Auburn Football

The Auburn Tigers added another running back Sunday, as 4-star rusher Kameron Martin committed to the program.

Martin, a former Baylor Bears signee, announced the decision on Twitter. He is ranked as the seventh-best all-purpose back in the nation and the 268th-best overall prospect in the 2016 class.

After visiting the campus for the first time this weekend, Martin pulled the trigger and committed to the Tigers.

He emphasized the family atmosphere at Auburn after his visit, per AL.com's Wesley Sinor.

"It was amazing," he said. "They treated me like family. ... The guys really want me and they feel like I can fit real good in their offense. They feel like I can come in there and play running back. My thing is, I just want to go somewhere where I can compete at the highest level. The SEC is the highest level."

With Martin's addition, Auburn now has the ninth-ranked 2016 recruiting class in the nation.

Martin was one of five Baylor signees to be granted releases after former head coach Art Briles' controversial departure, according to ESPN.com's Gerry Hamilton and Mark Schlabach.

Hamilton provided an update on each player:

Recap: 5 #Baylor signees NLI released:

Kam Martin #Auburn

JP Urquidez & Donovan Duvernay #Texas

Pat Hudson & Parrish Cobb - undecided

— Gerry Hamilton (@GHamiltonOTF) June 27, 2016

Per Auburn's official website, head coach Gus Malzahn has produced 12 1,000-yard rushers as a head coach or offensive coordinator. That could be tougher this season, as the team lost last season's top rusher, Peyton Barber, to the NFL draft, and former 5-star recruit Roc Thomas transferred from the program in May.

Jovon Robinson will be the top back moving forward, with versatile sophomore Kerryon Johnson also set for a significant role. Yet Martin should be able to find some time as a change-of-pace runner who can help on third down. He is quick, which could also translate into a role on special teams.

SEC Country's Brandon Marcello echoed those sentiments following the commitment:

. @TeamKamMartin is a speedy, all-purpose running back. He'll be extremely effective in space this fall. https://t.co/mxRPATXoXK

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) June 27, 2016

Take a look at the highlight reel Baylor posted:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shWYzI0-UTg

Normally explosive under Malzahn, Auburn finished 80th in total offense last season, so it needs any help it can get. Martin is unlikely to play a major role this fall, but he may show some flashes of brilliance with his blazing speed.

Recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.

Auburn Tigers defensive end Justin Thomas-Thornton announced on Sunday through Twitter that he's transferring after two years with the program.

Thomas-Thornton expressed optimism about his future and gratitude for his time at Auburn in declaring his intentions to move on:

Thank you for all the blessings it's been a great two years at this amazing university. Forever Family 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/ga7xdYPPIY

— Justin Thomas-Thornton (@JTbigdreams6) June 26, 2016

Thomas later announced on Twitter that he will be playing for the Northwest Mississippi Rangers in the fall.

Rated as the No. 6 weak-side defensive end from the high school class of 2014 by 247Sports' composite rankings, Thomas-Thornton didn't pan out as a 4-star recruit and will seek to fulfill his potential at the junior college level.

A product of Vigor High School in Mobile, Alabama, Thomas-Thornton was able to go to school close to home and play in the SEC. As a senior at Vigor, he had 56 tackles (17 TFL) and eight sacks. (Warning: NSFW lyrics in the following video.)

Once his commitment to Auburn was official, Tigers defensive line coach Rodney Garner elaborated on how Thomas-Thornton was rather raw but also hinted at his tremendous upside.

"He's long and athletic, an edge guy. He's got to get bigger and stronger," said Garner, per AuburnTigers.com. "He has a chance to be a real force coming off the edge. I think he'll be a great football player before he's done."

After redshirting in his first year on campus, Thomas-Thornton saw action against Louisville in 2015, per the Tigers' official website.

Although Thomas-Thornton could've conceivably played his way into Auburn's rotation in the coming years with three years of eligibility remaining, he must feel his best opportunity to see the field soon lies at the JUCO level. He could perhaps string together a couple of productive seasons, which could aid any potential future NFL ambitions.

