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Some of Auburn football’s transfers got disrespected in some new rankings.
Despite a very busy offseason for Bryan Harsin’s Tigers, Auburn only had four players land on The Athletic’s transfer portal top 100 (Subscription needed).
Two members of the list are former Auburn players while two others are new Auburn defenders that could fight for playing time in 2021.[listicle id=18270][listicle id=18270]
Auburn fans have been fired up this week.
The hot streak for Auburn football continued Thursday morning when Caleb Wooden announced that he will be playing for the Tigers.
Auburn has been on an absolute roll this week. After not earning a single commitment from a high school player in multiple months, the Tigers have gotten one for three days in a row.
The Lawrence, Georgia native is the younger brother of current Auburn defensive end Colby Wooden. With Auburn being the largest school to offer Wooden, he saw that as a big enough reason to go ahead and accept the offer. He will join his brother on The Plains in 2022.
Auburn fans took to Twitter in response to the news.
Auburn continues its momentum early in July. Caleb Wooden is a guy who wanted to be at Auburn and went and earned his offer. https://t.co/k8syLEZE9Q
— Evan Shanks (@Shanks205_) July 8, 2021
3⭐️ Saftey Caleb Wooden has committed to Auburn! Caleb is the younger brother of Auburn defensive lineman Colby Wooden and is the 3rd commitment for the Auburn staff in as many days. pic.twitter.com/oHh9pjvjKl
— redcupauburn (@redcupauburn1) July 8, 2021
Welcome to the Auburn Family and War Eagle!!!
— Stan, KO3R (@KO3Radio) July 8, 2021
3-star Georgia safety Caleb Wooden — you may know his older brother, Colby — became Auburn’s third commitment of the week earlier this morning
he showed out at camp last month and started picking up Power 5 offers, now he’s a Tiger commit https://t.co/ZcUCuoOHZ9
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) July 8, 2021
Really fascinated to watch that boundary safety spot next couple of years
Cayden Bridges & Caleb Wooden are 2 dudes that have been incredibly productive in HS but aren't highly rated or have super massive offer lists
Mason clearly has a type tho for what he wants at that spot
— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) July 8, 2021
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆#Auburn has landed 3 star Safety 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒃 𝑾𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒏 from Lawrenceville, GA!
Caleb is the younger brother of Auburn DL Colby Wooden. He earned his offer after a STRONG showing at Auburn’s camp. pic.twitter.com/raDJKCFCz4
— Cole Pinkston (@CoachPink7259) July 8, 2021
[listicle id=18270]
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Jay Sharp has work to do to earn playing time for Auburn in 2021.
Name: Jay Sharp
Number: 44
Position: Running back
Class: Redshirt freshman
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 164 lbs
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
High School: Pinson Valley
2020 Statistics: N/A
Twitter: @j2sharpp
Overview: Sharp walked on last season and did not appear in a game. With Auburns running back room down to just three scholarship players in Tank Bigsby, Shaun Shivers and Jarquez Hunter, Sharp has emerged as the team’s fourth running back and has been important for the Tigers in practice.
Aidan Marshall will once again be responsible for Auburn’s punting in 2021.
Name: Aidan Marshall
Number: 41
Position: Punter
Class: Senior
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 213 lbs
Hometown: Winchester, Virginia
High School: John Handlet
2020 Statistics: 16 punts for 676 yards, 42.3 yard average, 1 touch back, 4 fair catches
Twitter: N/A
Overview: Marshall returned to the team after leaving the team for nearly two years and split time with Oscar Chapman at punter. Both players will be back and the two will likely share time again. If the new coaching staff would rather stick with one punter Chapman does have more experience and averaged slightly more yards per punt last season (42.3 to 41).
Landen King could be a major factor at the tight end position in the near future.
Name: Landen King
Number: 40
Position: Tight end
Class: Freshman
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 214 lbs.
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
High School: Atascocita
Twitter: @Landen_King3
Overview:
A talented tight end that also played H-back in high school, the three-star signee out of Beaumont, Texas will have plenty of chances to work his way up a crowded depth chart at his position. King brings a pedigree of being able to get open and, with good hands, be a reliable target for the quarterback. With the use of the tight end hopefully becoming a thing in Mike Bobo’s offense, he could be a major weapon in the near future.
Can Moss earn some playing time in 2021?
Name: James Owen Moss
Number: 35
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 191 lbs.
Hometown: Opelika, Alabama
High School: Opelika
2020 Statistics: N/A
Overview:
After seeing action in six games in 2019, the Opelika native didn’t see the field as a junior in 2020. With the lack of experienced depth at the wide receiver position, he might be able to work himself up to some playing time.
Devin Guice will be back for his “super senior” season as the reserve safety walked on the football team all the way back in 2016.
Name: Devin Guice
Number: 28
Position: Safety
Class: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165 lbs
Hometown: Opelika, Alabama
High School: Opelika
2020 Statistics: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Overview: Guice will be back for his “super senior” season. The reserve safety walked on the football team all the way back in 2016 and has played in 11 games over the past four seasons. Guice
The combination of running back Tank Bigsby and the arrival of new head coach Bryan Harsin is one reason for Auburn fans to be optimistic.
Auburn fans’ expectations might be a little down heading into the first season of the Bryan Harsin era in 2021. I mean, when was the last time that the majority would pick eight wins to be a successful season?
There are reasons for optimism for the Tigers, though, and one of them has been pointed out by the good people at 247Sports. As you would expect, it involves running back Tank Bigsby.
Bryan Harsin is the perfect choice for tailback Tank Bigsby, whose new coach likes to run the football and be stubborn in his approach to a workhorse mentality. Harsin routinely produced 1,000-yard rushers at Boise State and knows Auburn has a player it can build the offense around in 2021. Quarterback Bo Nix is playing under his third play-caller in three seasons, so he’s going to need some help in the run game and Bigsby is one of the SEC’s best. With enough carries, Bigbsy is a player who could rush for 1,200 or more yards.
Yes, Bigsby returns for his sophomore season after rushing for 834 yards on just 138 attempts last season and expects to be even better. A large amount of the Auburn offense, especially early on, will rely on his legs to keep opposing defenses honest and not just stack the box and make Nix beat them.
Anders Carlson enters his senior season and fourth year as starter with expectations higher than ever.
Name: Anders Carlson
Number: 26
Position: Kicker
Class: Senior
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 220 lbs
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
High School: Classical Academy
2020 stats: 20-of-22 field goal attempts, 24-of-25 extra point attempts, 60 kickoffs, 37 touchbacks, 3 out of bounds, 2 tackles
Twitter: @_anderscarlson_
Overview:
Carlson enters his fourth straight year as the starter at the kicking position and expectations are just as high as ever. Already being recognized with a spot on Walter Camp’s All-American Team, Carlson is a major weapon in both his length in field goals and ability to make the opponents take a touchback on kickoffs.
Auburn redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Colby Wooden will be looked upon to make opposing backfields his living room in 2021.
Name: Colby Wooden
Number: 25
Position: Defensive end
Class: Sophomore
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 278 lbs
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia
High School: Archer
2020 stats: 42 total tackles (19 solo), 9.5 tackles for a loss, 4.0 sacks, 6.0 quarterback hurries, 1 pass broken up
Twitter: @CJW_21
Overview:
After a breakout season in 2020, Wooden is now the leader of this defensive line that has some question marks entering the season. Nonetheless, he is a pure playmaker that can get into the opposing backfield at will. That’s something new defensive coordinator Derek Mason and defensive line coach Nick Eason will be counting on him for in 2021.
If he stays healthy, the future is extremely bright for Wooden.
