Sports

Special Teams X-Factor: Anders Carlson

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | August 7

Going into his third year as a starter, Anders Carlson is the X-Factor of special teams for Auburn. Carlson had an up-and-down 2019, but the Tigers are hoping he'll be able to provide consistency similar to his Iron Bowl performance in 2020, where he earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

J'Von McCormick signs with Ukrainian professional team

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor | August 6

J’Von McCormick’s basketball career is continuing at the next level. The former Auburn point guard has signed a contract with BC Odessa, a Ukrainian professional team, per the team’s Instagram.

Chandler Wooten opts out of 2020 season

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor | August 6

Chandler Wooten announced via social media that he will opt out this season and redshirt over health concerns for him and his family. The senior linebacker graduated last December but still has a year of eligibility left.

Isaac Okoro stays in NBA Draft; thanks 'Auburn Family' in letter

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor | August 3

After deciding to stay in the NBA Draft, Auburn's Isaac Okoro is the first one-and-done player in program history.

Safety X-Factor: Smoke Monday

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | August 3

With Daniel Thomas and Jeremiah Dinson gone, Auburn will be relying on two new safeties in 2020. While Jamien Sherwood is the more experienced player, it’s Smoke Monday that is the safety X-Factor for Auburn in 2020.

Auburn Football Head Coach Gus Malzhan speaks to the media about the start of spring football practice, March 1, 2016, in Auburn, Ala.

Auburn receives commitment from 3-star defensive end Tobechi Okoli

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | August 1

Auburn has a new addition to its class of 2021, getting a commitment from 3-star strong-side defensive end Tobechi Okoli.

Bo Nix named to the Manning Award watch list

By Jonathan Hart | Sports Writer | July 31

Bo Nix has a chance at another prestigious award. The rising sophomore was named to the Manning Award watch list on Friday after already being named to the Davey O'Brien Award watch list and the Maxwell Award watch list.

Cornerback X-Factor: Roger McCreary

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 31

Whether he’s ready or not, Kevin Steele will be leaning on Roger McCreary to be the No. 1 corner and command a young group below him, making him the cornerback X-Factor.

Harvey Updyke walking to the Lee County courthouse June 20. (Courtesy of Vasha Hunt, Opelika-Auburn News)

Report: Harvey Updyke, man who poisoned Toomer's Oaks, dead at 71

By Mattison Allen | Sports Writer | July 30

According to reports, Harvey Updyke has died at the age of 71. Updyke is the Alabama fan who poisoned the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner following Auburn's 2010 Iron Bowl victory.

SEC decides on a 10-game conference-only football schedule

By Ryan Metcalf | Sports Writer , Jake Weese | Sports Editor and Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 30

After a meeting between the SEC presidents on Thursday, the SEC will be moving to a 10-game conference-only schedule for football. The season will start on Sept. 26, and the SEC Championship is set for Dec. 19.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium prior to the 2017 SEC Football Championship. Photo courtesy of AP.

ACC's decision cancels Auburn and North Carolina matchup in Atlanta

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor | July 29

Auburn and North Carolina will not be meeting in Atlanta this year as one of the marquee matchups in the 2020 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game series.

Linebacker X-Factor: Owen Pappoe

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 27

Rising sophomore Owen Pappoe is someone who, if he continues to improve upon his freshman campaign, could become a star linebacker in the SEC, making him the linebacker X-Factor.

Head coach Gus Malzhan during the Auburn vs Vanderbilt football game in Jordan-Hare stadium Nov. 5, 2016.

COLUMN: Six potential Week 1 opponents for Auburn

By Jonathan Hart | Sports Writer | July 26

On July 20, the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced they are postponing all fall sports with a plan to play in the spring. With this development, Auburn will be hard-pressed to find a replacement for their Week 1 matchup against Alcorn State. Here are six potential options for a new Week 1 opponent.

Defensive Line X-Factor: Coynis Miller Jr.

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 24

Signing with Auburn as a 4-star recruit out of Birmingham in 2018, expectations were high for Coynis Miller Jr. Through two seasons, he’s combined for nine total tackles. The defensive line is wide open for the taking, and the uber-talented Miller is the defensive line X-Factor for 2020.

Auburn adds Australian punter Oscar Chapman

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 21

After losing Arryn Siposs to the NFL draft, Auburn has found his replacement in a similar spot. Oscar Chapman, from the same Prokick Australia program as Siposs, announced his decision to accept a blue shirt scholarship on Tuesday.

After SWAC's fall sports postponement, Auburn will need to find replacement for Week 1

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor | July 20

Auburn will have to scramble to find a replacement opponent for Week 1 of the football season after the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced on Monday that they are postponing fall sports to the spring.

K.J. Britt named to the Butkus Award watch list

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor | July 20

This week, K.J. Britt finds himself on another award watch list, earning a spot on the Butkus Award watch list. The award is given to the best linebacker in college football.

Offensive Line X-Factor: Austin Troxell

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 20

While he's been impacted by knee injuries in both high school and college, Auburn's Austin Troxell could be primed for a starting spot on an offensive line that is replacing four starters, making him the offensive line X-Factor.

State of the SEC: Alabama and Auburn

By Jake Weese | Sports Editor and Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 17

The Plainsman wanted to continue providing our readers content similar to Media Days; to prepare our readers if there is a football season, we interviewed other SEC sports editors and their staff. For Friday, we spoke with James Ogletree, the former sports editor of The Crimson White, along with the current sports editor, Alexander Plant, to check in on Auburn's in-state rival, Alabama.

Tight End X-Factor: Jeremiah Pegues

By Christian Clemente | Assistant Sports Editor | July 17

At 6-foot-2, 298 pounds, Jeremiah Pegues is an intriguing prospect at tight end for Auburn. While he may be rostered as a tight end, Pegues has experience at defensive end and wildcat quarterback, helping to make Pegues the tight end X-Factor.