Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

SEPT 20 BIG TEN CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Payton Thorne, Michigan State, QB - So. - Naperville, Ill. - Naperville Central (Ill.),...Completed 18 of 31 attempts (.581 pct.) for 261 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Spartans to a 38-17 win over No. 24 Miami (Fla.)...With Michigan State holding a 10-7 lead at halftime, helped the Spartans pull away with three touchdown passes in the second half, including two in the fourth quarter...Joined Connor Cook (2015 vs. Indiana and Nebraska) as the only quarterbacks in Michigan State history to throw four touchdowns in back-to-back games...Earns the first Offensive Player of the Week accolade of his career...Last Michigan State Offensive Player of the Week: Kenneth Walker III (Sept. 6, 2021). - Big Ten Football

(DS#27 QB) rSr/2025

QB Payton Thorne, Auburn
News Source: Big Ten Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/18/21 - Payton Thorne, rSr/2025, Auburn, 6-2, 207 (DS#27 QB) + More +

Payton Thorne passed for 261 yards and four touchdowns, two of those scoring throws going to Jalen Nailor, and Michigan State extended its unbeaten start by topping No. 24 Miami 38-17 on Saturday. Kenneth Walker III rushed for 172 yards and caught a touchdown pass for the Spartans (3-0), who are off to their best start since 2015. Jayden Reed also had a scoring catch and a touchdown run for Michigan State, which forced Miami quarterback D'Eriq King into four turnovers. King was 38 of 59 passing - both of them Miami school records - for 388 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Charleston Rambo tied a school record with 12 catches for Miami, good for 156 yards and both of the Hurricanes' touchdowns. Andres Borregales kicked a 55-yard field goal - matching the fourth-longest in school history - for the Hurricanes midway through the fourth, getting them within a touchdown. Thorne didn't need long to end their hopes, coming up big with his legs as well on what became the game-sealing drive. He got 22 yards up the middle on third-and-6 and then fell forward barely far enough - maybe by a chain link, two at the most - on fourth-and-1 with 4:25 left to extend the series. - Michigan State/AP College Football

(DS#27 QB) rSr/2025

QB Payton Thorne, Auburn
News Source: Michigan State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/11/21 - Payton Thorne, rSr/2025, Auburn, 6-2, 207 (DS#27 QB) + More +

Payton Thorne threw for four touchdowns, including two long strikes to Jayden Reed, and ran for another score as Michigan State rolled to a 42-14 victory over Youngstown State on Saturday. Thorne connected with Reed on Michigan State's first play from scrimmage, the second straight game in which the Spartans scored from 75-yards out on its opening play. They also combined on an 85-yard score during the second quarter. Thorne completed 15-of-21 passes for 280 yards. The duo built chemistry long ago. They were high school teammates at Naperville (Ill.) Central. "We've had a ton of those plays and those aren't going to be the last two," Thorne said. "We're just going to keep building. It's crazy how things have ended up and today was pretty cool." Reed caught four passes for 181 yards, while Jordon Simmons rushed for 140 yards on 19 carries for the Spartans (2-0), who led 35-7 at halftime.

Demeatric Crenshaw rushed for 69 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown for the Penguins (1-1). Kenneth Walker III scored on a 75-yard run on the first play from scrimmage in the Spartans' season-opening victory at Northwestern. This time, he took a handoff and pitched it back to Thorne on a flea flicker. Reed caught the ball at the Penguins' 37 and raced into the end zone on the 75-yard score. "I wish we could score every play on the first play," Reed said. "We did it last week and this week. That's the standard, so we're going to make that the goal for next week as well." - Michigan State/AP College Football

(DS#27 QB) rSr/2025

QB Payton Thorne, Auburn
News Source: Michigan State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/11/21 - Demetris Robertson, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-0, 183 (DS#47 WR) + More +

Demetris Robertson scored three touchdowns and Jarquez Hunter rushed for 147 yards as No. 25 Auburn raced past FCS program Alabama State 62-0 on Saturday. After a fast start in Bryan Harsin's first game as head coach last week, Auburn (2-0) was held to just one offensive touchdown and fewer than 200 yards in the first half. But the Tigers erupted for 35 points in the third quarter to pull away with ease. "The second half, we came and did what we wanted to do," Harsin said. "We made the adjustments and executed those in the second half. The first half was a little bit sluggish. … But it was good to see our halftime adjustments actually show up." Robertson, who transferred from SEC rival Georgia this summer, had three catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns and added a 36-yard touchdown run on a sweep in the third.

