Hill, who is 6'2" and 185 pounds, is a 4-star recruit, per Scout, and the No. 244 overall player, No. 47 wide receiver and No. 3 wide receiver from the state of Georgia in his class.
He drew attention from some of the best programs in the country, and blue-chip teams such as Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and LSU were all included on Scout's list of interested schools at some point during the recruiting process.
Hudl shared a look at some of the highlights that demonstrate how Hill caught the eye of so many top-notch programs:
Chad Simmons of Scout noted Hill served as a kick returner, running back and defensive back in addition to his wide receiver duties as a high school player. While he likely won't line up at so many spots in the college game, it is a testament to his versatility and overall athleticism that he can fill so many roles.
Scout provided a breakdown of Hill's game and pointed to his ball skills and body control when the ball is in the air. It also praised his blocking skills, which will help him stay on the field for all three downs, and his ability to change directions with quickness in the open field.
If he lives up to his potential, he will use that quickness to turn in game-changing plays for Auburn as it looks to contend for SEC titles in the coming seasons.
John Franklin III of 'Last Chance U' to Transfer to FAU from Auburn
Aug 15, 2017
Auburn quarterback John Franklin III (5) drops back to pass against Alabama during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
John Franklin III—the star of the Netflix series Last Chance U—announced he will transfer from the Auburn football team to FAU.
Franklin made the move official in a post on Instagram:
According to James Crepea of AL.com, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed that Franklin will look to play elsewhere:
"John Franklin came to me expressing his desire for the chance to play more and get closer to home. He has made the decision to play elsewhere this season as a graduate transfer. John has been an outstanding young man during his time here and leaves Auburn with a degree. We wish John nothing but the best and thank him for his time at Auburn."
Franklin began as a backup quarterback at Florida State before transferring to East Mississippi Community College in 2015.
During his time at the junior college, Franklin gained acclaim for his appearances on Last Chance U, which tracked former top-flight recruits hoping to earn an opportunity to play at another big-time school.
Franklin joined Auburn for the 2016 season, and most of his playing time came as a running option at quarterback.
In 12 games, he threw for 204 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 430 yards and two scores.
Per Crepea, Franklin said earlier in the month that he wasn't interested in transferring again: "Transferring is a tough process and to be bouncing around from school to school, that's the last thing I wanted to do, to be honest. Transferring was the last option because it takes a lot out of you. This is my third school and trying to make it a fourth? Four schools in five years doesn't look good for anybody."
Franklin converted from quarterback to wide receiver during the offseason, and it is unclear if that position change will stick upon transferring.
Since Franklin graduated from Auburn, he is eligible to play immediately after transferring to another school rather than sitting out one year.
Jarrett Stidham Named Auburn's Starting QB over Sean White
Aug 14, 2017
FILE - In this April 8, 2017, file photo, Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham looks for a receiver during Auburn's NCAA college football spring game in Auburn, Ala. Stidham, who began his college career at Baylor, went 16 of 20 for 267 yards in the spring game. (AP Photo/Todd J. Van Emst, File)
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn announced Jarrett Stidham as the Tigers' starting quarterback Monday on Twitter:
Just told team @Jarrett_Stidham will be the starting QB. The team is excited for Jarrett and ready for the season!#WarEagle | #OurTime
Stidham, a Baylor transfer, spent the first 10 days of Auburn camp competing with incumbent Sean White. The sophomore was widely expected to win the starting job coming into camp and ensured the position with a series of stellar practices.
"He [Jarrett Stidham] has done a lot of good things," MalzahnsaidSaturday. "He's a talented young man."
Stidham threw for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns against two interceptions in his lone season at Baylor. He left the program amid the sex abuse scandal that led to a mass exodus of athletic officials, including then-coach Art Briles. In 2016, Stidham studied at McLennan Community College.
