Tag: Brian Battie

Damari Alston continues to impress coaches this spring

The sophomore RB is working hard to earn valuable carries this season.

Hugh Freeze said last week that quarterback [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] has turned heads during spring practice and is grasping the new system with ease.

This week, there appears to be another third-teamer from last season’s roster that is making a great impression on coaches.

In a recent meeting with the media, offensive coordinator [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag] says that he has been surprised by the efforts of sophomore running back [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag].

“From Day 1, I thought (Alston) had a pretty good feel with what we were trying to do in the run game, with seeing it, setting up blocks, and still had that physicality about him,” Montgomery said. “But the speed that he brings… man, he’s got gears in there.”

How has Alston worked his way into the running back rotation this spring? He has split time with USF transfer [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] in the second-team offense, with [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] spending the most time with the first-team squad. Montgomery says that he hopes to use a true three-man rotation at running back, which will mesh well with the expected uptick in tempo.

“It’s probably going to be some version of a rotation that’s going to happen in the backfield. I think being able to keep a guy healthy throughout the season is important for us,” Montgomery said. “We know what Jarquez (Hunter) is going to bring and how tough he is and the physicality that he brings, and being able to catch the ball out of the backfield and do those things. But I think all of those guys are bringing the same thing to the table and I’ve been really impressed with that room.”

Alston appeared in 12 games during his freshman campaign in 2022, where he rushed for 85 yards on 14 attempts. His highest output last season was a 38-yard outing against San Jose State on Sept. 10. He also broke open a 35-yard rush in the game, which is the longest run of his career.

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Jarquez Hunter listed among underrated SEC players

Hunter is considered an “under the radar” player to the outside world but could become a popular name in 2023.

Now that three-year starter [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] is preparing for the NFL, it is time for Jarquez Hunter to take the reigns of the top spot on the running back depth chart for the Auburn Tigers.

Hunter has made his mark on Auburn football in a short time. Hunter has rushed for 1,268 yards and 10 touchdowns off of 193 carries in two seasons at Auburn, he rushed for 668 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022. He is considered an “under the radar” player now but could become a popular name within the college football world once the season begins.

An article from Mike Farell Sports titled “Underrated Players: SEC Edition” was written by Luke Brumm and included Hunter as Auburn’s selection on the list. Brumm says that Hunter could etch his name into Auburn lore this season.

Jarquez Hunter was in Tank Bigsby’s shadow last season, but it’s his time now. The running back went for 668 yards on 104 attempts and added 7 touchdowns. I see him becoming a 1,000-yard rusher next season.

Bigsby will leave a big spot to fill in the Auburn offense, but Hunter will have some help. Hunter will be joined in the running back room by sophomore [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag], USF transfer [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag], and incoming freshman [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag].

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Battie, offensive linemen headline Mike Farrell’s SEC All-Transfer team

The staff at MikeFarrellSports.com are high on Auburn’s 2023 transfer haul.

As a college coach, you ability to sell is judged equally to your ability to win.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has checked the first box in his short time on the Plains, as he turned in the almost impossible feat of flipping a top-60 class to a top-20 class in the span of three weeks. He also worked hard in the transfer portal by bringing in 12 seasoned players who have a chance to start on the 2023 team.

The class, which ranks No. 4 according to 247Sports, has impressed the writers at MikeFarrell.com by being called the “best class in the SEC”, and two transfers have made several transfer portal-related lists since the window closed on Jan. 15.

In the site’s most recent list regarding the transfer portal, four newcomers have been named to the SEC All-Transfer team. Representatives of Auburn include an important skill player and three offensive linemen.

Here’s a look at which transfer made Mike Farrell’s SEC All-Transfer team, and why they will be an important addition to Freeze’s roster in 2023.

Auburn football assigns jersey numbers to new transfers

Here’s a look at the jersey numbers that Auburn’s 2023 transfer portal additions will be sporting this season.

Auburn football hauled in an impressive transfer class during the first window. Now, those transfers are on campus and are working to impress coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and staff in an effort to take a starting position in the fall.

Auburn acquired 12 players from the transfer portal, and ended the cycle with the No. 4 class, trailing only Florida State, LSU, and Colorado. Several of Auburn’s headlining newcomers include running back [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] from USF, Western Kentucky’s [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag], and [autotag]Avery Johnson[/autotag] from ECU. Each of Auburn’s 12 transfer portal players from the 2023 cycle is expected to play a role with their new team.

