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North Carolina's first football scrimmage of spring practice found a very different Eugene Asante chasing down ball carriers at Kenan Stadium on Saturday. The junior linebacker from Chantilly, Va., spent the better part of the past two seasons as Chazz Surratt's backup, playing mostly on special teams. And as a reserve, he didn't feel he had the authority to be very vocal. Asante earned his chance to start in the Orange Bowl when Surratt opted out to begin his NFL draft preparation. And based on his performance, Asante has made the position his. As his responsibilities have increased as a starter, so too has his presence this spring. "From a mindset standpoint, I think I certainly changed a little bit," Asante said. "I had to be more vocal with the young guys and I had to step into a role. Chazz played a great role in tutoring and mentoring me."

So did his older brother, Larry Asante, who worked his way from playing a year in junior college; to a starring role at Nebraska after switching positions from linebacker to safety; to intercepting Drew Brees in the highlight moment from playing five seasons in the NFL. Eugene Asante has referenced the way his brother was abruptly cut from the Oakland Raiders in 2015 as a reason why he plays with such a high motor. Because in the real world, "your dreams can get cut at any time." Asante gained a lot of confidence - both in himself and from his teammates - during their Orange Bowl loss to Texas A&M. He led the team with a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solos, in just his second career start. He made the plays Surratt usually made from playing on the interior of their scheme. - Raleigh News Observer

(DS#13 OLB) rSr/2025

OLB Eugene Asante, Auburn
News Source: Raleigh News Observer
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04/17/21 - Jaylin Simpson, rSr/2024, Auburn, 6-0, 179 (DS#7 FS) + More +

2021 is Jaylin Simpson's redemption year. Just like for most people, Simpson's 2020 did not go as planned, and he's ready to move on from circumstances he couldn't control. Despite the pandemic, last season actually started out well for Simpson. After a redshirt freshman year playing behind Javaris Davis and Noah Igbinoghene, Simpson entered 2020 fall camp as one of the five guys competing to fill the cornerback spot across from Roger McCreary, which opened with Davis's and Igbinoghene's departures. The competition was fierce, but Simpson won the job. However, he wasn't able to keep it, through no fault of his own.

Simpson was among the first group of defenders to hit the field in the season opener against Kentucky. He performed so well, recording four tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup, that the SEC named him newcomer of a week. But by the second game, Simpson was hit by injury. He didn't play against Georgia or Arkansas and was limited the rest of the season. "I was very - hurt physically, but I was really hurt mentally," Simpson said. "I had just got my feet wet, first game." In the meantime, his teammate Nehemiah Pritchett seized his chance and became one of the top defensive backs in the league, allowing the fewest yards per target of any cornerback in the SEC, which made it very hard for someone to knock him out of his spot. - Birmingham News

(DS#7 FS) rSr/2024

FS Jaylin Simpson, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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04/15/21 - Derick Hall, Sr/2023, Auburn, 6-3, 254 (DS#5 OLB) + More +

Derick Hall has made a name for himself this spring. The junior edge defender has been a steady and reliable presence in practices and team meetings for Auburn's defense as it adapts to a new coaching staff and defensive coordinator Derek Mason's new scheme. That dependability has not gone unnoticed, either. "He brings the consistency that you need with leadership," outside linebackers coach Bert Watts said. "And any great leader is going to be consistent. They're going to do the right things every single day, not just on the field but off the field.

They're going to have a steady mindset, be steady emotionally and not be up and down depending on how the day went or the day before went. "That's what Derick is. He's Mr. Consistency." Hall has emerged as a leader in Watts' position room this spring, doing so while making his own adjustments to a new position. After playing mostly at Buck and defensive end during his first two seasons on the Plains, Hall is now listed at the new edge defender position in Mason's defense. "It completely different," Hall said. And as the Tigers' third-leading sack producer last season, the Gulfport, Miss., native figures to be the team's top edge-rusher heading into the 2021 season. - Birmingham News

(DS#5 OLB) Sr/2023

OLB Derick Hall, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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04/10/21 - Chandler Wooten, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-3, 224 (DS#40 ILB) + More +

Chandler Wooten became a father in the fall, but when winter rolled around, he may have felt more like a grandpa. After opting out of last season due to health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wooten returned to the field with his teammates back in January to participate in Auburn's offseason workout program. Needless to say, after more than five months away from the team and the game he loves, Wooten needed time to get back into the swing of things. "There was a little rust in the first part of workouts," inside linebackers coach Jeff Schmedding said. "He was joking around that he felt a little bit old at that point - but the rust is off."