Hunter, a freshman, broke the Auburn record for longest run with a 94-yard touchdown later in the quarter. Auburn had a quiet first half but special teams excelled with a punt block and a field-goal block that was returned 80 yards for a touchdown by Nehemiah Pritchett. It marked the first time the Tigers have blocked two kicks in a game since their famous 2013 Iron Bowl win over Alabama. - Auburn/AP College Football

(DS#47 WR) rSr/2022

WR Demetris Robertson, Auburn
News Source: Auburn/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/30/21 - Owen Pappoe, Sr/2023, Auburn, 6-0, 225 (DS#5 ILB) + More +

Last week, Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe thought back to one of his earliest experiences with the Tigers. Pappoe earned an offer from Auburn as an eighth grader, and later on he visited the campus to tour what proved to be his home at the next level. Pappoe remembers his guide showing him the captain bricks, which commemorate the team's various captains by displaying their names for years to come. Pappoe said he thought about what it would be like to see his name among those many bricks one day. Now, Pappoe knows that day will be arriving soon. The Opelika-Auburn News' Jordan Hill and Justin Lee discuss Bryan Harsin's absence and all the latest from the end of fall camp.

Pappoe was selected as one of Auburn's two permanent captains for the 2021 season, with the other being fellow linebacker Chandler Wooten. Pappoe's status was a well-earned one given his production over the last two years, and it has the junior eager to accomplish even more this fall. "It was amazing," Pappoe said Thursday of being named a captain. "Just to be selected by my teammates means a lot. It shows me that all of the work I have been putting in for leadership and just handling my business on the field is paying off. It's an amazing feeling. I'm excited and ready to lead." Pappoe helped stablish himself as a grinder for Auburn last season when he and fellow linebacker Zakoby McClain hardly came off the field, which resulted in Pappoe racking up 93 tackles and five games of double-digit tackles. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#5 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Owen Pappoe, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

08/29/21 - Tony Fair, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-1, 343 (DS#70 DT) + More +

Tony Fair garnered attention before he ever took the field for his first Auburn practice. The UAB grad transfer jumped head-first into the Iron Bowl rivalry when he took to social media this summer and declared that the Tigers were coming to "take the head off the elephant" this season against Alabama. The post drew the ire of Alabama fans, while Fair's new Auburn teammates respected the confidence it exuded. Now Fair is likely to gain even more attention this fall as one of the key newcomers to watch for Auburn, especially after the preseason departure of two-year starting defensive tackle Tyrone Truesdell. That unexpected personnel change at the start of fall camp left Auburn with a massive hole in the middle of its defensive line - one that the 6-foot-1, 330-pound Fair figures to fill in Derek Mason's system.

"Tony's driven," Mason said. "Tony's a father. Tony is a grown man. I mean, when I sit down and talk to Tony, it's like talking to a little brother, so to speak. He's older. He's very, very mature. You know, I'm 52. Talking to Tony, it seems like he's 50. He's a really mature young man...Whenever you get maturity in the room - somebody who is quick and powerful and explosive, and you add some maturity to that, I think what you get is a calming force who can challenge guys to get better." A look at what roles Auburn's offseason pickups will play for the Tigers this fall. Fair arrived at Auburn this summer after spending the prior two seasons at UAB. The massive nose tackle played in 18 games for the Blazers and totaled 57 tackles, with eight for a loss and two sacks. - Birmingham News

(DS#70 DT) rSr/2022

DT Tony Fair, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/28/21 - Marcus Harris, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-2, 304 (DS#18 DT) + More +

Alot of the talk surrounding Auburn's transfer portal additions has focused on the defensive backfield, where the Tigers added instant impact players such as cornerback Ro Torrence, safety Bydarrius Knighten and nickelback Donovan Kaufman. While those three are poised to play important roles this fall, another key transfer addition for Auburn has been showing off his ability up front on the defensive line. Former Kansas defensive end Marcus Harris has received considerable praise this fall as the Montgomery native prepares for his first season at Auburn.

Based on what linebacker Owen Pappoe shared Thursday, the 6-foot-2, 280-pound Harris is in great position to contribute this season. "He's just a dog, man," Pappoe said of Harris. "He has a really good get off, super strong, makes a lot of plays in the backfield. He has a pretty good pass rush skill set to him, too. You can tell that he's hungry and he's ready to make a lot of plays for us." Auburn defensive coordinator Derek Mason praised Harris back on Aug. 9 and explained he's been as advertised during his time with the Tigers. "He's a young man from Montgomery who is quick, explosive, strong. His motor runs," Mason said. "Marcus was everything we thought he was when he came and transferred from Kansas. He's a young man that loves to play the game. His attention to detail is high, and his football IQ is high. To see a guy who played in a lot of ballgames last year come in and fit into that room and actually start to lead by example, in terms of what he does, you know, that's needed right now." - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#18 DT) rSr/2024

DT Marcus Harris, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

08/27/21 - Owen Pappoe, Sr/2023, Auburn, 6-0, 225 (DS#5 ILB) + More +

The reputation of Auburn's linebacker room has experienced a rebirth in recent years. The Tigers went 14 years without a first-team All-SEC player at the position, but that changed in 2018 with Deshaun Davis' selection. That was part of a renaissance at linebacker for Auburn that included the likes of Davis, Tre' Williams and K.J. Britt, as well as the team's two leading tacklers a year ago, Zakoby McClain and Owen Pappoe.

