Former Vanderbilt safety Donovan Kaufman committed to Auburn today. Kaufman had narrowed his search down to Auburn and Texas before making his official announcement. By coming to The Plains, Kaufman now has the opportunity to reunite with Derek Mason.
The transfer commit spoke highly of Mason saying,
“He’s a great dude. Not just for me, ask anybody around. They’ll say they love him as a person and that he keeps it real. He’s more than just a coach. He’s a very hands-on coach. Very detailed. With me and him, it’s deeper than football. He wants the best for me.”
#WarEagle🦅 pic.twitter.com/omZGdHoYOH
— Donovan Kaufman (@SosaKaufman) May 19, 2021
Kaufman committed to Vanderbilt in 2019 with the final decision coming down to the Commodores, Ole Miss, and Florida State. 247Sports’ Sam Marsdale gave insight on the immediate impact Mason had on Kaufman saying,”the Commodores ultimately held onto Kaufman after Mason visited Kaufman’s father at an Alabama prison and made a strong impression.”
Through his high school career at Archbishop Rummel Kaufman recorded 177 tackles and four interceptions returned for touchdowns. As a prospect he was rated the nation’s No. 37 safety and No. 18 player in the state of Louisiana.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQUVlrbzsDU
Kaufman will have four years of eligibility remaining upon his arrival to Auburn. After recording 15 tackles and a kickoff return touchdown across two games in 2020 the freshman safety missed the remainder of the season with a medical issue per Mason.
How soon will we see him in action?
Not clear yet.
The NCAA recently ruled that one-time transfers were to be granted immediate eligibility upon transferring to their next program. The decision will ultimately come down to the SEC who must still decide whether or not intra-conference transfers will receive immediate eligibility.
Kaufman recently moved back to his hometown of New Orleans and is eager to arrive to Auburn in early June. After a recent virtual visit with Auburn Kaufman said, “Everything was great. It’s a neat college town. I like the stadium, the facilities, the people.”