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Jeffrey M'Ba is 6-foot-6, 313-pound native of Gabon, who started playing football three years ago while living in France until coming to America for college. He went to Independence in Kansas and became No. 1 JUCO player in the 2022 class. He didn't get to participate in spring ball because of a shoulder injury. He quickly made an impact during fall camp. M'Ba makes up for his inexperience playing American football with athleticism and a desire for improvement. "He played soccer so it's totally different. He's still learning the game. Not only the footwork and hand placement and all that, but it's just understanding the rules of the game, which we take for granted," defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh said. "Sometimes you would think that guy would be passive, but he's not passive. He likes contact." Auburn wants to play 8-10 defensive linemen in a rotation. M'Ba will be part of the mix. - Birmingham News

(DS#71 DT) rSr/2026

DT Jeffrey Mba, Southern Methodist
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/26/22 - Micah Hilts, rSr/2024, Southern Methodist, 6-5, 249 (DS#999 TE) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Micah Hilts, Texas State University,...A redshirt junior, Hilts has played in 21 of a possible 24 games in his Texas State career, but the tight end has been an active member of the community and strong representative of the Bobcat program. He has worked with Special Olympics Texas and several other community organizations around San Marcos while also serving on the leadership team of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) chapter at Texas State. The Communication Studies major is also a two-time Sun Belt Commissioner's List and Texas State Dean's List honoree. - Texas State Football

(DS#999 TE) rSr/2024

TE Micah Hilts, Southern Methodist
News Source: Texas State Football
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08/21/22 - Isaiah Smith, Sr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-4, 244 (DS#25 OLB) + More +

It had the tone of a request, but the words of a mandate. SMU true freshman Isaiah Smith urged senior defensive end Gary Wiley not to tell the media members in attendance the nickname Smith has already earned in his short time with the Mustangs. Then Wiley, with a smile on his face, found a way to do it anyway. "You'll see why we call him turbo," Wiley said. Maybe sooner than expected. Smith, a freshman defensive lineman from Washington D.C., has made quite the impression through his first fall camp. The former three-star recruit has worked as an edge rusher with the first and second units so far in camp. "He plays bigger than he is, and he runs faster than he looks," Wiley said of Smith, who he'd rather refer to as Turbo. "He's just a guy that's hopefully going to play a lot for us and has a really bright future." The fact that Smith's future has become potentially so immediate is a testament to the way he's looked in fall camp, of course, but it's also due to the opportunity that others have left for him. Turner Coxe, second on the team in sacks last year, had offseason shoulder surgery and still hasn't recovered. Head coach Rhett Lashlee said Coxe will spend fall camp rehabbing off the field. - Dallas Morning News

(DS#25 OLB) Sr/2026

OLB Isaiah Smith, Southern Methodist
News Source: Dallas Morning News
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08/14/22 - Elijah Chatman, rSr/2024, Southern Methodist, 5-11, 278 (DS#35 DT) + More +

Football is a complex game, but players blessed with freakish physical traits have the ability to simplify things with their overwhelming talent. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman acknowledged SMU defensive tackle Elijah Chatman as one of these talents in his recent list of college football's top athletic freaks. "Not only is he pound for pound one of the strongest people in college football, Chatman is one of the strongest period," Feldman said in his article. "On the field, Chatman made 25 tackles, 10 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. In the weight room, the 6-1, 295-pound Shreveport, La., product bench pressed 495 pounds this offseason and has done 42 reps at 225. He also back-squatted 615 and power-cleaned 335, and did this muscle-up weighing 290." Chatman's on the smaller end for a DT, but it's worth noting that his size and weight compare to Rams' DT Aaron Donald, the athletic freak among athletic freaks. While he might not be the next Donald, Chatman contributions will be key in 2022 as he was one of two players last season to have double-digit tackles for loss for the Mustangs. - Dallas Morning News

(DS#35 DT) rSr/2024

DT Elijah Chatman, Southern Methodist
News Source: Dallas Morning News
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08/14/22 - Damarjhe Lewis, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-3, 300 (DS#999 DT) + More +

Another serious injury. Damarjhe Lewis, a key piece to the defensive line, was carted off after a severe ankle injury during a period that featured the No. 1 defense going against the scout team. An ambulance was waiting for Lewis outside the complex. That's never a good sign. Lewis is scheduled to undergo surgery next week and is expected to miss the season. Earlier this week. assistant coach Mark Hagen said Lewis was showing improvement and is a "better nose (tackle) for us than 3-technique." Minutes before the injury, Lewis had made a stop near the goal line, corralling running back Dylan Downing. The good news is the Boilermakers have depth on the defensive line, but the concerning news is Lewis, a transfer from Indiana before last season, had developed into a reliable contributor and replacing that game experience won't be easy. Purdue has already lost backup tight end Garrett Miller to a season-ending knee injury. - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#999 DT) rSr/2026