Ahead of A-Day on Saturday, April 8, here’s a look at what number each transfer will be wearing this upcoming season.

 

‘Big-boy ball’ awaits transfer Brian Battie at Auburn

Battie was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2022 at South Florida. Now, he has the chance to prove his talents against SEC competition.

After Tank Bigsby announced his intentions to declare for the NFL draft following his junior season, Auburn’s running back room remained stacked with talent, but a question mark arose in the form of experience. That all changed the day that [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] arrived on campus.

Battie, a 1,000-yard rusher last season at South Florida, brings in three years of starting running back experience to mesh with the returning talent of [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] and [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag]. Mixing in those three with incoming freshman [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag], and Auburn potentially owns one of the SEC’s top running back units.

Running backs coach [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] says that Battie will bring a natural running style to the Tigers’ offense.

I know he’s a smaller guy, man, but if you watch his film, he always falls forward,” Williams said of Battie. “He has that natural running style where he makes guys miss. Very seldom does one guy tackle or the first guy ever tackles him so he’s a guy you get him out in space, he breaks tackles, but he also is a guy who can run between the tackles.”

Hunter is also impressed by Battie’s mentality and talents and says that he will work just as hard as the other running backs on the roster.

“He’s going to make us work harder because everyone is competing for a spot,” Hunter said. “He comes out and works hard, does what he’s got to do and does everything Coach tells him.”

Battie had the chance to showcase his talent at South Florida, but now he will have a shot to prove his worth against SEC competition, which has Williams feeling excited.

“I mean, he is a guy who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year. He was a dangerous kickoff returner. Now, his whole thing is he gets to come here and have an opportunity to define his role and play big-boy ball,” Williams said.

Battie joins Auburn’s running back room with three years of experience, where he rushed for 1,842 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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USA TODAY Sports ranks Auburn among top 10 transfer classes

Hugh Freeze and Co. have brought in 12 transfers this offseason.

The transfer portal is one of the most important aspects of college football and a coach’s ability to effectively use the portal can make or break a team’s season.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] has yet to coach a game as Auburn’s head coach but he has done a great job addressing the holes on the roster through the portal. The Tigers have added 12 players this offseason and Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports has taken notice. He included the Tigers in his top 10 transfer classes..

Myerberg thinks former USF running back [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] is the Tiger’s top transfer but made sure to recognize the multiple SEC defenders they are bringing in.

Auburn’s transfer group has an SEC flair, with additions coming in from Mississippi (linebacker Austin Keys), Kentucky (defensive lineman Justin Rogers), LSU (linebacker DeMario Tolan), and Vanderbilt (edge rusher Elijah McCallister). Most of the remaining transfers come on the offensive side of the ball, including three Group of Five linemen with starting experience. Battie checks in after finishing third in the American in rushing yards and fourth in yards per carry in 2022.

Myerberg isn’t the only one high on Battie’s value, Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire ranked Battie as one of the most impactful transfers from this offseason.

Battie rushed for 1,176 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He is also a weapon in the return game, having returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and averaging 24.2 yards per return over the past two seasons.

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College Sports Wire lists Brian Battie as an ‘impact transfer’

Battie’s versatility will be a huge asset to Auburn in 2023.

Auburn Football gained a wave of experience in multiple areas during the first transfer portal window. One of those additions was running back [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag].

Battie joins the Tigers’ program from USF, where he rushed for over 100 yards in nine games from 2020-22. His addition will be vital to the running back corps, as he will provide extra depth alongside [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag].

Battie is such a vital piece to the Auburn roster, and those who cover the sport nationally are taking notice.

Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire recently released a list of the most impactful free-agent acquisitions of the first transfer portal window. Among those impactful players is Battie. Conn says that Battie’s versatility will be crucial for Auburn in 2023.

New head coach Hugh Freeze won’t have Tank Bigsby on his team in 2023 but he did add an all-purpose back in Brian Battie. He can run the ball for the offense and add a little something in the return game. Battie accounted for 2,035 yards from scrimmage with 10 touchdowns in three seasons. He also returned 59 kickoffs for 1,427 yards and 3 touchdowns in that same span.

Auburn will look to replace [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] at the running back position in 2023 after he declared for the NFL Draft. Auburn returns 795 rushing yards between Hunter and Alston from last season.