"I expect for him to win the Heisman," Texas-based quarterback coach Trenton Kirklin said in the spring, perBrandon Marcello of 247Sports. "I know that may be farfetched for some but just knowing the kid, I expect nothing less. He has that ability to do that and he pushes everybody around him. I think he can go in there and he's the type of kid that he has that X-factor that you just don't understand until you're around the kid. Success follows him wherever he's at. That's what he is."
Stidham will be tasked with leading a Tigers offense that accumulated just 2,203 yards through the air last season. The team brought inChip Lindsey as their offensive coordinator this offseason in hopes of rejuvenating the aerial attack.
Auburn is ranked 13th nationally in the preseason coaches' poll.
4-Star Safety Prospect Quindarious Monday Commits to Auburn
Jul 11, 2017
Quindarious Monday has made Auburn's 2018 recruiting class that much stronger.
The safety announced his commitment to the Tigers in a tweet Tuesday:
Monday is a premier playmaker in the secondary. He's got size at 6'2 1/2" and has the potential to be an impact safety at the college level.
An Atlanta native, Monday is a 4-star prospect who is ranked as the No. 3 safety recruit from the state of Georgia, No. 22 safety recruit in the 2018 class and No. 233 overall recruit, per Scout.com.
Looking at what Monday is capable of at the next level, John Garcia Jr. of Scout.com surmised he's capable of making a difference as a run- and pass-defender:
"On the hoof he is a long and lean prospect who flashes as both a pass defender and near the line of scrimmage in run support. He is a competitor who shines brightest at the point of contact, whether it is the football in the air or one-on-one in space. Monday has great feel for the position while in coverage, too, despite a lack of top-end speed."
With that kind of scouting analysis, it's not hard to see why Auburn will be thrilled to add Monday to its secondary.
Even though the Tigers have struggled to reach the heights they did in 2013, playing for the BCS championship, head coach Gus Malzahn and his staff have done a terrific job building a strong defense in the SEC.
In 2016, Auburn finished seventh in scoring defense but only had an 8-5 record because the offense ranked 49th in scoring.
Success in the SEC depends on having a strong, physical defense that can withstand the kinds of hard-hitting games that opponents like Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee are going to play.
Monday brings the kind of edge the Tigers need. He's able to drop back into coverage and create turnovers with his ball skills and isn't afraid to move down in the box to attack running backs with his natural tackling ability.
Bo Jackson's 3-Star WR Nephew Shedrick Commits to Auburn
Jun 26, 2017
Shedrick Jackson, a 3-star wide receiver from Hoover High School in Alabama and the nephew of former professional football and baseball star Bo Jackson, committed to Auburn on Monday.
He ultimately chose the school over Mississippi State, Missouri, Georgia Tech and Memphis.
Jackson, who stands 6'2" and weighs 198 pounds, is Scout's No. 129 wide receiver in the Class of 2018. The scouting site's John Garcia Jr. broke down Jackson's game:
"Jackson is among the more complete wide receiver prospects in the South. He is well put together at about 6-2, 200 pounds, with long arms and broad shoulders. When coupled with his strong hands, he becomes a weapon even without separation from a defender. Jackson has also improved his speed as much as any prospect in the state of Alabama over the last year or so, even clocking sub 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash in 2017. He not only runs well, but runs efficiently, with minimal wasted movement while getting to top speed quickly. He has room to refine his short to intermediate route-running, with more precise cuts while breaking the leverage of the defender. Jackson, who is more of a deep threat than a run-after-catch threat, can use his size and strength to play more elusive in space."
While Jackson isn't the type of prospect his uncle was—Bo Jackson was a Heisman Trophy winner at Auburn and one of the most exciting and electrifying college football players of all time—he's a good addition to a 2018 recruiting class that has gotten off to a somewhat slow start. Auburn currently has the 40th-ranked class, per Scout.com, with just two 4-star recruits currently onboard.
