Tag: Austin Keys

Three Tigers set to compete in the 2025 Hula Bowl

Auburn fans will get one final chance to watch these stars compete at the collegiate level next Saturday in Orlando.

As the 2024 college football season begins to come to a close, three Auburn Tigers will have one more opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.

According to the official Auburn Football X (Twitter) account, quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] as well as linebackers [autotag]Dorian Mausi[/autotag] and [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] will compete in the 79th Hula Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 11 in Orlando, Florida.

Thorne ended his collegiate career with 10,961 passing yards, 86 touchdowns, and 43 interceptions thrown. As an Auburn Tiger, he completed 62% of his passes (361-of-582) for 4,468 yards and 37 touchdowns over a two-year span.

Keys played his final two seasons at Auburn, where he racked up 69 tackles over 20 games with five tackles for loss and four pass deflections. In 2024, Keys logged 12 pressures and missed four tackles.

Mausi only spent one season on the Plains, but he made quite an impact. The Duke transfer led the team in tackles (81) with 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. Over his five year career, Mausi made 274 tackles with 18 tackles for loss.

The 79th annual Hula Bowl will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network.

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Former Fresno State LB Phoenix Jackson schedules visit to Auburn

Johnson made 49 stops with four sacks as a senior at Fresno State in 2024.

Following a successful early signing period that saw the Auburn Tigers sign 25 high school recruits, [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and his staff are now shifting their focus to filling needs through the transfer portal.

One area of need is at linebacker, a unit that will need to replace key players such as [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag], [autotag]Dorian Mausi[/autotag], and [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag]. One player who could fill one of those roles is [autotag]Phoenix Jackson[/autotag], a linebacker formerly of Fresno State. After a successful four-year career in Fresno, Jackson will look to use his final season of eligibility to play elsewhere.

According to a report by Pete Nakos of On3, there is mutual interest between Auburn and Jackson. Jackson has scheduled an official visit to Auburn for Dec. 13 and 14 and will also visit Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State this month.

Jackson had a solid career at Fresno State, where he recorded 101 tackles with five sacks and three interceptions over the last four seasons. The 2024 season was the strongest for Jackson, where he recorded 49 tackles with four sacks. Coverage was his strong suit, as he graded out at 90.3 in the category, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed 19 catches in 23 opportunities. However, he did not give up a touchdown while playing a coverage role on defense.

The winter transfer portal officially opens on Dec. 9 and closes on Dec. 28.

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Asante, Hunter headline Auburn’s Senior Bowl watchlist representation

Auburn football is well represented on this season’s watchlist.

The coveted Senior Bowl watchlist has been released, and Auburn is well represented.

A total of 14 players on Auburn’s roster made the cut, with linebacker [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag] and running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] headlining the representation.

Asante broke onto the scene last season by recording a team-leading 86 tackles with 8.5 going for a loss. He also tipped a pass and returned a fumble 67 yards for a touchdown in Auburn’s loss to Texas A&M. As for Hunter, he came close to reaching the 1,000-yard mark in rushing for the first time in his career last season. He ran for 909 yards and scored seven touchdowns while reeling in 18 passes for 118 yards.

Joining Hunter as offensive players to make the list are QB [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], WRs [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], and offensive linemen [autotag]Percy Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag].

Thorne is projected to take a step forward this season thanks to the additions of Lambert-Smith and Lewis, who were stars at Penn State and Georgia State respectively. Fairweather will be a great threat in the passing game as he returns after hauling in 38 catches for 394 yards and six scores last season. Finally, Lewis joins an experienced offensive line after spending the previous two seasons at Mississippi State. Wade’s 819 snaps were the most among Auburn offensive players last season. In that frame, he allowed just two quarterback sacks.

Six defensive players were also labeled. Outside of Asante, DLs [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag], LB [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag], and defensive backs [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] are also considered for a roster spot.

McLeod holds the highest grade among returning defenders from PFF with an 80.8, which was third-highest behind [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] and [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], who has since departed for the NFL. Scott had a great season by leading all defensive backs in tackles with 42 with five pass deflections in 2023. He will team up with Thompson, who hauled in three interceptions at Texas last season, to provide experience to the Tigers’ defensive backfield. In two seasons at Auburn, Jones has complied 48 tackles with one registering as a loss.

