Tag: Donovan Kaufman

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 6 Keionte Scott

Scott is looking to put together another strong season in Auburn’s secondary.

Going into the 2023 football season, Auburn Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] in his first season on the Plains.

Up next is cornerback [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag]. He became Auburn’s primary nickel or Star cornerback in his first season on the Plains and looks to be poised to win the battle with [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag] for the starting job.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: San Diego, California

Height: 6-0

Weight: 188

Previous School: Snow College

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports JUCO Composite Ranking

Four-Star / No. 1 in CA / No. 1 CB

Career Stats

Year G Tackles TFLs INT’s PDs FFs
2020 (Snow) 6 27 5.5 3 13 0
2021 (Snow) 8 27 2.5 1 7 1
2022 12 53 4 1 4 0

PFF Grades

Year Defense Coverage Tackling Run Defense Pass Rush
2022 71.7 71.0 58.9 70.9 68.5

Depth Chart Overview

Scott is back for his second season on the Plains after a great debut season last year after starting his career at the JUCO level. He emerged as one of Auburn’s top defensive backs and became the team’s primary nickel corner, a job he was once again battling [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag] for during the spring.

Scott looks to once again have the upper hand due to his coverage ability and was seeing more and more reps as spring practicing went on. He gives Auburn yet another experienced and productive defensive back that Auburn can lean on as their new-look front seven comes together.

Keionte Scott’s Photo Gallery

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 5 Donovan Kaufman

Kaufman is entering his third season on the Plains.

Going into the 2023 football season, Auburn Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Tigers’ roster.

Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] in his first season on the Plains.

Up next is veteran safety [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag]. He entered the spring in a battle with [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] for the starting Star spot but has the option to play multiple roles in Auburn’s loaded secondary.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisianna

Height: 5-10

Weight: 204

Previous School: Vanderbilt

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 18 in LA / No. 37 S

Career Stats

Year G Tackles TFLs INT’s PDs FFs
2020 (Vanderbilt) 2 15 0 0 1 0
2021 13 33 2 1 3 3
2022 7 39 1.5 0 2 1

PFF Grades

Year Defense Run Defense Tackling Pass Rush Coverage
2020 56.1 59.2 74.2 59.7 54.7
2021 67.9 71.1 81.7 72.3 65.7
2022 72.1 61.6 57.5 76.1 74.7

Depth Chart Overview

Kaufman is entering his third season at Auburn after starting his career at Vanderbilt and is one of several proven veterans in Auburn’s secondary. He and Scott were in a battle during spring practice for the starting Star spot but Scott appeared to be getting more reps towards the end.

Scott looks to be better in coverage than Kaufman which is a key part of being the third corner and this could free Kaufman up to spend some time at safety, a position he’s played in the past.

Even if he losses out on the battle to Scott, Kaufman will be a key reserve in the secondary who is capable of playing multiple positions and can fill in wherever he is needed.

Donovan Kaufman’s Photo Gallery

Bryan Harsin expects Donovan Kaufman to play Saturday against LSU

Auburn is expected to receive assistance in the defensive backfield with the return of Donovan Kaufman.

Auburn could receive a boost in the secondary for their game with LSU on Saturday.

During Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] revealed that safety [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag] is listed as “day-to-day”, but is expected to play Saturday, barring any setbacks.

“(Kaufman) just wasn’t able to go last week. Tried to work through it, and really was not able to get the reps during the week of practice that he needed to go out there and play,” Harsin said. “He is day-to-day, but fully expect him to be ready to go.”

Kaufman’s presence will be needed on Saturday, as Auburn is still looking to gain an identity in the secondary. The Tigers have solid players in Zion Puckett and Keionte Scott in the defensive backfield but are struggling as a unit to interrupt the opposing passing game. Through four games, Auburn’s secondary has yet to record an interception and has broken up just 14 passes.

Kaufman has made 12 stops so far on the 2022 season, with two pass breakups.

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2022 Auburn football preview: Safety

Zion Puckett is the leader of a talented group at safety for Auburn.

Auburn will be without a former leader in [autotag]Smoke Monday[/autotag] at safety but [autotag]Zion Puckett[/autotag] is ready for his turn to be the leader of the group.

He was Auburn’s No. 2 safety last season and is the undisputed top dog this year. While the second starting spot is up for grabs, the secondary coach [autotag]Zach Etheridge[/autotag] has several interesting options in [autotag]Cayden Bridges[/autotag] and newcomers [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag] and [autotag]Craig McDonald[/autotag], who both have plenty of experience.

Another key player is [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag], who will spend time at both nickel and safety and is once again looking to create disruptive plays, something he excelled at doing last season.

Wide Receiver Preview

Tight End Preview

Running Back Preview

Offensive Line Preview

Quarterback Preview

Edge Preview

Defensive Line Preview

Linebacker Preview

Cornerback Preview

Tigers defensive back Eric Reed Jr enters transfer portal for a second time

Auburn defensive back Eric Reed Jr has entered the transfer portal for a second time.

On Monday afternoon, Auburn defensive back [autotag]Eric Reed Jr[/autotag] announced that he was entering the transfer portal. The Louisiana native has appeared in just two games for the Tigers. Now, he will be looking to play elsewhere.

In January, Reed Jr. decided to enter the transfer portal. However, a few days later he decided to withdraw his name from the portal and stay at Auburn. The move isn’t that surprising considering that Auburn has a variety of different options on the back end. Players like [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag], [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], and [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] are just several of the corners that will have large roles on the Tigers’ defense this season.

In 2020, Reed Jr. played in just one game. In 2021, he played in just one game as well. I think it is safe to say that Reed Jr. saw the writing on the wall, so to speak. As a high school recruit, he was regarded as the No. 191 overall player and the No. 8 player in the state of Louisiana. After receiving over 10 offers, he decided to join the Tigers’ 2020 recruiting class.

