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Brian Battie wasn't on Cadillac Williams' radar until Philip Montgomery planted a seed during an early film session among Auburn's new offensive assistants. Before Battie, the former South Florida running back, hit the portal, Montgomery and Williams were studying film when the former Tulsa head coach recalled one of the best individual performances against his team last season. In Tulsa's 48-42 win against USF on Nov. 18, Battie rushed for 169 yards while averaging 8.89 yards per carry. It was the highest individual rushing performance surrendered by Tulsa's defense last season. "Cadillac, South Florida's got a running back that's tough," Williams recalled Montgomery saying. Williams took note and filed it away in the back of his mind. Auburn's running back room was in need of another option; it was returning Jarquez Hunter and a less-experienced piece in Damari Alston while bringing in four-star 2023 signee Jeremiah Cobb, but the Tigers wanted more depth after leading rusher Tank Bigsby declared for the NFL Draft. The only problem? At the time, Battie wasn't in the transfer portal.

That changed on Jan. 6, when Battie opted to transfer from USF after three productive seasons, including a consensus All-America nod as a return specialist in 2021 and a 1,000-yard campaign in 2022. Williams perked up as soon as he saw Battie's name in the portal, recalling Montgomery's earlier mention of the 5-foot-8, 165-pounder. "To have a guy like him jump in there, I was ecstatic," Williams said. "So, (I) got an opportunity to cut on his film, and his film speaks for itself." It's not every day a program has an opportunity to bring in a former All-American through the transfer market, and Williams was thoroughly impressed with what he saw from Battie during his time at South Florida in the various roles he played. There was of course the 1,186 rushing yards last fall, when Battie averaged 6.7 yards per carry-the 20th-best mark among FBS running backs in 2022. His 98.83 rushing yards per game ranked 23rd among all qualifying players in the country. He had seven 100-yard performances as a junior, including five in a row to close out the year, and has nine for his career. - Birmingham News

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2025

RB Brian Battie, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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02/06/23 - D.J. James, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-0, 181 (DS#11 CB) + More +

Two weeks after Zac Etheridge announced he was "here to stay" as one of Auburn's assistant coaches, two of his top players from last fall followed suit. D.J. James announced his decision to return for a second season with the Tigers on New Year's Eve, while fellow cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett did the same two days later. The decisions by James and Pritchett weren't entirely unexpected - the two had ongoing conversations with Etheridge and the rest of the staff since the season ended - but they marked considerable offseason wins for new Auburn coach Hugh Freeze and his staff heading into Year 1. "Obviously, they created a lot of value for themselves with their play and what they did on the field, but a reality, the experience that they have and to be able to come back to a group and not losing anyone in the secondary - I mean, it's been obviously huge to us because the leadership back should be a great experience. But having those two guys back help us on the outside."

In James and Pritchett, Auburn returns both of its starting corners from last season. James arrived at Auburn last offseason after starting his career at Oregon, and the Mobile native acclimated himself well in his return to his home state as he established himself as one of the top corners in the SEC in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 174-pounder had 38 total tackles, with 25 solo stops and one tackle for a loss. He had one interception, which he returned for a touchdown during Auburn's home finale against Western Kentucky, and he tied Pritchett for the team lead with eight pass breakups while earning second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press and the league's coaches. - Birmingham News

(DS#11 CB) rSr/2024

CB D.J. James, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/30/23 - Anders Carlson, rSr/2023, Auburn, 6-5, 219 (DS#7 K) + More +

Two former Auburn stars - running back Tank Bigsby and kicker Anders Carlson - both shared on their Instagram stories that they have received invites to the NFL Combine. This year's NFL Combine will be held in Indianapolis from Feb. 28 to March 6. Bigsby and Carlson are sure to be joined by other former Auburn teammates at the annual scouting showcase, but they're the only ones to disclose so far that they have been invited to participate in the event.