With McClain and Pappoe back again this fall, and with the return of veteran Chandler Wooten, Auburn is feeling confident about how its linebacker corps stacks up to the competition. "I'm going to take us over anybody," Pappoe said. "I think we have the best linebacker room in the country." That's quite a proclamation from Pappoe, a junior who has been a Day 1 starter since arriving as a five-star freshman in 2019, but it also exudes the type of confidence that can invigorate players when it comes from a team captain. Pappoe this week was elected by teammates as one of Auburn's two permanent captains for the upcoming season, with Wooten chosen as the other. - Birmingham News

(DS#5 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Owen Pappoe, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/27/21 - Chandler Wooten, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-3, 224 (DS#40 ILB) + More +

Auburn linebacker Chandler Wooten knew he faced an uphill climb this year when he rejoined the Tigers after opting out of the 2020 season, but through the last few months the senior kept his head down and worked. That attitude and commitment not only allowed Wooten to return to form after a year away from the game, but it earned Wooten the respect of his teammates and an honor that Wooten sees as truly special.

Wooten was named one of Auburn's two permanent captains on Wednesday, which serves as a major milestone as Wooten prepares for another season with the Tigers. Wooten, who opted out last season due to the impending birth of his son, shared what the moment was like when head coach Bryan Harsin called to tell him the news. "It was awesome, man, just to hear those words come out of his mouth - to know my teammates voted me and Owen [Pappoe] as permanent captains," Wooten said Thursday. "It was a true honor and a blessing just because - to go from opted out, to come back and earn the respect of my teammates - it was truly a blessing. It's a great honor and something I don't take lightly." - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#40 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Chandler Wooten, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

08/27/21 - D.J. James, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-0, 181 (DS#11 CB) + More +

Oregon Ducks defensive backs Jamal Hill and DJ James were charged in municipal court on Tuesday in connection with their alleged involvement in shooting an airsoft gun in downtown Eugene earlier this month. Hill and James were both charged with two counts of reckless endangering, two counts of disorderly conduct and unlawful discharge of a firearm, according to online court records, which show neither has entered a plea on any of the charges. They are both scheduled for trial on Sept. 8.

Reckless endangering and disorderly conduct are misdemeanors and unlawful discharge of a firearm is a city ordinance violation. Eugene police said at 11:44 p.m. on Aug. 3 a man reported being shot in the face with a "realistic-looking airsoft gun at 14th and Willamette by someone in a sedan that had driven past him." Two other people reported similar incidents in a close time and proximity. One, riding an electric scooter, claimed he was "almost hit by the vehicle as it left the area," according to police, who spotted the vehicle nearby and later cited Hill and James each for three charges of reckless endangering, assault, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and disorderly conduct. - The Oregonian

(DS#11 CB) rSr/2024

CB D.J. James, Auburn
News Source: The Oregonian
Share/Comment: Here

08/26/21 - Owen Pappoe, Sr/2023, Auburn, 6-0, 225 (DS#5 ILB) + More +

A pair of veteran linebackers will serve as Auburn's team captains this season. Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin announced Wednesday morning that junior Owen Pappoe and senior Chandler Wooten were selected as team captains, as chosen by their teammates, calling it "the ultimate honor." Pappoe is heading into his third season as a starter at linebacker for Auburn, and the former five-star recruit is coming off a season in which he was second on the team with 93 tackles, including six for a loss, and tied for the team lead with four sacks. He was one of Auburn's two player representatives at SEC Media Days last month -- with Harsin joking at the time that he brought Pappoe to Hoover because "you don't want that guy upset with you" -- and he also represented the team last Saturday during Auburn's dedication ceremony for its new Football Performance Center that is currently under construction.

