Tag: jeremiah wright

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 Wright was previously listed as the backup right tackle but has been replaced by [autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag].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.

Brian’s Column: Auburn’s running game needs to show up against Texas A&M

The Auburn Tigers have gotten off to an undefeated start this season, but the running game has struggled. It needs to be better on Saturday.

For the past decade, the Auburn football offense has run through the running game.

The best player on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers has always been their running back, whether it’s [autotag]Tank Bigbsy[/autotag], [autotag]Kerryon Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Cameron-Artis Payne[/autotag], or Tre Mason, the offense has literally run on running the ball.

This year that has not been the case. The team’s leading rusher through three weeks is quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag].

The team’s leader in rushing touchdowns is backup quarterback [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag]

In a year in which starting running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] was voted to the preseason All-SEC team, he has rushed for a grand total of 90 yards and 1 touchdown in non-conference play.

If Hugh Freeze’s team is going to be successful in SEC play, the running backs are going to have to start running the ball and running it well.

This week Auburn travels to play a familiar opponent, the Texas A&M Aggies, who are currently giving up just over 4 yards per carry on the ground.

Auburn’s running backs are averaging 4.3, and that number dips almost below 4 if you take away long touchdown runs by [autotag]Jeremiah Cobb[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Jackson[/autotag] against UMass.

That is simply not good enough for a team that has issues throwing the ball as well. This week the Tigers are going to have to score points against an A&M offense that averages 44 points per game.

If Thorne and the receivers falter in the passing game, the running game has to pick them up.

While Payton Thorne ran free last week, it was mostly due to him being a superior athlete against FCS competition. The run game needs to be more fundamentally sound against A&M and avoid sequences like the one below.

This sequence is downright brutal from first to fourth down.

Auburn tries to run an outside concept on first down, and it get’s completely blown up. The line of scrimmage immediately shifts to the Auburn backfield, and [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] is left with little to do but string out the run as long as he can before hoping a hole develops.

It does not, and Auburn is left with a second and long.

Now for second down.

Everything about this play is executed perfectly besides the most important part.

#77 [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag] and #72 [autotag]Izavion Miller[/autotag] execute their pulls perfectly, and have the edge completely locked up for Payton Thorne to follow them to the endzone.

Wide receiver #0 [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] does his part as well, taking his defender completely out of the would-be-play.

This should have been 6 points for Auburn. Instead, [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] handed the ball off and the Tigers gained one yard.

Fourth down is just as bad as first and second. Just like they did on the outside run, the Auburn lines gets bullied on this inside run, leaving [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] with nowhere to go.

Auburn had many drives similar to this one during their 45-13 win last week. They were able to get away with it because of their talent,

That won’t be the case this week.

If Auburn is going to win as 8-point underdogs, the running game has to show up. The offensive line and running backs need to take some of the pressure off of Payton Thorne.

We’ll see if they can when the Tigers kick off SEC play Saturday at 11 CST.

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Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 77 Jeremiah Wright

The veteran is firmly in the mix to be Auburn’s left guard.

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 [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag]. He has gone back and forth between the offensive and defensive line in his time at Auburn but has finally settled in on the offense.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Selma, Alabama

Height: 6-5

Weight: 338

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 28 in Alabama / No. 40 OG

Career Stats

Year G
2020 5
2021 0
2022 12

PFF Grades

Year Offense Pass Blocking Run Blocking Special Teams
2022 61.0 43.8 66.4 65.4

Depth Chart Overview

Wright has had an interesting career after coming to Auburn as a member of the 2020 recruiting class. He moved over to the defensive line as a freshman and looked to be a breakout player as a sophomore before an injury ended his season in camp.

He was moved back to the offensive line last season and excelled at creating holes for Auburn’s running backs. Wright has been battling to be the starting left guard and is now competing with [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag].

He has had a solid fall and spring camp session and even if he doesn’t win the starting job he should see plenty of action, especially when Auburn is looking to run the ball.

Jeremiah Wright’s Photo Gallery

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 62 Kameron Stutts

The veteran is looking to become Auburn’s starting right guard.

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 offensive lineman [autotag]Kameron Stutts[/autotag]. He is in a battle to be Auburn’s starting right guard during fall camp.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Killen, Alabama

Height: 6-5

Weight: 343

Class in 2023: Senior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 17 in Alabama / No. 46 OT

Career Stats

Year G
2018 1
2019 11
2020 0
2021 12
2022 12

PFF Grades

Year Offense Pass Blocking Run Blocking Special Teams
2018 59.5 – 59.2 –
2019 65.5 77.9 64.0 64.1
2020 – – – –
2021 65.3 78.8 63.7 65.3
2022 57.1 61.4 58.1 64.5

Depth Chart Overview

Stutts started 11 games last season for the Tigers but is back in a stiff competition to return as a starter with Auburn rotating him, [autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag] and [autotag]Tate Johnson[/autotag] at the two guard spots.