The final representative on the Senior Bowl watchlist for Auburn is punter [autotag]Oscar Chapman[/autotag]. Chapman recorded 61 punts last season for a career-high average of 44.6 yards.

The 2025 Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The game will begin at 1:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on NFL Network.

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Auburn adds LB Fa’Najae Gotay from transfer portal

Gotay recorded a career-best 44 tackles with 2.5 sacks at Maryland last season.

The Maryland to Auburn pipeline became stronger this week, as Auburn has added its third transfer from the Big Ten program in two seasons.

[autotag]Fa’Najee Gotay[/autotag], a linebacker formerly of Maryland, announced Thursday that he will continue his college career at Auburn after spending the last six seasons with the Terrapins.

He joins former Maryland tight end [autotag]Rico Walker[/autotag] by moving from College Park to Auburn ahead of the 2024 season. Auburn received contributions from former Maryland defensive tackle [autotag]Mosiah Nasili-Kite[/autotag] last season. In his lone season on the Plains, Nasili-Kite recorded 10 tackles before tearing his bicep in Auburn’s loss to Georgia in early October, prematurely ending his season.

Gotay enjoyed the most successful season of his college career in 2023 by recording 44 tackles with 4.5 registering for a loss with 2.5 sacks. His college career began in 2018 by playing four games for Maryland. He earned another season of eligibility in 2020 due to the COVID-shortended season, and was granted a medical redshirt in 2021 after an upper-body injury cut his season short after just one game.

Gotay comes to Auburn with 133 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two interceptions. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged 170 snaps per season for Maryland, and participated in 668 snaps over the last two seasons.

Auburn’s linebacker room gains experience by adding Gotay. Gotay joins the group headlined by returners [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag] and [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag]. Former Duke star [autotag]Dorian Mausi Jr.[/autotag] joins the roster this season to provide another block of experience while players such as [autotag]DJ Barber[/autotag], [autotag]Demarcus Riddick[/autotag], and [autotag]Robert Woodyard[/autotag] continue to develop.

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First half highlights: The Iron Bowl is tight through one half

Auburn is trailing No. 8 Alabama at the break at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Here are the plays that defined the Tigers’ first half play.

The first half of the 88th Iron Bowl is complete, and there is a fun finish brewing at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide leads Auburn at the break, 17-14 thanks to a few late scores in the 2nd quarter. Auburn’s Ja’varrius Johnson scored with 2:24 remaining in the half on a reverse play that was set up by a 56-yard rush from running back [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] on the previous play. Three plays later, Alabama took the lead back on a 68-yard pass from Jalen Milroe to Jermaine Burton with 1:33 to go in the first half.

The Tigers ended with 201 total yards after being able to gain just 74 in the 1st quarter, all on the ground. Hunter and Alston combined to rush for 153 of Auburn’s 181 rushing yards while [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] completed just 2-of-10 passes for 20 yards. Defensively, [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag] lead in tackles with four each.

Here are the plays that defined the first half between Auburn and Alabama.

Auburn makes one change to depth chart for game against Arkansas

The Tigers made just one change to the depth chart from last week.

Auburn is looking to pick up its third straight win and its second on the road when they face the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday.

The Tigers announced their depth chart for the game on Monday and there was just one change from last week’s edition, [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] is now listed as the only starter at middle linebacker. He was listed as a co-starter with [autotag]Larry Nixon III[/autotag] last week as he returned from injury.

Keys started and played 42 snaps in Auburn’s win over Vanderbilt, making three tackles, one sack and forcing one fumble. Nixon played 22 snaps and did not record a stat.

Here is a look at Auburn’s full depth chart.

Auburn shakes up depth chart for Week 9 matchup with Mississippi State

Austin Keys and Keionte Scott are back as starters after returning last week from injury.

Auburn returned two starters on defense last week and they are now back in the starting lineup ahead of Auburn’s Week 9 game against Mississippi State.

[autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] missed three games after undergoing ankle surgery but couldn’t be kept off the field against Ole Miss. He played 71 snaps and made five tackles and defended two passes and is back as the starting star cornerback.

Middle linebacker [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] also made his return after missing five games, playing 26 snaps and making four tackles. He and [autotag]Larry Nixon III[/autotag] are both listed as the starting middle linebacker for Mississippi State, separated by an OR

There was another change along the defense with [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] now listed as the starting nose tackle after backing up [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] all season, Jones is now the backup.

Rogers actually started against Ole Miss and played a season-high 42 snaps. He made the most of his opportunity, making four tackles, including one for a loss.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and Co. also tweaked the offensive depth chart, [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag] is now listed as a backup right guard with [autotag]Jalil Irvin[/autotag]. Wright was previously listed as the backup right tackle but has been replaced by [autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag].

Here is a look at the complete depth chart.

Hugh Freeze provides injury update ahead of Auburn’s game against LSU

Hugh Freeze provided an injury report ahead of Auburn’s matchup with LSU.

Auburn had an extra week to get healthy ahead of their game against LSU but they are still pretty banged up [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] revealed Monday.

Starting linebacker [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] and nickel cornerback [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] are both still out for the “foreseeable future.” He also reiterated that starting defensive end [autotag]Mosiah Nisili-Kite[/autotag] is done for the season.

He did provide positive news about starting safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] who he expects to return.

“He’s day-to-day and said he’s feeling better each day, so I’m hopeful and expecting that he will go.”

Switching to the offensive side of the ball, running back [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] is doubtful, wide receiver [autotag]Malcolm Johnson[/autotag] is day-to-day and [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag] is questionable with an elbow injury.

“So, that’s where we are,” Freeze said. “It’s the next man up, and we’ve got to get some of these younger kids to play more consistently. We worked on that hard last week in the open week. They got a ton of reps, because we’re going to need them before this season is over, with the remaining seven games we have.”

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Auburn DE Mosiah Nasili-Kite out for season with torn bicep

The veteran appeared in every game before suffering the injury against Georgia.

Auburn’s defense has lost yet another starter to injury, and this time it’s for the rest of the season.

Starting defensive end [autotag]Mosiah Nasili-Kite[/autotag] suffered a torn bicep in Auburn’s game against Georgia and will miss the rest of the 2023 season [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] announced Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, we lost Mosiah for the year,” Freeze said. “That’s really going to hurt us in the defensive line.”

Nasili-Kite played in all five games this season, making 10 tackles, 0.5 for loss and two quarterback hurries. True freshman [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] has emerged as his backup and will likely see a larger role moving forward.

Auburn is dealing with a rash of injuries and is hoping to use its bye week to get healthy ahead of next week’s game against LSU. On the offensive side of the ball, running back [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] is recovering from a separated shoulder and wide receiver [autotag]Ja’Varrius Johnson[/autotag] is battling a hamstring injury.

Defensively, safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] left the Georgia game with a calf injury, defensive back [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] is recovering from surgery to address a high ankle sprain and middle linebacker [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] is still weeks away from returning after breaking his thumb.

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

Auburn tweaks depth chart ahead of matchup with Samford

Auburn’s coaching staff has made several changes to the depth chart.

For the first time this season, Auburn has made some changes to its depth chart. The Tigers revealed their depth chart for their Week 3 game against Samford on Monday and there have been several changes on the defensive side of the ball.

The first is that starting middle linebacker [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] has been removed from it. This is no surprise after it was announced that he had surgery for a thumb injury and is out indefinitely, [autotag]Larry Nixon III[/autotag] has been elevated to the starter in his absence.

There has also been a change at weakside linebacker but this one is due to the breakout of [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag]. He was one of Auburn’s top players last week and led the Tigers with 12 tackles and is now listed as the starter.

The next change is at jack, where [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag] is now listed as the starter. McLeod was held out in Week 1 as he recovered from an injury but was on the field for 57 snaps and made three tackles in Auburn’s victory over Cal.

Here is a look at the full depth chart ahead of their game against Samford Saturday night in Jordan-Hare Stadium.