Jackson is the first wideout addition in the class, though the team added 4-star athlete Noah Igbinoghene and 3-star athlete JaTarvious Whitlow—both expected to play wide receiver—in their crop of 2017 recruits
That gives the Tigers a nice trio of future options at the position, with the team likely to seek more wideouts with the rest of the 2018 class. The team won't be expecting Jackson to replicate the impact his uncle had at Auburn, but if he continues to evolve his game, he should be able to make his own mark at Auburn.
4-Star Auburn RB Alaric Williams Academically Ineligible, Will Play at JUCO
May 25, 2017
Running back Alaric Williams, a key recruit in Auburn's 2017 class, has been ruled academically ineligible and will play next season at a junior college.
Williams committed to play for Auburn all the way back in 2015, two years before graduating from high school.
An Alabama native, Williams is rated as a 4-star prospect. He's the No. 2 running back from his home state and No. 214 player in the 2017 class, per Scout.com.
Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton envisioned Williams as a versatile player for the offense, potentially using him at wide receiver.
"Alaric is one of those players that could also play wideout for us, the slot position," Horton told AL.com's Tom Green in February. "He had a very productive high school career there at Southside-Gadsden, but he has good speed, has good vision, can break a tackle and make someone miss."
While Williams' loss does put a dent in Auburn's recruiting class, the Tigers are still stocked at running back. Devan Barrett is an incoming freshman. Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson, Auburn's top two rushers from last season, are also back in 2017.
Antwuan Jackson, Marlon Character Transferring from Auburn Football Team
May 18, 2017
COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Auburn Tigers helmet sits on the bench at Kyle Field on November 7, 2015 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Auburn announced Thursday that defensive lineman Antwuan Jackson and defensive back Marlon Character will transfer away from the school, according to Bryan Matthews of Rivals.com.
Jackson and Character are both redshirt freshmen. Per James Crepea of AL.com, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said the following regarding their decisions on the school's website: "They've decided to move on. We wish them nothing but the best."
Crepea noted that Character was involved in an argument with a teammate a few weeks prior to transferring.
Jackson is an Ellenwood, Georgia, native who was rated as a 4-star prospect and the No. 85 overall recruit in the nation by Scout.com when he committed to Auburn.
Character hails from Atlanta, and Scout gave him a 4-star rating to go along with an overall ranking of No. 279 in his class. He moved from safety to cornerback.
Both Jackson and Character sat out the entire 2016 season as freshmen. They have yet to announce where they intend to transfer.
Former 4-Star QB Woody Barrett to Transfer from Auburn
May 8, 2017
AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Photo of the Auburn University logo at the top of Jordan-Hare Stadium during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Auburn Tigers on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
Redshirt freshman quarterback Woody Barrett will transfer from Auburn, he confirmed on Twitter Monday:
Marcello reported, "Barrett is expected to transfer to a junior college for a semester before rejoining a Division I program, a source close to Barrett told AUC."
As Marcello noted, Barrett had a rough tenure with the Tigers, as an early ankle injury and an inability to quickly pick up Auburn's system caused him to slide down the depth chart. That came to a head this spring, when freshman Malik Willis passed him on the depth chart, demoting Barrett to fourth-string.
"Yeah, just once we got going it was just a feel thing, really," Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey said about Willis playing the entirety of the team's spring game while Barrett only played in the first half, per Lauren Shute of SEC Country. "I wanted to see Malik get some reps. Woody got a few reps in the first half, and in the second half Jarrett was out and I wanted to make sure Malik got a lot of reps, and it just kind of worked out that way."
And when asked about Barrett, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn offered a mixed review.
"He’s kind of toward the bottom of the depth chart right there but he’s got a lot of winner in him and he’s got a lot of competitiveness in him and we’ll just have to see," he said, per Marcello.
Auburn now has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in transfer Jarrett Stidham, returning starter returning starter Sean White and Willis. Stidham appears to be the frontrunner to earn the starting gig.
