Kayin Lee – Syndication Server

Auburn loses a pair of cornerbacks to the transfer portal

Colton Hood and Tyler Scott depart after spending one season with the program.

Auburn football’s departing transfer portal class grew Tuesday as two young cornerbacks have elected to take their talents elsewhere.

[autotag]Colton Hood[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Scott[/autotag], a pair of cornerbacks who signed with Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class, announced Tuesday that they will be entering the transfer portal. The duo joins defensive lineman Brenton Williams, wide receiver Jay Fair, linebacker Wesley Steiner, and cornerback JD Rhym as spring transfer portal entries.

Hood, nephew of former Auburn cornerback Roderick Hood, joined Auburn’s 2023 class as a three-star according to 247Sports. The McDonough, Georgia native was the No. 48 cornerback and the No. 45 overall recruit from Georgia.

A fellow Georgian, Scott signed with Auburn as a safety before moving to cornerback this spring. He was the nation’s No. 20 cornerback and the No. 19 prospect from Georgia, signing with Auburn out of Pebblebrook High School in Mableton.

According to Pro Football Focus, Hood and Scott combined to play 53 snaps over five games. Hood saw the most action between the two by appearing in four games with 44 total snaps played.

There are now seven cornerbacks on Auburn’s roster following the departures of Hood and Scott. [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag] headline the position as returners while [autotag]Antonio Kite[/autotag] joins the team as a transfer from Alabama.

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Report: Auburn CB JD Rhym no longer with team

Rhym is reportedly leaving the program and will enter the transfer portal.

The Auburn secondary will enter the 2024 season depleted of experience, and one of its experienced members is no longer with the team.

According to a report from Auburn Undercover, cornerback [autotag]JD Rhym[/autotag] is no longer with the program. The report by Nathan King shows that Rhym is expected to enter the transfer portal after being dismissed from the program last week.

Rhym sustained a leg injury, as well as a suspension, which limited him to play in three games last season. In two seasons on the Plains, he recorded 20 total tackles with one pass deflection and an interception. His lone interception came in Auburn’s 45-13 win over Samford on Sept. 16.

Rhym took part in 54 snaps this season according to Pro Football Focus, and graded out at 70.2, which ranks No. 13 on the team. He was one of the best-graded tacklers on the team by grading out at 80.9, which was fourth-highest on the team.

With the departure of Rhym, Auburn has eight cornerbacks on its’ spring roster. The headliners this season are [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag], who combined to record 62 tackles last season with 11 pass breakups.

Former Alabama defensive back Antonio Kite transfers to Auburn

For just the second time in the modern football era, a former Alabama recruit has transferred to become an Auburn Tiger.

Former four-star cornerback Antonio Kite announced his intention to sign with Auburn on Wednesday, giving the Tigers immediate help in a depleted defensive secondary set to lose [autotag]D.J, James[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] and others.

An Anniston, AL native, Kite joined more than 20 of his teammates when he entered the transfer portal after Nick Saban announced his retirement.

The defensive back played sparingly during his time in Tuscaloosa but still has three years of eligibility remaining. His playing time should increase immediately with [autotag]Kionte Scott[/autotag], [autotag]Kayin Lee,[/autotag] and Texas transfer [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] listed as the only likely starters.

Standing at 6-foot-1 and 182 pounds, Kite could be a candidate to fill a nickel-back role if the Tigers decide to move the aforementioned Scott to the outside in 2024.

If anything, Auburn’s newest addition provides depth and youth in a secondary desperately needing a rejuvenation.

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Auburn adds former Texas safety Jerrin Thompson from transfer portal

Thompson recorded 105 tackles and five interceptions in four seasons with the Longhorns.

Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] needs to replenish his defensive backfield, and is on the right track to doing so by adding an experienced safety from the transfer portal.

Former Texas safety [autotag]Jerrin Thompson[/autotag] paid a visit to Auburn over the weekend, and ended the trip by pledging his commitment to Freeze and the Tigers.

Thompson has been a vital part to the Longhorns’ secondary over the last four seasons, and he has played in 48 games since arriving to Austin in 2020. In four seasons, he has recorded 105 total tackles and has picked off five passes. He has recorded at least 14 tackles in every season that he has played, and made a career-high 83 stops in 2022. Last season, he made just 38 tackles, but pulled in a career-high three interceptions. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown.

In his most recent game, Thompson made three tackles in Texas’ 37-31 loss to Washington in the Sugar Bowl, which was a College Football Playoff semi-final game. In the Longhorns’ 34-24 win over Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 9, he made four stops and recorded and interception.

