Tag: luke deal

Just how big of an impact has Cadillac Williams had on Auburn culture?

Auburn tight end Luke Deal says fans would be upset with Hugh Freeze if Williams wasn’t retained on staff. He’s not wrong.

[autotag]Cadillac Williams[/autotag] is a special individual.

There is a reason why [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] was so desperate to keep Williams on staff when he took over the Auburn football program in December of last year.

Auburn tight end [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag] is one of many who have sung Williams’ praises since he helped revive the program in the second half of last season.

Deal made statements about the impact of Williams at SEC Media Days in Nashville and an On3 article written by Nick Kosko included some of them.

“You guys saw,” Deal said. “He was used to having the spotlight on him as a player, and whenever you saw he had the spotlight on him as a coach, you saw that positive energy. You saw that just positive light, that positive outlook on everything in life. That was something that energized us. It motivated us. That’s something that he brings every single day.”

The Tigers were in a rough spot when Williams stepped up as interim head coach, but the energy immediately improved.

Despite not having Williams as a position coach, Deal stressed how the impact of Williams reaches everyone.

“We’ve got a really good running back room, really, really good running back room,” Deal said. “Not only a good group of players, but a good group of guys. That trickles down from his leadership for sure and how he looks at every day as an opportunity.”

Deal also emphasized how upset people would have been if Freeze elected not to retain Williams on his staff.

“Oh, yeah. People are going to be pretty upset if you get rid of Cadillac Williams,” Deal said. “I know I would be. Coach Lac, he’s an incredible man, incredible ambassador for the school, has been for a long time. People with orange and blue in their blood, they want to see him around forever. That was definitely important for our success.”

Williams is a vital part of the Auburn program. From the players to the fans, his impact does not go unnoticed.
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What will it take for Auburn to win this season’s Iron Bowl?

Auburn looks to win its first game over Alabama since 2019 this season. What will it take to get it done?

The last time that Auburn football won a game over Alabama was in 2019, which was the next to last season of the [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag] era and the freshman season of [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag].

Auburn has had two head coaches since then, and the third one is set to lead the Tigers into the 2023 game this November. Plenty has changed around Auburn’s program since the 48-45 win at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and this season’s team hopes to right the ship against their bitter rivals.

[autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag], [autotag]Kam Stutts[/autotag], and [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag] was asked about the rivalry game during Tuesday’s appearance at SEC Media Days in Nashville. Deal and Stutts shared their experiences in playing in previous Iron Bowls, where Deal said that it will benefit the Tigers to play the game at home this season.

“It always helps, I’ll tell you that,” Deal said of playing the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium. “I love playing away games. As a football guy, I love it. It’s cool to go to different universities, different stadiums, but there’s nothing like Jordan-Hare Stadium in the fall.”

Deal and Stutts are also under the mindset that it takes an entire season to prepare for the Iron Bowl. Deal says that you can win or lose an Iron Bowl before the game is even played. Stutts echoed Deal’s theory of the game.

“Just showing up every day and taking advantage of every opportunity,” Stutts said. “We’re focused on these last two weeks of summer and then we’ll take it one game at a time. When we get there, we’ll be excited for that game.”

The lone Auburn representative who has not played in an Iron Bowl is linebacker Elijah McAllister, who recently transferred into the program from Vanderbilt. He is excited for the chance to finally play in the game.

“It’s one of the two rivalries I wanted to play in growing up,” McAllister said. “I’m excited to finally play in it and do it and fulfill my college career in the last game at home there, so I’m excited.”

This season’s game is set to take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25. Alabama leads the overall series, 49-37-1, and has won seven of the last ten games played.

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Payton Thorne is a ‘trusted’ addition to Auburn’s program

Auburn tight end Luke Deal shared his impression of the Michigan State transfer during SEC Media Days this week.

The talk surrounding transfer quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] to this point has been either hypothetical or statistical. During Auburn’s time at SEC Media Days on Tuesday, college football fans got a new perspective on the addition from Michigan State.

Tight end [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag] spoke with reporters Tuesday in Nashville, where the topic of Thorne was brought up. What does Thorne bring to the table? Deal says that he has the “it factor” when it comes to being a leader within the program.

“He’s what, a two-time captain at Michigan State? And rightfully so,” Deal said Tuesday. “I think a lot of the guys trust him, and that’s the main thing on a new team, especially a team with some older guys on it. He’s got that savvy quarterback demeanor that you look for in a quarterback. He’s somebody that I think will help us. One way or another, he’ll help us in our strides this year.”