As Auburn is underway with the second half of spring practices, Wooten was a player who on Wednesday garnered some unprompted praise from Schmedding, who said the fifth-year senior is having a "heck of a spring" so far. It would be easy to forget about Wooten, or for the veteran to get lost in the mix after sitting out last season, especially given what Auburn brings back at the linebacker position this season. Most of the attention, understandably, is on junior Owen Pappoe, a former five-star prospect who has been a starter since Day 1 on the Plains, and senior Zakoby McClain, who led the nation in tackles a year ago. - Birmingham News

(DS#40 ILB) rSr/2022

ILB Chandler Wooten, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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04/03/21 - *Jamien Sherwood, Jr/2021, Auburn, 6-2, 216 (DS#6 SS) + More +

Jamien Sherwood didn't run as fast as he had hoped at Auburn's pro day earlier this month. The former Auburn safety clocked in an unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.75 seconds-a full two-tenths of a second slower than he was aiming for while training for the draft at Brandon Marshall's House of Athlete facility in South Florida. He said he stumbled slightly on his first attempt at pro day, but his second one was somewhat better. Either way, Sherwood isn't too concerned with how fast he ran in front of personnel from 30 of the NFL's 32 teams on March 18. After all, 40 times may grab attention, but they aren't the end all, be all for prospects. "It says a lot, but it doesn't say everything," Sherwood said. "...My motto is, 'how do you stop speed? You hit it.' You can run a 4.1, but once you run into a wall, it comes to an end."

"Most teams just told me that they just wanted to see me move, wanted to see me run and actually get a feel for me," Sherwood said. "They saw what I could do on the field and stuff like that. Most teams weren't sure if I would be a box safety or a backside linebacker. But today (at pro day), I feel like I put on a good show, especially when we got to the drill parts. I feel like I answered any questions that they didn't have answered yet. Me, personally, I can do both of them (safety and LB). And the way that I moved today, I feel like they can think the same." - Birmingham News

(DS#6 SS) Jr/2021

SS *Jamien Sherwood, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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04/03/21 - Devin Guice, rSr/2022, Auburn, 5-08, 160 (DS#180 CB) + More +

The former Opelika High School standout decided to exercise his extra year of eligibility for 2021, and it may result in him filling his biggest role yet for the Tigers. Guice has only appeared in 11 games during his first four years at Auburn, but so far this spring he's been in the mix on Derek Mason's defense. Guice has stepped in at nickelback - a position Auburn needs to fill after Christian Tutt declared for the NFL draft - and his play early at the position drew praise from senior safety Smoke Monday. Guice doesn't have a grasp on the starting role yet, as junior Nehemiah Pritchett has also been working at nickel and is the presumptive starter after a productive 2020 season. Still, Guice still has a chance to play meaningful snaps this fall, and if he finishes the spring strong he could give Pritchett a run for his money. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#180 CB) rSr/2022

CB Devin Guice, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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03/28/21 - Jeremiah Wright, rSr/2026, Auburn, 6-5, 331 (DS#15 OG) + More +

Auburn defensive tackle Jeremiah Wright sustained a torn ACL during spring practice, he shared on his Snapchat story Friday evening. Wright, a sophomore, sustained the injury during Thursday's scrimmage at Jordan-Hare Stadium and underwent X-rays and further tests on his left knee Friday morning. It is unclear when Wright will undergo surgery to repair the ligament or what the timeline will be for his return. It's a difficult blow to Auburn's defensive line, as the 6-foot-5, 338-pounder was making a strong impression on the new defensive staff early on this spring. He was repping with the first-team defense at defensive tackle during Saturday's open practice, while he received second-team reps during the 40-minute viewing window afforded to the media prior to Thursday's scrimmage. - Birmingham News