Jarrett Stidham Plays Starring Role in Auburn Debut at Tigers Spring Game
Apr 8, 2017
Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham makes a throw in the first half of Auburn's NCAA college football spring game on Saturday, April 8, 2017 in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Todd Van Emst)
The Blue team earned a 37-13 victory over the White team Saturday in the Auburn Tigers' annual spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Jarrett Stidham was 16-of-20 through the air for 267 yards to lead the Blue team. Stidham also had a rushing touchdown after recovering a fumble by Kam Martin in the second quarter. SEC Network shared a replay of the score:
Sophomore wideout Nate Craig-Myers was one of Stidham's favored targets. Auburn Football shared a replay of Craig-Myers' catch along the sideline, which was part of his five-reception, 154-yard day:
Most of the attention focused on Auburn's new-look offense.
In January, the Tigers hired Chip Lindsey to replace Rhett Lashlee as their offensive coordinator.
The Arizona State Sun Devils ranked 56th in S&P+ offensive rating in 2016 under his watch, per Football Outsiders, despite injuries that forced them to cycle through three different quarterbacks. Lindsey helped the Southern Miss Golden Eagles go from 109th in S&P+ offensive rating in 2014 to 39th in 2015.
Auburn fans will hope Lindsey can turn around a passing game that averaged 169.5 yards per game in 2016, which was 112th in FBS.
In addition, the Tigers added Stidham, who transferred from Baylor after throwing for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman for the Bears in 2015. Stidham will provide serious competition to returning starter Sean White.
Lindsey said Saturday's spring game would present different challenges for his quarterbacks than what they've seen in spring practice, per ESPN.com's Greg Ostendorf:
I think the biggest thing for the quarterbacks, from my standpoint, will be playing in front of a crowd and going through the pregame routine of the timing and everything that goes on. There will be a little more juice about them playing in front of a crowd, but at the end of the day, we've got to really try to focus on the things that we've already done and see who can execute our base plays that we've been running, who leads our team and who affects the other 10 guys the best. I think that's what really what I'm looking for.
White was unable to make an impression on Lindsey and the Auburn coaching staff. While he dressed for the game, White didn't play as he continues to recover from the broken arm he suffered in the Tigers' Sugar Bowl defeat to Oklahoma.
Stidham, on the other hand, did little to discourage the notion he'll be the starter when Auburn opens the 2017 campaign Sept. 2 against Georgia Southern.
SB Nation's College and Magnolia and the Opelika-Auburn News' Josh Vitale argued Stidham's ability to complete deeper throws sets him apart from White:
Look ESPN dude, I love Sean White. I really do. Those deep throws were my only problems with him. Stidham has something there Sean doesn't.
Very little is revealed about a team during its spring game, especially when the starting unit is matched against the second team.
With that said, Stidham's big day didn't come from nowhere. He was the No. 3 quarterback in the 2014 recruiting class, per Scout, and he played well when an injury to Seth Russell thrust him into the starting job.
Stidham is a talented passer, and he should make an immediate impact on the Tigers offense.
Auburn lost Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams from last year's team, but the defense returns enough starters that it should again be one of the best in FBS.
The Tigers have road games against Clemson, LSU and Texas A&M as well as the Iron Bowl at the end of the year. Competing for an SEC title won't be easy for Auburn, but a 10-win season is more than achievable based on a brief look at the passing game with Stidham under center.
Postgame Reaction
After the game, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn declined to name a starting quarterback, telling reporters he wants White to get healthy again before he makes a final decision, per AL.com's Wesley Sinor.
Stidham discussed what he thinks will help set him apart in the QB battle.
"I think it's just hard work every day," he said, per Sallee. "Going out and watching extra film, doing extra in the weight room. There are so many intangibles that go into being the guy, and I'm gonna take it day to day and get better."
In 2016, the Tigers ranked 120th in passing attempts (289) compared to seventh in rushing attempts (645). Fans can expect more balance from the Auburn offense in 2017.
