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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Auburn

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10/31/22 - *Colby Wooden, Jr/2023, Auburn + More +

Auburn fired coach Bryan Harsin on Monday after less than two seasons, ending a rocky tenure in which the Tigers struggled to compete in the Southeastern Conference. Harsin went 9-12 overall and 3-5 this year. Auburn has lost four straight games while struggling against Power Five opponents, including a 41-27 loss to Arkansas on Oct. 29. Auburn will owe Harsin 70% of his remaining contract - more than $15 million - and half of that must be paid within 30 days. "President (Chris) Roberts made the decision after a thorough review and evaluation of all aspects of the football program," the school said in a brief statement announcing the move. "Auburn will begin an immediate search for a coach that will return the Auburn program to a place where it is consistently competing at the highest levels and representing the winning tradition that is Auburn football," the statement said.

Auburn canceled its weekly football football news conference about 90 minutes before Harsin was scheduled to speak. Harsin was hired away from Boise State in December 2020 and Auburn gave him a six-year, $31.5 million deal. He never came close to replicating his past success and failed to keep up with rivals Georgia and Alabama on the field or on the recruiting trail. Those results were unacceptable to a program that won a national title in 2010 and is accustomed to contending for SEC championships. The Tigers struggled throughout the season, with the normally reliable defense giving up 40-plus points three times while the offensive issues never resolved. The biggest struggles came in the second half, when Auburn failed to score a touchdown against both Missouri and LSU. - AP College Football

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DE *Colby Wooden, Auburn
News Source: AP College Football
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10/26/22 - Zykeivous Walker, rSr/2025, Auburn + More +

Auburn provided two minor roster updates Monday, confirming the departure of a defender from the program and a season-ending injury to a reserve skill player. Defensive lineman Zykeivous Walker is no longer with the program, head coach Bryan Harsin confirmed. Harsin also said Jordon Ingram, a reserve running back, is out for the rest of the year after a lateral meniscus tear in practice. Following Harsin's Monday press conference, Walker confirmed that he was leaving the program and putting his name in the transfer portal. Walker, a four-star defensive lineman from Ellaville, Georgia, logged 20 total tackles in 11 games over three seasons at Auburn. He played in one game this season, against then-No. 2 Georgia, and didn't log a stat. Harsin said Walker left the program following that loss. "We wish him the best of luck," Auburn edge rusher Derick Hall said. "He's a great guy, and I feel like he'll find a good home wherever he goes." - Opelika-Auburn News

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DT Zykeivous Walker, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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10/15/22 - Payton Thorne, rSr/2025, Auburn + More +

Quarterback Payton Thorne threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jayden Reed in the second overtime Saturday to lift Michigan State to a 34-28 victory over Wisconsin. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Spartans (3-4, 1-3 Big 10 Conference). It is the first loss for Wisconsin's interim coach Jim Leonhard who replaced Paul Chryst two weeks ago. The game-winning throw was set up after Michigan State's Jacoby Windmon stripped the ball from Braelon Allen on the first play of the second overtime and defensive tackle Dashaun Mallory pounced on the ball. Three plays later, Thorne hit Reed in the right corner of the end zone with the game-winner. On the first play of the first overtime, Reed threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Keon Coleman at the goal line, giving the Spartans a 28-21 lead.

Wisconsin's Graham Mertz tied the game when he connected with Chimere Dike on a 25-yard scoring pass. After Michigan State took a 21-14 lead, Mertz marched the Badgers 52 yards to even the game at 21 with 2:04 remaining on his 3-yard touchdown pass to Keontez Lewis. On the ensuing possession the Spartans had an opportunity to win the game in regulation by driving to the Badgers' 29-yard line. However, a bad snap on a 37-yard field goal forced holder Bryce Baringer to throw a pass that was intercepted by John Torchio. Trailing 14-7 at halftime, Michigan State's Elijah Collins tied the game at 14 with 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter when he capped an eight-play, 97-yard drive with a 1-yard run. Tight end Maliq Carr keyed the march when he caught a 72-yard pass and was forced out at the Wisconsin 12 by Kamo'i Latu. Thorne tossed a 29-yard scoring pass to Coleman with 7:23 left to give the Spartans a 21-14 lead. The drive was kept alive by two pass interference penalties, including one on fourth and 4 from the Badgers' 44-yard line. - Michigan State/AP College Football

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QB Payton Thorne, Auburn
News Source: Michigan State/AP College Football
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10/04/22 - Eku Leota, Sr/2023, Auburn + More +

Auburn will be without one of its top pass-rushers for the remainder of the year. Eku Leota was ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining a pec injury during Auburn's loss to LSU last weekend, coach Bryan Harsin confirmed Monday. Leota will undergo surgery Tuesday. "Eku's a big loss, and this has nothing to do with anybody behind him; it's just he's an emotional leader, he's one of the smartest football players we have," Harsin said. "I mean, he is a guy that you want on your team - how he prepares, all the things he does, the respect he has of his team." Leota sustained the injury late in the first quarter of Auburn's 21-17 loss at Jordan-Hare Stadium and did not return to the field.

