Tag: auburn football news

Talented 2024 quarterback on receiving Auburn offer: ‘It was amazing’

Oxford High School quarterback Kamari McClellan came away with an offer from Auburn and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo on Monday.

There’s still a long way for Kamari McClellan to go in his recruiting process, but the Oxford (Ala.) quarterback was ecstatic to receive an offer from the home-state Tigers.

“It was amazing,” McClellan said per Auburn Undercover’s Jason Caldwell. “I got my first SEC offer. I thought it was going to be coming but I wasn’t sure.

In the signing class of 2024, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound signal-caller was on Auburn’s campus Monday taking part in camp and getting to show what he could do in front of new head coach Bryan Harsin and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.

He must have made quite an impression as he left the Plains with the offer from Bobo.

“We did the individual session after the camp,” McClellan said. “We went to take pictures and Coach Bobo gave me the offer then. I just said ‘thank you coach, thank you for the opportunity.’”

McClellan his entering his first season as the start for Oxford after backing up Trey Higgins, who signed to play baseball at Mississippi State. He’s planning on trips to rivals LSU and Alabama soon as well but enjoy his time learning under Bobo.

It was good,” he said. “I learned some things after getting coached by him. He told me I had a nice ball and my footwork was good. He just told me that I was talented.”

247Sports predicts final record for all 14 SEC teams in 2021

247Sports predicts the overall and conference record for all 14 SEC teams during the 2021 college football season.

No one can predict how a football season will turn out at a 100 percent rate, but it is always good to know what the analysts and experts think of both Auburn and the rest of the SEC going into the fall.

Over at 247Sports, Brad Crawford has gone through all 14 conference teams’ schedules and made his picks for the final record for each one. With four new head coaches heading into the 2021 season including Bryan Harsin at Auburn, it will be intriguing to see how each of these four programs respond while some schools such as LSU and Ole Miss look to rebound from disappointing 2020 campaigns.

Here’s how Crawford has each SEC team finishing the 2021 season.

How many wins would be a successful first season at Auburn for Bryan Harsin?

2021 Auburn football player profile, overview: No. 22 Devan Barrett

After opting out of the 2020 season, Devan Barrett has returned to his natural position at running back and provides Auburn depth.

Name: Devan Barrett

Number: 22

Position: Running back

Class: Senior

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 195 lbs

Hometown: Tampa, FL

High School: Tampa Catholic

2020 stats: N/A

Twitter: @Devan_Barrett5

Overview: 

Recruited as a running back, Barrett switched to defensive back ahead of the 2018 season and saw some playing time at the position during the next two seasons. After opting out due to COVID-19 concerns for the 2020 season, he switched back to his original position to add depth to the running back room after the departures of DJ Williams and Mark Antony-Richards.

Barrett will be a backup option behind Tank Bigsby and Shaun Shivers heading into his senior season.

2021 Auburn football player profile, overview: No. 18 Nehemiah Pritchett

Junior cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett is part of an Auburn secondary that will be a major strength for the Tigers in 2021.

Name: Nehemiah Pritchett

Number: 18

Position: Cornerback

Class: Junior

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 179 lbs

Hometown: Jackson, AL

High School: Jackson

2020 stats: 25 tackles (17 solo), 10 passes broken up, 1 interception

Twitter: @NehemiahP_2019

Overview: 

Pritchett was one of the breakout stars for the Tigers’ defense in 2020 and is expected to be even better in 2021. Look for the junior to see some time at cornerback ut his speciality is at the nickel position.

Already being looked at by NFL scouts and touted for his playmaking abilities, a solid season from Pritchett could lead to an early departure for the pros.

2021 Auburn football player profile, overview: No. 18 Dematrius Davis

Auburn freshman Dematrius Davis might be the face of the program in years to come at the quarterback position.

Name: Dematrius Davis

Number: 18

Position: Quarterback

Class: Freshman

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 202 lbs

Hometown: Houston, Texas

High School: North Shore

Twitter: @Dematrius09

Overview:

A four-star quarterback out of Texas, Davis is an accurate passer while also having the ability to run the ball with authority.