Malzahn told reporters Lindsey is aiming for closer to a 50-50 split between the running and passing games and that the new offensive coordinator was proactive about having receivers run routes deeper down the field, according to Vitale.
Auburn Spring Game 2017: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and More
Chris Roling
Apr 7, 2017
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers reacts during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
A-Day 2017 might just be the most interesting college football spring game of the year.
The Auburn Tigers have a fresh feel about them while returning 18 starters from a Sugar Bowl appearance and getting some fresh blood under center.
One year ago, the Gus Malzahn era had its lowest attendance on record at A-Day, coming in at 45,723, according to SECCountry's Justin Ferguson. Given the positive upswing, Auburn fans figure to ensure the program doesn't have a repeat performance.
Armed with options at quarterback and the talent to fill critical roles, Saturday's spring game is an important landmark for the program that fans won't want to miss.
2017 Auburn Spring Game
When: Saturday, April 8, at 2 p.m. ET
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Starting on the offensive side of the ball with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and the quarterback spot—it's where most of the headlines after Saturday will focus.
Lindsey spent last year with the Arizona Sun Devils and is tasked with fixing Malzahn's offense, which ranked last in the SEC in passing yards per game last year.
The arrival of Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham should help. He's facing competition from freshman Woody Barrett and Malik Willis, but Stidham and Lindsey have already seemed to hit it off well.
"Some of the similarities that [Lindsey] has with what I’ve done at Baylor—some of the deeper passing game—it’s been a lot of fun," Stidham said, according to ESPN.com's Greg Ostendorf. "And a lot of it, I’ve done before. It's kind of second nature."
BR Video
An uptick in vertical passing is the next logical step and the duo seems ready to make it happen. The problem might be the weapons around Stidham given the fact Auburn only has one upperclassman wideout with more than 20 career receptions. Add in the fact multiple projected starting receivers have missed time this spring, and one can begin to see why Saturday is so important.
It's the same story for the defensive side of the ball. The unit lost big names such as Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams, two major pieces of a potent pass-rushing unit. Household name Byron Cowart has yet to live up to the hype going into his third season.
Cowart, of course, is the spotlight feature in the spring game as he undergoes a transition along the defensive line. After struggling to take the field and dealing with an injury last year, it's now-or-never mode for both Cowart and Auburn.
His teammates see a new Cowart after a position change. Linebacker Darrell Williams is one of many to see an immediate difference this spring, as he told Ostendorf.
“Moving from end to tackle, that’s going to cause a lot of mismatches on the inside. I feel a lot of that—playing with more swag—is coming from him feeling a little better as far as playing on the field. I feel like that’s where it’s coming from. He feels good while he’s playing,” Williams said.
AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 22: Andrew Williams #79 and Byron Cowart #9 of the Auburn Tigers celebrate a defensive stop against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first quarter of the game at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 22, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Joe
Cowart will need to have a big year to help make up for losses all along the unit. Other than big-name rushers, the defense lost quality defensive backs in Joshua Holsey and Jonathan Ford.
Call the new-look offense one half of a symbiotic relationship, though, as the pass-minded approach by Stidham has the defense adapting.
Safety Nick Ruffin talked with AL.com's James Crepea about the difference: "We get more looks. We get more routes, we get more work as opposed just coming down or running and hitting people all day. It definitely helps us. We get to learn, work on our technique work, work on more of a variation of calls because they are passing more."
As is the case for almost any team, much has to go right over the course of a full season to match expectations. These Tigers, though, certainly have the proper upward momentum after a bit of reshuffling in terms of approach and player fits.
Already competing well in the SEC, 2017 could be much more than a building year for the program if the adjustments go through well. Meaning, A-Day has plenty of meaning and fans shouldn't want to skip.
Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified. Broadcast and spring game info via AuburnTigers.com.
