jerrin thompson – Syndication Server

CBS Sports includes two Tigers in midseason top 100 players list

These two Tigers have performed at high levels to this point of the season

Auburn football may not have the record it would like to have through six games, but that does not mean the players are not playing at a high level.

CBS Sports revealed its picks for the top 100 players at the midway point of the 2024 college football season and included two Auburn Tigers.

It is no secret that the production of wide receiver [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and defensive end [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] have been vital to Auburn’s success on the field, which is why CBS Sports’ Blake Brockermeyer made sure to include the duo in his midseason ranking.

Lambert-Smith has already shattered last season’s top receiving totals just six games into his Auburn career by hauling in 24 catches for 510 yards and six scores. He has matched [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag]’s 2023 touchdown total and has blown past Fairweather’s yardage total by over 100 yards at the midway point of the season. However, he needs 15 more catches to surpass Fairweather’s 2023 total, which should be an easy accomplishment with six regular season games remaining.

Faulk holds the team lead in sacks this season, recording five for a loss of 32 yards. He trails [autotag]Dorian Mausi[/autotag] and [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] for the team lead in tackles with 27, including 20 solo. Pro Football Focus data shows that Faulk is the most valuable defensive player on Auburn’s roster through six games with a grade of 86.4, with his strong suit being run defense, where he grades at 88.8.

Looking ahead to the rest of Auburn’s schedule, the Tigers will face 10 players from CBS Sports’ rankings including Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (No. 17), Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton (No. 33), and Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (No. 100).

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Early look at Auburn’s Student-Athlete Availability Report ahead of Georgia game

Several notable names have been added to the initial availability report ahead of the next edition of “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.”

The first SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report of week six’s action has been released, and several notable athletes from Auburn’s roster have made the cut early on.

The obvious names of [autotag]Tyler Scott[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Frazier[/autotag], and [autotag]Champ Anthony[/autotag], who was diagnosed with long-term injuries, remain on the list as “out” ahead of the Tigers’ road SEC game at No. 4 Georgia on Saturday. However, a trio of important defensive players are listed as “probable” for the game according to Wednesday’s report.

Linebackers [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag] and [autotag]Dorian Mausi[/autotag], as well as safety [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag], are tagged “probable” for the Georgia game while OT [autotag]Izavion Miller[/autotag] is listed as “questionable.”

McLeod and Mausi combined to make seven stops in last week’s loss to Oklahoma, with McLeod logging a sack. McLeod is the team’s second-highest-graded defensive player according to PFF with 84.4 and has eight quarterback hurries with three sacks. Mausi has recorded four pressures through his first five games as an Auburn Tiger.

Thompson has allowed his covered receivers to catch just 56.3% of passes thrown their way this season at the safety position with a pass break-up and an interception. Miller, who has battled a hip issue throughout the year, has logged 149 snaps at right tackle for the Tigers this season. He is the team’s second-highest-graded pass blocker at 78.3, which is the highest grade among offensive linemen.

Four Georgia Bulldogs have been ruled out of this week’s game: RB Roderick Robinson, LB Smael Mondon Jr., WR London Humphries, and OL Tate Ratledge. DL Jordan Hall is listed as “questionable” while DL Mykel White, WR Sacovie White, and OL Jared Wilson are tabbed “probable.”

Auburn faces No. 4 Georgia on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. The game will be broadcast live on ABC.

Gallery: Arkansas topples Auburn, 24-14

Here are the best images from Auburn’s tough loss to Arkansas on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn football welcomed Arkansas to Jordan-Hare Stadium for the 2024 SEC opener on Saturday and walked out disappointed.

The Tigers committed five turnovers, including four interceptions in its 24-14 loss to Arkansas.

After a successful first career start last Saturday vs. New Mexico, quarterback [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] was benched following his first-half performance, which saw him complete 7-of-12 passes for 72 yards and three interceptions. [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] provided a shot in the arm to the Auburn offense by passing for 213 yards and two touchdowns with one interception during the second half. Thorne completed touchdown passes of 10 yards and 67 yards to [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] in the game.

