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 quarterback Tyler Queen announced Tuesday that he will transfer to another school.
Queen made the decision public with the following tweet:
The Georgia native joined the Tigers in 2015, but elbow and shoulder injuries prevented him from making an impact.
Queen didn't attempt a pass last season, but he did have one rush for 11 yards in a 55-0 win over Alabama A&M.
In 2014, Scout.com listed Queen as a 4-star prospect and the No. 22 quarterback in his class prior to committing to Auburn.
Queen was expected to compete for Auburn's starting quarterback job ahead of the 2017 campaign.
As part of a crowded quarterback depth chart that also includes returning starter Sean White, Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham, Woody Barrett, Malik Willis and John Franklin III, however, Queen's opportunities may have been limited.
Markaviest Bryant to Auburn: Tigers Land 4-Star DE Prospect
Feb 1, 2017
Markaviest Bryant is an explosive, athletic and versatile defensive end who is going to be a dynamic force at Auburn.
Matt DeBary of Dawg Post reported Bryant's commitment to the Tigers on Wednesday.
Crisp County LB/DE Markaviest Bryant commits to #Auburn over #LSU, #Georgia, and #Alabama. Big get for the Tigers
Bryant boasts the prototypical attributes every college team wants in a defensive end. He's already listed at 6'4" and 226 pounds with plenty of room on his long frame to add more muscle without losing a step.
It also helps that Bryant boasts a wealth of talent as a 4-star prospect. He's the top-ranked defensive end from Georgia, No. 13 defensive end in the nation and 149th-ranked player regardless of position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMoCRFYwBZY
The superlatives don't stop there for Bryant, who is also renowned for his ability to play multiple roles on the defensive side. Here's his scouting report from Scout.com:
Bryant is a hybrid who could project as a defensive end or outside linebacker in college. Plays some standing up and with his hand down. Has shown he can drop into coverage. Is very athletic. Has length and closes fast. Best when firing off the edge attacking the quarterback. Can play physical. Has some pop when making the tackle. Can improve his technique and play better against the run. Being stronger at the point of attack with better pad level will lead to that. A real talent though. Has a great frame, he can run, and he plays hard.
The only knocks on Bryant at this stage are technique and ability against the run, though let's see what he looks like after adding more muscle and a top-tier college coaching staff before focusing too much on his negatives.
Auburn likely pulled ahead late in the recruiting season by virtue of having an opening on defense after Carl Lawson declared for the NFL draft.
Bryant essentially said one reason Auburn could lure him was with the potential for immediate playing time.
"Auburn [for playing time]," Bryant told Benjamin Wolk of SEC Country. "I kid you not. With [Lawson] leaving, and they have a couple guys behind him. But coach has said he's not sure if they can be as good as I can be. So I think Auburn."
One thing Wolk noted about Bryant is he will have to add at least 30 pounds to his frame if he's going to remain a defensive end. He could also move to outside linebacker, where his lighter weight would make it easier to send him on the field against SEC competition.
Regardless of what Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn and his staff decide, landing an impact defender who can replace their best pass-rusher is a huge win for the program this recruiting season and gives them reasons to be optimistic about making a run in the SEC West in 2017.
There are players in this recruiting cycle who are more physically prepared for the challenges associated with playing college football.
Bryant has a legitimate chance to become one of the best 2017 recruits because he's a player who doesn't fall into one category. Versatility adds to the ways in which he can make an impact on defense, whether it's playing on the line or dropping back into coverage where he can run with receivers.
It won't take long before Bryant is starting on one of the top defenses in the country because of his unique skill set on the gridiron.
Unless otherwise noted, recruiting information courtesy of Scout.
Chip Lindsey Named Auburn OC: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction
Jan 21, 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)
The Auburn Tigers hired former Arizona State offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey to fill their vacancy at the same post, the school announced on Saturday.
"I’m excited to welcome Chip Lindsey to the Auburn family," head coach Gus Malzahn said, per Jeff Shearer of AuburnTigers.com. "I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead our offense, and his strength in developing quarterbacks makes him the perfect fit."
Lindsey spent the 2016 season as Arizona State's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, but he has ties to the Tigers. Specifically, Lindsey spent the 2013 season as one of Malzahn's offensive analysts.
"My family and I are very excited to return to Auburn and our home state," Lindsey said, per Shearer. "Both are very special places to us. I am looking forward to reuniting with Coach Malzahn and his staff. They are great coaches and great people. I look forward to being part of something special and helping Auburn win championships."
Now back at Auburn, Lindsey will take over for Rhett Lashlee, who left the Tigers to take over as the offensive coordinator at the University of Connecticut earlier this month.
