Tag: Jeffrey M’Ba

Who are Auburn’s top defensive players according to Pro Football Focus?

Expect Auburn’s secondary to be filled with plenty of experience in 2023.

Looking ahead to what Auburn’s defense could look like in 2023, it is clear that the Tigers will be heavily experienced in the secondary.

Auburn’s front seven needed the most attention following the departures of [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag], [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], and [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] to the NFL. Auburn also lost [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag] and [autotag]Dylan Brooks[/autotag], two players that were expected to fill those roles, to the transfer portal.

Auburn added players such as Elijah McAllister, Jalen McLeod, and Justin Rogers to play key roles in the front seven, but Auburn’s secondary will be filled with homegrown talent.

Players such as D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett, and Keionte Scott return to Auburn’s secondary. They should take a step forward and capitalize on last season’s performances in 2023.

Auburn fans can expect the aforementioned names to have solid seasons based on Pro Football Focus data.

From solid pass rushers to those who give opposing receivers fits, here’s a look at Auburn’s top defensive players ahead of the 2023 season based on last season’s PFF grade.

Desmond Tisdol finds new home with AAC program

Tisdol becomes the 10th former Tiger to find a new home since the end of last season.

Former Auburn linebacker [autotag]Desmond Tisdol[/autotag] has become the 10th player from last season’s roster to find a new home.

Tisdol announced Thursday that he will transfer to Florida Atlantic, which sets him up to be reunited with former Auburn special teams coordinator, Roc Bellantoni, who was named the defensive coordinator for the new-look staff at FAU under head coach Tom Herman.

Tisdol had a limited role with the Tigers during his three-year stint, as he recorded just 16 tackles in six appearances since the 2020 season. Last season was his most productive season, where he made 12 stops.

Tisdol was a member of Gus Malzahn’s final signing class in 2020. The class has since broken apart, as a majority of the class has transferred to other programs.

Out of Auburn’s 27 signees from 2020, only 10 remain on the Tigers’ roster. Several key members of the class include Ladarius Tennison and JJ Pegues, who are currently at Ole Miss, and Kobe Hudson, who has since reunited at UCF with Malzahn. [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] was the headliner of the class, and names such as [autotag]Wesley Steiner[/autotag], [autotag]Cam Riley[/autotag], and [autotag]Killian Zierer[/autotag] remain on the roster.

Tisdol is the second former Tiger to find a new home this week, joining defensive lineman [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag], who announced his commitment to Purdue.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Former top JUCO prospect Jeffrey M’Ba commits to Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers continue to find success in the transfer portal, this time landing a former top JUCO prospect.

The Purdue Boilermakers have landed former top JUCO prospect Jeffrey M’ba. The former Auburn Tiger who entered the transfer portal on Apr. 15, announced his decision on Twitter on Tuesday morning.

“Finally, I find my place in this universe,” M’Ba said in his post. M’Ba this past season recorded six tackles including one sack over nine games for Auburn after being the nation’s top-ranked JUCO prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle. A far cry from what was originally expected of him when he signed with the Tigers.

At Independence Community College in Kansas, M’Ba totaled 40 tackles including two sacks over nine games in the 2021 season. The 6-foot-6, 305-pound defensive tackle will enter next season with two years of eligibility remaining.

For Purdue, M’Ba is a huge pickup as head coach Ryan Walters begins his tenure in West Lafayette. Walters, last season helped lead the Illini Fighting Illini to one of the country’s best defenses, allowing just 12.8 points and 273 yards per game. Purdue fans are hoping that he brings the same level of defensive success to the Boilermakers, who allowed over 27 points per game last season.

It also continues what has been a good offseason in the transfer portal for the Boilermakers as they have had several key transfer portal additions this offseason including former Texas quarterback Hudson Card.

Last season, under head coach Jeff Brohm and interim coach Brian Brohm, the Boilermakers were 8-6 including 3-6 in conference play.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=87]

Jeffrey M’Ba commits to Big Ten school

Jeffrey M’Ba has committed to Purdue.

Former Auburn defensive lineman [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag] has found his new home. The former Tiger announced he will be transferring to Purdue Tuesday on social media.

M’Ba played in 10 games last season at Auburn and made seven tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-6, 313-pounder spent just one season on the Plains before entering the transfer portal on April 13.

The Gabon native signed with Auburn as a member of its 2022 recruiting class and was the No. 1 ranked JUCO player for the class according to the 247Sports Composite JUCO rankings.

He is the second former Tiger to announce their transfer plans in the past two days as former wide receiver Tar’Varish Dawson committed to Cincinnati on Monday.

[mm-video type=video id=01gx4dmygqafba5m81bb playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx4dmygqafba5m81bb/01gx4dmygqafba5m81bb-aa6c10e5a82b65b2debe916e714caf99.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Auburn linebacker Powell Gordon has reportedly entered the transfer portal

He is the third linebacker to enter the transfer portal.

Auburn has lost yet another linebacker to the transfer portal. This time it’s [autotag]Powell Gordon[/autotag], according to a report from Auburn Undercover’s Jason Caldwell.

The redshirt freshman is from Auburn High and is the third linebacker to enter the portal this offseason, following [autotag]Desmond Tisdol[/autotag] and [autotag]Kameron Brown[/autotag].