Bigsby was Auburn's starting running back the last three seasons, and ran for 2,903 yards and 25 touchdowns. Carlson spent six seasons at Auburn and served as the Tigers' starting placekicker for each of the last five years, missing time at the end of the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to injury. He is the younger brother of Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson, who led the league in kicking two years and was a 2022 All-Pro. - Birmingham News

(DS#7 K) rSr/2023

K Anders Carlson, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/23/23 - Owen Pappoe, Sr/2023, Auburn, 6-0, 225 (DS#5 ILB) + More +

Former Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe won't play in the upcoming Reese's Senior Bowl due to injury, executive director Jim Nagy confirmed Friday. Pappoe's withdrawal leaves fellow linebackers Etu Leota and Derick Hall as the Tigers' representatives in the annual college football all-star game and NFL draft showcase, set for Feb. 4 at Mobile's Hancock Whitney Stadium. Pappoe's exit was "disappointing," Nagy said. "Owen's not going to be able to come, unfortunately," Nagy said in an appearance on Mobile's SportsTalk 99.5 FM. "I felt like he needed it [to participate in Senior Bowl week]. Everyone knows that Owen can run...But coming down here, I thought he could help himself in coverage and in the interviews. The guys up at Auburn rave about his intelligence, his football acumen and his work ethic. "That was a disappointing one. I know he was dealing with some sort of injury. He just wanted to be 100% full-go for the combine."

Pappoe, a former 5-star recruit, totaled a team-best 91 tackles, along with three tackles for loss and an interception in 12 games. However, he has reportedly been dealing with a shoulder injury in recent weeks. Pappoe's injury won't require surgery, according to reports. He is expected to participate in the NFL Combine and Auburn's Pro Day, leading into the April 27-29 NFL draft. - Birmingham News

(DS#5 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Owen Pappoe, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/19/23 - Avery Jones, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-4, 307 (DS#33 C) + More +

One of Auburn's most significant struggles during the 2022 season was inconsistency at the center position. The Tigers never quite recovered from losing Brahms to medical retirement a few weeks before the season. Tate Johnson and Council took most of the snaps in place of Brahms, but the absence of an experienced center glared on a team that, at times, was stagnant offensively. Jones started every game last season at East Carolina and 11 of 12 the previous year for the Pirates. Expect him to anchor the Tiger offensive line that wants to improve run blocking and pass protection. - Birmingham News

(DS#33 C) rSr/2024

C Avery Jones, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/16/23 - Austin Keys, rSr/2025, Auburn, 6-2, 229 (DS#26 OLB) + More +

Auburn added another Southeastern Conference veteran to its 2023 class Saturday night, as former Ole Miss Rebel Austin Keys announced he'd be joining the Tigers. Keys joins former LSU linebacker DeMario Tolan as the second SEC West linebacker to transfer to Auburn this cycle, and he's the fourth SEC defender to join the Tigers, including Kentucky defensive lineman Justin Rogers and Vanderbilt edge rusher Elijah McAllister. Auburn football coach recaps the Tigers' early signing period pickups on Dec. 21. Keys spent three years in Oxford, and had his most productive yet in 2022, logging a career-high 39 tackles to go with 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He also forced one fumble. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#26 OLB) rSr/2025

OLB Austin Keys, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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01/13/23 - Justin Rogers, rJr/2024, Auburn, 6-3, 322 (DS#27 DT) + More +

Hugh Freeze noted in December that Auburn football would focus on "big men" in the transfer portal. He kept delivering on his promise Thursday. Justin Rogers, a defensive tackle that's spent his career at Kentucky, announced his transfer to the Plains via social media. The Tigers confirmed the signing shortly after. He is Auburn's fourth transfer defensive lineman and 31st new player expected to join the roster for Freeze's first season. "Now it's time for me to open a new chapter," Rogers tweeted with his decision. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Rogers, listed at 6-foot-3, 332-pounds, appeared in all 26 games this fall for the Wildcats the last two seasons, recording 35 total tackles, and 1.5 tackles for loss as a senior. He started four games in 2021 after being a rotational piece as a freshman. On Nov. 21, 2020, Rogers made three tackles against Alabama, tying a career-high. Before reaching Lexington, Rogers was one of the top prospects in the country out of Oak (Mich.) Park. 247Spoorts Composite ranked Rogers as the No. 52 player in the country and the seventh-best defensive tackle. - Birmingham News