"He is, without question, a leader on our football team," Harsin said at SEC Media Days last month. "Guys respect him. He does things right. He works himself to the best of his ability every single day. Does all the things you ask him to do. He's incredible in the weight room and running and some of the testing that we did. So I'm excited about Owen. Owen's a guy that I have tremendous respect for. If anybody is going to represent our program, Owen Pappoe is going to be one of them.... He's a good man and he's going to be a hell of a player for us this year, there's no doubt about it." - Birmingham News

(DS#5 ILB) Sr/2023

ILB Owen Pappoe, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/26/21 - *Tank Bigsby, Jr/2023, Auburn, 6-0, 215 (DS#8 RB) + More +

Nine Auburn players picked up preseason All-SEC honors as voted on by the league's coaches. Tank Bigsby, who picked up first-team recognition at running back and a second-team nod in the all-purpose slot, led the group of nine Tigers to land on the preseason coaches All-SEC teams that were announced Tuesday afternoon. Auburn's nine selections are third-most in the conference, behind Alabama's 13 and Georgia's 11. Bigsby was Auburn's lone first-team representative, while center Nick Brahms, linebacker Zakoby McClain, safety Smoke Monday and kicker Anders Carlson were all named to the second-team. - Birmingham News

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2023

RB *Tank Bigsby, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
Share/Comment: Here

08/23/21 - Roger McCreary, Sr/2022, Auburn, 5-11, 191 (DS#6 CB) + More +

Roger McCreary established himself as the Tigers' top cornerback in 2020, but in the offseason the junior had to choose between staying at Auburn or going pro. McCreary ultimately decided to return to the Tigers, a decision that could pay major dividends for himself and the team. McCreary returns as Auburn's most-experienced cornerback and one of the standouts in a loaded secondary entering 2021.

The offseason has forced the 6-foot, 190-pound Mobile native to make plenty of adjustments and step up his game, but with the season opener now in sight he seems eager to show off his improvements. "The main reason that I decided to come back was because my education. That's what I wanted first. And second, I can always improve my draft stock, so that was another reason, too," McCreary said Wednesday. "I feel like I'm going to be more patient because now I'm the guy who's playing off-man. We don't play it that much, so I feel like, throughout the season and the summer, I have improved better at that." McCreary went into great detail in describing how different Auburn's new defense under Derek Mason is compared to what Kevin Steele called in the past. McCreary explained Auburn's cornerbacks are playing off-man coverages more now than compared to the past, when Steele had the corners press at the line of scrimmage. He explained the keys to the Tigers' off-man scheme are eyes, feet and a player's understanding of the game. He added that playing off gives the defenders more time to diagnose what's coming because they can see everything from the offense. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#6 CB) Sr/2022

CB Roger McCreary, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

08/21/21 - Bydarrius Knighten, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-0, 198 (DS#33 SS) + More +

Entering the summer and going into fall camp, it was apparent the Auburn Tigers had to find someone to step up and fill the safety spot vacated by Jamien Sherwood. There's still time for the situation to change, but one of the team's offseason additions seems primed to play that role. The Opelika-Auburn News' Jordan Hill and Justin Lee talk about the latest in fall camp and Suni Lee's arrival at Auburn.

Southeast Missouri State transfer Bydarrius Knighten has received positive reviews this fall camp and has been seen by some as a prime candidate to play safety alongside senior Smoke Monday. The early success of the 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates and also defensive coordinator Derek Mason, who praised Knighten on Aug. 9 as the Tigers prepared for the second week of camp. "I think it's been by the way of the experience in the room, like, really challenging like everybody. I think, you know, Smoke needed Bydarrius, OK? And Bydarrius, you know man, needed Smoke," Mason said. "Obviously, Bydarrius played at SEMO. He's played a lot of football games, but I think, you know, practicing at this level and playing with somebody like Smoke who's played the game, who's seen it at a high level, who not only talks a big game but plays a big game, too. I think that's been good for Bydarrius." - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#33 SS) rSr/2022

SS Bydarrius Knighten, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

08/19/21 - Brandon Council, rSr/2023, Auburn, 6-3, 302 (DS#53 OG) + More +

Auburn offensive lineman Brandon Council made an instant impact as a transfer last fall until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in late October. Although the months that followed were difficult, the senior seems well set to pick up right where he left off. Council discussed his injury rehab and his mindset entering the season on Wednesday. While the physical toll that came with tearing the ACL in his left knee - and later suffering a torn labrum in his shoulder - was considerable, Council explained the pain wasn't the only thing he had to overcome. "It was just really a mental game coming back from that injury," Council said. "Dr. [James] Andrews fixed me up real well. Rehab was tough in the beginning, but I got through it. I'm back probably better than ever; I just have to get back in that game shape now. My knee has been fine, really."

Council was one of several Auburn players who were forced to play catch-up in the summer and fall due to limitations in the spring. Shoulder surgery left Council sporting a sling during spring practice and put an even greater emphasis on what he could do in the last few months before the season started. Based on what senior center Nick Brahms has seen so far, Council has met the expectations those watching him work. "Brandon has always been an athletic guy, and I don't think he's lost a step," Brahms said on Friday. "He did all of the conditioning and stuff with us this summer. He was 100 percent a lot of the summer. I think he did a good job today. He's working at different positions. He'll definitely contribute this year." - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#53 OG) rSr/2023

OG Brandon Council, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Auburn Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Auburn Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development