Tag: kensley faustin

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].

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Amon Lane-Ganus officially signs with Auburn

Auburn’s first commit of the 2024 class is now an official member of the program.

Auburn’s first commit of the 2024 recruiting cycle is now a member of the roster.

[autotag]Amon Lane-Ganus[/autotag], a four-star defensive back from Moody, Alabama, has officially signed with Auburn. Lane-Ganus announced his commitment to the program in July 2022 and has honored his commitment through the firing of [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and the first season of the [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] era.

Lane-Ganus is the No. 22 recruit from the state of Alabama for the 2024 cycle and is the No. 21 overall cornerback. He is one of five defensive backs to sign with Auburn during the early signing period, joining [autotag]Laquon Robinson[/autotag], [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Crawford[/autotag], and [autotag]Kaleb Harris[/autotag].

Stay up-to-date with the latest signing day news by checking out Auburn Wire’s early signing period tracker.

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Four 2024 commits pledge to play in All-American Bowl

Several of Auburn’s talented 2024 commits will get the chance to showcase their talents in front of a national audience this January.

Early signing day is approaching, and several of Auburn’s top commitments for the 2024 class have pledged to participate in an All-Star game this upcoming January.

The All-American Bowl, which is set to take place on Saturday, January 6 in San Antonio, Texas, has invited four of Auburn’s highest-rated 2024 commitments to play. It will be the first chance to see four-star quarterback [autotag]Walker White[/autotag], four-star offensive lineman [autotag]DeAndre Carter[/autotag], four-star linebacker [autotag]Demarcus Riddick[/autotag], and four-star safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag] on the same field.

White, Carter, and Riddick are all in the top 15 of their respective positions while Faustin ranks as high as No. 35 among safeties in the 2024 cycle.

There is a possibility that this list could expand, as Auburn targets [autotag]KJ Bolden[/autotag], [autotag]Ny Carr[/autotag], and [autotag]Zaquan Patterson[/autotag] are also set to play in the game.

The game, which will take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, will kick off at 12 p.m. CT on Saturday, January 6. The game can be seen live on NBC.

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Four-star CB Jayden Lewis backs off Auburn commitment

He is Auburn’s third decommit of the cycle.

Auburn’s 2024 recruiting class has taken a hit as four-star cornerback [autotag]Jayden Lewis[/autotag] decommitted from the Tigers on Tuesday.

The Anniston, Alabama committed to Auburn back on Feb. 1 and has taken multiple visits to the Plains since, including an official visit in June. He is the second cornerback commit Auburn has lost in the past eight days with Jalewis Solomon flipping to South Carolina.

Lewis is the No. 365 overall player and No. 28 cornerback in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is also the No. 20 player from Alabama.

Despite losing two commits, Auburn still has three defensive backs committed in four-star cornerbacks [autotag]A’Mon Lane[/autotag], [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag] and four-star safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag].

The Tigers are also pursuing several talented defensive backs, including five-star FSU commit KJ Bolden, four-star Miami commit Zaquan Patterson, four-star PF Woodland, JUCO safety Laquan Robinson and three-star Kaleb Harris.

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Auburn trending for in-state safety Kaleb Harris

Auburn could be adding another talented player to an impressive haul in the secondary.

Auburn’s 2024 recruiting class took a blow on Tuesday when four-star athlete [autotag]Jalewis Solomon[/autotag] decommitted but help could be on the way as Auburn has ramped up its recruitment of three-star safety [autotag]Kaleb Harris[/autotag].

The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is having a breakout season for the Thompson Warriors. In five games he has made 54 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, picked off four passes, broken up three more, forced a fumble and recovered another one.

Secondary coach [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag] is leading the charge for Auburn and while several programs are in pursuit of Harris, two recruiting experts believe Auburn will land him.

Auburn Undercover’s Christian Clemente logged a crystal ball for Auburn to land Harris on Tuesday and Hale McGranahan of The BigSpur followed suit on Wednesday.

Harris is the No. 671 overall player and No. 68 safety in the 247Sports composite ranking. The Alabaster native is also the No. 31 player from Alabama.

If Auburn is able to land him, he would be their 18th commitment and fifth in the secondary, joining four-star safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag] and four-star cornerbacks [autotag]A’Mon Lane[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag].

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Four-star athlete Jalewis Solomon decommits from Auburn

Four-star athlete Jalewis Solomon is back on the market after committing to Auburn in August.

Four-star athlete [autotag]Jalewis Solomon[/autotag] has backed off his commitment to Auburn and is back on the open market, he announced the move Tuesday afternoon.

Solomon committed to Auburn back in August in a surprise move, the South Carolina Gamecocks were the heavy favorite to land the Ellaville, Georgia product. They as well as the Florida State Seminoles will be teams to watch moving forward.