Thompson ranks No. 9 in Texas’ defensive grades from Pro Football Focus with a 73.1. His strong suit is pass coverage, which he graded out at 77.1, third-highest among Longhorn defenders. Opposing receivers hauled in 58.1% of passes when guarded by Thompson, or 18-of-31. He would also break up five passes.

The Tigers will lose plenty of experience from its defensive backfield in the likes of [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag]. The defense does however return [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag], [autotag]Caleb Wooden[/autotag], and [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag]. Adding Thompson to complement Wooden at safety will be a great addition.

Auburn announces changes to football staff

One longtime Auburn coach’s departure makes way for an Auburn alum to return home.

The first major shakeup of the 2023 offseason has officially taken place.

Before Auburn’s TransPerfect Music City Bowl loss to Maryland on Saturday, it was announced that former Colorado defensive coordinator and Auburn alum [autotag]Charles Kelly[/autotag] would join the staff as a co-defensive coordinator.

Sunday, it was reported by TexAgs that Auburn secondary coach [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag] is expected to take on a defensive role on Mike Elko’s staff at Texas A&M, thus paving the way for Kelly to replace him.

Kelly joins Auburn’s staff after building a successful track record at Alabama. Tennessee, Florida State, and Georgia Tech. Before joining Deion Sanders’ initial staff at Colorado in 2023, Kelly served as the assistant defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Alabama for four seasons. During that time, Kelly worked with several great athletes such as DeMarcco Hellams, Brian Branch, Jordan Battle, and Xavier McKinney. He was also a part of the 2020 staff that led Alabama to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020.

Kelly is also known as an avid recruiter. According to 247Sports, Kelly was responsible for being the head recruiter for nine five-star recruits during his coaching career. Several recruits he has worked with in the past include Caleb Downs, Will Anderson, Isaiah Bond, and Aaron Beasley.

McGriff departs Auburn after completing his third stint as a defensive assistant coach. He was responsible for being the secondary recruiter for recent Auburn signees such as [autotag]Amon Lane-Ganus[/autotag], [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag], [autotag]Jayln Crawford[/autotag], and [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag].

Instant Analysis: Auburn falls victim to Texas A&M’s second half explosion, drops SEC opener

A tight first half defensive battle turned into an Texas A&M offensive clinic on Saturday.

Auburn’s SEC opener against Texas A&M began as a defensive battle before ultimately turning into a second-half offensive clinic by the Aggies.

Texas A&M outgained Auburn 281-81 in the second half to pull away and earn a 20-10 win over Auburn at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Leading 6-3 at halftime, Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 SEC) owned a small advantage in the yards department, 121-112. Auburn (3-1, 0-1 SEC) held the advantage in rushing with 66 yards while Texas A&M passed for 70 yards.

In the second half, Aggies quarterback Max Johnson stepped up for the injured Conner Weigman and threw for two quick touchdowns in the third quarter to create separation in the second half.

Texas A&M scored on their first drive, but it was a win for Auburn. The Aggies only gained 46 yards on the initial drive with [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] recording a tackle for loss. The Aggies jumped out to a 3-0 lead with 9:23 to go in the first quarter.

The Aggies’ next drive provided trouble for Auburn, but the defense turned up intensity within the red zone, thus forcing Texas A&M to kick another field goal. Texas A&M extended their lead to 6-0 with 5:31 remaining in the 1st quarter on a 32-yard field goal by Randy Bond. The key play of the drive was a 36-yard rush by Texas A&M running back Le’Veon Moss to set them up at the Auburn 23-yard line.

An otherwise successful drive turned into a near disaster for Auburn on their second possession. Running backs [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag] and [autotag]Damari Alston[/autotag] combined to rush for 45 yards on the drive before a supposed fumble was recovered by Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper and turned into a 63-yard touchdown. However, after video review, it was determined that [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] attempted a forward pass to Alston, which fell incomplete. The drive ended with an Auburn punt.

Auburn’s only points of the half came in the final seconds when [autotag]Alex McPherson[/autotag] nailed a 53-yard field goal to cut into Texas A&M’s lead, 6-3.

The third quarter got off to a great start for Texas A&M. Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman was ruled out for the second half due to an injury he suffered late in the first half. Max Johnson stepped in and ended his first drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Jake, to push Texas A&M to a 13-3 lead with 9:42 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Johnson would connect on all three passes in his first drive for 44 yards.

Johnson extended the Aggies’ lead again with his second passing score of the game with 6:22 remaining in the quarter. He connected with wide receiver Evan Stewart from 37 yards out to advance Texas A&M’s score to 20-3.

