Michigan State has landed Auburn running back transfer Harold Joiner. Joiner will be a sophomore when he gets to East Lansing.
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Michigan State has made another splash in the early signing period, this time in the form of another transfer. The running back room got a little bit bigger with the addition of Harold Joiner from Auburn.
Joiner will be a sophomore with three years of eligibility left when he arrives on campus in East Lansing.
Joiner was a 4-star, top 150 recruit in the class of 2018 when he chose Auburn. Michigan State was named a leader before the decision ultimately made. This time around, Joiner has decided to finish his career in East Lansing.
Joiner appeared in nine games over the 2018 and 2019 seasons for the Tigers before opting out of this season. He rushed the ball 15 times for 103 yards and 2 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Joiner has an ability as a pass-catcher as well, catching 6 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown.
Auburn fans had made it known through social media their displeasure that Joiner was not seeing more playing time in Malzahn’s offense. Joiner has looked like a very capable runner and pass catcher that can be dynamic in the Spartan offense, making an immediate impact when he steps on campus.
Harold Joiner joins Temple quarterback transfer Anthony Russo as the first two transfers Mel Tucker and his staff have plucked out of the transfer portal this offseason.
Be prepared for Mel Tucker to continue to use the transfer portal this offseason.
Joiner saw no rushing attempts in 2020 for the Tigers but did manage 12 rushes for 94 yards and a touchdown as a redshirt freshman in 2019.
A 4-star back out of Mountain Brook, Ala., Joiner originally signed with Auburn in the 2018 class. He was the fifth-ranked running back in the class and No. 152 player overall.
SEC football is just days away from returning and that meant it was time for Auburn to release the 2020 depth chart for their season opener against Kentucky.
SEC football is just days away from returning and that meant it was time for Auburn to release the 2020 depth chart for its season opener against Kentucky.
The typical two-deep chart had as many as four players listed at one position and that should not have come as a surprise, as depth was an emphasis all offseason due to the threat of COVID-19 sidelining players for 10 to 14-day stretches.
While most of the players listed as starters were expected to win the starting role, there were a few surprises – most notable at cornerback and defensive tackle – as well as a few starting jobs that are still up for grabs.
Surprises: There were two “surprise” starters for Auburn in redshirt freshman defensive tackle Colby Wooden and redshirt freshman Jaylin Simpson. Wooden, who defensive coordinator Kevin Steele tabbed as one of Auburn’s biggest risers in the offseason beat out senior Daquan Newkirk for the starting job. Simpson will be the No. 2 corner alongside Roger McCreary after beating out Nehemiah Pritchett, Marco Domio, Matthew Hill and Devan Barrett in a five-man competition.
Unsettled positions: There are five positions that are still up for grabs, with one receiver spot, left tackle, linebacker, punter and holder all having co-starters. On the offensive side, Junior Anthony Schwartz and senior Eli Stove are listed as co-starters at receiver, Austin Troxell and Alec Jackson are still competing for the left tackle job. The defense has one unsettled position as sophomore Owen Pappoe and junior Zakoby McClain are still competing for the second linebacker spot beside K.J. Britt. Both of Pappoe and McClain played a key role a season ago and Auburn relies on four core linebackers under Kevin Steele. Special teams still has two roles unsettled, as Oscar Chapman and Aidan Marshall have given Auburn two options at punter and Ben Patton and Grant Loy are both listed at starters at holder.
Position change: Freshman Jeremiah Wright made the depth chart, just at a different position than expected. Simpson has been moved from the offensive line to the defensive line to help provide more depth. Auburn lost potential starter Coynis Miller during the middle of camp as well as Derrick Brown to the NFL.
Notable absences: For the first time in the Malzahn era, there was no H-back position on Auburn’s depth chart, just the tight end position. While Auburn is still expected to have an H-back role in the offense, offensive coordinator Chad Morris utilizes the tight ends in his offense. The other absence from the depth chart was running back Harold Joiner. Malzahn said he still expects him to get carries but hinted he will have a specific role just for him.
“Harold did some good things during fall camp, and he’ll have a role,” Malzahn said. “But it will be a little bit more specific role as we go. And here’s the deal, too: We feel like we’ve got five guys at the running back position that can all help. He is one of those guys that does have experience. And he’s made some big plays in games. So, you’ll still see Harold Joiner out there some, too.”
By class: The Tigers have just four seniors listed as starters, with just one on offense (wide receiver Eli Stove) and three on defense (defensive end Big Kat Bryant, defensive tackle Tyrone Truesdell and linebacker K.J. Britt). In total, 10 seniors are listed on the depth chart, the fewest of any of the classes. Twenty-four juniors are listed with 19 as starters/co-starters (21 since Christain Tutt and Shaun Shivers are both starters at their positions and as punt and kick returners, respectively.) The Tigers have 14 sophomores on the depth chart with three starters in Bo Nix, Pappoe and Derick Hall. Twenty-six true or redshirt freshmen are listed with Simpson, Wooden, punter Oscar Chapman and backup kicker Ben Patton as starters/co-starters.
The junior rushed for 286 yards and three touchdowns last season for the Tigers.
Xavier McKinney knows what Shaun Shivers is capable of and the rest of the SEC is about to get its chance to find out as well.
The Auburn back is leading the race for the starting running back position for the Tigers as the season is down to two weeks away.
“Shaun Shivers has had a great camp so far,” Gus Malzahn said on Saturday. “I know Coach (Carnell) Williams rotated the other guys in a lot more today. I didn’t look at the numbers, but it is pretty closely spread out as the other four are concerned with getting reps today. That was by design to see who steps up at that position.”
As a sophomore in 2019, Shivers rushed for 286 yards on 55 attempts and three touchdowns, including that hard-hitting one in the Iron Bowl to give Auburn the lead for good.
