Tag: A-Day

Terrion Arnold and Kalen DeBoer share a heartfelt moment

Terrion Arnold tells Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer something that Crimson Tide fans will be happy to hear.

With the Alabama Crimson Tide’s annual A-Day spring game taking place just a few weekends ago, it was the first chance we’ve had to see new head coach [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] on the sideline. The reality that the legend [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] is no longer with the program still doesn’t sit right, however, it seems like there is more of an overwhelming feeling of excitement for what DeBoer brings to the table.

As part of the A-Day festivities, former Alabama cornerback [autotag]Terrion Arnold[/autotag] was in town to speak to the team and enjoy the atmosphere ahead of this week’s NFL draft. Arnold is widely projected to be taken in the first round on Thursday night as he led the Crimson Tide with 12 pass breakups and five interceptions in 2023, but he will also go down as one of the most beloved players of the Saban era.

In a wholesome mic ‘d-up moment between DeBoer and Arnold, you can hear Arnold telling the new Crimson Tide coach, “Bro, I would’ve wanted to play for you. Bro, I like you.”

There is no question that DeBoer is an entirely different personality and coach than Saban, but that is just fine. DeBoer is very much a player-friendly coach who is adapting very well to the NIL and transfer portal era and is probably the perfect guy to guide Alabama through those ventures while Nick Saban tries out some new endeavors and enjoys a well-earned retirement.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Who was the breakout player from Alabama football’s A-Day spring game?

See which player stood above the rest during Alabama football’s A-Day spring game.

During Saturday’s spring game, the Alabama offense defeated the Alabama defense by a final score of 34-28. One player stood out above the rest.

The Alabama Crimson Tide were led offensively by junior running back Jam Miller. The native of Tyler, Texas finished the game with eight carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Miller has served as a backup the past two seasons. Now, it appears that he will have the opportunity to be Alabama’s feature back next season alongside sophomore Justice Haynes. The two seem to be the lead backs heading into the offseason.

The playmaking ability is what stands out the most with Miller. He can impact the game as a ball carrier as well as a pass catcher for the Crimson Tide. He will be vital to Alabama’s success at the running back position next season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program as it enters the offseason.

Auburn Tigers set date for 2024 A-Day spring game

The Auburn Tigers will play their annual A-Day spring game on April 6.

The start of spring practice is just around the corner and the Auburn Tigers football program announced that the 2024 A-Day spring game will be held on April 6.

The Tigers have not yet announced the spring practice schedule or any more details for the game, such as a time or if it will be on TV.

The spring practice window will be an important time for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] ahead of his second season on the Plains. The Tigers replaced both coordinators after ending the season on a three-game losing streak to drop to 6-7, their third straight losing season. [autotag]Derrick Nix[/autotag] was named the offensive coordinator and running backs coach, while the defensive coordinator spot has not been filled yet.

The spring practice slate will Auburn’s incoming freshmen to start to learn the offense and make a push for early playing time, especially at wide receiver where they signed five-star [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag]. The Tigers are hoping the talented freshman and a reworked offensive staff will allow [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] and the passing attack to take a step forward.

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 JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

How will Jeremiah Cobb be used in Auburn’s offense this season?

Cobb did not go through spring practice with the Tigers, but could very well play a role in Auburn’s offense this upcoming season.

After watching A-Day last Saturday, it has become clear that the running back position will be Auburn’s strongest unit heading into the 2023 season.

[autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] is expected to be the bell cow of the group, with [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] and [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] showing signs of positivity on Saturday. Two more backs, [autotag]Sean Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Jones[/autotag], also threw their hat into contention to grab solid carries after ending the game as Auburn’s leading rushers.

With a group this stacked, that leaves one question to be answered… “what role will [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] have in the Auburn offense this season?”

Cobb, a four-star running back from Montgomery, did not compete in spring drills as he is set to graduate from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School in May. Cobb was one of Auburn’s first commits of the 2023 cycle and has remained loyal to the Tigers throughout his recruitment. He brings a reputable resume with him to the Plains by rushing for over 6,500 yards and 75 touchdowns during his high school campaign.

His credentials are telling, but will he see the field as a freshman? Running backs coach Cadillac Williams answered that question prior to A-Day by saying that the ball is in Cobb’s court.

“If Jeremiah Cobb comes in here and he’s the best out there on the field, then he is going to be on the field. I’m a firm believer − my guys know − that I am fair. … Coach (Hugh) Freeze, (offensive coordinator Philip) Montgomery and myself, we’re going to do what’s best for the team. If we feel like a freshman or whoever is the best player out there, then (they play). That is what I am a believer in. I’m honest with my guys. They’re going to create their roles on this team. … I always challenge my guys: Let’s be a realist, man. Film don’t lie. So, again, Jeremiah Cobb will come into this thing and he will have ample opportunity to prove what he can do.”

Cobb is the third-highest-rated signee of the 2023 cycle from Auburn, trailing Keldric Faulk and Kayin Lee. Cobb signed with Auburn as the No. 16 recruit from the state of Alabama, and the No. 11 running back in the country according to 247Sports.

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Hugh Freeze provides post A-Day quarterback battle update

A-Day’s weather conditions limited what Auburn’s quarterbacks could do on Saturday. How much did that affect the race?

Now that A-Day has come and gone, the biggest question that still surrounds the Auburn Tigers football program ahead of the 2023 season is “Who will be the starting quarterback?”

Saturday’s weather conditions did not help matters, as [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag], [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag], and [autotag]T.J. Finley[/autotag] combined to complete 5-of-12 passes for 60 yards and zero touchdowns. Despite the rain, all three quarterbacks were positive with the media following the game.

“To go out there and end the spring strong with the guys, it was fun. These 15 practices have been fun,” Ashford said after the game. “It was good to be back in the crib, back in the most beautiful stadium in the world. You can’t beat it.”