He appears to have separated himself as the favorite to win the starting right guard spot but Muskrat is still pushing him. Stutts is capable of playing both spots and is an important member of the offensive line group due to his extensive experience and versatilty.

Kameron Stutts’ Photo Gallery

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 54 Tate Johnson

He is battling to be one of Auburn’s starting guards.

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 offensive lineman [autotag]Tate Johnson[/autotag]. After winning the starting center job last year, he has switched to guard and is firmly in the mix for a starting spot.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: LaGrange, Georgia

Height: 6-4

Weight: 302

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 53 in Georgia / No. 27 OG

Career Stats

Year G
2020 1
2021 0
2022 4

PFF Grades

Year Offense Pass Blocking Run Blocking
2020 66.4 72.5 65.6
2022 55.3 47.4 58.5

Depth Chart Overview

Johnson is in a battle with [autotag]Kameron Stutts[/autotag], [autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag] and [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag] for the two guard spots. This battle will likely last into the season and could see several changes as the coaches look to find the best combination along the line.

Johnsons has the ability to play center and was Auburn’s starter last season before suffering a season-ending injury. If starter [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag] were unable to go he could very well slide over and that versatility makes him an important member of Auburn’s offense and someone to keep an eye on.

Tate Johnson’s Photo Gallery

Auburn offensive lineman makes 247Sports’ All-Name Team

Jaden Muskrat has been named to one of the top groups in college football.

It hasn’t been determined yet if offensive lineman [autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag] will be a starter for Auburn this season but he was just named to one of the top groups in college football, the 247Sports’ All-Name Team.

Muskrat is entering his first season at Auburn after spending the past three seasons at Tulsa. He entered the portal after the season and decided to reunite with Auburn offensive coordinator [autotag]Phillip Montgomery[/autotag], who was his head coach at Tusla.

The 6-foot-3, 302-pounder is in contention to be Auburn’s starting guard, battling [autotag]Kameron Stutts[/autotag], [autotag]Tate Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag] and [autotag]Connor Lew[/autotag] for the two spots.

Muskrat played 18 games at tackle for Tulsa and could slide back outside for Auburn if needed, but he profiles more as a guard in the SEC and that is his path to playing time.

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Auburn football ranks last among Power Five teams in offensive line continuity

The Tigers will have plenty of new faces gracing the offensive line this season.

Out of all units that Auburn football will trot out onto the field in 2023, the offensive line will see the most changes.

It comes with good reason, as the Tigers’ line allowed 32 sacks last season, and they were only able to help their offense gain just 378 yards per game. Most of that was due to inconsistency within snap counts.

According to Pro Football Focus, only two offensive linemen were on the field for more than 700 snaps, [autotag]Killian Zierer[/autotag] and [autotag]Brandon Council[/autotag]. The next player on the list was [autotag]Austin Troxell[/autotag], who played in 482 snaps over eight games.

If those facts sound crazy, that is because they are. Auburn’s continuity rate among offensive linemen was super low last season. So low, that it was the worst among Power Five teams.

College Football Graphs recently shared its list of offensive line continuity, and Auburn ranks No. 69 among Power Five programs with a rate of 35.6%.

While only three players played more than 400 snaps on the offensive line last season, a total of six were able to play 345 or more snaps last season. Among the nine players who shuffled through Auburn’s offensive line last season, only three return to the 2023 roster: [autotag]Tate Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Jalil Irvin[/autotag], and [autotag]Jeremiah Wright[/autotag].

Hugh Freeze hopes to increase Auburn’s continuity rate in 2023 by sending several of his experienced transfer portal finds to pick up the slack. Several names that should contribute heavily to Auburn’s line this season are [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Gunner Britton[/autotag], [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaden Muskrat[/autotag].

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Auburn defensive tackle Jeremiah Wright has torn ACL

Auburn defensive tackle Jeremiah Wright suffered a torn ACL during Thursday’s scrimmage.

Auburn’s defensive line just took a major hit.

On Friday, Tigers’ defensive tackle Jeremiah Wright announced on Snapchat that he has torn his ACL. The injury took place during Auburn’s scrimmage on Thursday, per Auburn Undercover, and he was diagnosed with the injury on Friday.

Wright was one of the stars so far during spring practice and expected to be one of the starts along the line this fall.

“He’s a great dude,” fellow defensive lineman Derick Hall said of Wright. “He’s strong, powerful – he has every aspect to be a great D-lineman. Making that transition last year from our O-line to our D-line, I think, was beneficial for not only him, but this team with everything that he can help us as a D-lineman and the defense. So having him there, he’s definitely making strides in the right direction.”

No timeline for recovery has been announced.