(DS#27 DT) rJr/2024

DT Justin Rogers, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/11/23 - Nick Mardner, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-6, 208 (DS#69 WR) + More +

Auburn continued adding to its transfer portal pickups Monday, as former Cincinnati and Hawai'i receiver Nick Mardner announced he'd be playing his final season of college football as a Tigers. Mardner becomes the eighth transfer addition to Auburn's roster, and the fourth of the past three days, joining defensive linemen Mosiah Nasili-Kite and Lawrence Johnson and linebacker DeMario Tolan.

The receiver spent three seasons at Hawai'i - one of which overlapped with Auburn receivers coach Marcus Davis lone year at the school - and he played last season for the Cincinnati Bearcats. In 33 career contests, Mardner has logged 81 receptions for 1,488 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has averaged 17.8 yards per reception. His best season came under Davis, in 2021, when he caught 46 passes for 913 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 19.8 yards per reception that season. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#69 WR) rSr/2024

WR Nick Mardner, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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01/11/23 - Avery Jones, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-4, 307 (DS#33 C) + More +

Another day, another transfer portal commitment for Hugh Freeze and Auburn football. Offensive lineman Avery Jones became the sixth signee in the last five days with his announcement on Tuesday afternoon. The East Carolina center had been committed to Illinois and head coach Bret Bielema since Dec. 13, but Jones decided to spend his last year of eligibility along the Plains.

Jones is a 6-foot-4, 305-pounder from Havelock, North Carolina. He was a four-star out of high school before redshirting at UNC in 2018 and appearing in one game in 2019. With the Pirates, Jones quickly worked into the starting rotation. He started all 12 games he appeared in this past fall, helping the offense produce 5.3 yards per carry. - Birmingham News

(DS#33 C) rSr/2024

C Avery Jones, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/11/23 - Brian Battie, rSr/2025, Auburn, 5-06, 168 (DS#999 RB) + More +

Auburn's latest transfer portal addition is a former All-American and 1,000-yard rusher. Former South Florida running back and return specialist Brian Battie committed to Auburn on Monday afternoon after taking a visit to the Plains during the weekend. Battie is the ninth transfer addition for first-year coach Hugh Freeze and the second of the day for Auburn, which added Cincinnati wide receiver transfer Nick Mardner earlier Monday afternoon.

Battie joins an Auburn backfield that returns second-leading rusher Jarquez Hunter but must replace leading rusher Tank Bigsby. The Tigers also return sophomores Damari Alston and Sean Jackson, and they hold a commitment from four-star 2023 back Jeremiah Cobb, who is expected to sign in February. During his three years at USF, Battie ran for 1,842 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. - Birmingham News

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2025

RB Brian Battie, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/09/23 - DeMario Tolan, So/2026, Auburn, 6-1, 203 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

Auburn continued its roster revamp with another big transfer addition Sunday morning. LSU linebacker transfer DeMario Tolan committed to and signed with Auburn, just four after entering his name into the transfer portal and three days after taking a visit to the Plains to meet with Hugh Freeze and staff, providing a needed boost to the team's linebacker room. Tolan, a former four-star prospect out of Orlando, Fla., played in 12 games for LSU this season and finished the year with 10 total tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries.