The competition will be strong between Thorne and incumbent starter [autotag]Robby Ashford[/autotag] heading into fall camp. There has not been a set date for when a starter will be named, but Hugh Freeze shared a timetable on Tuesday.

“We’ve got to have a 10-day plan with three guys getting some reps and then it’s got to go down to two guys, and hopefully all of them will handle the competition aspects of it well, but that’ll tell us a lot about that,” Freeze said.

Auburn fall camp will begin on Thursday, Aug. 3.

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Photo Gallery: Auburn’s time at the SEC Media Days podium in Nashville

Here’s a look back at Hugh Freeze’s first SEC Media Days as Auburn’s head coach.

For the first time as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers, [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] took the stage at SEC Media Days on Tuesday.

Freeze covered a variety of topics from the ongoing quarterback battle to his thoughts on being a part of the Iron Bowl rivalry with Alabama. Due to circumstances that led to his resignation from Ole Miss in 2016, it was unclear whether or not he would be able to coach again in the SEC. He told the media on Tuesday that he has had plenty of “honest” conversations with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey since being hired for the Auburn job.

“There’s never been a time when I had a conversation with Commissioner Sankey that he wasn’t telling me exactly what the truth was and probably had great wisdom behind it,” Freeze said. “Whether I liked it or not, I always felt like, man, he really has thought through this and he’s really telling me what he thinks is the truth and best. I respect that with people.”

Joining Freeze in Nashville on Tuesday were offensive lineman [autotag]Kam Stutts[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag], and linebacker [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag]. Here’s a look back at Auburn’s time at SEC Media Days in Nashville.

 

Auburn reveals SEC Media Days participants

Auburn’s turn at SEC Media Days will come on Tuesday, July 18 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville.

The kickoff to “talking season” gets underway in Nashville next week, as SEC Media Days begins Monday at Grand Hyatt in Music City.

It is the first chance to listen to SEC head coaches, as well as top talent from the SEC’s member institutions, ahead of the 2023 season. You can expect the media to ask [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] several interesting questions as he takes the podium for the first time as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers.

Who will accompany him in Nashville? Auburn made the official announcement on Monday morning.

Player representatives from Auburn will include offensive lineman Kam Stutts, tight end Luke Deal, and Vanderbilt transfer Elijah McAllister. Those three players will have the chance to discuss the upcoming season with media members across the Southeast when Auburn takes the stage on Tuesday, July 17.

  • [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag] reeled in three passes for 34 yards last season at tight end for Auburn. He played 371 snaps in 12 games and allowed just three quarterback pressures.
  • Auburn’s next representative is [autotag]Kam Stutts[/autotag], who recorded the third-most snaps within the offensive line last season with 520. He allowed just two sacks and eight QB hurries.
  • Finally, [autotag]Elijah McAllister[/autotag] will return to Nashville as Auburn’s third representative. In four seasons at Vanderbilt, McAllister recorded 65 tackles as an EDGE with 6.5 tackles for loss.

Here’s a look at the full SEC Media Days schedule:

Monday, July 17 LSU HC Brian Kelly, QB Jayden Daniels, RB Josh Williams, DT Mekhi Wingo
Missouri HC Eli Drinkwitz, DB Kris Abrams-Draine, OL Javon Foster, DL Darius Robinson
Texas A&M HC Jimbo Fisher, DL Fadil Diggs, DL McKinnley Jackson, WR Ainias Smith
Tuesday,  July 18 Auburn HC Hugh Freeze, OL Kam Stutts, TE Luke Deal, DL Elijah McAllister
Georgia HC Kirby Smart, TE Brock Bowers, DB Kamari Lassiiter, OL Sedrick Van Pran
Mississippi State HC Zach Arnett, DT Jaden Crumedy, RB Jo’Quayvious Marks, QB Will Rogers
Vanderbilt HC Clark Lea, LB Ethan Barr, S Jaylen Mahoney, WR Will Sheppard
Wednesday, July 19 Alabama HC Nick Saban, OL JC Latham, DB Kool-Aid McKinstry, LB Dallas Turner
Arkansas HC Sam Pittman, DE Landon Jackson, QB KJ Jefferson, RB Rocket Sanders
Florida HC Billy Napier, OL Kingsley Eguakun, DB Jason Marshall, WR Ricky Pearsall
Kentucky HC Mark Stoops, OL Eli Cox, DL Octavious Oxendine, LB JJ Weaver
Thursday, July 20 Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin, DE Cedric Johnson, RB Quinshon Judkins, CB Deantre Prince
South Carolina HC Shane Beamer, DL Tonka Hemingway, P Kai Kroeger, QB Spencer Rattler
Tennessee HC Josh Heupel, QB Joe Milton, DL Omari Thomas, TE Jacob Warren

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 13 Rivaldo Fairweather

Get to know Auburn’s newest tight end.

