Tag: roc bellantoni

Auburn becomes favorite to land four-star edge from Mobile

Four-star EDGE Sterling Dixon is expected to visit Auburn during “Big Cat Weekend” later this month.

Auburn has had success recruiting and developing players from the Mobile area, and it appears it is in the running to keep that tradition alive.

Sterling Dixon, a class of 2024 four-star edge from Mobile Christian School, has been a priority for Auburn since last football season. The interest appears mutual: Christian Clemente of Auburn Undercover has given Auburn a crystal ball to land Dixon.

Dixon visited Auburn in April and left town with an offer from the in-state school. Dixon had visited Auburn three times during the 2021 football season. He also reportedly plans to visit Auburn this month during “Big Cat Weekend.”

Dixon told Auburn Live following his April visit that edge coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni[/autotag] was the one to deliver the offer.

“Coach Roc took me around campus, toured the facilities and then pulled me to the side,” Dixon said. “He asked me how many offers I had, and I told him 20. He then told me that offer No. 21 isn’t just any offer, it’s an offer from the Auburn Tigers.”

After Bellantoni delivered the news, Dixon met with head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag], where all three enjoyed a film session.

“Coach Harsin and coach Roc went over film with me and showed me how they’re going to use me,” Dixon said. “That meant a lot to me, too.”

Dixon is the No. 13 player in the state of Alabama for the 2024 cycle and is listed as the No. 18 edge in the country. LSU seems to be the biggest challenger for Auburn in the race to land Dixon.

[mm-video type=video id=01g7qxk5wkqay9mpkjg5 playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g7qxk5wkqay9mpkjg5/01g7qxk5wkqay9mpkjg5-275c254ef6f03a785fff5676757ae4a0.jpg]

[listicle id=50375]

Auburn receives boost at EDGE from Transfer Portal

Auburn landed graduate transfer Marcus Bragg from Western Kentucky, filling a position need on defense.

Auburn Football filled an important need on defense Sunday.

According to Auburn Live, graduate transfer [autotag]Marcus Bragg[/autotag] of Western Kentucky has announced his commitment to Auburn, using his final year of eligibility to play for head coach [autotag]Bryan Harsin[/autotag] and the Tigers.

Bragg’s commitment comes after taking a visit to the Plains this weekend. While in Auburn, Bragg says that Auburn provides an atmosphere that makes him feel welcome.

“While on my official visit, I was surrounded by great people,” Bragg told Auburn Live. “I felt the love. Everyone was so welcoming. The atmosphere at Auburn is way better than anywhere I’ve been.”

Bragg met with EDGE coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni[/autotag], defensive coordinator [autotag]Jeff Schmedding[/autotag], as well as Harsin during his visit. After discussions with those three coaches, he says that he feels that he can thrive in Auburn’s defensive scheme.

“I chose Auburn because it best fits my athletic abilities on the field,” Bragg said. “I will be able to make a lot of plays because of the defensive scheme.”

Bragg played three seasons for the Hilltoppers, where he recorded a total of 38 tackles with three tackles for loss. Last season, Bragg appeared in 14 games for Western Kentucky, where he made 26 stops and 2.5 sacks. His best game of the 2021 season was against UTSA, where he made four tackles.

The addition of Bragg provides needed depth at the EDGE position. Bragg joins Derick Hall, Eku Leota, and Dylan Brooks as scholarship players at the position. Hall led the unit in tackles last season with 52, which included a team-leading nine sacks. Hall and Leota led the tackles for loss category with 12.5 and 10.0 respectively.

[mm-video type=video id=01g5fhzgzmn5brc3trd8 playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=01f5k5y2jb3twsvdg4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g5fhzgzmn5brc3trd8/01g5fhzgzmn5brc3trd8-9931bd9d28cd43fd63aa89460218c70d.jpg]

[listicle id=49079]

Auburn in the mix for in-state edge rusher who will make his decision on Thursday

2023 in-state edge linebacker listed Auburn in his final eight and also set a commitment date.

On Wednesday, 2023 edge rusher Yonzae Pierre listed his top eight schools. One of the schools listed was the Auburn Tigers. Along with Pierre listing his final eight schools, he also announced that he would be making his decision on Thursday morning.