Defensively, [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Dorian Mausi[/autotag] led the team in tackles with eight while [autotag]Sylvester Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag] each picked off passes from Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green.

Overall, Saturday was disappointing for the Tigers. However, there were plenty of great photos taken of the action. Here are the best photos from Auburn’s 24-14 loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday.

What did we from Auburn’s win over New Mexico?

Following Auburn’s week three win over the New Mexico Lobos, here is what we learned about the team in Hank Brown’s debut at quarterback

The Auburn Tigers are back in the win column and is making changes to try and keep things on the right track as they prepare for SEC play next week.

On a rainy night inside of Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Tigers took down the New Mexico Lobos on Homecoming 45-19 with a new starting quarterback in freshman [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag].

Brown replaced Payton Thorne after a rough start to the season, making his second game appearance after playing in last year’s Music City Bowl.

With all the buzz of his performance out of the way, here is what we learned from Saturday’s game about this Auburn squad.

The obvious thing to say is that there is easily a lot of potential that Brown has with his play. He went 17 for 25 with 235 yards and four touchdowns, showing flashes of what he can do in his young career.

Brown’s throws were proven to be sharp, even when partially inaccurate. His velocity gets the ball out quick and away from any danger where it may lie.

The downside at moments was the ability to get plays off in an efficient manner. While he was thrown into action on a week’s notice, the Tigers run the offense at an efficient pace and need him to move quicker on a consistent basis.

The running game proved itself again as [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] racked up 20 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown, staying elusive and using his strength to his advantage. While Auburn can not be one dimensional, it needs to be able to run as it has in the past.

The defensive play is still highly questionable for this team, which is a problem heading into a tough conference slate.

Most notably, one-on-one coverage in the secondary has not been great and was especially evident last night. The Tigers found themselves on the wrong end of too many passes that could have gone either way and must improve on turning that around.

On the positive side of it, interceptions by [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] and [autotag]Antonio Kite[/autotag] recorded the team’s first two forced turnovers of the season, finally getting on the board after two weeks of no chaos. They look to continue that next week.

Auburn takes the field for its fourth home game in a row against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:30. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Pregame sights ahead of Auburn football’s season opener with Alabama A&M

Take a look at the best images from Tiger Walk ahead of the 2024 season opener!

The day we had long awaited was finally here. It is game day on the Plains!

Auburn football has gone through the traditional “Tiger Walk” and is warming up on the field ahead of the season opener with Alabama A&M. Players such as [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], and [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag] return to the Plains for another season while [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Philip Blidi[/autotag], and [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] make their much-awaited debut in orange and blue uniforms.

Ahead of Saturday’s season opener, here’s a look at the best images from Tiger Walk before Auburn’s game with Alabama A&M.

Asante, Hunter headline Auburn’s Senior Bowl watchlist representation

Auburn football is well represented on this season’s watchlist.

The coveted Senior Bowl watchlist has been released, and Auburn is well represented.

A total of 14 players on Auburn’s roster made the cut, with linebacker [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag] and running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] headlining the representation.

Asante broke onto the scene last season by recording a team-leading 86 tackles with 8.5 going for a loss. He also tipped a pass and returned a fumble 67 yards for a touchdown in Auburn’s loss to Texas A&M. As for Hunter, he came close to reaching the 1,000-yard mark in rushing for the first time in his career last season. He ran for 909 yards and scored seven touchdowns while reeling in 18 passes for 118 yards.

Joining Hunter as offensive players to make the list are QB [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], WRs [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], and offensive linemen [autotag]Percy Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Dillon Wade[/autotag].

Thorne is projected to take a step forward this season thanks to the additions of Lambert-Smith and Lewis, who were stars at Penn State and Georgia State respectively. Fairweather will be a great threat in the passing game as he returns after hauling in 38 catches for 394 yards and six scores last season. Finally, Lewis joins an experienced offensive line after spending the previous two seasons at Mississippi State. Wade’s 819 snaps were the most among Auburn offensive players last season. In that frame, he allowed just two quarterback sacks.