Coveted offensive lineman Austin Troxell will play college football at Auburn.

Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports reported the prospect's decision to play for the Tigers. Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand was clearly excited by the new addition:

BOOOOOOOM‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/5ExtrIZl9B

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) June 18, 2016

Troxell is a 4-star prospect who's ranked 80th in the 2017 class. He also checks in as the No. 13 offensive tackle and second-best player from Alabama, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

Before making his choice, he received interest from several top programs, including Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida and Florida State.

The Alabama native has displayed an impressive combination of size (6'7", 335 lbs), power and athletic ability for Madison Academy when healthy. Unfortunately, a torn ACL during the latter stages of his junior campaign slowed his development for a while.

Still, he's been in the spotlight for quite some time already, and he admitted to Daniel Boyette of AL.com that the recruiting process got a bit "hectic" as a junior. He tried to focus as much as possible on continuing to make the necessary strides despite the potential distraction of the widespread interest in him.

"My technique has gotten a lot better," Troxell said. "Coaches are always on me about my footwork. And my strength. I've gotten a lot stronger."

He could benefit from adding even more raw strength to his frame, but it's a delicate balance. The Auburn coaching staff won't want him to lose his small-area quickness by bulking up too much.

Troxell was a target for both Auburn and the rival Alabama Crimson Tide, which tends to add a little more intrigue to the process. That said, from a player's perspective, both schools provide the opportunity to play in the nation's top conference.

The Tigers may have received the nod because of a clearer path to playing time. While the Tide are deep up front, Auburn features a veteran-laden group that should have playing time readily available in 2017 and beyond. Left tackle Robert Leff is entering his senior season, while right tackle Darius James is a redshirt junior.

Troxell should eventually fill one of those openings, but it's still too early to tell when he'll be ready to jump into the starting lineup.

The transition for offensive linemen, especially tackles, is always a bit tricky because the players at the collegiate level are far more well-rounded than what the recruits are used to facing in high school.

That said, the long-term outlook for Troxell is highly promising. He's got the potential to become one of the top left tackles in college football by the time he's an upperclassman.  

AUBURN, Ala. — Gus Malzahn was already light on established offensive playmakers entering what will be a crucial season for him at Auburn, and that number took another hit last week.

Former 5-star running back Roc Thomas decided to transfer away from the Plains to Jacksonville State, the defending FCS runner-up that nearly stunned Auburn with an upset last season. While Thomas was only entering his true junior season, he had more seasons of experience than any other rusher on the roster.

Although Thomas appeared to be transitioning to more of a slot receiver role for the Auburn offense in 2016, his departure to Jacksonville State will cause a shakeup in a backfield that needs to find its magic again after a down 2015.

Even with his inconsistencies with injuries and ball security, Thomas would have been a valuable offensive weapon for the Tigers this fall. His burst and shiftiness made him a big-play threat whenever he kept the ball in his hands.

So how will the Thomas transfer impact the present and the future for Auburn's running backs? Let's take a closer look.

Jovon Robinson is the clear-cut No. 1 RB for 2016

This seemed more and more obvious as the spring went on, but Thomas' transfer removed all doubt—senior Jovon Robinson will be the top running back for the Tigers this fall. 

According to Wesley Sinor of AL.com, running backs coach Tim Horton "implied" last month that Robinson was the favorite over Thomas to become the starter after calling it a close battle between the two during spring practices. 

"Obviously, Jovon Robinson really had a nice spring," Horton said, per Sinor. "He kind of elevated himself going into fall camp. He's in a good position."

After battling an ankle sprain early in the year, Robinson came on strong during the end of 2015, rushing for more than 90 yards in five of Auburn's final six games. He had more carries down the stretch than starter Peyton Barber, who declared early for the NFL draft this offseason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMQSImyIDlQ

The JUCO transfer showcased the abilities that made him a coveted recruit on two separate occasions for the Tigers. The 230-pound Robinson is a physical, downhill running back who also has good burst and moves in the open field. In short, he's the ideal all-around rusher for a Malzahn offense.