DT Damarjhe Lewis, Southern Methodist
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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08/14/22 - Tyler Van Dyke, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-4, 225 (DS#21 QB) + More +

Frank Ladson Jr. has been around winners. The former Clemson wide receiver reached the College Football Playoff twice with the Tigers, making it to the national title game as a freshman in 2019. The other players on the Hurricanes can only inquire about what those big games are like. "Some of the guys asked me about it," Ladson said. "They asked what's the biggest game you've ever played in, the loudest game you ever played in?' It's just different. It's a different type of atmosphere when you're in the playoff and you're playing for a championship game. It's different at the end of the game: they bring the stage out, confetti will fall. So it's a different feel." Ladson hopes to help the Hurricanes reach that goal by providing a big, new target for quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Ladson sees similarities between his new quarterback and the one who led those Tigers teams to the playoffs: Trevor Lawrence. "Just being a student of the game, being a perfectionist, being a student of the game," Ladson said. "Just wanting the best for everybody and demanding that from everybody around him - come to work every day...Great arm talent, smart decision-maker." - Sun Sentinel

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2026

QB Tyler Van Dyke, Southern Methodist
News Source: Sun Sentinel
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08/12/22 - Damarjhe Lewis, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-3, 300 (DS#999 DT) + More +

Purdue defensive lineman/nose tackle Damarjhe Lewis, a key piece to the defensive line, was carted off after a severe ankle injury during a period that featured the No. 1 defense going against the scout team. An ambulance was waiting for Lewis outside the complex. That's never a good sign. Lewis is scheduled to undergo surgery next week and is expected to miss the season. Earlier this week. assistant coach Mark Hagen said Lewis was showing improvement and is a "better nose (tackle) for us than 3-technique." Minutes before the injury, Lewis had made a stop near the goal line, corralling running back Dylan Downing. The good news is the Boilermakers have depth on the defensive line, but the concerning news is Lewis, a transfer from Indiana before last season, had developed into a reliable contributor and replacing that game experience won't be easy. Purdue has already lost backup tight end Garrett Miller to a season-ending knee injury. - Indianapolis Star/News

(DS#999 DT) rSr/2026

DT Damarjhe Lewis, Southern Methodist
News Source: Indianapolis Star/News
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08/11/22 - Jeffrey Mba, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-5, 302 (DS#71 DT) + More +

Some things have gotten lost in translation between M'ba and his teammates, but two things have been apparent since the 6-foot-6, 313-pound junior college transfer stepped foot on campus in January: He has an infectious personality and a skillset to match it on the field. "Jeffrey's unique," edge defender Derick Hall said. "He lights up a room." A native of Gabon who moved to France when he was 4, M'ba has only been playing football for four years after growing up playing soccer. After dipping his toes into the sport in France, and quickly realizing his potential, M'ba moved stateside to pursue an opportunity on the gridiron. That ultimately led him to Independence Community College in Kansas, where he spent two seasons and emerged as the nation's No. 1 JUCO player in the 2022 class.

He signed with Auburn and arrived in the spring, but he did not participate in spring practices while recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained last season at Independence. Now he's fully recovered and participating in fall camp, and his presence has been unmistakable on the field-and not just because he rocks a dark visor on his helmet (and a blue streak through his hair under it) and the same No. 5 once sported by all-time Auburn great Derrick Brown. "Jeffrey looks good," Hall said. "He's raw, he's young - in the aspect of football age, let me say that. He's fairly new to this game. He's willing to work. One thing about Jeffrey - his attitude, his approach to the game. He studies, he loves us, he loves Auburn. Just having that attitude, you're going to come out here every day and obviously get better. - Birmingham News

(DS#71 DT) rSr/2026

DT Jeffrey Mba, Southern Methodist
News Source: Birmingham News
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08/10/22 - Elijah Chatman, rSr/2024, Southern Methodist, 5-11, 278 (DS#35 DT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Elijah Chatman, SMU, Sr DT,...In 2021, Chatman saw action in all 12 games, making 11 starts, and registered 40 tackles, including 10 TFLs for 39 yards and 2.5 sacks for 19. He added a team-high two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries. For his efforts, Chatman was named second-team All-AAC. - SMU Football

(DS#35 DT) rSr/2024

DT Elijah Chatman, Southern Methodist
News Source: SMU Football
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08/09/22 - Jeffrey Mba, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-5, 302 (DS#71 DT) + More +

The buzz around M'ba has remained consistent since the spring, as the former No. 1 junior college prospect was sidelined to nurse a shoulder injury. But after missing the spring and going through summer workouts, he's expected to be a full go for fall camp. "If you talk about M'ba, it brings a smile to your face," Schmedding said. "His personality, No. 1. He lights up a room. And that positive energy is just contagious. There's no doubt about it. He loves football. He loves his teammates. He knows how to work. "I'm excited to see him in pads." A native of France, M'ba recorded 50 tackles and 15 tackles for loss in two seasons at Independence Community College. At 6-6, 315 pounds, M'ba has only been playing football for three seasons, but he has the upside to be one of Auburn's biggest contributors on defense. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#71 DT) rSr/2026