Pierre stands at 6’4 220 pounds. It is likely that the Tigers will put him at the edge position. With his size and speed, I think he would fair well off the edge. His measurables are very similar to former Auburn defensive end [autotag]Dee Ford[/autotag]. Ford came out of high school listed at 6’2 243. Pierre could definitely add some weight before he reaches the college level. In the past two seasons at Eufaula high school, he has recorded 101 tackles and 12 sacks.

So far, Auburn has offered 17 edge rushers. Edge linebackers coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni[/autotag] would definitely love to add Pierre to the 2023 class. As it stands now, Auburn will likely lose [autotag]Derrick Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag] to the NFL Draft after this season. A tandem of [autotag]Dylan Brooks[/autotag] and Pierre would be really nice for the foreseeable future.

Yhonzae Pierre’s Recruiting Profile

Film

Tigers extend offer to promising recruit from Lone Star state

On Tuesday, the Tigers extended an offer to 2023 edge rusher from Texas.

On Tuesday, the Auburn coaching staff extended an offer to 2023 four-star edge rusher Derion Gullette. His primary recruiter is first-year assistant coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni[/autotag]. Bellantoni is also the edge rushers coach for the Tigers.

The Texas native certainly has the attributes to be an elite presence off the edge. At 6’2″ 220, his size is similar to current Auburn edge rusher Derrick Hall who is 6’3.5″ 215.

At his high school, Gullette thrived this past season as a wide receiver. He hauled in 62 receptions for 1,430 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. That wasn’t the only statistic that stood out.

On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 125 tackles and 3 sacks. Auburn fans should be really glad that the coaching staff extended an offer to the versatile athlete from Texas.

Derion Gullette’s Film

Derion Gullette’s Recruiting Profile

Tigers in heavy pursuit of talented, in-state edge rusher

In-state edge rusher and his brother visited the Plains on Monday for spring practice

On Monday, 2023 four-star edge Keldric Faulk took a visit to the Plains. This was the third unofficial visit that Faulk has taken since receiving a(n) offer from Auburn in April of 2021. This particular visit involved Keldric and his younger brother Jakaleb to meet new defensive line coach [autotag]Jimmy Brumbaugh [/autotag]. Along with Brumbaugh, he was also able to meet with the new edge coach [autotag]Roc Bellantoni [/autotag].

The 2023 prospect is ranked as the No. 94 player in the nation and the No. 14 defensive lineman in his respective class. Prior to the beginning of his junior season, Faulk released a top five. The five schools he listed were Alabama, Florida State, Tennessee, Clemson, and Auburn. However, he is now looking at visiting other schools as well. According to an article by Christian Clemente, Faulk currently has other visits planned for Ole Miss and Georgia later on in the spring. Afterward, he will likely narrow down his choices in hopes of finding the best fit for him.

A key factor to weigh into his recruitment is also the recruitment of his little brother Jakaleb Faulk. The two are multi-sport athletes at Highland Home high school. While Jakaleb is not yet ranked because he is in the class of 2025, he has already fielded some elite offers. The only schools to offer both are Florida State, Kentucky, Tennessee, UCF, and Auburn. Although the two are separated by two years, they still may look to be on the same team at the next level.

According to 247Sports, Alabama and Auburn are the favorites to land Faulk. I certainly feel like one of the two will land the tremendous athlete. Whoever Faulk chooses, he will certainly be a great addition to the class. The Tigers and head coach Bryan Harsin are doing everything they can to assemble a great class in 2023. As we all know, it starts in the trenches. If the Tigers could land Faulk, it would speak volumes to other in-state recruits that they are trying to pursue. It would also give the Tigers one of the more premier edge rushers in the entire country. His recruitment is definitely one to keep an eye on as things heat up in the spring.

[mm-video type=video id=01fzemjaqcy5t7qnenr2 playlist_id=01eqbyzb4ahnasj2m3 player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fzemjaqcy5t7qnenr2/01fzemjaqcy5t7qnenr2-ac985854911a74f7a5b899842ea0b341.jpg]

Auburn recently offered 2023 edge linebacker Ashley Williams

Auburn recently offered in-state edge linebacker from Zachary.

On Wednesday, the Tigers offered Louisiana edge rusher, Ashley Williams. Williams is the latest player from the “boot” to receive an offer from Auburn. His primary recruiter is Special Teams coordinator/ Edge linebackers coach Roc Bellantoni.

“I bring a relentless work ethic, unbridled enthusiasm, winning attitude, and the desire to be great,” Williams told On3. I have speed and the ability to bend the corner. I’m also a hard hitter and technically sound. I have also gained more muscle so I can move people off the ball as well.”