RELATED: Live updates of Auburn Tigers in the portal

Gordon was a member of Auburn’s 2022 recruiting class and did not see the field in his only season on the Plains. The 6-foot-2, 222-pounder was set to be a reserve this season and it would have been tough for him to carve out a role for himself in a crowded linebacker room.

He is the fifth Auburn player to enter the portal during its spring window, with wide receiver [autotag]Tar’Varish Dawson[/autotag] and defensive end [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag] also announcing their intentions to leave the program.

[mm-video type=video id=01gx4dmygqafba5m81bb playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gx4dmygqafba5m81bb/01gx4dmygqafba5m81bb-aa6c10e5a82b65b2debe916e714caf99.jpg]

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=702301474]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Former Tulsa OL Jaden Muskrat receives Auburn offer

Could Muskrat join Dillon Wade in making the move from Tulsa to Auburn?

The spring window of the transfer portal officially opened on Saturday, and Auburn is already busy reaching out to potential suitors.

The day began with wide receiver [autotag]Tar’varish Dawson[/autotag] re-entering the transfer portal, becoming the second player to announce their intent to enter the portal, joining [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag].

On the flip side, a former Tulsa offensive lineman announced Saturday that he had received an offer from Auburn.

[autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag], a rising junior from Bentonville, Arkansas, has received an offer from Auburn, becoming the second former Tulsa offensive lineman to hear from the Tigers. The first, [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag], followed his former head coach, [autotag]Philip Montgomery[/autotag], to the Plains during the winter transfer portal window.

According to Pro Football Focus, Muskrat played 848 snaps last season primarily at right tackle, opposite Wade. He allowed just three sacks and four quarterback hits in 2022.

RELATED: Auburn transfer portal tracker

Auburn has added three talented, experienced linemen through the transfer portal in Wade, [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag], and [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag]. If the Tigers were able to add Muskrat, it would allow for more opportunities for the offensive backfield to do damage this season.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=702301474]

Jeffrey M’ba a game-time decision against Western Kentucky

Auburn could be without a key defensive lineman Saturday against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

Auburn could be without a key defensive lineman when they face Western Kentucky Saturday.

Defensive tackle [autotag]Jeffrey M’ba[/autotag] is a game-time decision for the game head coach [autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] announced Wednesday during the SEC coaches teleconference.

“Definitely haven’t ruled him out,” Williams said. “We’re hopeful that he can play. It’s going to come down, honestly, to a game-time decision.”

M’ba left Auburn’s game against Texas A&M with an ankle injury and went into the locker room before returning to the sideline.

The  6-foot-6, 305-pounder has become a rotation member along the defensive line after signing with Auburn as the No. 1 ranked JUCO player in the 2022 recruiting cycle.

He has made six tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and forced a fumble in nine games.

M’ba and the rest of the Tigers are set to face Western Kentucky Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game is set to start at 3 p.m. CT and will be on the SEC Network.

[mm-video type=video id=01ggz71ecscsv0f2y50t playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ggz71ecscsv0f2y50t/01ggz71ecscsv0f2y50t-6087e1f0a7abee2df7b2ad710bd7bfcd.jpg]

[listicle id=57532]

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

2022 Auburn football preview: Defensive Line

Auburn’s defensive line is full of talented players and should be fun to watch.

Despite a massive amount of turnover this offseason, the defensive line group is one of the deepest groups on the roster and has a chance to lead the entire defense.

New position coach [autotag]Jimmy Brumbaugh[/autotag] has a great problem on his hand with too many talented players to start them all.

The group is led by defensive end [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] and defensive tackle [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], both are returning starters and will be key contributors for the defense. They are backed up by a group that features several returning contributors and multiple newcomers who have a chance to make an impact right away.

One of those is [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag], who transferred from Oregon and looks like an ideal fit in the middle of the defense. Another noteworthy newcomer is [autotag]Jeffrey M’Ba[/autotag] the No. 1 overall JUCO player from last year’s signing class and could become a great player as he gets more experience.

Wide Receiver Preview

Tight End Preview

Running Back Preview

Offensive Line Preview

Quarterback Preview

Edge Preview

Spring Football Preview: Projecting the defensive line

This group needs to develop depth quickly.

Auburn was due for some attrition along the defensive line.

The Tigers had to many talented players for everyone to get enough playing time and when Nick Eason left for Clemson it only worsened the situation.

But losing six players to the transfer portal was unexpected and has thinned out Auburn’s depth.

The Tigers return their top defensive lineman in Colby Wooden and quality starter in Marcus Harris. Marquis Burks gives them another experienced player they will lean on.

After those four, Auburn has several promising players who have yet to carve out roles for themselves and are now in line for serious playing time.

Here is a look at the group.

Jeffrey M’Ba, No. 1 JUCO player, signs with Auburn

GOT EM

Auburn has landed the top JUCO player in the country.

Jeffrey M’Ba signed with Auburn during the early signing period but publicly announced the signing with Auburn today. The French native will be coming to Auburn from Independence Community College.

The 6-foot-6, 305-pound M’Ba is rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 1 JUCO player in the country in the 247Sports Composite. With his signing, Auburn landed the top defensive lineman and overall player (M’Ba), top corner (Keionte Scott) and top safety (Marquise Gilbert) from the JUCO level.

M’Ba is a player who can make an immediate impact at defensive tackle for Auburn, and he has three years of eligibility left. He had 40 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one forced fumble last season.