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 tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag]. He was Auburn’s first transfer addition of the offseason and brings some needed playmaking ability to the tight end position.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Lauderhill, Florida

Height: 6-4

Weight: 251

Previous School: FIU

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite Ranking

Three-Star / No. 348 in Florida / No. 119 TE

Career Stats

Year G Receptions Yards YPC YPG TDs
2020 (FIU) 3 10 165 16.5 55.0 1
2021 (FIU) 7 16 247 15.4 35.3 1
2022 (FIU) 12 28 426 15.2 35.5 3

PFF Grades

Year Offense Receiving Pass Blocking Run Blocking
2020 85.7 90.8 69.7 63.4
2021 52.8 60.4 55.2 38.6
2022 61.9 67.9 55.2 44.3

Depth Chart Overview

Auburn returns veterans [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag] at tight end but Fairweather is a different kind of player. He was a big play machine for FIU, averaging 15.5 yards per catch, and figures to become a weapon in Auburn’s revamped passing attack.

He has the athleticism to line up wide and should be a focal point in the passing attack as he is a mismatch due to his 6-foot-4 and 251-pound frame. Fairweather should win the starting job in a deep and talented tight end room and should see a heavy dose of targets from quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag].

Rivaldo Fairweather’s Photo Gallery

Auburn offers TE Rivaldo Fairweather who plans to visit

Auburn is looking to add a tight end and they have targeted Rivaldo Fairweather.

The transfer portal is officially open and Auburn is going to be heavily involved. One of the Tiger’s early targets is tight end [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag].

In fact, the Tigers were the first school to call and offer him a scholarship on Monday according to Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover. While nothing has been scheduled yet he plans to visit the Plains.

The former FIU Panther had a breakout season this year, catching 28 passes for 426 yards and three touchdowns as a junior. He will have two seasons of eligibility left at his next destination due to his covid year.

Auburn has a need for a pass-catching tight end now that John Samuel Shenker has run out of eligibility. New tight end coach [autotag]Ben Aigamaua[/autotag] will have [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Frazier[/autotag], and [autotag]Micah Riley-Ducker[/autotag] to work with next season.

While Deal, Fromm, and Frazier are all experienced upperclassmen they have been primarily used as blockers and lack experience as receiving threats.

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2022 Auburn football preview: Tight End

This is one of the best position groups on Auburn’s roster.

Auburn’s tight end room is one of the deepest on the roster and has several versatile players.

[autotag]John Samuel Shenker[/autotag] is the unquestioned leader after catching 33 passes for 413 yards last season, both program records, but [autotag]Luke Deal[/autotag], [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Frazier[/autotag], and even true-freshman [autotag]Micah Riley-Ducker [/autotag] bring something interesting to the position.

With the uncertainty at the quarterback and wide receiver positions, this group could be asked to do a lot but has the talent to do just that. Tight-end coach [autotag]Brad Bedell[/autotag] has done a great job filling this room with players who have skill sets that complement each other.

Wide Receiver Preview 

Running Back Preview

Spring Football Preview: Auburn’s best tight end room in years

This could be one of the deepest units on the team.

One of the bright spots of the offense last season was the emergence of Auburn’s tight ends.

It was something that Auburn fans have wanted for years and the group more than delivered. John Samuel Shenker broke the program records for catches and yards and was one of the offences most reliable players.

Meanwhile, Tyler Fromm and Luke Deal were used in variety of ways to help the offense and Landen King looked like a potential star to end the season.

With the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback and wide receiver positions, Auburn will need to lean on the tight ends even more than they did last season, but this group is up for the challenge. Here is a look at the group.

Auburn Spring Practice: How will Tigers use their plethora of tight ends?

Here’s a look at Auburn’s tight end corps that is poised to make a statement this fall.

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In the last several years, Auburn has recruited a handful of high-rated tight ends. This year it looks like we’ll finally see them emerge as regular contributors on the Tigers’ offense.