Auburn’s first touchdown of the game would occur with 12:16 remaining in the contest. [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag] forced Aggies running back Reuben Owens to fumble, with the ball ultimately landing in the hands of [autotag]Eugene Asante[/autotag]. Asante would return the turnover 67 yards to cut Texas A&M’s lead to 20-10.

The final blow from Texas A&M came with 3:59 remaining in the game when Le’Veon Moss scored from four yards away to push Texas A&M to a 27-10 lead.

Auburn looks to bounce back next Saturday against No. 1 Georgia. The next edition of the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry will commence at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be televised live on CBS.

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 23 J.D. Rhym

He should be one of Auburn’s top reserves in the 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 sophomore cornerback [autotag]J.D. Rhym[/autotag]. He appeared in 12 games as a freshman and is set to be a key reserve once again.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Valdosta, Georgia

Height: 6-1

Weight: 178

Class in 2023: Sophomore

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star / No. 16 in Georgia / No. 20 CB

Career Stats

Year	G	Tackles	TFLs	Sacks	PDs	FFs
2022	12	14	0	0	1	0

PFF Grades

Year	Defense	Tackling	Run Defense	Pass Rush	Coverage	Special Teams
2022	63.8	44.9	36.7	71.0	69.8	54.6

Depth Chart Overview

Rhym broke through the rotation as a freshman and despite missing time in spring, he should once again be a key member of the rotation at corner. With [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] locking down the starting spots, he will form the second wave with [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag] and [autotag]Champ Anthony[/autotag] and should see plenty of action.

J.D. Rhym’s Photo Gallery

Keldric Faulk named an impact freshman by On3

He was Auburn’s top signee in 2023.

[autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] was the prize jewel of Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class and is poised to make an immediate impact according to On3’s Matt Zenitz.

Zenitz released his list of 20 SEC freshmen positioned to be factors in 2023, and Faulk made the cut. He was the only Tiger to make the list although Zenitz did mention offensive lineman [autotag]Connor Lew[/autotag] and cornerback [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag] as spring standouts.

Faulk was Auburn’s highest-rated signee, checking in as the No. 64 overall player in the country and the No. 10 defensive lineman in theOn3 Industry Ranking. The Highland Home product was also the No. 9 player in Alabama.

He is already in the mix for a starting job at jack linebacker and has the ability and the work ethic to be an immediate contributor to Auburn’s defense as he continues to develop and work to reach his sky-high potential.

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Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 3 Kayin Lee

The true freshman is looking to make an immediate impact at cornerback.

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

Up next is true freshman cornerback [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag], who was one of several impressive flips that Freeze and his staff pulled off during the 2023 recruiting cycle. He showed why they invested so much time in recruiting him by impressing during spring practice and looks set to be an immediate contributor.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Ellenwood, Georgia

Height: 5-11

Weight: 181

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star // No. 11 in Georgia // No. 16 CB

Class in 2023: True Freshman

Depth Chart Overview

Lee, the second-highest ranked member of Auburn’s 2023 recruiting class, took advantage of enrolling early and impressed during spring practice and looks like he will be an immediate contributor in a talented secondary.

D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett are Auburn’s starting cornerbacks but Lee has made a run at being the No. 3 corner as just a freshman. If he is able to hold onto his second-team spot during fall camp expect him to see the field plenty next year.

Kayin Lee’s Photo Gallery

Jayln Crawford includes in Auburn in top four, will announce commitment this summer

Auburn has been expedited to Crawford’s top four following a successful official visit.

The coaching staff at Auburn put together another successful official visit last weekend. It was so enjoyable, that one prospect has expedited Auburn into his top four choices.

[autotag]Jayln Crawford[/autotag], a 2024 four-star cornerback from Lilburn, Georgia, recently visited Auburn and says that it was an “enjoyable experience.”

Crawford tells Auburn Undercover that he got to spend time with [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag], [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag], and [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag]. He even got the chance to catch up with true freshmen [autotag]Terrance Love[/autotag] and [autotag]Kayin Lee[/autotag], players that he has gotten to know over the years.

“They just talk to me about the atmosphere and what all goes around and how it really goes down at Auburn,” Crawford said of his conversation with Love and Lee. “They just said it’s a great place and you can’t go wrong. It’s very important because I get to see the inside and how they really do things and what it’s all about.”

Crawford has already visited Florida and will take official visits to LSU and North Carolina this month before announcing his commitment in July. Auburn and LSU each have a crystal ball prediction from 247Sports, with the most recent crystal ball coming from Steve Wiltfong, going to LSU.

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__

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