"Jovon has been in the offense for one year, and now you can tell he's more confident than he was," Malzahn said during spring camp. "We can do some more things with him."

Robinson averaged nearly 5.5 yards per carry in 2015 and proved he could handle the wear and tear of being a primary back late last season. With another offseason of preparation in the offense behind him, he could be a real force in the SEC this fall.

"I have high goals and high expectations for myself," Robinson said. "I want to be the next 1,000-yard rusher. I like that title. I'm definitely looking forward to starting off the season right, playing Clemson, starting off the season on a high note."

Look for Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway to step up

Of course, Robinson can't do it alone. Malzahn likes rotation at the position, and he's had three different running backs carry the ball at least 40 times in each of his three seasons as Auburn's head coach.

2013	Tre Mason (317 carries)	Cameron Artis-Payne (91)	Corey Grant (66)
2014	Cameron Artis-Payne (303)	Corey Grant (60)	Roc Thomas (43)
2015	Peyton Barber (237)	Jovon Robinson (117)	Kerryon Johnson (52)	Roc Thomas (43)

With Barber off to the NFL, most expected Thomas to be one of those top alternates, even with a position switch to slot receiver. Receiver Ricardo Louis, who was in a similar role, carried the ball just under 30 times last season.

Auburn has a handful of younger options to plug into the three-headed backfield, and sophomores Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway appear to be the leaders there.

Both Johnson and Pettway fit into specific and much-needed roles for the Auburn rushing attack. Johnson is similar to Thomas with his speed and agility, while Pettway is a big bruiser who should thrive in short-yardage situations.

As Thomas struggled with nagging injuries last season, Johnson finished 2015 with more carries than the now-departed back. The former 4-star athlete had a breakout performance as a reserve in a win over Kentucky, and he found the end zone again in the Birmingham Bowl victory against Memphis.

Johnson missed spring practice while recovering from shoulder surgery, but he should be ready to go in time for fall camp. According to Brandon Marcello of SEC Country, Malzahn said Johnson "has a chance to be an impact player" in 2016 for the Tigers.

Pettway brings tremendous bulk to the position after playing fullback with Chandler Cox as a true freshman last fall. The 242-pound sophomore cross-trained at running back this spring, leading the team with 77 yards on just seven carries at A-Day.

While the team recruited Cox as a traditional fullback, Pettway is a natural running back, rushing for 1,402 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior at Alabama high school powerhouse Prattville. Both can carry the ball, but Pettway has more experience at the position.

"I think [Pettway and Cox] bring a certain element of toughness to the position that we needed," Horton said. "They're fall-forward backs. They're going to get yards after contact. They're going to move the chains."

Expect Cox to take over as the full-time starter at fullback as Pettway moves to a role in which he provides more depth at running back. Whenever Robinson is on the sidelines this season, Auburn could use Pettway and Johnson as a classic thunder-and-lightning combo in certain situations.

Reinforcements are coming to fill in the gap

With Robinson entering his final year of eligibility, the Tigers will have lost two running backs from their 2016 A-Day squad by the time spring practice starts in 2017. But the future isn't dark for the running back position on the Plains.

In addition to Johnson and Pettway, Auburn also has true freshman running back Malik Miller, who was a high-school teammate of Johnson's at Madison (Alabama) Academy.

The Tigers might not need to rely on Miller too much in 2016, but he'll be there to provide extra depth and build toward the future. Like Robinson, he has the look of a do-it-all back.

"You see someone that loves the game. He's very coachable. He's got a lot of really good qualities about him," Horton said. "He catches the ball well, he pass protects well and he knows the offense really well for someone who [is new to the team]. We're real pleased with Malik and what the future holds for him."

Auburn also gained a running back for the future last weekend after losing Thomas to a transfer, going back to the tried-and-true JUCO pipeline of offensive talent.