Six defensive players were also labeled. Outside of Asante, DLs [autotag]Jayson Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag], LB [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag], and defensive backs [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] are also considered for a roster spot.

McLeod holds the highest grade among returning defenders from PFF with an 80.8, which was third-highest behind [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] and [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], who has since departed for the NFL. Scott had a great season by leading all defensive backs in tackles with 42 with five pass deflections in 2023. He will team up with Thompson, who hauled in three interceptions at Texas last season, to provide experience to the Tigers’ defensive backfield. In two seasons at Auburn, Jones has complied 48 tackles with one registering as a loss.

The final representative on the Senior Bowl watchlist for Auburn is punter [autotag]Oscar Chapman[/autotag]. Chapman recorded 61 punts last season for a career-high average of 44.6 yards.

The 2025 Senior Bowl will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The game will begin at 1:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on NFL Network.

What does Jerrin Thompson have to offer to Auburn’s defense?

Heading into the 2024 season, Auburn defensive back Jerrin Thompson brings a lot to Auburn’s defense and is optimistic about the secondary

The Auburn football loaded up on new talent over the course of the offseason and hopes that those players will help lead the team to success in its 2024 campaign.

One of those new faces is defensive back [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag], who is bringing a lot to the program after spending the last four years at Texas.

Being a part of the secondary, Thompson has skills that everyone with the team is impressed by, including his ability to communicate and lead by example.

“I take pride in that,” Thompson said. “That’s one thing that I feel like is my strength, is my instincts and my ability to communicate and make guys less stressed around me. I take a lot of pride in it. So just knowing that, just communicating and knowing my teammates is one thing I’m big on and how I operate.”

With a young secondary including players like [autotag]Caleb Wooden[/autotag] and [autotag]Sylvester Smith[/autotag], Thompson is trying to help others out when they need it while also playing his best.

He admits that while wealth of experience is a concern, the talent level is there.

“Yeah, we got a lot of talent. I have not been around a secondary this young, but this talented,” Thompson said. “We got a lot of guys who are hungry. Hungry like, we got guys out here competing. We don’t know who’s gonna play. That’s how it is. It’s out there. Like I said, running day five, we’re still just stacking days.”

While with the Longhorns, Thompson reeled in 176 total tackles and five interceptions, including one at Alabama in 2023.

Thompson now looks to make a strong impact on the Plains in 2024, trying to help build the Auburn defense into a force to be reckoned with.

The Tigers open the season on Aug. 31 when they take on the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at 6:30 p.m. CST in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy expects Auburn to be a ‘problem’ this season

Auburn has upgraded several position groups over the offseason, which could lead the Tigers to several key wins in 2024.

Auburn football ended last season with a 6-7 record. While the season did not end as fans and players alike would have hoped, the Tigers were a few plays away from having a completely different season.

Auburn dropped three home games to Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama by a combined 17 points. In two of those games, Georgia and Alabama scored their game-clinching touchdowns with less that three minutes remaining.

Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] evaluated his options once the season concluded, and elected to revamp several position groups including wide receiver and safety. Because of the new talent, one ESPN analyst expects the Tigers to give opponents fits this season.

During this week’s SEC Media Days in Dallas, Texas, ESPN’s Greg McElroy discussed Auburn during a segment on College Football Live. The former Alabama quarterback says that Auburn was close to winning several games last season, and could be a “problem” for opponents in 2024 due to their roster upgrades.

“They’ve now gone out, they’ve added really good pieces at wide receiver. And Payton Thorne, I expect to take a step because it’s just hard to play quarterback by yourself. Jarquez Hunter, I think’s one of the best backs in the league. No one talks about him. So I think they’re gonna be able to run the football, take some of the pressure off the passing game. And I think they finally have the weapons on the perimeter that can win 1-on-1 matchups. So I’m really, actually, pretty optimistic about where Hugh Freeze [has] the Auburn Tigers going into this season.”

McElroy does say that Auburn could run into trouble by facing College Football Playoff contenders Alabama and Georgia on the road, but a favorable schedule and new talent could push Auburn in a positive direction this season.