Although he withdrew his name from the portal once, it is not likely that it happens again a second time. Like Reed Jr., many players at other schools wait until the spring to determine whether they will transfer or not. It allows them to see where the coaching staff has them as far as position and spot on the depth chart. It will certainly be interesting to see where the former four-star lands.

Donovan Kaufman named SEC breakout player candidate

What are you expecting from Donovan Kaufman this year?

There’s been a lot of talk about Donovan Kaufman since he announced was going to join the Tigers after leaving Vanderbilt.

National media is expecting all of that chatter to turn into production on the field in the strongest conference in college football.

ESPN and SEC Network Analyst Cole Cubelic shared his top five SEC breakout players of the year on his Twitter page. Kaufman came in at No. 5.

The graphic had Gervon Dexter, a defensive tackle from Florida as the top potential breakout star, followed by linebacker Adam Anderson from Georgia, defensive tackle Tim Smith from Alabama and defensive lineman Joseph Evans from LSU.

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Auburn football transfers get disrespected in new rankings

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]

Two Auburn commits in 247Sports Transfer Portal Top 100

Auburn transfer commits Dreshun Miller and Donovan Kaufman are both listed in 247Sports’ Transfer Portal Top 100.

The NCAA transfer portal taketh and it also giveth.

Auburn has been extremely active in the portal this offseason with several players deciding to come to the Plains to play for new head coach Bryan Harsin.

247Sports recently ranked the top 100 players that have committed to a new school via the portal and two are now in the orange and blue of Auburn.

26. Dreshun Miller, CB, Auburn (from West Virginia): Regarded as one of Bryan Harsin’s biggest offseason additions. Had a PFF grade of 73 in 2020. Miller could push for a starting corner job this fall. At the very least, he should be in the playing rotation.

Miller added depth to the Auburn secondary for the season and will contribute immediately for the Tigers.

62. Donovan Kaufman DB, Auburn (from Vanderbilt): It wouldn’t be a shock if Kaufman is Auburn’s starting boundary corner in 2021.

Kaufman will play for former head coach Derek Mason who became the Tigers’ defensive coordinator this offseason.

Vanderbilt safety Donovan Kaufman commits to Auburn

Former Vanderbilt safety Donovan Kaufman committed to Auburn today.

Former Vanderbilt safety Donovan Kaufman committed to Auburn today. Kaufman had narrowed his search down to Auburn and Texas before making his official announcement. By coming to The Plains, Kaufman now has the opportunity to reunite with Derek Mason.

The transfer commit spoke highly of Mason saying,

“He’s a great dude. Not just for me, ask anybody around. They’ll say they love him as a person and that he keeps it real. He’s more than just a coach. He’s a very hands-on coach. Very detailed. With me and him, it’s deeper than football. He wants the best for me.”

Kaufman committed to Vanderbilt in 2019 with the final decision coming down to the Commodores, Ole Miss, and Florida State. 247Sports’ Sam Marsdale gave insight on the immediate impact Mason had on Kaufman saying,”the Commodores ultimately held onto Kaufman after Mason visited Kaufman’s father at an Alabama prison and made a strong impression.”

Through his high school career at Archbishop Rummel Kaufman recorded 177 tackles and four interceptions returned for touchdowns. As a prospect he was rated the nation’s No. 37 safety and No. 18 player in the state of Louisiana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQUVlrbzsDU

Kaufman will have four years of eligibility remaining upon his arrival to Auburn. After recording 15 tackles and a kickoff return touchdown across two games in 2020 the freshman safety missed the remainder of the season with a medical issue per Mason.

How soon will we see him in action?

Not clear yet.

The NCAA recently ruled that one-time transfers were to be granted immediate eligibility upon transferring to their next program. The decision will ultimately come down to the SEC who must still decide whether or not intra-conference transfers will receive immediate eligibility.

Kaufman recently moved back to his hometown of New Orleans and is eager to arrive to Auburn in early June. After a recent virtual visit with Auburn Kaufman said, “Everything was great. It’s a neat college town. I like the stadium, the facilities, the people.”

 

Texas, Auburn battling for Vanderbilt safety transfer Donovan Kaufman

Despite DB being one of the strongest position groups, UT could take a transfer. Vandy safety Donovan Kaufman is down to Auburn and Texas.

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When Tom Herman was fired, Texas’ roster was in a significantly better spot than it was when Charlie Strong was relieved from his duties. Even so, the Longhorns have not been good enough over the past four years and must continue to improve.

Since Steve Sarkisian took over, nothing has been more important than roster improvement. Texas has brought in multiple players to bolster their squad from the top to bottom. LSU‘s Ray Thornton and former Michigan signee Xavier Worthy are two of the biggest names.

Despite defensive back being one of the strongest position groups for Texas, a transfer could still be on the cards. Vanderbilt safety Donovan Kaufman has reportedly narrowed his transfer destination list down to two schools in Auburn and the Longhorns.

Kaufman resides out of Metairie, Louisiana, and entered the transfer portal on April 21. Ole Miss was the other major player in his recruitment before Vanderbilt secured his signature in the summer of 2020. Kaufman was a three-star prospect on the 247Sports composite out of high school and ranked as the No. 37 safety in the country.

Texas will have a difficult time selling playing time over the Tigers with how loaded the safety room is. Jerrin Thompson and Brenden Schooler are expected to have major impacts at free safety, while B.J. Foster has the strong safety position locked down. Tyler Owens hangs in the balance as well.

One crystal ball has been inputted in favor of Auburn already.

With how connected Terry Joseph is within Lousiana, Texas has a fighting chance to land Kaufman. The defensive backs coach began his coaching career by coaching high school football in the Pelican State.

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