Here’s 247Sports scouting report on Davis:

Undersized from a height standpoint but stout build with the look of a running back. Absolute gamer. Highly-decorated TXHSFB star for one of the nation’s top programs. Generally accurate passer with numbers to support. Outstanding passing production with solid rushing numbers as a sophomore turned into good passing stats with terrific run numbers as a junior as role evolved. Two-time state title-winner going for his third in a row as a senior. Rare volume of big-game, high-leverage experience against elite high school competition. Intangibles are clear in those situations. Good off-schedule playmaker because of functional athleticism and awareness. Feels pressure pretty well in the pocket and is light on his feet and agile. Regularly makes first rusher miss. Creative playmaker who can improve consistency with short-to-intermediate velocity. Accurate on downfield throws outside the numbers, but consistency can get better to the short perimeter. Needs to stay on top of the ball better. Underwhelmed in elite camp settings next to other top QB’s. Physical ceiling is limited. Type of player who creates many differing opinions on long-term potential. May not be a workout warrior, but is an unquestioned on-field leader and elite high school player with the trophy case to prove it. Flat-out football player who’s not afraid of the moment. Projects to the high-major level with multi-year starter capability and perhaps could play beyond college.

2021 Auburn football player profile, overview: No. 16 Malcolm Johnson Jr.

Auburn sophomore wide receiver Malcolm Johnson Jr. expects to contribute more on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers in 2021.

Name: Malcolm Johnson Jr.

Number: 16

Position: Wide receiver

Class: Sophomore

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 195 lbs

Hometown: Bryans Road, MD

High School: St Stephen’s and St. Agnes

2020 Statistics: 1 tackle

Twitter: @thejjett

Overview:

Johnson saw some time on special teams last season but expects to play a bigger role on offense at receiver heading into 2021. Likely a backup to Kobe Hudson, Johnson will have the chance to prove himself as a go-to target for the Tigers.

3-star wide receiver on Auburn: ‘They’re at the top right now’

Three-star wide receiver Camden Brown came away with MVP at the receiver position during Auburn’s elite camp this week.

Three-star wide receiver Camden Brown stood out during Auburn’s elite camp this week, earning MVP honors at the wide receiver position.

That’s not the only news for the St. Thomas Aquinas product: he has the Tigers in the lead for his signature.

“They’re at the top right now,” Brown said per Auburn Undercover. “Because of the culture and how the coaching staff has treated me. And I got to see the facilities. The facilities are awesome.”

Offered by the Tigers in May, Brown is ranked the No. 79 wide receiver in the 2022 signing class but, per Auburn Undercover’s Keith Neibuhr, his stock continues to rise.

As for an official visit to Auburn, Brown will be back soon.

“We’re setting that up (Friday),” Brown said. “It should be in June.”

Report: College Football Playoff working group to suggest expansion to 12 teams

Per The Athletic, the College Football Playoff working group is set to suggest an expansion to 12 teams from the original four.

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Getting into the College Football Playoff is about to get a lot easier.

Per The Athletic, the working group involved with the CFP is expected to suggest an expansion 12 teams from the four that the playoff currently exists of each season.

From the article:

The CFP’s four-person group — which consists of SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson and Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick — is expected to recommend a 12-team playoff, according to sources.

The 12-team format would include the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large spots.

Per Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, the suggestion will be introduced next week at the CFP Management Committee meeting and could be approved as soon as June 22.

This story will be updated as more information is released.

Ranking all 14 SEC football teams by home-field advantage

From Vanderbilt to LSU, the difference in home-field advantages at SEC stadium varies but some places are nothing but intimidating.

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Is there anything better as a fan than walking out of an opponent’s stadium with a win?

Yes, that is an exhilarating feeling for everyone but that is easier said than done, especially for your favorite football team, depending on which SEC stadium you are visiting.

Leaving Vanderbilt Stadium with a win? Expected. Jordan-Hare Stadium or Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge? Not as much.

So how do the 14 stadiums rank when it comes to giving their teams a pure home-field advantage? Here are my rankings. I’m sure everyone will agree.

Auburn offensive lineman enters NCAA transfer portal

Auburn offensive lineman Prince Micheal Sammons has entered the transfer portal after battling injuries the last two seasons.

Auburn is down a possible contributor along the offensive line.

Per Matt Zenitz of AL.com, senior offensive lineman Prince Micheal Sammons has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.

A native of Nigeria, Sammons was a two-time MaxPreps All-American while playing at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy in Ohio. After seeing playing time in 2017 and 2018, the 6-foot-7 Sammons has been limited due to injuries. He was expected to compete for playing time this season.