Auburn welcomes [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], leading receivers at Penn State and Georgia State respectively, to its receiving corps. Texas transfer [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] is set to be the team’s No. 1 safety following the departure of [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] to the NFL. Auburn will be filled with experience this season, and will need to mesh well together in order to enjoy a successful season.

Auburn lands Colorado transfer safety Jahquez Robinson

Robinson saw action in seven games for Colorado last season.

The Auburn Tigers added a few face to their defense on Friday, adding senior defensive back [autotag]Jahquez Robinson[/autotag] to what will be a mostly re-worked secondary in 2024. A former three-star recruit, Robinson spent his first three seasons in Tuscaloosa playing at the University of Alabama before spending last season with Colorado.

Robinson saw action in seven games for the Buffaloes, starting two contests and tallying 8 tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception. The Jacksonville, Florida native’s lone interception came in his first career start against Oregon, led by former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag]. Robinson was one of only three players to turnover the Heisman Finalist last season.

While the senior’s direct path to playing time is likely blocked by fellow transfer safety [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] and junior [autotag]Caleb Wooden[/autotag], Robinson provides immediate experience and depth to an Auburn secondary that lost key players like [autotag]D.J James[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] from last season.

Reunited with defensive back coach [autotag]Charles Kelly[/autotag] who recruited him at Colorado, the 6-foot-2 defensive back will have the opportunity to see his first action as a Tiger when Auburn kicks off its season on August 31 against Alabama A&M. He’ll have the chance to work his way up the depth chart as the summer progresses.

‘They were completely disheveled.’ Anonymous coaches share harsh criticisms of Auburn football

Auburn football has its critics, especially coaches within the SEC.

College football preseason publications are a great way for fans to read up on their favorite teams, and rivals, ahead of an exciting season.

It also provides an outlet for coaches to share their most heated opinions while remaining incognito.

Anonymous coaches were asked to share their hottest takes on SEC programs with Lindy’s Sports, and the best were included in the publication’s 2024 Southeastern preview. While Lindy’s Sports does not disclose if their sources are current coaches or multiple coaches, Auburn’s report was… harsh.

One criticism was at the expense of Auburn’s 2023 season finale, a 31-13 Music City Bowl loss to Maryland. The Tigers fell behind 21-0 in the 1st quarter, and were out-gained by just 10 yards. This source credits the team’s number of bowl game opt outs as the reason for Auburn’s poor showing in Nashville.

“I saw Auburn play in a bowl game and it was the least talented Auburn team I’ve seen in 50 years. They were awful. They lost a lot of kids before the game, a lot opted out. But they were completely disheveled.”

Just one week after losing 31-10 to New Mexico State, Auburn football had the opportunity to take down No. 8 Alabama and to erase their chances of earning a College Football Playoff bid. The game ended on a heartbreaking 4th-and-31 hail mary play from Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe to wide receiver Isaiah Bond. Auburn left plenty of momentum on the table in the game, and one coach says that the Tigers will move forward without former defensive coordinator [autotag]Ron Roberts[/autotag].

“You’re Auburn in a down year. Alabama is a College Football Playoff team. You’ve got them beat, it’s 4th-and-31 and you lose. That should never happen. It’s got to be the worst play in college football, except maybe Cal scoring against Stanford with the band on the field. The best thing Auburn did was get rid of Ron Roberts.”

The last take centers around [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag]. Thorne had a disappointing 2023 season after passing for just 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns. Auburn has added a plethora of talented wide receivers to its roster, but one coach feels that the team can not reach success with Thorne as its starting quarterback.

“You need a dynamic guy like Cam Newton to run your offense or one of those guys Auburn had in the past. Payton Thorne ain’t going to lead you to the promised land. He’s an average player.”

Auburn football looks to improve upon its 6-7 campaign in 2024. This season will feature several enhancements such as transfers [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag], and [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag]. Not only will Auburn try to improve its record, but they will also try to change the opinions of opposing coaches across the SEC.