Former Auburn wide receivers coach to join Atlanta Falcons staff

Hilliard served as wide receivers coach for Auburn during the final season of the Bryan Harsin era.

A former Auburn assistant is heading back to the NFL to serve on a professional staff.

[autotag]Ike Hilliard[/autotag], who coached wide receivers and later served as interim offensive coordinator at Auburn during the 2022 season, has been hired by the Atlanta Falcons to coach wide receivers as part of new head coach Raheem Morris’ staff.

During his one season at Auburn, Tiger receivers reeled in 159 passes for 2,072 yards and nine touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus data, Auburn receivers dropped 17 passes in 2022 and earned an additional 1,077 yards after first contact.

[autotag]Ja’varrius Johnson[/autotag] was the team’s leading receiver with 493 yards and three touchdowns on 26 catches. [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Shedrick Jackson[/autotag] were next in line with a combined 531 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Hilliard returns to the NFL after spending 11 seasons as a wide receivers coach for a variety of teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, and Buffalo Bills. Before joining the coaching ranks, he played 12 seasons in the NFL for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Auburn announces depth chart for Week 10 game against Vanderbilt

Auburn made some minor changes to the depth chart after beating Mississippi State.

Auburn picked up its first SEC win of the season last week over the Mississippi State Bulldogs and they are looking to keep the momentum going when they head to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores.

The Tigers announced the depth chart for the game on Monday with some slight changes from last week’s edition. The only change on the offensive side was listing both [autotag]Avery Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Connor Lew[/autotag] at center, separated by an or.

Jones is battling an injury and was replaced by Lew in last week’s starting lineup last week. The freshman had a great game and was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance.

The other changes come on special teams where [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] and [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] are listed as co-starters at punt returner and Reed Hughes and Jacob Quattlebaum are now co-starters at long snapper.

Here is a look at Auburn’s full depth chart.

Auburn adjusts depth chart for Week 5 after injuries

Auburn has announced its depth chart for their matchup with Georgia.

Auburn has revealed its depth chart for its Week 5 game against the Georgia Bulldogs and has once again made some slight changes due to an injury.

With [autotag]Keionte Scott[/autotag] still out, Auburn has named a new starter at both star and punt returner. [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag] has been elevated to starter at star and [autotag]J.D. Rhym[/autotag] is now listed as his backup.

While [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] was listed as the top punt returner last week, [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] was used and has been put as the starter for this week with Simpson as his backup.

Here is a look at the full depth chart ahead of Auburn’s game against Georgia Saturday.

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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Hugh Freeze provides injury update after Auburn’s second scrimmage of fall camp

Several expected contributors were unable to play in Auburn’s scrimmage on Saturday.

Auburn has been battling injuries throughout fall camp and [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] provided an update about the health of the team Saturday after Auburn’s second scrimmage of fall camp.

The wide receiver group and defensive front have been hit the hardest and that was still the case with several expected contributors unable to play.

Defensive end [autotag]Keldric Faulk[/autotag] and pass-rusher [autotag]Jalen McLeod[/autotag] were both unable to play in the scrimmage. Faulk “tried, but he’s not ready,” Freeze admitted.

Wide receivers [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag], [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Malcolm Johnson Jr.[/autotag] as well as linebacker [autotag]Austin Keys[/autotag] were also unable to practice.

“Now its time for us to get a lot of those guys out of those yellow jerseys hopefully, and get them healthy with two weeks to go,” Freeze said. “We’re without some guys we’ve been counting on for sure.”

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In Photos: Auburn’s first scrimmage of fall camp

The Tigers had their first scrimmage of fall camp saturday, here are the top photos.

[autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s first fall camp at Auburn is in full swing and the Tigers completed their first scrimmage Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Freeze met with the media after the scrimmage and admitted that it has caused him to reevaluate some things about the battle between [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag], [autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] and [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] to become Auburn’s starting quarterback.

“Yesterday, I had my mind made up,” Freeze said. “And after today I need to watch the film before I say.”

In addition, [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] is limited due to an ankle injury and [autotag]Malcolm Johnson Jr.[/autotag] is dealing with a shoulder injury.

The Tigers will be off tomorrow before getting back into camp Monday as they get closer to the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 2 against UMass. Here is a look at the best photos from Auburn’s first scrimmage of fall camp.

Hugh Freeze shares thoughts on the enhancement of receiver room

The Tigers needed a boost to its receiving corps, and got just that from the transfer portal.

The position group with the most buzz this fall camp is quarterback. However, a quarterback is only as good as his supporting cast.

In addition to enhancing the quarterback room by adding [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] from Michigan State, [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] boosted his offensive line and receiving corps.

Auburn failed to have a receiver reach 500 yards last season and the last receiver to come close to a 1,000-yard season was [autotag]Darvin Adams[/autotag] in 2009 when he reeled in 60 catches for 997 yards.

As someone who is known for having solid receivers, Freeze knew that he needed to upgrade his receiver room for his team to reach its true potential.

“We needed to overhaul that room and improve it for sure,” Freeze said Thursday. “I say that and truthfully I don’t know, the evaluation sample was so small for most of them because this system is totally different than what they’ve played in.”

