A little taste from Auburn Undercover to whet ur whistle
Fall camp is over, and that means the clock is ticking faster toward the 2024 season at Auburn football.
The Tigers still have two weeks until kickoff, but with classes starting Monday, the "camp" portion of the preseason is over, wrapping up with the team's second scrimmage Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Hugh Freeze and his staff will spend the coming days focused on simulating a game week before fully turning their attention to the season opener against Alabama A&M.
As the team moves into game-like practices this week, Auburn Undercover's Nathan King and Jason Caldwell each make five picks for players who raised their stock during preseason camp — whether they were newcomers fitting nicely into new roles, young players progressing, or returning pieces taking a step foward.
WR MALCOLM SIMMONS
Nathan's take: The early impressions of the 4-star freshman receiver were all the same from his teammates and coaches. What Simmons lacked in experience after enrolling over the summer, he made up for with effort. Simmons' peers said he went through every practice at "100 percent," and that was rewarded with two touchdowns in the team's first scrimmage. Cam Coleman will obviously take on a starting role right away in the receiving corps, but Simmons has made himself an undeniable weapon who should garner at least a minor role throughout the season.
EDGE KEYRON CRAWFORD
Jason's take: I don't know if there was a more confident guy in preseason camp than Crawford. Coming in to provide depth behind starter Jalen McLeod, Crawford gives Auburn a more physical presence coming off the edge. Just a few years into his football career, Crawford is just scratching the surface of what he can be for the Tigers.
DT ISAIAH RAIKES
Nathan's take: No one knew DJ Durkin's defense this preseason better than Raikes, who said the playbook is exactly the same as what Durkin ran at Texas A&M the past two seasons. Raikes, at 6-foot-1 and 323 pounds, came in this summer after transferring to USC for a semester, and his familiarity with the system allowed him to grab the top spot at nose tackle as part of a deep defensive line rotation. Raikes has been praised as perhaps the most dominant player of that interior group, and that kind of presence would make a huge difference for the Tigers in 2024.
WR SAM JACKSON V
Jason's take: Along with true freshman Simmons, Jackson may be the most dynamic player on the Auburn roster in terms of his quickness and ability to change direction. Throw in pretty good ball skills for a guy that was playing quarterback the last five years and you have someone that has a chance to do some big things this season. Payton Thorne's roommate and one of his best friends, Jackson's connection with the quarterback could pay big dividends this fall.
CB JC HART
Nathan's take: The cornerback competition continues to rage on, now inside two weeks to game day, and Hart has been the most consistent player there throughout the preseason. Those were Freeze's words last week, as Hart has blossomed in his second offseason with the program, now gaining more confidence to use his rare athletic tools on defense. Called the fastest player on the team — and at 6-foot-2, to boot — Hart has risen up into a substantial role within Durkin's unit, but he'll have to continue to prove himself against the likes of Antonio Kite and Jay Crawford.
TE BRANDON FRAZIER
Jason's take: Coming to Auburn with a ton of hype as a receiving tight end, Frazier dealt with sickness his first year in the program and since that time is on his fifth offensive coordinator in the last four years. Showing signs of what he's capable of last season, Frazier has continued to make plays this preseason and gives the Tigers another weapon at tight end for an offense that has more options than a year ago.
DT MALIK BLOCTON
Nathan's take: Going back to his time with the team during the bowl game, Blocton has now gone through more than 35 practices with Auburn entering the season. So he's not your usual true freshman from an experience standpoint, and that's been clear this preseason, as Blocton rotated plenty with the first-team defense. He'll be part of the equation this season due to his consistency in practice and his explosiveness as an athlete. Blocton's size at 6-foot-3 and 291 pounds has allowed him to play multiple spots along the D-line, and he should be included in plenty of formations this fall.
OG BRADYN JOINER
Jason's take: The Auburn High product has completely changed his body since arriving on campus in January of 2023 and it's showing up on the field with Joiner continuing to push for playing time at guard while also working at center. Physical at the point of attack, Joiner could be someone that gets a serious look this fall if Dillon Wade slides back outside to tackle at some point.
DE AMARIS WILLIAMS
Nathan's take: In terms of eye-popping athleticism and talent, Williams is to Auburn's defense what Coleman is on offense. That's obviously been no surprise, considering Williams is a former 5-star recruit, but he's still been able to progress nicely this preseason as part of a crowded defensive line — so much so that Freeze said last week he doesn't think Williams is getting enough attention for his play. Williams' blend of size and speed will get him on the field this season, as he'll be able to rotate at end, and remain on the field as a bigger pass-rusher when needed.
LB DEMARCUS RIDDICK
Jason's take: A prospect that was athletic enough to return punts and play a true safety position in high school, Riddick has gotten bigger and stronger since getting to Auburn in January and that has allowed him to really settle in at linebacker. With the speed to make plays all over the field, Riddick should help on special teams right away while continuing to push a group of older players for playing time.
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