(DS#15 OG) rSr/2026

OG Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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03/26/21 - Anders Carlson, rSr/2023, Auburn, 6-5, 219 (DS#7 K) + More +

Before the 2020 season, Auburn kicker Anders Carlson felt he had the ability to be the best kicker in the nation. Looking back, he feels he was very close to accomplishing that goal. "I was proud of the season I had last year," Carlson said. "I had some goals set out and I was right there where I wanted to be. One or two kicks the other way and I think I could have been the top guy in the nation." Carlson finished his junior season with a 90 percent completion rate for field goals, going 20-22, and a 96 percent completion rate for extra point kicks, going 24-25. By the end of the season, Carlson rose in Auburn's history books to fourth in made field goals and sixth in scoring. Additionally, he averaged 62 yards per kickoff with touchbacks on 62 percent of them. He also finished the season with a diploma in hand. Since he graduated in December, Carlson could have joined his brother Daniel in the NFL or easily transferred to a school that isn't going through a coaching change. But he decided he loves Auburn so much he wants to spend all four years here. - Birmingham News

(DS#7 K) rSr/2023

K Anders Carlson, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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03/25/21 - Jeremiah Wright, rSr/2026, Auburn, 6-5, 331 (DS#15 OG) + More +

Auburn's defensive front was always going to look different under new defensive coordinator Derek Mason, but few would have expected that new look, through the first week of spring practices at least, would prominently feature a former offensive lineman. Jeremiah Wright, a sophomore who originally signed with Auburn as an offensive lineman as part of the Tigers' 2020 class, has made an early surge up Auburn's fluid depth chart-or pecking order, as head coach Bryan Harsin has termed it-this spring. Wright was seen working with the first-team defense at defensive tackle in both the Tigers' three- and four-man fronts during Saturday's open practice, lining up between fellow tackle Tyrone Truesdell and defensive end Colby Wooden.

"Jeremiah is a talented dude," Mason said. "He loves ball. I think for him, he feels natural on the defensive side of the ball…. He's getting better every time he hits the grass. Coach (Nick) Eason loves his temperament; he's a work, hard work guy. So, right now, that's where he sits. He's going to stay in that mode until we get through these 15 practices, and then we'll get a chance to evaluate where he is. But right now, I love where he's going." - Birmingham News

(DS#15 OG) rSr/2026

OG Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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03/23/21 - *Tank Bigsby, Jr/2023, Auburn, 6-0, 215 (DS#8 RB) + More +

Cadillac Williams often talks to Tank Bigsby about legacy. Specifically, the legacy of his position at Auburn, where great running backs have been aplenty throughout the years. Williams, himself a former All-America running back at Auburn, reminds Bigsby of the names of those who came before him - running backs like Bo Jackson, Ronnie Brown, Joe Cribbs, James Brooks, Ben Tate, Tre Mason and Kerryon Johnson, among others; the list is staggering. Then Williams likes to challenge his protégé to do what it takes to add his name to that list. "Of course, I want to be the next, and I just hold myself to a high accountability," Bigsby said. That's the opportunity facing Bigsby after a breakout freshman campaign at Auburn last season. The former four-star prospect rushed for 834 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games in 2020, averaging 6.04 yards per carry while cementing himself as Auburn's RB1 and taking home SEC Freshman of the Year honors. - Birmingham News

(DS#8 RB) Jr/2023

RB *Tank Bigsby, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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03/20/21 - Christian Tutt, Jr/2021, Auburn, 5-10, 180 (DS#48 CB) + More +