He is the No. 199 overall player and No. 15 athlete in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is also the No. 29 player from Georgia.

Solomon was expected to play cornerback at Auburn but also had the ability to play wide receiver for the Tigers. He plays both Schley County High School and has had a great senior season, catching 28 passes for 588 yards and eight touchdowns as well as making seven tackles, breaking up three passes and picking off two more.

His decommitment leaves Auburn with 17 commits, four of whom are in the secondary. The group features four-star cornerbacks [autotag]A’Mon Lane[/autotag], [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag], [autotag]Jaden Lewis[/autotag] and four-star safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag].

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No. 1 JUCO safety Laquan Robinson projected to Auburn

Zac Etheridge is leading Auburn’s pursuit of JUCO safety Laquan Robinson and that normally means good things are coming for the Tigers.

Auburn has started to shift its recruiting focus to the JUCO ranks and one of their top targets is safety [autotag]Laquan Robinson[/autotag].

Originally from Greenville, Alabama, he now plays for Holmes Community College and has emerged as the top JUCO safety and is being pursued by several other SEC programs, most notably Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Florida.

Robinson visited Auburn last weekend to watch them take on the Georgia Bulldogs and came away impressed with the Tigers.

“It’s a great environment and a great coach,” Robinson told Auburn Undercover’s Jason Caldwell. “I feel like we can go somewhere with this. Today was real important. That showed those guys will fight. He’s got some things up his sleeve.”

The visit has made Auburn the favorite for the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder as Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover has logged a crystal ball for Robinson to join Auburn’s 2024 recruiting class.

He has had a strong start to his sophomore season for the Holmes C.C., making 18 tackles and breaking up four passes in their first four games. If Robinson does join Auburn’s class he would be their second safety commit, joining four-star high school product [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag].

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Auburn safety target Zaquan Patterson announces commitment

The Tigers missed out on the elite safety Saturday.

Four-star safety [autotag]Zaquan Patterson[/autotag] was one of Auburn’s top remaining targets but they were unable to pull him out of the Sunshine State, as he opted to stay home and play for the Miami Hurricanes.

Patterson emerged as an Auburn target back on March 17 when they extended an offer to the 6-foot, 180-pounder. He moved up the board when Auburn missed on five-star [autotag]KJ Bolden[/autotag], who picked Florida State over Auburn.

Patterson is the No. 77 overall player and No. 3 safety in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He is also the No. 10 player from Florida.

While missing on Patterson stings, Auburn has already built an impressive defensive backroom, landing four-star safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag] and four-star cornerbacks [autotag]Jayden Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]A’Mon Lane[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag].

While it will be an uphill battle to land Patterson, it is not over. He has stated publically that he plans to take multiple visits during the season and that his recruitment is open. In fact, the only reason he is committing now is that his high school, Chaminade Madonna, requires its seniors to be committed before the start of the season.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and Auburn have shown the ability to flip elite recruits and Patterson will be a player to keep an eye on, especially if they can get him back on campus.

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Social media reacts to Auburn landing 4-star CB Jalewis Solomon

Hugh Freeze and Auburn are red-hot right now.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] and the Auburn Tigers stayed hot on the recruiting trail Saturday, landing a commitment from four-star cornerback [autotag]Jalewis Solomon[/autotag].

Solomon is the younger brother of Auburn defensive lineman [autotag]Zykevious Walker[/autotag] and picked the Tigers over South Carolina, Florida State, Texas A&M and Kentucky.

He is the fourth blue-chip recruit Auburn has added in the past 10 days, giving them 15 total commitments and the No. 16 ranked class in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite.

Solomon joins a loaded secondary class that includes four-star cornerbacks [autotag]A’Mon Lane[/autotag], [autotag]Jayden Lewis[/autotag], [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag].

His addition fired up the Auburn fanbase which took to social media to celebrate, here are their top reactions.

Twitter reacts to Auburn landing coveted CB Jalyn Crawford

Auburn is building an elite cornerback class.

Auburn has landed its 11th commit of the 2024 recruiting class and it is a big one as four-star cornerback [autotag]Jalyn Crawford[/autotag] picked Auburn over Florida and LSU on Saturday.

Crawford, who is from Lilburn, Georgia, announced the news on Twitter with a graphic and a simple caption saying “Im Home!!”

He is the fourth defensive back that secondary coaches [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag] and [autotag]Zac Etheridge[/autotag] have reeled in, joining cornerbacks [autotag]A’Mon Lane[/autotag] and [autotag]Jayden Lewis[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Kensley Faustin[/autotag].

Crawford is the highest rated of the bunch, checking in as the No. 159 overall player and No. 16 cornerback in the 247Sports Composite ranking. He is also the No. 23 player from Georgia.

His addition fired up the Auburn fan base which took to Twitter to celebrate, here are the top reactions.