Tag: Marquise Gilbert

Former Auburn LB finds new home on West Coast

Former Auburn linebacker Wesley Steiner will get a fresh start far from home.

[autotag]Wesley Steiner[/autotag] arrived at Auburn in 2020 hoping to become one of the Tigers’ all-time greats at linebacker.

However, those dreams took a turn in 2023 when his production significantly dropped. Following the 2024 spring session, Steiner entered the transfer portal in hopes of finding a new home ahead of his final season of eligibility. On Saturday, Steiner revealed that he will be heading west to Pullman, Washington, where he will spend this season as a Washington State Cougar.

As a member of the 2020 recruiting class, Steiner signed with Auburn as a four-star linebacker that ranked No. 5 nationally and the No. 9 product from Georgia. It took several seasons for Steiner to make a mark, but he finally did in 2022 by appearing in all 12 games and making 46 total stops.

His production dipped in 2023 as his snaps dropped from 348 in 2022 to just 84 in 2023. As a result, he managed to record just 16 tackles in nine games.

His Auburn career ends with 86 total tackles, two going for a loss. Steiner becomes the 16th player from Auburn’s 2023 roster to find a new home. Players such as WR [autotag]Koy Moore[/autotag], EDGE [autotag]Stephen Sings[/autotag], and safety [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag] remain free agents.

Auburn walk-on CB Tony Hunley Jr. enters the transfer portal

Auburn walk-on cornerback Tony Hunley Jr. has reportedly entered the transfer portal.

Auburn has lost another member of its secondary with walk-on cornerback [autotag]Tony Hunley Jr.[/autotag] reportedly entering the transfer portal on Wednesday. The news was first reported by On3’s Nick Shultz and Hunley seemingly confirmed it by tweeting out a video of his practice film.

Hunley started his career at Arkansas-Pine Bluff before transferring to Auburn ahead of the 2022 season. He did not see the field in 2022 and played one snap on special teams in 2023 before deciding to leave the Plains.

He is the third defensive back to enter the portal this offseason, joining safeties [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag] and [autotag]Austin Ausberry[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

Defensive back Austin Ausberry becomes 10th Tiger to enter transfer portal

He appeared in seven games during his two seasons on the Plains.

Redshirt freshman defensive back [autotag]Austin Ausberry[/autotag] has entered the transfer portal, becoming Auburn’s 10th outgoing transfer.

The Louisiana native appeared in seven games during his two seasons on the Plains, making two tackles. The 6-foot, 200-pounder spent time at both corner and safety for the Tigers. He will have three seasons of eligibility at his next school.

Ausberry was a four-star prospect in Auburn’s 2022 recruiting class and was a major win for the Tigers over LSU and Florida. He was the No. 186 overall player and No. 23 cornerback in the 247Sports composite ranking.

He joins [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag] as former Auburn defensive back to enter the portal and is the fifth defensive player overall. You can view all of Auburn’s outgoing transfers HERE.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

Safety Marquise Gilbert has entered the transfer portal

Gilbert appeared in 10 games during his time at Auburn.

Auburn reserve safety [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag] has entered the transfer portal, he announced the move Thursday on social media.

Gilbert came to Auburn in 2022 as the top JUCO safety in the country after spending two seasons at Hutchinson C.C. He appeared in 10 games, making two tackles during his two seasons on the Plains.

He is the eighth Auburn player overall and the first defensive back to enter the transfer portal this offseason. He joins defensive linemen Stephen Johnson, [autotag]Enyce Sledge[/autotag], Jack linebacker [autotag]Stephen Sings V[/autotag], wide receivers [autotag]Omari Kelly[/autotag], [autotag]Malcolm Johnson Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Jyaire Shorter[/autotag] and tight end [autotag]Tyler Fromm[/autotag] in the portal.

While Gilbert is the first defensive back to enter the portal, there will be some massive changes in the secondary with starters D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett and Jaylin Simposon all headed to the NFL.

You can keep up with all of Auburn’s departures with Auburn Wire’s Transfer Portal Tracker.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow JD on Twitter @jdmccarthy15

Auburn Tigers Snapshot Profile: No. 14 Marquise Gilbert

The safety is entering 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 next is veteran safety [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag]. He is entering his second season on the Plains and is looking to make a bigger imapct after playing just a handful fo snaps last season.

Preseason Player Profile

Hometown: Dayton Beach, Florida

Height: 6-2

Weight: 186

Previous School: Hutchinson CC (2020-21), Bethune-Cookman (2019)

Class in 2023: Junior

247Sports Composite JUCO Ranking

Three-Star / No. 2 in Florida / No. 1 S

Career Stats

Year G Tackles TFLs Sacks PDs INTs
2019 (B-CU) 3 3 0 0 0 0
2020 (HCC) 7 12 1.5 0 5 2
2021 (HCC) 10 25 1.0 0 2 0
2022 3 1 0 0 0 0

PFF Grades

Year Defense Tackling Run Defense Pass Rush Coverage
2022 59.5 26.4 55.2 – 61.2

Depth Chart Overview

Gilbert played sparingly in his first season but looked improved in spring practice and is looking to become a key reserve in the secondary this season.

