Kenno Loyal

RB Kenno Loyal  from Columbia HS in Decatur, GA has committed to Auburn.  The 5-11 230lb back is projected to play H-back in the Auburn offense.  We are awaiting confirmation from the coaching staff on accepting his commitment.

Amazing Champion

While we're on the subject of Auburn videos, it wouldn't be right not to share this.

"Don't ask how we got here, just know we hold that title boy!"

A96 Productions is up for short time

A96 Productions is up and running for what I understand is this weekend only.  Be sure to go watch the video "Unstoppable"  while you can.   A96 is by far the leader is Auburn videos.  His site has been down for a while for legal reasons.   It is up and running now so check it out before its down again.

The Oregon Incident

The issue of "Street Agents" has been a hot topic lately.  Following Cam Newton,  was the questioning of Trovon Reed and Greg Robinson for contact with Sean Nelson.  What most fans of rival teams that were giddy about this either didnt know or forgot to mention was that Will Lyles (see below for his clients) is in the same business as Nelson.  Now Rivals.com is reporting that Oregon has paid over $28,000 to two men acting as street agents. Baron Flenory and Will Lyles have been considered "family advisers" to blue chip highschool athletes from Texas, Lousiana, and Florida.  According to state expenditure records, Oregon paid $25K to Lyles and $3745 to Flenory.  Lyles works for Complete Scouting Services and Flenory for New Level Athletics.  These men run 7 on 7 competitions and serve as mentors to top athletes.  Lyles recently served as the mentor to Lache Seastrunk who many considered an Auburn lock early in his recruitment.  Then suddenly all interest in Seastrunk was lost and he eventually signed with Oregon. Shortly afterward Lyles received the $25000 from Oregon.  Could this be why?  Many schools use recruiting services, but the NCAA comes calling when it appears there has been some wrong doing. For your reference,  here is a list from Recruitocosm of players that Lyles has represented:

Patrick Peterson – LSU
RJ Jackson – LSU
Brandon Lafell – LSU
Terrence Tolliver – LSU
Lache Seastrunk – Oregon
Shaun Lewis – Oklahoma State
Toney Hurd – Oklahoma State
Ahmad Dixon – Baylor
Mike Goodson – A&M
Martellus Bennett – A&M
Trent Richardson – Bama
Reggie Bush – USC
Joe McNight – USC
Trevon Randle – LSU

While Chip Kelly is busy claiming that everything was done within the guidelines of the NCAA, the NCAA is busy probing into his recruiting services.  This is not all we will hear of this story.  I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Beating Ole Miss Reaction

WOW!!!!!  After being down by 16 at the half, Auburn storms back with 51 second half points to beat Ole Miss 76-73.  Kenny Gabriel led the Tigers with 24 points.  While they have only won 3 SEC games this year,  they are young and full of heart. There are no seniors on this team who have lost two last second heartbreakers in the last week.  Looking forward to next year and all the starters returning (plus Verez Ward and Sullivan).

The Mike Pelton Reaction

Today Auburn announced the hiring of Mike Pelton as Defensive Line Coach.  The former ALL-SEC tackle will be replacing Tracy Rocker.  While Coach Pelton has big shoes to fill (literally),  he has inherited a goldmine.  His arsenal will include sophomores Sanders, Eguae, Whitaker, Carter, and Lemonier who all saw valuable playing time as freshmen.  Add to that the star studded class of incoming freshman and he has the building blocks for success.   Pelton is no stranger to talent.  He has coached All-Pro defensive players Demarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora.  He brings with him some recruiting lines developed during his six year stint at Troy.  I am expecting big things from Coach Pelton.  After all he is an Auburn Man!  Welcome Aboard Coach Pelton.

Recruiting Reaction

For my first blog, I'm gonna lay out the Auburn Reaction to the crazy flip flopping we saw in recruiting this year.  Many people are both sides are accusing wrong doings by their rivals.  How else do you explain two Alabama locks switching to Auburn late in the process and then end up signing with Alabama?  Surely Auburn did something crooked to get them to switch and then Alabama took it a step further to get them back.  I have my suspicions, but doubt either side will be able to prove anything.  I believe there is a more realistic explanation .  Coach Gene Chizik is employing a smart tactic of marketing a completely different product than his rival.  While Alabama advertises “come here if you want to win championships” and takes a business type approach to football, Auburn offers “Come here and we’ll treat you like family” and wins championships while doing it.   Many Auburn fans would have you believe that Saban is a cutthroat tyrant coach who sees his players as assets.  He is relentless in his quest to win.  He does care about his players, but like a boss cares about employees.  If you don’t perform you are out.   His oversigning and record setting medical hardships are proof of that.  On the other side, many Alabama fans laugh at the idea of “Family” being a recruiting tactic. They couldn’t be more wrong.  Gene Chizik is marketing the one thing that makes Auburn different from other schools, a feel like your home family atmosphere.  Instead of oversigning , he saved a scholarship for a player who he knows can’t play this year (Shon Coleman).   Instead of a business, Auburn approaches football like college.  Let’s have fun, chest bump, wear hats backwards, and jump in the stands.  This is what caused the crazy indecisions this year.   The players had decided early on Alabama, but after witnessing that you can have fun and win championships, they wanted to go to Auburn.   The parents on the other hand had several years to get to know the Alabama coaches and the Auburn coaches were playing catch up.   This is why they were sold on Alabama and couldn’t see what their kids finally realized.  Even though Auburn lost the battle this time, I firmly believe we are winning the war.   The word is spreading that if you want to experience college, have fun, and win championships, come to Auburn.  If you want to experience work, be serious, and win championships, go to Alabama.  Guess what most teenagers will choose.  Three years ago, Nick Saban was the undisputed king of recruiting.  Now he is scrambling to save his prize “lock” recruits from signing with the “Family”.   The future looks bright.