The Tigers flipped 3-star athlete Octavius Matthews from his commitment to Louisville during the annual "Big Cat Weekend" recruiting event. As Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports wrote, experts once rated Matthews as the No. 1 JUCO rusher in the class of 2017, and he has the potential to be "an every-down back" at Auburn.

"I feel like he is a game-breaker back," Sean Cannon, Matthews' coach at Itawamba Community College, told Wiltfong. "He had six or seven runs over 50-yards for us. I think the speed factor is definitely there. ... I think for what [Auburn does], the tempo offense they run and spread system I think he’s a perfect fit for what they do."

With Johnson, Pettway, Miller and Matthews all in line to lead Auburn's rushing attack in 2017 and beyond, the Tigers should be able to take the departure of Thomas in stride.

Now the key will be for the running backs currently on campus to help make sure Malzahn will still be with them this time next year.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings are courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is a National College Football Analyst at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.

When the news came across Monday night that Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, fresh off of a 7-6 season and last-place finish in the SEC West, got a contract extension, you laughed.

Perhaps even hysterically.

After all, this was the team that was picked to win the SEC, was in many preseason playoff predictions and was loaded with talent. Instead of living up to those expectations, Malzahn's Tigers spent the postseason in-state, played in the Birmingham Bowl and earned Malzahn a spot on the hot seat.

Despite that hot seat, as James Crepea of AL.com notes, Malzahn signed his new deal on April 1 that pays him $4.725 million per year—up from the $4.35 million he would have earned in 2016 under the previous contract—and gives him an extra year through 2020. The built-in raises reduce, meaning he'll earn $500,000 more than previously scheduled over the next two years and $500,000 less in the next two.

That extra year that athletic director Jay Jacobs added to the end of the contract is the kicker, and would force Auburn to shell out an additional $2,237,500 in buyout money if he's let go prior to the end of the deal.

This isn't a case of Jacobs making a crazy decision, not recognizing that the program has headed south in each year since the Tigers won the SEC and played for the national championship in 2013 or throwing money around like Johnny Manziel in a Las Vegas club.

This is just business as usual in the SEC.

From a financial standpoint during the duration of the previously scheduled contract, the difference is negligible. If Auburn struggles and Jacobs fires Malzahn within the next two years, the extra money on the front end of the contract is roughly the football equivalent of paying a parking ticket.

That extra year on the back end would force Auburn to pay an extra $2,237,500.

Isn't that worth it, though?

Sure, that sounds like a lot of money to most people, but all Auburn is doing with Malzahn's extension is buying a bit of recruiting stability through public relations.

Being on the hook for just under $2.5 million a half-decade from now, knowing that SEC Network money—which helped increase the per team payout from $20.9 million to $31.2 million in 2015—will continue to roll in, is like planning five years in advance for a trip to the grocery store to pick up some milk and eggs. 

It's not a big deal.

Think about what just happened in Auburn over the weekend.

It was the annual recruiting extravaganza known as "Big Cat Weekend," when visitors from all over the country come around to enjoy a weekend on campus. Don't you think that the topic of Malzahn's job status came up quite a bit?

If it didn't, recruits aren't asking the right questions, and other coaches in the SEC aren't doing their jobs and using Malzahn's status on the hot seat against Auburn on the recruiting trail.

This extension combats that. At least, a little bit.

Year	Overall Record	SEC Record	SEC West Place
2013	12-2	7-1	1st
2014	8-5	4-4	T4th
2015	7-6	2-6	7th

Jacobs told reporters in Destin, Florida, when we were there last week for SEC spring meetings that he expected Malzahn to be around "a long, long time."

"He’s a brilliant offensive mind. Took us to two national championships—once as a coordinator, once as a head coach," Jacobs said (via Crepea). "There’s a bunch of schools in this league that would love to be in our position with a guy like him."

By adding another year to the contract, it ensures that—at least contractually—Malzahn is locked up for the duration of the college careers of the 2017 class.

