Auburn football upperclassmen spoke to the media today on their optimism for both the rest of the season and for the program’s future based on what they’ve seen from this year’s freshman class.
The Tigers welcomed 33 true freshmen to the team this year, nearly doubling last year’s 18. Several of them have already begun to make a big impact on the team, but what’s noticeable to the older players is their attitudes.
Offensively, Auburn’s four freshman wide receivers, have made contributions to the Tigers’ offense early into the season. Cam Coleman has established himself as a starter with 212 yards on 9 receptions. Malcolm Simmons and Perry Thompson are currently second on the depth charts but also play a big role in the Auburn offense. Simmons has recorded a strong 260 receiving yards this season, the second most for Auburn wide receivers after KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s 510. Thompson has only had four receptions so far, but averages 30.8 yards per reception, and had 70-yard touchdown reception in the season opener.
Defensively, guys like Demarcus Riddick and Amaris Williams have also stood out as dependable and hard-working from the second string. Riddick has tallied 11 tackles and two sacks, while Williams recorded three tackles. Senior outside linebacker Jalen McLeod loves the energy Riddick has brought to the field.
“He’s not playing like a true freshman. You know, he’s flying around the field. Everybody needs to come with his energy. So him flying around, he making big hits, making plays in open field. That’s something you’d like to see out of anybody, but especially a true freshman,” said McLeod. “The main example is Oklahoma. You see what he was doing. He burned that energy. He brought that energy with the hits, with the open-field tackle. He burned that energy, smiling. That’s what you want, you want to see some teeth. Everybody’s tight, nah. Let’s loosen up. So that’s the energy he brought, he’s still bringing.”
McLeod also spoke on Williams’s dedication to becoming a better player by learning from his predecessors and raising the level of his play.
“He listens. Every week, he’s getting better with details so he could play with Keldric [Faulk] and stuff like that, because that’s who he’s behind, so him listening to Keldric and taking every detail, every practice as a professional, that’s the main thing with him. We gotta get him to a professional level. That’s what that’s what Keldric’s trying to do.” said McLeod.
Senior captain Eugene Asante is impressed by the dedication and work ethic this year’s freshmen have shown off the field.
“It just really shows you how bright the future is. You know how talented those young guys are, and they’re great players now, and I understand that they’re even going to be greater in the future, but their preparation and everything is key,” said Asante. “They do everything. They come to meetings early, they take detailed notes. So Coach Durkin has that trust in them, belief in them, that they can go out there and execute, and they’ve shown it. So we’re going to lean on those guys and continue to lean on them throughout the rest of the season.
“They really impressed me with their maturity. They come with energy every day, and they come to work every day, and they’re ready to be coached up by it, no matter if it’s the coach or one of their peers or guys older than them. That’s something that really impressed me about them is just how willing they are to be great. And when you have that, you’re going to have guys that are not just getting better, but they’re getting the guys around them better,” said senior defensive tackle Philip Blidi. “Those guys are going to be the guys that pick you up and make you a better guy and make you a better player on the field.”
Veteran players are also positive going into the second half of the season despite their current 2-4 record. Senior tight end Rivaldo Fairweather spoke on head coach Hugh Freeze’s words on how the season has gone and how it has inspired hope in the team.
“I think Freeze had a pretty good message about when adversity strikes, that reveals who we really are. And right now we’re going through adversity, and we’re just going to keep our head up and keep working and keep doing what we’re going,” said Fairweather. “It’s a whole half-season left, so you’re not really too worried, we’re just going to go out there and play the game that we know.”
Asante echoed this faith in coach Freeze and the team, as well as an intent for players to take accountability, himself included. He also acknowledged that the season has been upsetting to fans.
“I know it hurts the fans that the results aren’t there, but I do believe in believe in the leadership of this team. I do believe in Coach Freeze and his vision, and I understand, with somebody like that at the helm of it, good things can come out of it,” said Asante. “And the biggest thing is just us as players taking accountability for our mistakes. I think it’s in this profession. I’m not gonna lie to you, I think it’s so easy to deflect and say the coach is wrong. But if I miss a tackle in the A gap, it’s on me.”
To McLeod, the team has the talent to do well for the rest of the season, but they need to loosen up to perform their best.
“If you look at us, we’re just too tight. You know? We’re too uptight, we’re scared to mess up. You can’t be scared of messing up, you’ve got to go out there and play. When you’re scared to mess up, you’re going to mess up. So we gotta go out there and have fun,” said McLeod. “We have too much talent not to have fun and celebrate with each other, we just need to have fun and come together.”
Auburn takes the field this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11a.m. CST against No. 21 Missouri in Columbia, MO. The game will be available to watch on ESPN.
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Jackie is a freshman majoring in Drug and Biopharmaceutical Sciences. She started with The Plainsman in fall 2024.
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