big part of Newnan’s defensive secondary.

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What does Hugh Freeze bring to the table according to On3?

Freeze has won at every stop. Do not expect that to change during his time at Auburn.

The last time the Auburn Tigers hired a football coach they turned to one with no Power Five, much less SEC experience. They did not want to make that mistake again.

Auburn turned to [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag], a proven head coach with a knack for rebuilding programs and taking them to new heights.

In an On3 article written by Grant Grubbs, the idea of what Freeze brings to the table is explored.

Freeze has won at every stop he has made.

The 53-year-old coach landed his first head position at the collegiate level at Lambuth in 2008 where he spent two seasons and went 20-5.

Arkansas State hired Freeze as its offensive coordinator in 2010 before promoting him to head coach in 2011. He led the Red Wolves to a 10-2 record and a Sunbelt Conference championship.

The SEC was up next when the Ole Miss Rebels hired Freeze in 2012. During his five seasons in Oxford, Freeze led the Rebels to a 39-25 record.

Freeze took over the Liberty Flames in 2019 and Freeze built a winner once again. In his four seasons with the program, the Flames went 34-15.

The answer to the question is an experienced coach with a proven record of success. That is what Auburn fans hop Freeze can bring to the table.

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On3 expects Auburn to be ‘astronomically better’ this season

Auburn’s transfer portal haul has upgraded nearly every unit across the board.

After a rough stretch for Auburn, expectations for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] to turn things around are through the roof.

Freeze wasted no time improving Auburn’s roster as an article from On3 written by Grant Grubbs describes Auburn’s talent as ‘astronomically better’ heading into the new era.

The article included some thoughts of JD PicKell on On3.

“The talent alone at Auburn is astronomically better than what you had a season ago in terms of guys that are going to likely start for you,” PicKell said. “The quarterback, [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], I think gives you a much better jumping-off point. You retooled the defense. Overall, you feel a lot better about the floor of where you’re sitting right now for Auburn.”

The Tigers have made significant improvements to almost every position and their roster more so resembles one you would want to have in the SEC West than it did a year ago. Freeze used the transfer portal to make it happen.

“The first thing we got to talk about is what Hugh Freeze did through the portal was awesome,” PicKell said. “He just saw the portal and took what he wanted. They have a top-five portal class right now. “They took 20 transfers. Props to Hugh Freeze. That’s what good bosses do when they take over a failing company. They bring in the personnel to help that company succeed.”

Auburn fans will not have to wait too much longer before they get to see this new-and-improved team in action.

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Auburn’s SEC Network takeover to take place on Monday, July 3

Cadillac Williams’ first win as Auburn’s interim head coach headlines a full day of coverage dedicated to Auburn athletics

Football season is getting closer, as SEC Media Days are upon us.

Leading up to the preseason event that kicks off July 17 at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Nashville, SEC Network will showcase each SEC program’s best events during the 2022-23 academic season.

Auburn’s turn on the SEC Takeover will take place on July 3.

Several moments that will be featured include Volleyball’s historic NCAA Tournament win over Creighton, Equestrian’s fifth-straight SEC championship, and [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag]’ first win as Auburn’s interim head coach.

Men’s basketball, baseball, and softball will also be represented during the takeover.

Here is a look at Auburn’s SEC Network takeover schedule, so that you will not miss out on re-living your favorite moments from last season.

Auburn baseball adds Sacred Heart infielder Sam Mongelli

Mongelli smashed 20 home runs and plated 54 runs last season at Sacred Heart.

[autotag]Butch Thompson[/autotag] has already started to gear up for next season. Friday, the Tigers added former Sacred Heart infielder [autotag]Sam Mongelli[/autotag].

Mongelli has played four seasons with the Pioneers and will join Auburn as a graduate transfer.

Mongelli says that Auburn’s yearly goal of going to the College World Series is a driving factor behind his decision to spend his final season on the Plains.

“Culture-wise and competition-wise, they are a group of guys that really want to get to Omaha and win the thing. That’s something that drives me every day,” Mongelli said in an interview with Auburn Undercover. “That’s something I want to achieve in my life before I’m done. I know how much of a passion they have to get there and to win it. It lit a fire under me. I knew it was the right fit for sure.”

2023 was a big season for the Marlboro, New York native as he hit .402 with 97 hits, 20 home runs, 54 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .743.

Throughout his four seasons with the program, Mongelli averaged .341 with 150 hits, 26 home runs, 78 RBI, a slugging percentage of .593, and a fielding percentage of .907.

There are likely going to be some changes within the Auburn lineup heading into next season and Mongelli will likely play a significant role.

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Auburn baseball names Everett Teaford pitching coach

He spent the past six years with the Chicago White Sox.

[autotag]Butch Thompson[/autotag] has found his man, Auburn’s skipper announced that [autotag]Everett Teaford[/autotag] would be the program’s next pitching coach on Friday.

Teaford has spent the past six seasons with the Chicago White Sox, including the last four years as the minor league pitching coordinator. He was a minor league quality control coach for the White Sox in 2018 and assistant pitching coordinator in 2019 before being promoted to pitching coordinator in 2020.

“I absolutely believe Everett Teaford will be a gamechanger at the college level. He checks so many boxes and will help us continue to enhance our program,” Thompson said. “He has pitched at the highest level, helped develop professional pitchers, served as a scout, had an exceptional college career, and hails from an important section of Auburn’s recruiting footprint in Georgia.

“Teaford’s acumen, drive, personality, and ability to understand and implement programs and strategies will make a positive impact on our current and future student-athletes,” Thompson added. “I’m thankful that Everett, Natalie and their beautiful family believe this is the perfect time to invest in this amazing university. Auburn Family, help me welcome the Teaford family.”

Teaford was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 12th round of the 2006 MLB draft and spent the 2011-13 seasons with the Royals and the 2015 season with the Tampa Bay Rays. He went 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA and struck out 67 batters in 49 appearances.

During his time with the White Sox, Teaford most notably worked with pitching prospect Dylan Cease, who finished second in Cy Young Award voting in 2022.

“I’m extremely grateful to Coach Thompson for this opportunity, and I’m excited to get back into the college game,” Teaford said. “Auburn competes at the highest level in the SEC, and I love the momentum the program has created in recent seasons. I want to thank the White Sox for getting me started in the coaching profession, and I can’t wait to continue to help develop these young, talented pitchers on the Plains.”

He is replacing [autotag]Daron Schoenrock[/autotag]who spent one season with Auburn before deciding to step down to spend more time with his family.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Teaford played three seasons at Georgia Southern from 2004-06. A two-time All-Southern Conference performer, he turned in a 26-13 career record with a 4.00 ERA and struck out 353 batters.

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2024 RB Caden Durham picks up Auburn offer

Durham is the No. 10 RB of the 2024 class according to 247Sports.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze [/autotag] has not been messing around on the recruiting trail since taking over the Auburn Football program.

Auburn has offered 2024 running back [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], a four-star recruit from Duncanville, Texas.

According to 247Sports, Durham is the No. 98 ranked player nationally, the No. 10 ranked running back and the No. 19 ranked player in the state of Texas. He has a 0.9540 composite rating.

[autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] has earned a reputation as one of the best running backs coaches in all of college football and is an effective recruiter at the position.

Other notable offers held by Durham include Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M.

As a junior in 2022, Durham rushed for 1,960 yards and 36 touchdowns off of 210 carries while also catching nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Durham has not set a commitment date yet.

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