It’s inexcusable that this position has been underutilized as of late, but Bryan Harsin realizes the advantages he has within this unit. From 2002-2005 he served at Boise State’s tight ends coach during which the Broncos’ scoring offense led the nation in scoring twice and never once fell out of the top 10. In his final year as tight ends coach, four Boise State tight ends finished the season with combined stats of 27 receptions, 298 yards, and three touchdowns.

Last season four Auburn tight ends finished the season with combined stats of 20 receptions, 178 yards, and 0 touchdowns.

In January Harsin announced the addition of former Boise State offensive line coach Brad Bedell to his Auburn staff to assume the role of tight ends coach. In Bedell’s four seasons at Boise State he saw nine offensive lineman receive 13 All-Mountain West honors. When Harsin named Bedell as tight ends coach he said,

“Tight end play is a critical part of our offensive attack and Coach Bedell brings a unique perspective to what we want to do with that position group. Brad has coached with me at a couple different places and is a relationship driven coach with six years of NFL playing experience, making him an exceptional recruiter. His versatility as a coach and strong recruiting ability make him a great fit for the Auburn football family.”

Bedell and Harsin will have no problem finding talent in this position. Outside of linebackers Auburn’s most talented group very would could be its tight ends. Here’s a look at Auburn’s tight end corps that is poised to make a statement this fall:

John Samuel Shenker, senior

  • 6’4″, 249 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 9 receptions, 97 yards, 26-yard season long reception vs Alabama
  • Buzz: Shenker must balance football, baseball, and school once again this spring. The infielder and tight end was absent in Saturday’s open practice due to Auburn baseball’s matchup against Ole Miss. So far this baseball season, Shenker has 3 runs, 3 hits, and 3 RBIs. The veteran of this tight end corps, Shenker still makes himself available to practice when he can and has been praised by Harsin for his tenacious work ethic.

JJ Pegues, sophomore

  • 6’3″, 308 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 14 rush yards on 5 carries, 11-yard season long vs Arkansas/7 receptions, 57 yards, 16-yard season long vs LSU
  • Buzz: For Ole Miss JJ Pegues will always be the one that got away. Maybe it’s his frame that let Pegues escape to Auburn out of Ole Miss’ backyard, but don’t let that deceive you. Out of high school Pegues was ranked nationally as a top 10 tight end prospect by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. His versatility at the line and in motion make him capable of creating nightmare matchups against defenses. In Saturday’s spring practice Pegues flattened Auburn LB Zakoby McClain while lined up at fullback. Auburn offensive coordinator Mike Bobo says that a focal point this spring has been moving Pegues around and playing him in a lot of positions.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Deal, sophomore

  • 6’5″, 255 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 2 receptions, 11 yards
  • Buzz: As a senior Deal was ranked by ESPN as the nation’s 10th highest rated tight end. Deal didn’t see game action until the Arkansas game last year and only recorded stats against South Carolina and Mississippi State. In Saturday’s open practice Deal was given first team reps and lined up in the slot as well as at fullback. His highlight from Saturday was an impressive one-handed grab on a great pass by Bo Nix.

https://twitter.com/SkyeUnderwood/status/1223084786107011072?s=20

Brandon Frazier, sophomore

  • 6’7″, 267 lbs
  • 2020 stats: 2 receptions, 13 yards
  • Buzz: Frazier didn’t see game action until the Tigers played Tennessee last season and recorded stats against Mississippi State and Northwestern. As a high school prospect, ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports rated Frazier as a top-25 tight end. During spring practice on Saturday Frazier impressed media, coaches, and fans by showing out as a passing game mismatch.

Tyler Fromm, sophomore

  • 6’5″, 240 lbs
  • 2020 stats: injured in 2019, saw game action against LSU
  • Buzz: As a senior, Fromm was rated by ESPN as the nation’s 8th highest ranked tight end prospect. He comes from a pedigree of talented brothers: his twin Dylan plays quarterback for Mercer and his older brother Jake played quarterback at Georgia and is now with the Buffalo Bills. In Saturday’s practice Fromm got several first team reps.

Landen King, freshman

  • 6’5″, 214 lbs
  • Senior Stats (Atascocita High School): 39 receptions, 471 yards, 5 touchdowns
  • Buzz: Rated the ninth overall tight end prospect nationally by ESPN, King is a matchup nightmare in the passing game and will excel as a playmaker in Auburn’s offense.

The Tigers have plenty of depth at tight end with Pearl River Community College transfer Hayden Brice (senior) and Flynn Driscoll (junior). Bryan Harsin is a man with a plan and after Saturday’s practice it appears that he aims to get the talented corps of tight ends more involved in the offense.