As Dan Wolken of USA Today noted on Twitter, that matters:

Convincing ADs that a coach needs a perpetual 5-year contract to recruit is the greatest trick agents ever played

— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) June 6, 2016

Eyebrows were undoubtedly raised on Monday afternoon when news of Malzahn's extension broke following a season in which his program was considered one of the biggest letdowns in the country.

On paper, it doesn't make a lot of sense if you look solely at results.

But there's more to the business of coaching than basic win-loss records. Jacobs giving Malzahn an extension and restructuring his contract is simply the cost of business in the SEC.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

Auburn Tigers head football coach Gus Malzahn reportedly received a contract extension last year.

"The university [on Monday] released an amendment to Malzahn's contract, which extends the coach through Dec. 31, 2020," according to Dana Sulonen of OANow.com. "The amended contract began on Jan. 1, 2016."

Sulonen noted Malzahn's old contract ran through Dec. 31, 2019, and that there weren't any changes made to his $4.725 million annual salary.

According to USA Today, Malzahn was the nation's 13th-highest-paid coach in 2015. Alabama's Nick Saban ($7,087,481), Michigan's Jim Harbaugh ($7,004,000) and Ohio State's Urban Meyer ($5,860,000) made up the top three.

Malzahn coached Arkansas State to the Sun Belt championship in 2012 before taking the Auburn job. He sports a 36-16 overall record and a 27-13 mark during his three seasons with the Tigers.

His most notable performance came in 2013, when Auburn finished 12-2 and reached the BCS National Championship Game before losing to Jameis Winston and the Florida State Seminoles in a 34-31 nail-biter. Malzahn won the Associated Press, Eddie Robinson, Home Depot, Paul "Bear" Bryant and SEC Coach of the Year awards for his efforts on the sideline that season.

Since then, however, his won-loss records have taken a turn for the worse:

Season	School	Record
2012	Arkansas State	9-3
2013	Auburn	12-2
2014	Auburn	8-5
2015	Auburn	7-6

What's more, Malzahn is only 1-2 against in-state rival Alabama—and the one win came thanks to Chris Davis returning a missed field goal 100 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the Iron Bowl in 2013. It is important to note, however, that Auburn was a dismal 3-9 the year before Malzahn took over.

The coach—who uses an uptempo offensive attack—seemingly has the program trending in the right direction. The Tigers landed the No. 9 recruiting class in the nation in the 2016 cycle, per 247Sports' composite team rankings, after finishing eighth and sixth in 2015 and 2014.

If Malzahn can parlay that success on the recruiting trail into more wins on the field, Auburn could be a contender in the SEC West—like it was during his first season.

Malcolm Askew, one of the top athlete prospects in the class of 2017, is headed to the Auburn Tigers after developing into a force at McAdory High School in McCalla, Alabama. 

Rivals.com's Jeffrey Lee first reported the news of Askew's decision. 

"It’s just the relationships I have with the coaches," Askew said of choosing Auburn, per Lee. "I've talked to Coach (Gus) Malzahn, Coach [Kevin] Steele and Coach [Wesley] McGriff numerous times now on campus and on the phone. The relationships are getting stronger and they talk to me about family. It’s a great family feel there, too."

The 4-star speedster is the 202nd-ranked player in 247Sports' composite rankings, and he graded out 10th among all athlete prospects in the class of 2017. Among recruits in the state of Alabama, Askew clocked in at No. 11 overall. 

The big question now is which position the 5'10 ½", 183-pound athlete will play in college after spending time at receiver and cornerback in high school. 

"I’m leaning more toward DB because of the longevity," Askew told Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani in March. "Defensive players usually last longer playing the game in comparison to offensive players, and that’s why I’m leaning toward defense right now."

Askew elaborated on that stance in a separate conversation with Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue. 

"The NFL loves guys who can play man-to-man coverage, play on an island," he said. "I feel like I can be that type of guy. I think my best credentials will be on defense in the future."

With aspirations of one day lining up as a shutdown cornerback at the professional level, Askew appears motivated to parlay his athletic prowess into being one of the nation's most dangerous defenders when he suits up for Auburn. 

Recruit rankings courtesy of 247Sports.com.