Javarrius Johnson returns as the Tigers’ leading receiver after reeling in 26 catches for 493 yards and three scores last season. [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] is back, as are several tight end options such as [autotag]Brandon Frazier[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag], and [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag].

Freeze enhanced the group by adding [autotag]Shane Hooks[/autotag] and [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag], who were Jackson State and North Texas’ leading receivers last season respectively. He also grabbed a tall target in [autotag]Nick Mardner[/autotag], as well as another tight end in [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag].

The potential is there, but it is time now for them to prove it on the field.

“I do think we’ve improved that room in recruiting, and I do think there are guys here that can be better than what they’ve shown,” Freeze said. “We’re excited to see, I think we’ve seen glimpses of that but now we’ve got to go and do it when it’s real and live. But we are excited about the fact that I think we’ve improved that room for sure.”

The receivers, as well as the offensive line, will use this two-week period of fall camp to prove that they are worthy of a starting position.

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Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 16 Malcolm Johnson Jr.

The veteran has battled several injuries during his time on the Plains.

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 wide receiver [autotag]Malcolm Johnson Jr[/autotag]. The speedster is entering his fourth season on the Plains and is looking to stay healthy and move up the depth chart.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Bryans Road, Maryland

Height: 6-1

Weight: 193

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star / No. 6 in Virginia / No. 38 WR

Career Stats

Year G Receptions Yards YPC YPG TDs
2021 11 6 82 13.7 7.5 1
2022 7 2 28 14.0 4 0

PFF Grades

Year Offense Passing Receiving Drops Run Blocking
2020 57.6 56.9 56.9 62.2
2021 60.2 56.1 56.1 77.5 85.1
2022 53.6 56.0 56.0 70.7 53.7

Depth Chart Overview

Johnson Jr. has plenty of potential due to his speed and size but has been hampered by injuries during his time at Auburn.

If he can stay healthy then he has the ability to vault up the depth chart but right now he is behind [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] and [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag] at the Wide Receiver-Z spot and is set to be a reserve

Malcolm Johnson Jr.’s Photo Gallery

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 14 Jyaire Shorter

Shorter has been a big-play maching for North Texas and is now looking to do it at the highest level.

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 transfer wide receiver [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag]. He has been one of the most explosive receivers in college football during his career and is looking to do it at the highest level in his final season.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Killeen, Texas

Height: 6-2

Weight: 209

Previous School: North Texas

Class in 2023: Senior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 280 in Texas / No. 83 TE

Career Stats

Year G Receptions Yards YPC YPG TDs
2018 (North Texas) 2 1 15 15 7.5 0
2019 (North Texas) 12 24 473 19.7 39.4 9
2020 (North Texas) 3 4 97 24.3 32.3 0
2021 (North Texas) 2 6 107 17.8 53.5 0
2022 (North Texas) 13 23 628 27.3 48.3 11

PFF Grades

Year Offense Receiving Passing Drops Run Blocking
2018 65.8 65.2 65.2 70.7 60.6
2019 68.4 69.4 69.4 77.2 54.1
2020 61.0 63.4 63.4 74.9 63.2
2021 59.7 63.5 63.5 77.5 44.6
2022 68.6 67.7 67.7 35.1 68.5

Depth Chart Overview

Shorter was a big-play machine for North Texas but has battled injuries throughout his career. He has the ability to take the top off the defense and that is something that Auburn has been sorely lacking over the past few seasons. He has shown a knack for finding the endzone as well, with 34.5% of his catches going for touchdowns.

He is battling [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag] to be the starting wide receiver-Z. Moore is a returning contributor and has multiple years of SEC experience so I expect him to win the job to start but both players will have key roles and Shorter’s explosiveness will be too important and he will take over as the starter during the season.

Jyaire Shorter’s Photo Gallery

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 0 Koy Moore

Koy Moore is looking to breakout in his second season on the Plains.

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 first is wide receiver Koy Moore who is entering his second season with the Tigers after transferring in from LSU ahead of the 2022 season.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Kenner, Louisiana

Ht: 6-1

Wt: 198

247Sports Composite Ranking

Four-Star // No. 11 in Louisiana // No. 50 WR

Class in 2023: Redshirt Junior

Career Stats

Year G Receptions Yards YPC YPG TDs
2020 (LSU) 8 22 177 8.1 22.1 0
2021 (LSU) 3 5 71 14.2 23.7 0
2022 12 20 314 15.7 26.2 1

PFF Rankings

Year Offense Passing Run Blocking Fumbles
2021 54.4 57.4 57.5 63.5

 

Depth Chart Overview

Moore is coming off the best season of his career where he set career highs in every major category and snagged the first touchdown of his collegiate career.

He was Auburn’s No. 2 wide receiver last season and is in contention to be a starter at the Z-Wide Receiver spot with transfer Jyaire Shorter who is just one of the four transfers Auburn has brought in to reshape the wide receiver room.

The additions of these experienced wide receivers should help the entire group as defenses are forced to contend with multiple threats. While it is a new offense, Moore is looking to break out in his second season on the Plains and his fourth season in the SEC.

Koy Moore’s Photo Gallery