Author: Simon Carroll

What a difference a week makes. Prior to SEC Media Days, Auburn was being labelled a ‘dumpster fire’ in some quarters. Just four recruits had committed to The Plains for the 2023 cycle against a backdrop of drama, dysfunction and discontent. Since then, those on the outside looking in are beginning to get a feel for the true state of this football program. Firstly, Bryan Harsin stole the show at media days, essentially turning the page on an offseason of adversity. Then, on Wednesday, John Carroll (FL) 4-star edge rusher Wilky Denaud committed to the Tigers. And to finish off…

Quality, not quantity. That’s the mantra for Auburn’s 2023 recruiting cycle so far. Despite battling some offseason drama and undoubtedly some negative recruiting, The Tigers’ are competing for talent. After Bryan Harsin stole the show at SEC Media Days last week, momentum seems to be in AU’s favor. And now, despite some heavy interest, the coaching staff have landed one of their highest priority recruits to date. 4-star edge rusher Wilky Denaud committed to The Tigers yesterday evening. The 6’4”, 235lb defensive lineman chose Auburn from a final four that also comprised of Florida State, Indiana & Tennessee. The exciting…

After head coach Bryan Harsin impressed at the SEC Media Days podium yesterday, it was the turn of three Tigers superstars to field questions. As is tradition, each SEC team invites three teammates to the conference. And Auburn did not disappoint, bringing key leaders Tank Bigsby, Derrick Hall and John Samuel Schenker to Atlanta. A little more relaxed than the grilling the coaches get, no question was off the table. Here are some of the best moments as they proudly represented Auburn University for ‘talking season’: Tank Bigsby: ‘You Have To Be A Different Man To Be In This Program’…

Day 4 of SEC Media Days saw The Auburn Tigers take center stage. Bryan Harsin was the first head coach of the day to take the podium. And, unsurprisingly, a range of subjects were addressed. From the offseason drama to the new coaching staff. From building cars to recruiting and building a football program – nothing was off limits. But in very classy fashion, Harsin began his opening statement by honoring a recently lost member of the Auburn family: “Before I get started, I do want to recognize someone that was a large part of Auburn history and Auburn football.…

The college football world is about to learn what everyone on The Plains already knows: Tank Bigsby is LEGIT. After a breakout sophomore year that saw him rush for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns, Bigsby received a pre-season accolade today. The Tigers’ workhorse running back has been named on the watchlist for the prestigious Maxwell Award, presented annually to the best player in college football. Bigsby joins an illustrious list that includes fellow running back Bijan Robinson (Texas) and elite quarterback duo Bryce Young (Alabama) and CJ Stroud (Ohio State). The Maxwell Award has been presented every year since 1937,…

Recent times have been tough in Jacksonville. Since the realignment to the AFC South, The Jaguars have won their division just once. And for suffering fans, that magical run to the AFC Championship game in the 2017 season is nothing more than a distant memory. After hitting rock bottom in 2021, the franchise has cleaned house and turned over a new leaf. But do not fear! Here are five reasons why The Jags can shock the world and go from worst to first this year: 5 – Trevor Lawrence Takes A Step Up In His Sophomore Year https://twitter.com/TheHerd/status/1546589134638051329 Despite being…

The Tigers may be playing catch-up with their 2023 recruiting, but things may be a lot different for the class of 2024. As Bryan Harsin heads to Atlanta for SEC Media Days this coming week, preparations are being made back on The Plains for Big Cat Weekend at the end of the month. And rumor has it the hugely popular event could very well be the destination for not one, but maybe two big commitments… Founded back in 2009 under former head coach Gene Chizik, Big Cat Weekend is The Tigers’ yearly bonding session for friends, family and a host…

The role of a General Manager is familiar to most NFL fans, but less so to those who prefer the collegiate code of football. A traditional hierarchy for a college football program sees the head coach report to the athletics director. It is the AD, and not a GM, ultimately responsible for their job security. The difference in the two structures allows college coaches a lot more autonomy than their professional counterparts. Whilst NFL coaches defer to their front office staff for talent acquisition, CFB head coaches dictate recruitment. They and their staff scour tape for recruits, with the HC…

Whilst the Auburn roster continues to ‘buy in’ to the culture Bryan Harsin and his staff are implementing on The Plains, the outside world are yet to be convinced. In response to a question in his weekly recruiting mailbag, The Athletic’s senior college football writer Ari Wasserman referred to The Tigers as ‘kind of like a dumpster fire’: “Nobody is expecting Bryan Harsin to be around a year from now…   …things seem to be kind of like a dumpster fire, and the program’s administration has only itself to blame for putting its coach in an impossible situation to succeed.” Ouch.…

Forget about the superstars. The success of an NFL franchise in any given season is more often down to the depth of the roster. And a team that won just three games the previous year probably has an opportunity to improve the talent level with some key UDFA additions. The Jaguars picked up sixteen rookies after the draft was over. As training camp fast approaches, here are five names that have a good chance to make the roster once the team heads to Washington in Week 1: 5: Gerrit Prince, TE If it wasn’t for the sheer number of bodies…