Auburn nickelback Christian Tutt was the center of plenty of questions this offseason following his apparent departure from the program. After Thursday's Pro Day, Tutt explained the series of events that led to him declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft. Tutt said playing in the NFL has always been a dream of his, and as the end of the Tigers' 2020 regular season drew closer he began thinking it could come true sooner rather than later. Tutt, who had been injured against Texas A&M on Dec. 5 and did not play the next week against Mississippi State, found out about Gus Malzahn's firing on Dec. 13 when Malzahn met with the team in the indoor practice facility. Shortly thereafter, Tutt sat in on meetings with defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff, who Tutt said explained what was going on behind the scenes. Tutt said his conversations with Steele and McGriff kept him ahead of the eight-ball, and after playing for two defensive backs coaches at Auburn he was determined to go elsewhere. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#48 CB) Jr/2021

CB Christian Tutt, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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03/17/21 - T.D. Moultry, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-1, 246 (DS#36 OLB) + More +

Entering spring practice, Auburn was expected to only have two "super seniors" - players who would have graduated in 2020 but will instead utilize the NCAA's extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic. As it turns out, the Tigers will have several more veteran players returning than previously anticipated. Auburn will have seven super seniors on this year's roster in quarterback Grant Loy, wide receiver James Owens Moss, offensive lineman Prince Michael Sammons, defensive linemen Tyrone Truesdell and TD Moultry and defensive backs Malcolm Askew and Devin Guice. An eighth returning senior, linebacker Chandler Wooten, would have exhausted his NCAA eligibility last season but opted out due to coronavirus concerns. Loy, Truesdell and Wooten were the only 2020 seniors whose returns were previously confirmed. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#36 OLB) rSr/2022

OLB T.D. Moultry, Auburn
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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03/16/21 - Brandon Council, rSr/2023, Auburn, 6-3, 302 (DS#53 OG) + More +

Auburn opened spring practice Monday with a handful of players expected to miss time or be limited in some capacity due to injury. First-year coach Bryan Harsin said that seven Tigers will see their spring season impacted by injuries: offensive lineman Brandon Council, wide receivers Shedrick Jackson and Ze'Vian Capers, defensive backs Marco Domio, Zion Puckett and Ahmari Harvery, and linebacker Desmond Tisdol. Council, who sustained a severe knee injury in October, will be out for the spring while recovering from that injury as well as a shoulder injury, according to Harsin. The former Akron grad transfer started five games along the offensive line, including four at right guard last season before his injury. - Birmingham News

(DS#53 OG) rSr/2023

OG Brandon Council, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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03/12/21 - Smoke Monday, rSr/2022, Auburn, 6-2, 207 (DS#7 FS) + More +

Replacing a pair of proven veterans like Sherwood and Peters isn't easy. Sherwood started 10 games last season and finished third on the team in tackles, while Peters appeared in all 11 games with three starts and had incredibly versatility in the secondary and on special teams. But the return of Monday, who also considered leaving early for the NFL, is big for the back end of Auburn's defense. Monday has been a major contributor since Day 1 on campus, when he earned a spot in the safety rotation as a freshman. He parlayed that into a starting job last year and finished fourth on the team in tackles. Now he'll be the veteran presence at safety for Auburn, and the Tigers will need to lean on his experience on the back end this offseason. - Birmingham News

(DS#7 FS) rSr/2022

FS Smoke Monday, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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03/12/21 - Roger McCreary, Sr/2022, Auburn, 5-11, 191 (DS#6 CB) + More +

New Auburn cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge is walking into a situation that appears pretty close to ideal with his new position group this spring. Auburn welcomes back its top-two corners from last year - Roger McCreary and Nehemiah Pritchett - who might constitute one of to top cornerback duos in the SEC, if not the country, this season. In his first year as Auburn's top cornerback, McCreary looked the part, following in the footsteps of recent highly productive Auburn corners Noah Igbinoghene, Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis. Now McCreary, who could have declared for the draft early, is back for a second year as Auburn's No. 1 guy. - Birmingham News

(DS#6 CB) Sr/2022

CB Roger McCreary, Auburn
News Source: Birmingham News
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