DT Jeffrey Mba, Southern Methodist
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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08/05/22 - Zion Nelson, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-5, 316 (DS#58 OT) + More +

The biggest news of the day at the Miami Hurricanes' media day belonged to the biggest body - or at least close to it - in attendance. Miami Hurricanes left tackle Zion Nelson, a 6-5, 320-pound NFL prospect and projected first-rounder by several outlets, said he underwent surgery to remove "floating cartilage" in his left knee about three weeks ago and was given a six-to-eight-week timetable for making his return. Though he wouldn't give specifics, Nelson will likely miss the Sept. 3 opener against Bethune-Cookman. Nelson told the Miami Herald he would probably be in the weight room rehabbing and working out during Miami's opening fall camp practice Friday morning.

Nelson's backup, for now at least, is John Campbell, also 6-5 and 320 pounds. Campbell, a fifth-year redshirt junior, sat out the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL in his left knee that he said he sustained while falling during drills "just before fall camp." "These big guys need a tuneup every now and then,'' said UM coach Mario Cristobal, who noted that Campbell "is already in the groove. We expect John to be one of the best players in the conference, actually in the country. We think that highlly of him. He has a lot of the same traits that Zion has." "The position that those guys play, it comes with a lot. They both battled through some stuff." - Miami Herald

(DS#58 OT) rSr/2026

OT Zion Nelson, Southern Methodist
News Source: Miami Herald
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08/05/22 - Tyler Van Dyke, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-4, 225 (DS#21 QB) + More +

Tyler Van Dyke, from Glastonbury, Connecticut, worked with former NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning, as well as some of the nation's finest college quarterbacks at the Manning Passing Academy this summer. He said he grew up "a huge Eagles" and "Donovan McNabb fan." "He was a role model for me just watching the games," Van Dyke told reporters at the ACC media days, eliciting a response on Twitter from McNabb, who posted a video of the quarterback. "You just never know who's watching you," McNabb said. "Be a pro at all times and stay on your grind." Known as a workout fanatic since his freshman year in 2020, Van Dyke thrives on pushing his body physically and mentally.

He said "probably 75 to 80 percent of the install of new coordinator Josh Gattis's offense is in," and that he has improved greatly in reading coverages and "understanding what the defense is going to do." This summer has been more organized with player-led 7-on-7s every Tuesday and Thursday and additional opportunities, though still limited, to work with coaches, per new NCAA rules. "Sometimes in games last year reading coverages would get to me and I would kind of go blind out there and not really understand what was going on," Van Dyke said. "There were a few times I saw it really well. I'm trying to get to that point where I'm really consistent." - Miami Herald

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2026

QB Tyler Van Dyke, Southern Methodist
News Source: Miami Herald
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08/01/22 - Charles Woods, rSr/2024, Southern Methodist, 5-11, 184 (DS#127 CB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCHLIST: CB Charles Woods, West Virginia,...Played in 11 games at cornerback, including four starts and used on special teams in 2021...Finished with 31 tackles, including 22 solo stops, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups and two fumble recoveries...Strong finish to the year featured four tackles, an interception and fumble recovery against Minnesota in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. - West Virginia Football

(DS#127 CB) rSr/2024

CB Charles Woods, Southern Methodist
News Source: West Virginia Football
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08/01/22 - Zion Nelson, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-5, 316 (DS#58 OT) + More +

2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: OT Zion Nelson, Miami,...A fourth-year junior from Sumter, S.C., Nelson has played in all 36 games since getting to Miami in 2019. The 6-foot-5, 316-pounder has started 32 contests, including all 12 in 2021 and all 13 in 2019. An All-ACC Honorable Mention last season, Nelson has helped the Hurricanes average 444.5 yards per game over the last two years. That figure includes 300.2 passing yards and 144.3 rushing yards per contest across 23 outings. - Miami Football

(DS#58 OT) rSr/2026

OT Zion Nelson, Southern Methodist
News Source: Miami Football
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08/01/22 - Tyler Van Dyke, rSr/2026, Southern Methodist, 6-4, 225 (DS#21 QB) + More +

2022 PRESEASON WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF YEAR PLAYER TO WATCH: Tyler Van Dyke, QB, sophomore, Miami (Fla.),...The 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year, Van Dyke threw for 2,931 yards and 25 touchdowns in just 10 games, nine of which he started. A five-time ACC Rookie of the Week, Van Dyke completed 62.3 percent of his passes, the sixth-best single-season mark in program history, and threw only five interceptions. - Miami Football

(DS#21 QB) rSr/2026

QB Tyler Van Dyke, Southern Methodist
News Source: Miami Football
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