And after he helped coordinate a Sun Devils attack that averaged 33.3 points per game last season, Lindsey should be a welcome addition for a Tigers offense that was rather inconsistent throughout 2016.
As Football Scoop's Zach Barnett noted, "He takes over an Auburn offense that concluded 2016 ranked 37th in yards per play but constantly oscillated between 'unstoppable' and 'entirely stoppable.'"
Teamed up with former Baylor Bears quarterback Jarrett Stidham, Lindsey should help Auburn improve dramatically on its lackluster mark of 169.5 passing yards per game from a year ago and propel the Tigers into a new realm of offensive efficiency.
Jarrett Stidham's Arrival Turns Auburn into a 2017 Playoff Contender
Jan 16, 2017
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Jarrett Stidham #3 of the Baylor Bears works out prior to a game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 5, 2015 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
Are you ready for the hype machine, Auburn?
Get ready, because despite the 35-19 loss to Oklahoma in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, it's coming.
The arrival of junior college transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham solidifies an Auburn offensive team that should be considered a legitimate College Football Playoff contender heading into the 2017 season.
Yes, we're doing this again. We are going down the road of expecting big things from an Auburn quarterback who hasn't logged a ton of playing time—just as we did two years ago when Jeremy Johnson was being discussed as a potential superstar.
Don't fall into that trap.
Stidham already is a star, and he proved it in a pinch during the 2015 season at Baylor.
"We started recruiting him from way back when," head coach Gus Malzahn said after junior college signing day, according to AuburnTigers.com. "We thought he was the top quarterback in the country when he came out and chose to go to another school. We think he's an outstanding player and outstanding person with great leadership, so we feel he'll be a great addition to our team."
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Jarrett Stidham #3 of the Baylor Bears passes during the 1st quarter of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 5, 2015 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie
He completed 68.8 percent of his passes (75-of-109) serving first as Seth Russell's backup and then as his injury replacement. A whopping 1,265 yards (11.6 per attempt) and 12 touchdowns later, Stidham's freshman season ended after the Stephenville, Texas, native suffered an ankle injury.
During his season off from college football, Stidham ran the scout team for Midway (Texas) High School and coach Jeff Hulme, who's coached at the level for 22 years. During those three months, it was clear Stidham was still the same guy who earned five stars from Scout as a prospect.
"The skill set that made him a highly touted quarterback coming out of high school and what he showed last year at Baylor, he still has," Hulme said. "He can spin the ball as good as anybody I've ever seen."
At 6'3", 210 pounds, he has the ability to see over the line of scrimmage and open up the middle of the field, the arm strength to be a big-time downfield threat and is fast enough to at least pose a threat in the zone-read game—a staple of Auburn's offense.
"He's mobile enough to keep defenses honest," said SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic, who hosts the Cube Show on WUMP in Huntsville. "He has good accuracy on the move, so I'd expect them to move the pocket if he's the guy. His quick release will help in the short game, and he offered accuracy down the field with a big arm. That's the big difference. He can keep extra defenders away from the line of scrimmage."
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 24: Jarrett Stidham #3 of the Baylor Bears runs against Darian Cotton #23 of the Iowa State Cyclones in the second half at McLane Stadium on October 24, 2015 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
That's important because, while Sean White was efficient for Auburn during a six-game winning streak in the middle of the season, he's not nearly the deep threat Stidham is.
White's average of 8.3 yards per attempt is good, but he is 3.3 yards behind what Stidham posted in 2015. Plus, at 6'0", White wasn't able to do damage over the middle of the field like the taller Stidham can.
"Jarrett is a big, tall kid," Hulme said, "which is always good for a quarterback."
One look at Auburn's offensive production this season will make your head spin. A whopping 4,529 of Auburn's 5,730 yards of total offense in 2016 came from underclassmen who intend to return next season. That's correct—79 percent of Auburn's offense was from players who, for the most part, were unproven commodities at the college level and are coming back.
Now that might be a bit deceptive since total offense gives passing yards to quarterbacks, while yards from scrimmage credits them to receivers. But look at Auburn's potential at the wide receiver position.
Four of its top five receivers were underclassmen, including Darius Slayton, Ryan Davis, Kyle Davis and Eli Stove. That crew—which doesn't include rising sophomore Nate Craig-Myers (70 receiving yards in 2016) combined for 43.5 percent (958) of Auburn's receiving yards. They will only get better with a quarterback like Stidham, who can open up the entire field.
That offense should be more than enough to make Auburn a national title contender in 2017.
Think about where Auburn was before White got hurt during the tail end of the Ole Miss game on Oct. 29. The Tigers developed their identity in the middle of the season, averaged 7.66 yards per play and 576.5 yards per game in the month of October and vaulted into the top 15.
WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Jarrett Stidham #3 of the Baylor Bears throws against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter at McLane Stadium on November 14, 2015 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
When White got hurt, the drop-off to backups Johnson and John Franklin III was the college football equivalent of a cliff. That was reinforced during the Sugar Bowl, when White broke his arm on the first drive and left the game for good shortly before halftime.
Now, with Stidham in the mix and White back for more, it'll be a hill. What's more, that offense will grow with the youth that exists on the roster and benefit from a quarterback competition between two solid options.
If the defense—which gave up 361.9 yards per game and 5.1 yards per play due in part to departing defensive line studs Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson—takes a step back, an improved and more consistent offense should be more than enough to compensate.
Stidham changes everything at Auburn.
He opens up the offense, eliminates a sharp decline in ability in the event of a quarterback injury and is on a team with plenty of young stars waiting to blossom.
He's the perfect fit at the perfect time for the primary contender to Alabama's SEC West crown.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on SiriusXM. Follow Barrett on Twitter and Facebook.
Chip Lindsey Reportedly to Be Named Auburn OC
Jan 12, 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)
Auburn and head coach Gus Malzahn have found a new offensive coordinator after Rhett Lashlee departed from the school on Jan. 11 to head UConn's offense, per a school announcement (via Tom Green of AL.com).
Continue for updates.
Lindsey Reportedly Accepts Auburn Job
Saturday, Jan. 21
ESPN's Brett McMurphy reported Arizona State offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey will be named to the same position at Auburn.
Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle reported Texas A&M offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone won't leave the Aggies' coaching staff.
Earlier in the day, Travis Haney of 247Sports reported that Mazzone is "in the mix" for the job and could be the front-runner.
Art Briles Won't Be Considered for Job
Thursday, Jan 12
According to Brett McMurphy of ESPN, former Baylor head coach Art Briles is not in the running to take over as the team's offensive coordinator. That isn't a huge surprise given the controversy that still follows the head coach after the scandal at Baylor under his watch.
McMurphy also noted that the job is "wide-open, and [the new offensive coordinator] will run the offense," per a source.
Auburn Looking Far and Wide to Fill OC Vacancy
Auburn will likely cast a wide net to fill the position. James Crepea of AL.com speculated that a number of candidates might be fits for the position, including Auburn wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, North Carolina State offensive coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz, Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand, former Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich, Arizona State offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott and Cal offensive coordinator Jake Spavital.
Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports also thought Lindsey was a candidate of interest:
One of the guys to keep an eye on as possible successor to Rhett Lashlee as #Auburn OC: #ASU OC Chip Lindsey who worked for Gus before.
Most of the names listed above have connections to either Auburn or Malzahn in particular, as Crepea noted. Drinkwitz was his running backs coach at Arkansas State in 2012. Scott "has spent time with Auburn's staff over the years," while Spavital worked with Malzahn at Tulsa back in 2008.
And Helfrich would be a splashy hire. While his defenses struggled during his tenure as the program's head coach, Oregon was 15th in yards per game (492) in 2016 and 27th in points per contest (35.4) this past season.
Auburn, meanwhile, finished 43rd in yards per game (441) and 49th in points per contest (31.2) in 2016. Helfrich, who also served as Chip Kelly's offensive coordinator at Oregon, would certainly be an upgrade at the position.
Sean White Injury: Auburn QB Injures Arm in Sugar Bowl vs. Oklahoma
Jan 2, 2017
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Sean White #13 of the Auburn Tigers throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White suffered an arm injury in the first half of Monday's Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners and would not return, according to Auburn radio broadcasts (via the Opelika-Auburn News' Josh Vitale).
Citing White's father, Brandon Marcello of 247Sports reported the signal-caller broke his arm on the first drive of the game and played four series before he was ultimately pulled. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn confirmed after the Tigers' 35-19 loss that White had broken his arm, per Vitale.
White's been banged up quite a bit during Auburn's 2016 campaign, but the broken arm represents the most significant injury he's faced.
The sophomore dealt with a shoulder ailment that forced him to miss the Tigers' last two regular-season games, and Auburn's passing attack suffered in his absence.
Although the Tigers easily dispatched Alabama A&M without White, they mustered 12 points against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 Iron Bowl.
White's latest ailment means John Franklin III—who attempted 19 passes during the regular season—had to slide in under center. He would finish the game completing three of seven passes for 25 yards. Jeremy Johnson would also take snaps under center, completing five of nine passes for 93 yards and an interception.
Scout: Nation's Best Kicker Returning for Senior Season
Dec 30, 2016
BR Video
For more Auburn football news and analysis, visit Scout.com.
