Football

UPDATED: Malzahn holds high hopes for defense’s first spring practice

| March 13

With this year’s addition of defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to the coaching staff, changes, and hopefully improvements, are sure to follow on the defensive line.

Muschamp expects defense to take advantage of opportunity in spring practice

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | March 13

Expected to clean up an Auburn defense that hasn’t finished in the top half of the SEC since 2007, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said he needs to know the players he can count on and the one’s that will be able to make adjustments come game time. The players that can’t do those two things are going to be replaced with someone who can, Muschamp said. “I told them all I am going to guarantee is an opportunity,” Muschamp said.

Jeremy Johnson top contender for quarterback

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | March 13

It’s been a long two years for Jeremy Johnson. The No. 5 overall quarterback in the class of 2013, according to Rivals.com, Johnson has spent the majority of the last two seasons watching from the sideline as the Nick Marshall-led Tigers raced to SEC and BCS Championship Games.

Lutzenkirchen’s father preserves son’s legacy

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 12

On June 30, 2014, former standout Auburn tight end and fan favorite Philip Lutzenkirchen made a decision. After a night of drinking, Philip got into the backseat of a Chevrolet Tahoe that was being driven by Joseph Ian Davis. Neither Davis nor Philip made it out alive after Davis failed to stop at a stop sign.

New defense, no problem for Jonathan Jones

By Andrew Monson | Sports Writer | March 10

With the hiring of Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator, senior cornerback Jonathan Jones is learning his third defense during his four years at Auburn. But that does not seem to bother Jones at all, who has a simple approach to learning new schemes. “The thing about football is there’s different terminology, but it’s basically the same thing,” Jones said.

D'haquille Williams makes a deep catch.FILE PHOTO

Tigers confident in replacements for Coates

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 10

“He’s a guy that has a lot of experience,” Malzahn said. “All the seniors have experience, and we’ve really asked them to raise the level and he’s one of those guys. He’s a made a lot of plays for us in the past, and we expect big things out of him.”

Johnson starts spring as top QB, must 'win' job

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 10

“Jeremy Johnson will be our first quarterback to take snaps,” Malzahn said. “Sean White, Tyler Queen and Jason Smith will all get reps. Coach Lashlee has a plan."

Running back trio to rotate during spring competition

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 10

“Those guys will be rotating,” Malzahn said. “We’ll try to put those guys in equal situations with the first line, with the second line and we’ll rotate those guys.”

Coates uses Pro Day to display improved hands, route running

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | March 3

“I’ve been getting that I’m a freak athlete that can’t catch,” Coates said. “They saw me today catch the ball, so what can they say?”

21 Tigers showcase skill sets at 2015 Pro Day

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 3

In front of scouts from all 32 NFL teams, including Patriots head coach and six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick, Tigers hoping to up their draft stock participated in various drills and exercises. In the vertical jump, running back Corey Grant posted the highest leap, jumping 37 inches.

VIDEO: Malzahn and Tigers discuss 2015 Pro Day performances

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer and Emily Enfinger | Photo Editor | March 3

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, former running back Corey Grant and former wide receiver Sammie Coates shared their thoughts following a full day of drills at the 2015 Auburn football Pro Day.

Grant hopes impressive Pro Day silences doubters

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | March 3

“I think I had a lot to prove,” Grant said. “I really had to prove that I should have been at the Combine. I didn’t get an invite, but it’s ok. I came out and tried to take advantage of the day.

Time released for 2015 A-Day Kickoff

February 26

The Auburn Athletics has released this year’s scrimmage will start at 1 p.m. April 18. The department has not yet released which TV station will air the game, but reports indicate it will most likely be broadcasted on ESPN, SEC Network or CSS. Spring practices will begin March 10 and will be preparing incoming junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson to replace Nick Marshall, as well as top recruits Byron Cowart and Jovon Robinson.

Auburn Pro Day to feature 21 former players

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | February 25

Tuesday, March 3, 21 former Auburn Tigers will have their chance to prove they belong in the NFL at Auburn’s annual Pro Day. Of those 21, seven — including Nick Marshall, who worked out at quarterback and cornerback — attended the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis last week.

Four Badgers not named Melvin Gordon to know for the Outback Bowl

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 25

With 2,336 yards, 26 touchdowns and a Heisman ceremony to his name, the talent of Melvin Gordon is likely no secret to Auburn fans.With the Outback Bowl lingering just a few short days away, here are four other Badgers Auburn fans should keep an eye on.

'On the run': Malzahn proud of Marshall ahead of collegiate finale

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 25

"If you look at his whole career, last year he didn't even go through spring," Malzahn said. "He wasn't named the starting quarterback until two weeks before our first game. He led us to the National Championship and really answered the bell every time he was asked and learned the offense on the run."

Cadillac is back: Former Auburn running back returns to campus

By Eric Wallace | Sports Writer | February 25

It's been over a decade since Carnell "Cadillac" Williams set Auburn single-season rushing records and tore through SEC defenses on a weekly basis. With his playing career now behind him, Williams is now back on his old stomping grounds, ready to tackle some unfinished business.

Athletics department releases statement regarding football players accused of harassing disabled veteran

By Derek Thompson | Sports Reporter | February 24

Auburn Athletics released a statement Monday night identifying the two Auburn football players accused of harassing an Auburn University student Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Malzahn and staff rack up impressive class on Signing Day

By David McKinney | Assistant Sports Editor | February 23

It was an eventful signing day for Gus Malzahn and his staff. Cowart's official letter of intent didn't arrive on the Plains until approximately 3 p.m.

Muschamp, Robinson bolster defense on National Signing Day

By Sam Butler | Sports Writer | February 23

With National Signing Day coming to a close, Auburn received 27 National Letters of Intent, including one from the number one player in the country, defensive end Byron Cowart of Seffner, Florida. With a recruiting class that currently ranks anywhere from No. 3 in the country (Scout.com) to No. 9 (247sports.com), Auburn managed to procure the interests of several high profile recruits across the nation.