He is behind [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] and [autotag]Zion Puckett[/autotag] at safety but is in contention to be the next man up with [autotag]Cayden Bridges[/autotag]. Those four are Auburn’s most proven options at safety and lead a group that is talented but inexperienced behind them.

Marquise Gilbert’s Photo Gallery

2022 Auburn football preview: Safety

Zion Puckett is the leader of a talented group at safety for Auburn.

Auburn will be without a former leader in [autotag]Smoke Monday[/autotag] at safety but [autotag]Zion Puckett[/autotag] is ready for his turn to be the leader of the group.

He was Auburn’s No. 2 safety last season and is the undisputed top dog this year. While the second starting spot is up for grabs, the secondary coach [autotag]Zach Etheridge[/autotag] has several interesting options in [autotag]Cayden Bridges[/autotag] and newcomers [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag] and [autotag]Craig McDonald[/autotag], who both have plenty of experience.

Another key player is [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag], who will spend time at both nickel and safety and is once again looking to create disruptive plays, something he excelled at doing last season.

Wide Receiver Preview

Tight End Preview

Running Back Preview

Offensive Line Preview

Quarterback Preview

Edge Preview

Defensive Line Preview

Linebacker Preview

Cornerback Preview

Tigers defensive back Eric Reed Jr enters transfer portal for a second time

Auburn defensive back Eric Reed Jr has entered the transfer portal for a second time.

On Monday afternoon, Auburn defensive back [autotag]Eric Reed Jr[/autotag] announced that he was entering the transfer portal. The Louisiana native has appeared in just two games for the Tigers. Now, he will be looking to play elsewhere.

In January, Reed Jr. decided to enter the transfer portal. However, a few days later he decided to withdraw his name from the portal and stay at Auburn. The move isn’t that surprising considering that Auburn has a variety of different options on the back end. Players like [autotag]Donovan Kaufman[/autotag], [autotag]Marquise Gilbert[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], and [autotag]D.J. James[/autotag] are just several of the corners that will have large roles on the Tigers’ defense this season.

In 2020, Reed Jr. played in just one game. In 2021, he played in just one game as well. I think it is safe to say that Reed Jr. saw the writing on the wall, so to speak. As a high school recruit, he was regarded as the No. 191 overall player and the No. 8 player in the state of Louisiana. After receiving over 10 offers, he decided to join the Tigers’ 2020 recruiting class.

Although he withdrew his name from the portal once, it is not likely that it happens again a second time. Like Reed Jr., many players at other schools wait until the spring to determine whether they will transfer or not. It allows them to see where the coaching staff has them as far as position and spot on the depth chart. It will certainly be interesting to see where the former four-star lands.

Tracking every Auburn football committ on early signing day

Get to know the newest Auburn Tigers

As of right now, at 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15, Auburn has the 14th best recruiting class in the country and seventh in the SEC.

Auburn has signed 17 players and has one more commit who will not sign in the early signing period. Also, top target Jeffrey M’ba will not be announcing where he signed until Dec. 19th.

Here is a look at every player Auburn has signed and the one commit who has yet to sign.

Marquise Gilbert, top JUCO safety, signs with Auburn

Got em!

After committing to Auburn on Monday, Marquise Gilbert has officially signed with the Tigers.

Gilbert is the No. 1 JUCO safety in the country and No. 7 JUCO player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite.

He is from Palm Coast, Florida, and plays for Hutchinson Community College. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Gilbert played in 10 games for the Blue Dragons this season and made 25 tackles, one tackle for loss, and broke up two passes.

He has three years of eligibility remaining and is an early enrollee. Gilbert is expected to immediately contend for playing time at safety, a position where you always need more depth.

Vols’ target, 2022 JUCO safety announces commitment

Tennessee target and 2022 JUCO safety announces commitment.

Marquise Gilbert has announced his commitment ahead of the early signing period.

Gilbert announced Monday he has committed to Auburn.

He committed to Auburn over Tennessee and Florida State.

The 2022 6-foot-2, 180-pound safety prospect is from Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas. He went to Flagler Palm Coast High School in Palm Coast, Florida.

The football early signing period takes place Dec. 15-17 for the 2022 recruiting class.

Tennessee’s 2022 football commitment tracker

Big board: Tennessee’s 2022 football recruiting class by position

Tennessee’s 2023 football commitment tracker

Follow us at @VolsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of University of Tennessee athletics.

[vertical-gallery id=44715]