Upon exiting the game, he retreated to the locker room with team trainers, and when he emerged from the tunnel early in the second quarter, he was in street clothes and had his right arm in a sling. He spent the remainder of the game sitting on the training table on Auburn's sideline. The 6-foot-4, 257-pound senior has been Auburn's second-most productive pass rusher this season. He's tied with Colby Wooden for second on the team in sacks, with two, to go along with 17 total tackles, five for a loss and three quarterback hurries. A former transfer from Northwestern, Leota is in his second season on the Plains. He was one of the team's most productive edge rushers last season, when he finished with 23 total tackles, but 10 for a loss and seven sacks, to go along with eight quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. - Birmingham News

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DE Eku Leota, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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09/26/22 - Tate Johnson, rSr/2025, Auburn + More +

Auburn has lost its second center of the season with Tate Johnson slated for surgery on his left elbow. Tigers coach Bryan Harsin said Monday that Johnson is scheduled for surgery on the elbow Thursday and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks but could be out for the season. Jalil Irvin replaced him after Johnson went down with the injury against Missouri. Avery Jernigan has also worked at center. Johnson had taken over after sixth-year center Nick Brahms retired from football just ahead of the season opener after attempting to return from knee surgery. Harsin said quarterback T.J. Finley will practice this week after missing the Missouri game with an injury to his right shoulder. Robby Ashford started in a 17-14 overtime win and is listed as the starter on the depth chart going into Saturday night's game against LSU. - AP College Football

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OG Tate Johnson, Auburn
News Source: AP College Football
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09/26/22 - Derick Hall, Sr/2023, Auburn + More +

SEPT 26 SEC DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK: Derick Hall, DE, Auburn,...Tallied a season-and team-high 3.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks, marking his third career game with 2.0+ sacks...Eclipsed the 20.0 TFL mark and 15.0 sack mark for his career...Recorded his first career INT in the first quarter and returned it 19 yards to the Missouri 24-yard line, setting up Auburn's second TD to go up 14-0...Was second on the team with six tackles, including five solo. - SEC Football

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OLB Derick Hall, Auburn
News Source: SEC Football
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09/24/22 - Cayden Bridges, rSo/2026, Auburn + More +

Cayden Bridges recovered a fumble in the end zone to give Auburn a 17-14 overtime victory over Missouri in an SEC opener on Saturday afternoon. Missouri (2-2) running back Nathaniel Peat dropped the football before a potential game-winning touchdown, and Bridges landed on it to seal the victory for Auburn (3-1). Auburn kicker Anders Carlson hit a 39-yard field goal to give the hosts the lead in overtime. Missouri jumped offsides on Carlson's try from 44 yards out, which was missed. Carlson's overtime field goal was the only scoring after halftime. The two teams combined for 12 consecutive punts in the second half before Auburn running back Tank Bigsby was stopped on fourth-and-1 from the Missouri 30-yard line with 1:37 remaining. Missouri kicker Harrison Mevis missed a 26-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation. The visiting Tigers played for the final field goal following a 39-yard pass from Brady Cook to Dominic Lovett in the final minute of the fourth quarter. - AP College Football

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SS Cayden Bridges, Auburn
News Source: AP College Football
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09/19/22 - Brian Battie, rSr/2025, Auburn + More +

SEPT 19 AMERICAN CONFERENCE ATHLETIC HONOR ROLL: Brian Battie, So., RB, South Florida,...Rushed for a career-high 150 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and finished with 250 all-purpose yards in a 31-28 loss at No. 18 Florida. - American Athletic Conference Football

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RB Brian Battie, Auburn
News Source: American Athletic Conference Football
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09/13/22 - Jalen McLeod, rSr/2025, Auburn + More +

SEPT 12 SUN BELT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jalen McLeod, App State (So., LB - Washington, D.C.),...Mountaineers sophomore linebacker Jalen McLeod posted a career-high two sacks and two forced fumbles, as App State knocked off No. 6/6 Texas A&M, 17-14, on the road in Kyle Field. The App State defense held the Aggies to just one offensive touchdown, nine first downs and 186 yards of total offense. The Washington, D.C., native's first quarter strip sack created a turnover that led to the Mountaineers' first touchdown drive. McLeod tallied four tackles-three unassisted-with two unassisted sacks in the signature road win. - Sun Belt Football

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OLB Jalen McLeod, Auburn
News Source: Sun Belt Football
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09/13/22 - *Colby Wooden, Jr/2023, Auburn + More +

TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 2: 26. Colby Wooden, rJr, DE, Auburn, 6-4, 284, 1,...In a 24-16 win against visiting San Jose, Wooden was in on two tackles but no sacks against the feisty Spartans, who totaled 329 yards, but only 57 running. Previous week, No. 26: Wooden could have entered the 2022 draft after an excellent 2021 season with 37 stops, second among interior defensive linemen in college football. But he returned because "I don't want to be a loser," referencing a 6-7 season that spiraled down with five straight losses. The Tigers are 1-0 after a 42-16 win against overmatched Mercer, which managed only 271 total yards, 74 on the ground. Auburn and Wooden should face more of a test in the next two weeks against San Jose State and Penn St. - Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout

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DE *Colby Wooden, Auburn
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
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09/13/22 - Derick Hall, Sr/2023, Auburn + More +

TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 2: 36. Derick Hall, Sr, OLB, Auburn, 6-2, 256, 1-2,...Hall was a rude host to the visiting San Jose Spartans, harassing them with a team-leading five tackles and three assists in Auburn's 24-16 win. Previous week, No. 37: Hall contributed two official tackles with one sack in Auburn's 42-16 thrashing of the Mercer Bears. Auburn and Hall should face more of a test in the next two weeks against San Jose State and Penn St. - Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout

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OLB Derick Hall, Auburn
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
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09/10/22 - *Tank Bigsby, Jr/2023, Auburn + More +

T.J. Finley, Jarquez Hunter and Tank Bigsby rushed for touchdowns and Auburn held on to beat San Jose State 24-16 on Saturday night. The Tigers (2-0) scored three times in the second half after the Spartans (1-1) took a 10-7 lead into halftime. Auburn struggled to hold off the more than three-touchdown underdogs, who added a late field goal to stay alive. The onside kick attempt went out of bounds untouched to end the threat. The Tigers couldn't feel at all comfortable until Finley barreled in for a 4-yard touchdown and a 24-13 lead early in the fourth. He set it up with a 24-yard pass to Ja'Varrius Johnson. But Auburn's platooning of quarterbacks Finley and Ashford continued to produce inconsistent results - and an interception apiece.

Finley completed 13 of 20 passes for 167 yards. Ashford's three atttempts netted only a 1-yard completion but he did run for a 30-yard gain and 61 yards. San Jose State's Chevan Cordeiro was 24-of-40 passing for 275 yards and set up a field goal in the closing minutes. Charles Ross caught five passes for 89 yards. Auburn's first two touchdown drives were kept alive by fourth-down conversions, including one where Finley salvaged a botched snap. He dropped the ball, picked it up and hit Bigsby in the flat for an 11-yarder. Bigsby then plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard score early in the third quarter. Spartans coach Brent Brennan was trying to pull off another SEC upset. San Jose State beat Arkansas 31-24 in 2019 in his only other attempt. San Jose State went into the locker room with a halftime lead thanks to Kairee Robinson's 1-yard touchdown in the final minute. Hunter had scored on a 7-yarder for Auburn. - Auburn/AP College Football

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RB *Tank Bigsby, Auburn
News Source: Auburn/AP College Football
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09/06/22 - *Colby Wooden, Jr/2023, Auburn + More +

TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 1: 26. Colby Wooden, rJr, DE, Auburn, 6-4, 284,...Wooden could have entered the 2022 draft after an excellent 2021 season with 37 stops, second among interior defensive linemen in college football. But he returned because "I don't want to be a loser," referencing a 6-7 season that spiraled down with five straight losses. The Tigers are 1-0 after a 42-16 win against overmatched Mercer, which managed only 271 total yards, 74 on the ground. Auburn and Wooden should face more of a test in the next two weeks against San Jose State and Penn St. - Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout

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DE *Colby Wooden, Auburn
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
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09/05/22 - Derick Hall, Sr/2023, Auburn + More +

TRACKING TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS - WEEK 1: 37. Derick Hall, Sr, OLB, Auburn, 6-2, 256,...Hall contributed two official tackles with one sack in Auburn's 42-16 thrashing of the Mercer Bears. Auburn and Hall should face more of a test in the next two weeks against San Jose State and Penn St. - Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout

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OLB Derick Hall, Auburn
News Source: Frank Cooney/NFL Draft Scout
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09/03/22 - *Tank Bigsby, Jr/2023, Auburn + More +

Tank Bigsby ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns and Auburn opened its season with a 42-16 home win over FCS opponent Mercer on Saturday night. Bigsby was one of nine players who recorded a carry for the Tigers, who generated 285 of their 497 total yards on the ground. Jarquez Hunter scored three rushing touchdowns, while backup quarterback Robby Ashford generated 168 total yards as he split time with starter T.J. Finley. At the 1:33 mark of the third quarter, the game was delayed for an hour and 27 minutes due to lightning. Bigsby scored from 39 yards out on the first play after the delay. Finley finished 9-for-14 passing for 112 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Ashford took over at quarterback midway through the third quarter after Finley's second interception. Mercer (1-1) had only 101 yards of offense in the first half but found late success after the delay. Fred Payton finished 21 for 36 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Devron Harper. - Auburn/AP College Football

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