Just like how Auburn's incoming freshman must attend Camp War Eagle before starting their Auburn academic career in the fall, Auburn's NFL rookies are required to attend rookie minicamp during the periods of May 3-6 or May 10-13 before starting their NFL careers in the fall.
The rookies and the rest of their teammates have also now begun OTAs, or organized team activities, which are similar to spring football practices for college.
Here's how Auburn's NFL rookies have spent their summer so far.
Darius Slayton:
Darius Slayton attended the New York Giants rookie minicamp from May 3-5. The rookie wideout saw plenty of reps and was able to start building a repertoire with rookie QB Daniel Jones.
Slayton got off to a rough start with a few dropped passes from Jones during day two of rookie minicamp, but nonetheless, Slayton speaking with Giants.com, enjoyed minicamp.
"It's going well so far, you know it's been a lot of fun just to get back on the field," Slayton said. "Going through the combine process, there's just a lot to it up to the draft. But you know, I'm just excited to be here."
The wideout has rebounded during OTAs as he hauled in a half-dozen passes from Jones and veteran QB Alex Tanney on Day 3 of OTAs and was the receiver who heard his name most called, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com.
Jarrett Stidham:
Jarrett Stidham's rookie minicamp with the Patriots took place from May 10-12.
Not much is known about how Stidham performed at minicamp, but he has seen plenty of snaps at QB during OTAs, especially with the absence of Tom Brady, who is skipping the voluntary workouts which he did last year as well.
At the first OTA open to the public, Stidham went 6-for-13 with an interception during team drills, then 3-of-9 during a side session without the veterans. He also had a highlight reel-worthy touchdown to N'keal Harry. Three of the nine incompletions during the side session were because of drops by receivers according to NESN.com.
Following the public OTA, Stidham spoke with NESN.com on the adjustments from college to the NFL.
"It's just there's a gap from college to pro," Stidham said. "Talking about schematics, defenses, whatever, terminology, it's an adjustment. But I think I've been making progress every day and just trying to do whatever I can to be the best player I can for the team."
Deshaun Davis:
Deshaun Davis' rookie minicamp with the Bengals was from May 10-12.
Davis' hasn't had much news coming out of practice and OTAs but he has been earning his stripes already.
Bengals great and Auburn alumnus Takeo Spikes, whom Davis refers to as his "big brother," and linebackers coach Tem Lukabu have heaped praise on Davis.
"That guy is fun to be around," Lukabu said after working with Davis for two practices. "The No. 1 thing is that he commands the huddle..."
"The beautiful thing about him is he's advanced from the mental side of it. Mentally he's there," Spikes says.
Chandler Cox:
The lone fullback on the Dolphins roster is Chandler Cox, and they couldn't be more excited to have him in sunny Miami.
Cox's minicamp took place from May 10-12, and like Stidham and Davis, not much is known.
The fullback was used in a variety of ways during rookie minicamp, even seeing action at tight end, and this isn't too out there considering he saw action at fullback, tailback and QB while at Auburn.
Head coach Brian Flores speaking with Dolphins.com was impressed with Cox's versatility at rookie minicamp.
"He's a versatile player. He's somebody that could move around in the backfield and the tight end position. He's going to move around."
Jamel Dean:
Jamel Dean got off to a great start at the Buccaneers rookie minicamp, which was from May 10-12.
Dean had a pick-six on the first day of rookie minicamp and could have a second according to head coach Bruce Arians while speaking with Buccaneers.com.
"Yeah, [Dean] should've had a pick-six on the tip and he was kind of hesitant," Arians said. "On the second one, he made a heck of an interception and took it back."
Besides the pick-six though, news about Dean has been relatively quiet during OTAs and the rest of rookie minicamp.
Dontavius Russell:
Dontavius Russell attended rookie minicamp with the Jacksonville Jaguars from May 10-12.
Russell has not had much news come out about him during minicamp or OTAs besides for the fact that he is competing for a backup defensive linemen spot.
Ryan Davis, Darrell Williams and Andrew Williams:
Ryan Davis joined Stidham in New England for rookie minicamp on May 10-12, Darrell Williams attended the Saints minicamp from May 10-12 and Andrew Williams joined Russell in Jacksonville from May 10-12.
All three of these players joined their respective NFL teams as undrafted free agents. Nothing has been heard from rookie camp or OTAs about these three yet.
Darrell Williams is the only one with news at the moment and he was waived by the Saints on May 21 to make room for defensive end Wes Horton.
Currently every drafted Auburn NFL rookie has signed their rookie contract with the exception of Jamel Dean.
Check out social media posts of each rookie down below:
Darius Slayton:
Jarrett Stidham:
Deshaun Davis:
Chandler Cox:
Jamel Dean:
Dontavius Russell:
Ryan Davis:
Andrew Williams:
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