How has the race progressed since the beginning of spring practice in February? Head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] said Saturday that there are still several boxes that need to be checked, but overall, he is positive about each quarterback’s progressions.

“I thought all three of them responded to our challenges and were like, ‘please coach us,'” Freeze said of his quarterbacks during the spring period.

Freeze went on to say that what Auburn fans saw on Saturday out of the quarterbacks is consistent with how they have performed all spring.

“I think you saw today that (Ashford) got the capability of making some plays. I thought he threw a really good seam ball in those conditions. I thought Holden (Geriner) threw some good balls. He missed a couple of reads on some RPOs I think. T.J. (Finley) did too. It’s kind of been that way all spring. Some real positives one day and some inconsistencies the next day. We’ve still got some time to help them improve, hopefully.”

Freeze and staff will continue to evaluate the position before naming the top guy, but the competition is truly bringing out the best in each contestant says Finley.

“Anywhere in the country, guys are competing, at each and every school. It’s always good to compete,” Finley said. “You need competition to bring the best out of you each and every day, and I think we’re all responding to it well.”

The next item on the agenda to watch is the second window of the transfer portal opening on April 15. The window was set to open on May 1 and last until May 15, but the revision now calls for the portal to re-open on April 15 and last until April 30.

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Hugh Freeze, Auburn reveals unique A-Day format

Get ready to experience A-Day in a new way this Saturday.

Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has not been shy when it comes to sharing his thoughts about spring games because they give fans a false sense of what to expect from the team.

“Unrealistic expectations lead to frustration,” Freeze said this week. “I don’t want anybody to be frustrated. Don’t want to show too much of what we think we might be really good at. There’s nothing on tape of what this new staff is exactly like.”

He has even gone as far as saying that he hopes to one day schedule a spring scrimmage against an in-state team rather than pitting teammates against themselves.

He cannot do that yet, so he will do the next best thing… alter the current model.

This season’s spring game, which will take place on Saturday, April 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, will have a running 60-minute clock with no quarters. The concept seems fun itself, but the kicker is even better.

The defense begins the game with a 24-0 lead.

Freeze calls it “the best format I know,” and says it provides motivation for each side of the ball to win the game.

“If the defense can hold the offenses to under that number of points the defense wins the spring game, and they’ll get to eat steak and the losers will eat a hot dog,” Freeze said.

In addition to the unique format, Freeze says fans will see more contact in this season’s A-Day game than in years past.

“They’re going to see us hit. They’re going to see us tackle. They’re going to see people run the ball and throw the ball,” Freeze said. “Will it be exactly the same that they see this fall? I sure hope not. I hope it’s better and probably a little different. I want to prepare the Auburn family that we’re going to do the best we can to hopefully give them a game I hope they can enjoy.”

RELATED: Taylor Jones’ top 10 players to watch at A-Day

RELATED: JD McCarthy’s top 10 players to watch at A-Day

A-Day 2023 will begin at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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Montgomery Advertiser’s Richard Silva highlights Auburn’s five biggest position battles

While watching A-Day on Saturday, keep an eye on these five positions.

The first chance that Auburn fans have to see [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s version of the Auburn Tigers on the field is this Saturday during the annual A-Day game.

Sure, the team will not go 100% full contact, and there will be several things that Freeze and staff want to keep under wraps until the season officially kicks off in September.

Nevertheless, there are several position battles that are worthy of keeping an eye on. Especially when it comes to filling situational roles within the game plan.

Ahead of Saturday’s spring game, Auburn beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser, Richard Silva, took time to share his take on which five positions have a battle on their hands. These duels consist of rotations, roles, and even who takes the top spot with the first team.

Here’s a look at which five position battles Silva is keeping an eye on. For more in-depth analysis from Silva on these battles, check out his breakdown here.

Start time and broadcast info announced for 2023 A-Day game

Here is all the info you need to start planning for Auburn’s A-Day game.

The details for Auburn’s first A-Day game under [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] have been revealed.

The game is set to kick off at 1 p.m. C.T. on Saturday, April 8 at Jordan-Hare Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+ and SEC Network+, the school announced Monday.

Tickets will cost $10 and are general admission. They can be purchased online or in person at the Auburn Ticket Office located at Neville Arena, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This will be the Tiger’s first spring game under Freeze and will allow fans to get a look at the new Auburn Tigers. They have brought in 33 new players this offseason as they work to put the struggles of the Bryan Harsin era behind them.

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Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Five takeaways from Auburns’s annual A-Day game

Here are some quick takeaways from A-Day.

Spring practice is complete for the Auburn Tigers. Auburn had their annual A-Day spring game Saturday afternoon in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Team Tigers defeated Team Auburn 10-9 after a failed two-point conversion attempt on the final play of the game.

Due to players being limited with injuries, Auburn had to split the team. The first-team offense was led by T.J. Finley and went against the second-team defense. Meanwhile, Oregon transfer Robby Ashford led the second-team offense against the first-team defense.

Freshman Holden Geriner led the final drive of the game and connected with Landen King for a touchdown. Here are some instant takeaways from the game.

A-Day: How to watch Auburn’s spring game

Here’s how you can watch Auburn’s A-Day spring game tomorrow:

It’s that time of year for Auburn football’s spring game – known as “A-day” –and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

There are a few talking points going into Auburn’s spring game, but the most notable one is likely the performance of the quarterbacks and receivers on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterbacks T.J. Finley, Robby Ashford, and Holden Geriner will get the opportunity to prove their worth heading into a quarterback competition with the favorite to win the job, Zach Calzada.

All in all, expectations will be high for coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag]’s second year as the Tigers’ head coach. Fans will be eager to see how both the offense and the defense perform with spring preparations well underway.