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The SEC’s most underrated transfer currently resides on Auburn’s roster

A member of Auburn’s top-five transfer portal class is not getting the recognition that he deserves.

Auburn Football currently holds the nation’s No. 4 ranked transfer portal class, trailing only LSU, USC, and Florida State, and leading Colorado, which has had an impressive haul as well.

Out of the 12 commitments that Auburn has received from the transfer portal, Auburn fans are excited about the boost to the offensive line that [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Dillion Wade[/autotag], and [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag] bring to the table, as well as the added help that [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag], [autotag]Demario Tolan[/autotag], and [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] can provide to their respective positions.

While all six of the aforementioned names are worthy of respect, there is one addition in particular that is not receiving the recognition that he deserves.

[autotag]Mosiah Nasili-Kite[/autotag], the former Maryland defensive lineman who has recorded 43 total tackles and 9.5 sacks over two seasons at Maryland, has been named the SEC’s most underrated transfer according to MikeFarrellSports.com.

Writer Matt Perkins says that Nasili-Kite is like a swiss army knife that can be used in many ways.

Hugh Freeze has done a solid job putting together a strong transfer class, especially on the defensive line. The Maryland transfer isn’t the biggest name that Auburn is bringing in, but he’s a versatile piece that can be used on any down and distance.

The SEC currently has six teams in the top 20 of 247Sports’ transfer rankings. Ole Miss, Florida, Kentucky, and Arkansas join Auburn and LSU as those with impressive transfer portal additions.

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College Football analyst calls Auburn’s transfer haul “the best class in the SEC”

Hugh Freeze continues to impress the national media with the caliber of talent that he has reeled in from the transfer portal so far.

Under [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag], Auburn football has taken its’ recruiting efforts to a new level, especially in the transfer portal.

At the time of this post, Auburn has added 12 players from the transfer portal to its roster, and each player can make an immediate impact for the Tigers under their new head coach. Auburn has added top linemen on both sides of the ball such as [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag], and [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag], as well as impressive skill talent in running back [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag] and [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag].

Just how impressive is Auburn’s transfer portal haul? College football analyst Mike Farrell believes that the Tigers have one of the best transfer classes in the entire country.

In a recent list titled Top Five Transfer Classes in the SEC, writer Logan Jones places Auburn at the top of the rankings.

Auburn and Hugh Freeze have been doing some great work so far in the portal. Easily the best class in the SEC, and quite honestly a top three class in the nation in my opinion. They landed several impact players at a multitude of positions. From top to bottom, this is likely the most balanced class in the SEC, and it’s one that fills a lot of holes left by draft entrants such as Tank Bigsby. Notable names include Justin Rogers, Dillon Wade, and Brian Battie.

Auburn has the nation’s No. 4 transfer portal class according to 247Sports, trailing Florida State, Colorado, and USC.

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Bret Bielema seems to be upset that Avery Jones flipped from Illinois to Auburn

The former Arkansas head coach is not happy that the former ECU center flipped his commitment from Illinois to Auburn.

Auburn Football snagged its’ 10th athlete from the transfer portal on Tuesday when former ECU center Avery Jones announced that he would be joining the Tigers roster.

Jones’ commitment was the third from the transfer portal since Monday joining former Cincinnati wide receiver [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag] and former USF running back [autotag]Brian Battie[/autotag]. He also becomes the third top-five-ranked lineman that Auburn has acquired through the transfer portal, joining [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag] and [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag].

Auburn fans are understandably excited about Jones’ commitment. However, there are fans of another program, and even its head coach, that is disappointed that they missed out.

Jones committed to Illinois on Dec. 12, but changed his mind nearly a month later. Illinois head coach Bret Bielema shared his displeasure with Jones’ change of heart on Twitter.

In his first tweet, the former Arkansas head coach says that Auburn’s success with NIL led to Jones flipping from the Fighting Illini to the Tigers.

He did not stop there. He later quote tweeted Illini Inquirer writer Jeremy Werner’s tweet with a “we did not want him anyway” style comment.

Jones, who has one season of eligibility remaining, spurned the Illini in favor of playing in the SEC to boost his draft stock. With Jones’ commitment, Auburn now ranks No. 3 in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings, behind Florida State and Colorado.

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