The 6-foot-2, 222-pounder was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class and rated as the No. 202 overall prospect in the nation coming out of Dr. Phillips High. Auburn previously recruited Tolan out of high school, but the prior coaching staff was unable to land the blue-chip linebacker. After he entered the transfer portal earlier this week, Freeze and the new coaching staff wasted little time in trying to bring Tolan to the Plains. - Birmingham News

(DS#999 ILB) So/2026

ILB DeMario Tolan, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/09/23 - Lawrence Johnson, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-2, 310 (DS#999 DT) + More +

A day after snagging one Big Ten defensive tackle, Hugh Freeze and Auburn got another via the transfer portal on Sunday. Lawrence Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 285-pounder, chose the Tigers after visiting the Plains earlier this week. Johnson is Auburn's seventh transfer and eighth defensive lineman addition. Last year's staff brought in just four defensive trench players. Johnson was a three-star prospect out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and played in 46 games over five seasons with Purdue. As a graduate student, Johnson made 29 total tackles with one forced fumble, one pass deflection and 1.5 sacks. Auburn has brought in four players over the weekend, with Nasili-Kite and Johnson joining high school cornerback Tyler Scott and LSU linebacker DeMario Tolan. - Birmingham News

(DS#999 DT) rSr/2024

DT Lawrence Johnson, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/08/23 - Mosiah Nasili-Kite, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-2, 285 (DS#46 DT) + More +

Hugh Freeze stayed active in reshaping Auburn football's 2023 roster. After adding another defensive back recruit during the All-American Bowl on NBC, the Tigers found another defensive tackle on Sunday. Mosiah Nasili-Kite, a former All-Big Ten honorable mention with Maryland, will spend his last year of eligibility on the Plains. A three-star recruit from Emerald (Wash.) Ridge, Nasili-Kate signed with Independence (Kansas) Community College out of high school.

He's listed as a 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive tackle and recorded 63 total tackles and five sacks across 23 games for the Terrapins. He flashed at times in 2020 and 2021, stringing together multi-sack performances and two eight-tackle games. Nasili-Kite visited Auburn on Friday after announcing his entry to the transfer portal on Jan. 1. He'll bring a reliable presence to the trenches as many of Auburn's new additions along the defensive line project to be outside rushers. - Birmingham News

(DS#46 DT) rSr/2024

DT Mosiah Nasili-Kite, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/08/23 - Gunner Britton, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-7, 304 (DS#43 OT) + More +

Two days after committing to Auburn, offensive tackle Gunner Britton is officially a Tiger. Auburn announced Saturday morning that Britton, a transfer from Western Kentucky, has signed with the program. Britton will have one year of eligibility with Auburn, and he will provide some immediate relief at a key position of need for the Tigers as they head into Year 1 under new coach Hugh Freeze.

Britton is a 6-foot-6, 275-pounder originally from Conway, S.C. He spent the last five years with the Hilltoppers, starting 18 games during his career. That includes starts at tackle in all 14 of WKU's games during the 2022 season. Britton entered the transfer portal after the season and was ranked as the No. 5 offensive tackle in the portal, according to 247Sports. His addition gives Auburn two of the top-five tackles in the portal after the team previously picked up a commitment from former Tulsa lineman Dillon Wade, the No. 2 tackle in the portal. - Birmingham News

(DS#43 OT) rSr/2024

OT Gunner Britton, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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01/07/23 - Brian Battie, rSr/2025, Auburn, 5-06, 168 (DS#999 RB) + More +

The USF football program's rebuilding job got harder Friday when standout running back/returner Brian Battie announced his intention to enter the NCAA's transfer portal. Battie, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound Sarasota native, has been one of the Bulls' best players over the past two seasons. He was a consensus All-American in 2021 after returning three kickoffs for a touchdown. Last year, he developed into a more complete offensive player, too. His 1,186 rushing yards are the sixth-most in USF single-season history.

Battie also broke a program record with 1,936 all-purpose yards and tied a USF record with five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. The news is somewhat surprising, given what Battie has previously said. Immediately after the season-ending loss to UCF, Battie said he was not considering the transfer portal. "I like to finish where I start at," he said then. Instead, he will likely finish elsewhere. - Tampa Tribune

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2025

RB Brian Battie, Auburn
News Source: Tampa Tribune
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