Salvatore Cannella to Auburn: Tigers Land 4-Star TE Prospect
Dec 14, 2016
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)
The Auburn Tigers made a major splash on junior college signing day on Wednesday by landing a commitment from tight end Salvatore Cannella.
Cannella made it official by posting the following video on Twitter:
According to Scout, the 6'6", 230-pound pass-catcher is a 4-star player and is ranked No. 22 among JUCO transfers.
Cannella is an Illinois native who played both wide receiver and tight end in high school before settling in as a tight end at Scottsdale Community College.
According to Jeffrey Lee of AuburnSports.com, he made 29 catches for 443 yards and seven touchdowns this season as a freshman at Scottsdale.
Cannella also spoke glowingly of his visit to Auburn, per Lee: "It was great. It was everything I expected. I have a bunch of boys at Scottsdale from the South and they told me what to expect, and it was everything I expected and more."
Auburn beat out several high-profile schools for Cannella's commitment, including Texas and Maryland, according to Scout.
The Tigers are a run-first team, and they got little production out of the tight end position in the passing game this season with two receptions and one touchdown.
Cannella could potentially add a dynamic option to the pass-catching corps, which would keep opposing defenses honest against the run.
Auburn isn't likely to stray far from its offensive philosophy, but Cannella brings a size, speed and athleticism combination it is missing at tight end.
Jarrett Stidham to Auburn: Latest Transfer Details, Comments and Reaction
Dec 10, 2016
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 05: Quarterback Jarrett Stidham #3 of the Baylor Bears works out prior to a game against the Kansas State Wildcats on November 5, 2015 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
Former Baylor Bears quarterback Jarrett Stidham is planning to continue his college football career with the Auburn Tigers.
Taylor Hamm of 247Sports (via Keith Niebuhr) first reported the news Saturday, and Stidham made the announcement official on Twitter:
These last 6 months have been crazy and the craziness is finally over. Time to start my next chapter at Auburn University! WAR EAGLE! 🐅 pic.twitter.com/BckaHMO6D3
Stidham has three seasons of eligibility left after spending one year at Baylor. He announced his intention to transfer in July as the program dealt with the aftermath of its sexual-assault scandal.
The Stephenville High School standout was the No. 33 overall prospect in the 2015 class, according to Scout. He also checked in as the third-best quarterback in the nation and the top signal-caller from Texas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSGGYOvv7WU
He received sporadic playing time as a true freshman behind starter Seth Russell, but his talent was obvious when he took the reins of the offense after Russell suffered a season-ending neck injury.
In all, he completed 68.8 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions across 10 games, including three starts. His season also came to a premature end, however, as he suffered an ankle injury in late November.
The Bears were again looking at an uncertain quarterback situation heading into 2016, with both Russell and Stidham still on the roster. In turn, then-interim head coach Jim Grobe stated on ESPN 1660 in July he understood the QB's decision (via Max Olson of ESPN.com):
It's always hard when you have two really talented quarterbacks, because they both want plenty of snaps. Last year, we weren't able to give Jarrett enough snaps, though some injuries affected that. I don't think he was happy backing up Seth Russell, and so he's decided to move on and try to find a place where he can get more snaps.
Now Stidham has found a new home, where he hopes he'll be able to find more consistent playing time after a year on the sidelines. It's never an ideal situation to sit out, but he still has the potential he possessed coming out of high school.
With the Tigers, Stidham should be in the mix for the starting job right away.
According to Niebuhr, "Stidham, who will be a redshirt sophomore next season, is expected to challenge 2016 starter Sean White for the starting job in the spring."
In regard to the Tigers' future outlook, it's akin to signing a top recruit coming out of high school. The only real difference is that Stidham has already proved he can compete at a high level in college, which makes him an even more promising addition.
Kamryn Pettway Injury: Updates on Auburn RB's Leg and Return
Nov 12, 2016
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Kamryn Pettway #36 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball downfield during their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway missed a Nov. 12 game against Georgia with a leg injury and hadn't played since. However, it appears he is ready to return.
Continue for updates.
Latest on Pettway's Playing Status
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn told reporters Pettway "looks like he's ready to go" and will play against Alabama.
Pettway's Injury Tested Auburn's Depth
Pettway has rushed for 1,106 yards this season, and the 240-pound sophomore is averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry.
BR Video
His absence had created a void in the power running game, but the Tigers are deep at running back and have a quality backup.
Sophomore Kerryon Johnson got the start, and he has enjoyed a strong season in his own right. He has 823 rushing yards and a team-leading 11 scores on the ground. He will be called on if Pettway can't handle a full workload or aggravates the injury.
