Dreams of playing for the National Football League are now more realistic for freshman wide receiver Shaun Kitchens.
"I see it as, 'if I've made it to the South Eastern Conference, Division I, big-time school like Auburn and can perform here, why can't I perform in the NFL?'" Kitchens said.
Kitchens, a 6-foot-3, 213-pound broadcast journalism major from College Park, Ga., was named one of ESPNU's top 150 recruits for the 2010 recruiting season.
Considering offers from schools such as Michigan State, South Carolina and more, Kitchens chose Auburn because of the atmosphere.
"When you come and visit and then come back, and it hasn't changed, that's what I love," Kitchens said. "It's still a family thing."
As for transitioning from high school to college, Kitchens said he is handling it well.
"I love everything about it so far," Kitchens said. "From the people to football to class, everything about Auburn, I just like the whole community."
Wide receiver coach Trooper Taylor is proud of Kitchens' dedication.
"He comes to the office every day in between classes and watches tape," Taylor said. "We're trying to get some cool out of him, without taking away his swag, as they say. We just want to teach him, and he's doing really well."
Antonio Goodwin, fellow wide receiver and childhood friend of Kitchens, also enjoys the company of Kitchens on the field.
"It's very good playing with Shaun," Goodwin said. "He has a great personality. And on top of that I've known him for a long time, so it's great to play on the same college team as him."
Taylor said he was delighted with Thursday's practice.
"We had no drops today," Taylor said. "Now that's a great day!"
Taylor was also impressed with the players' stamina.
"The kids were flying around," Taylor said. "They're going to class, practice and having to manage all of that; you'd think they would get to a point where they are tired and fatigued, and I haven't seen it, the guys are really pushing through."
Kitchens' main focus is proving himself to his coaches.
"I really just want to show the people who recruited me, coach Chizik, coach Trooper and the whole Auburn staff, what I can do," Kitchens said.
And Kitchens is doing just that.
"He's catching extra balls and doing the little things that you would expect a guy who has been here three or four years to do, not a freshman," Taylor said.
At the end of the day, after classes, practice and homework, Kitchens' favorite thing to do is sleep.
"I really have no hobbies outside of this (football)," Kitchens said. "I try to be in the coaches' faces 24/7, trying to learn--watching film, workouts, practice--since I am a freshman."
Kitchens hopes to win an SEC championship and national championship and leaves fans and students with a message.
"Just watch us this year," Kitchens said. "We've improved a lot, we practice every day, and I feel like it's going to pay off this year."
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