Williams could be in the plans for Auburn to upgrade their pass rush following the 2022 college football season. Auburn Wire takes a look at his recruiting profile.

Ashley Williams’ Recruiting Profile

Rating

No rankings available

Vitals

Hometown Zachary, Louisiana
Projected Position Edge Linebacker
Height 6’5
Weight 225
Class 2023

Recruitment

  • Offered on March 16, 2022
  • No visits currently planned

Offers

  • Auburn
  • Colorado
  • Minnesota
  • SMU
  • Louisiana Lafayette

Crystal Ball

No crystal ball submitted

Film

Twitter

Contact/Follow us @AuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Brody on Twitter: @BrodySmoot

A look at the new Auburn staff under Bryan Harsin

The on-field coaching staff is now complete.

Following the addition of new wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, head coach Bryan Harsin has officially filled all of his vacancies ahead of spring football.

The most recent vacancy was created when Eric Kiesau moved over to quarterbacks and accepted a promotion to be the offensive coordinator. Harsin brought in a very respected wide receivers coach from the NFL level. How he is on the recruiting trail remains to be seen. Hilliard’s entire coaching career has been at the professional level.

On defense and special teams, the Tigers needed to act swiftly to replace Bert Watts’ vacancy. The special teams coordinator and edge linebackers coach left to rejoin the Denver Broncos staff. Harsin countered by promoting Roc Bellantoni into that role.

We break down the on-field new staff under Bryan Harsin for the 2022 college football season.

Auburn offers four-star wide receiver from Florida

Florida wide receiver picks up an offer from Auburn and coach Roc Bellantoni.

Newly promoted Roc Bellantoni wasting no time on getting to work on the recruiting trails. On Tuesday the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator extended an offer to four-star wide receiver William Fowles.

He ranks as a top 40 player in the state according to Rivals. His 6-foot-3-inch frame will allow him to go over the top of defenders with his reach. Fowles is also used at Dade Christian as a deep threat for the offense. He gets behind the defense with ease due to his long stride, almost effortless in his routes.

With Fowles it isn’t just the deep ball, he took short and intermediate passes down the field. He has good hands and catch radius. When running from tacklers, he has good contact balance.

William Fowles’ Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247 3 – 84 81
Rivals 4 226 38 33
ESPN 4 204 46 28
On3 Recruiting 3 – – –
247 Composite 4 301 58 39

Vitals

Hometown Hialeah, Florida
Projected Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-3
Weight 190
Class 2023

Recruitment

  • Offered on Feb. 22, 2022
  • No visit scheduled

Offers

  • Auburn
  • Michigan State
  • Ole Miss
  • Florida
  • Florida State
  • Tennessee
  • Texas A&M

Crystal Ball

No Crystal Ball predictions

Film

Twitter

Contact/Follow us @AuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

Auburn promotes Eric Kiesau, Roc Bellantoni, and Zac Etheridge

Auburn announced three promotions on Friday for the coaching staff.

Head coach Bryan Harsin and the Auburn Tigers announced three promotions for the 2022 college football season.

With the loss of Austin Davis, wide receiver coach Eric Kiesau will now be the offensive coordinator. He was among the top candidates to replace Davis following his abrupt departure. Kiesau has experience as the play caller at multiple stops, including under Harsin at Boise State. He was among the candidates prior to the hiring of Davis and now it is official.

Bert Watts recently left an opening at outside linebackers coach, special teams coordinator, and associate head coach. Auburn will promote Roc Bellantoni to outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He was on the staff as a defensive analyst. Most recently before joining Auburn as an analyst, he served as the special teams coordinator and tight ends coach for Utah State. He has 28 years of experience at the coaching level.

“One of the biggest things our players and program needs going from year one to year two with us is consistency – consistency with the system, the coaches and our plan for success,” Harsin said. “Coach Kiesau and Coach Bellantoni are excellent football coaches and teachers of the game with 44 years of Division I experience between them, including 22 combined years in coordinator roles. Both have been part of the relationship building process over this past year here at Auburn, with the team and staff. They understand fully and are bought in on our goal and process.” – via Auburn press release

Recently secondary coach Zac Etheridge was named among the top candidates to take a similar role with the Georgia Bulldogs. He opted to stay with his alma mater. Auburn announced he would be promoted to associate head coach with Watts’ departure.

With these announcements out of the way, this leaves the vacant role of quarterbacks coach left to be filled.