With Kentucky awaiting the Tigers on Sept. 26 in the season opener in Jordan-Hare Stadium, Malzahn and the coaching staff are trying to settle in on who will be the feature back behind Nix. Along with Shivers, main competitors are D.J. Williams, Harold Joiner, Tank Bigsby and Mark-Antony Richards.
Malzahn has been impressed with what he has seen out of Shivers the most of them all this fall.
“He is one of the bright spots, I think, on the whole team at this point, just with his positive energy and everything that goes with it,” Malzahn added. “He is making a really good bright spot on special teams, too.
“He finished the season on a high note. He is very confident and knows the offense inside and out. He is really good protector. He is just playing at a high level.”
National Signing Day is supposed to be about acquiring players who are the future of your program, but last Signing Day Auburn lost a big piece when JaTarvious Whitlow decided to enter the transfer portal.
National Signing Day is supposed to be about acquiring players who are the future of your program, but last year on the day, Auburn lost a big piece when JaTarvious Whitlow decided to enter the transfer portal.
Whitlow rushed for 1,550 yards over the last two seasons and his departure means Auburn will have a new leading rusher for the first time in two seasons. The competition to be that player is a battle between some talented but inexperienced players who will be forced to quickly adjust to college football with the Tigers playing an all SEC schedule.
Projected depth chart:
D.J. Williams (So.)
Tank Bigsby (Fr.)
Mark-Antony Richards (R-Fr.)
Shaun Shivers (Jr.)
Harold Joiner (So.)
Outlook:
While it is never ideal to lose a player of Whitlow’s caliber, running back was the position Auburn was best positioned to suffer the loss. Prior to his departure, Bigsby and Richards were expected to challenge for playing time in 2020 and Williams had already proven he was capable of handling the load when called upon, emerging as the teams No. 2 back as a freshman.
Despite not earning a carry in five of the Tigers’ first six games, Williams finished with 400 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 84 carries and should be seen as the slight favorite to be the starter. However, he will need to improve as back-to-back carries of 41 and 70 yards made up over 25% of his total yards and he struggled towards the end of the season, 3.3 yards per carry in the final four games.
Nov 2, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebackers Jon Haynes (5) and Jacquez Jones (10) tackle Auburn Tigers running back D.J. Williams (3) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Williams was also not a threat as a receiver, registering a catch in just two games for 32 yards. Using the backs in the passing game was not a key part of Gus Malzahn’s offense and it is hard to know just how capable Williams is, but new offensive coordinator Chad Morris puts an emphasis on it and whoever becomes the lead back will need to be capable of contributing in both the passing and rushing game.
Shivers has served as a great complimentary piece since arriving on campus – 5.3 yards per carry – and while his size may limit his workload (5-foot-7, 170 pounds) he will provide valuable experience and have a chance at a larger role while the younger backs continue to adjust to college football.
Sep 28, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Shaun Shivers (8) runs against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Joiner may be listed as a running back on the roster, but Auburn has yet to use him as a traditional back with him primarily serving as a receiving option.
The two biggest challengers to Williams are also the ones with the least experience in Bigsby and Richards.
Bigsby was the prize of the 2020 recruiting class and has the size (6-feet, 209 pounds) to become an every down back in the SEC and earn immediate playing time. He rushed for 1,636 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior and was described by Malzahn as a “one-play drive type of guy” who “has great balance, great instincts and can break tackles.”
Tank Bigsby. Auburn football practice scrimmage at JHS on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Richards is now a year removed from a leg surgery that cost him his freshman year and has earned glowing reviews from his teammates.
“I’m very impressed with him,” said senior wide receiver Eli Stove, who overcame his own leg injury. “He’s going to be very good. Real good.”
“Mark-Antony is a baaad man,” Shaun Shivers said. “He looks real good out there. We’re finally getting him back out there and he just looks like a real dude. He’s playing fast and playing physical. Mark-Antony is going to be good.”
Richards has been compared to former Auburn star and 2017 SEC Offensive Player of the Year Kerryon Johnson. The comparison is lofty but fair as they have similar builds and running styles, are both threats in the passing game and can serve as a Wildcard option.
Mark-Antony Richards. Auburn football practice in shells on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
If this wasn’t enough to draw the comparison, they both wear No. 21.
Who emerges as the Tigers lead back will be something to watch throughout the remainder of camp and with so many talented options the Tigers may just wind up riding the hot hand throughout the season.
Williams rushed for 400 yards as a freshman in 2019.
Auburn sophomore D.J. Williams has been named as one of the preseason candidates for the 2020 Doak Walker Award. The SMU PwC Athletic Forum released the list on Wednesday and Williams is one of 76 running backs eyeing the annual award presented to the nation’s top college running back.
As a freshman Williams recorded 400 rushing yards and two touchdowns within the span of eight games. He established himself as a valuable running back against No. 1 LSU when he rushed for a career-high 130 yards.
His freshman year performance ranks him 16th all-time among Auburn freshman running backs. This season he’ll return as Auburn’s top rusher and will lead a talented running back corps consisting of fellow sophomores Shaun Shivers and Harold Joiner, redshirt freshman Mark-Antony Richards, and incoming 5-star freshman “Tank” Bigsby.
The Doak Walker Award was established in 1990, but in its 30 year history no Auburn player has won. In the last 16 years eight Auburn players have qualified as semifinalists including Kerryon Johnson, who is the most recent running back to be nominated (2017).
Per Greg Ostendorf of AuburnTigers.com the procedures behind selecting a winner are as follows:
For this year’s award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.
The 2020 Doak Walker Award winner will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards.
Will D.J. Williams be the first running back in Auburn history to bring home the Doak Walker Award? More importantly, will Auburn finally have a 1,000 yard rusher again? Tell us your thoughts.
