Football News: 2-13-2026
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Dudley Dent
Feb 13, 2026, 8:05:49 AM (yesterday) Feb 13
to Tiger Tracks
Auburn Football News: 2-13-2026
McPherson looking 'phenomenal' says Auburn's new special teams coach:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburns-alex-mcpherson-continues-to-progress-after-making-a-comeback-last-season-274110217/
Auburn lands commitment from elite 2027 DL Donivan Moore:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/donivan-moore-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-274129145/
COMMITMENT: 4-star DL Donivan Moore, state's top recruit, commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/donivan-moore-states-top-recruit-in-2027-commits-to-auburn/
4-star DL Donivan Moore commits to Auburn: 'This is like a dream coming true':
https://www.on3.com/rivals/news/2027-4-star-dl-donivan-moore-commits-to-auburn-this-is-like-a-dream-coming-true/
Auburn Lands First Defensive Commit of 2027 Class with No. 1 Recruit in Alabama:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/auburn-first-defensive-commit-2027-class-no-1-recruit-alabama-01kha1vr05w1
Pair of Five-Stars Headline Recruits Who Have Listed Auburn as a Top School:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/five-stars-recruits-listed-auburn-top-school-01kha0eqersz
Former Auburn QB Cam Newton Expresses Interest in Return to Program in Off-Field Role:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/former-auburn-qb-cam-newton-expresses-interest-return-to-program-off-field-role-01kh7d83x67v
Judge grants Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss an injunction to play for Rebels in 2026:
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/judge-grants-ole-miss-qb-trinidad-chambliss-an-injunction-to-play-for-rebels-in-2026-234628828.html
McPherson looking 'phenomenal' says Auburn's new special teams coach
By Jason Caldwell
A special teams analyst at Tennessee in 2021 before coaching two seasons at Miami-Ohio and Pittsburgh, Jacob Bronowski remembers losing out on Alex McPherson as a recruit almost five years ago. Now he'll get his chance to coach the talented kicker this season with McPherson returning for his senior season with the Tigers.
"Obviously, he had the sickness that he had to go through, but man, I could not be more excited to be with Alex McPherson this year," Bronowski said. "He was a guy that I recruited really, really hard when we were at Tennessee. Obviously, he broke my heart there, but I get the last laugh."
The young assistant knows a thing or two about coaching outstanding kickers. In his last two seasons at Pitt, Bronowski mentored Pitt freshman Trey Butkowski to an All-ACC season and Lou Groza Award semifinalist selection. He converted 19-of-22 field goals (86.4%) and 41-of-42 extra-point tries.The year before he helped Ben Sauls have one of the best seasons ever recorded by a Pitt specialist. Sauls was selected to a pair of All-America teams and was a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Semifinalist. The year before he coached Graham Nicholson at Miami-Ohio, who won the 2023 Groza Award.
Now he gets an opportunity to coach a kicker in McPherson who has made 40-45 career field goals. That consistency is something that Bronowski and the staff are excited about.
"I think he can be a huge weapon," Bronowski said. "From the consistency standpoint, obviously with what we do offensively, like you're going to have, hopefully, a couple more drives every single game with the tempo.
"Whether it's end of half, end of game, those situations with his experience in those moments, to go out there and execute at a high level, and just to right that ship at times as a field-goal kicker, I think you can do a huge service to the team by just, when things are stalling out in the red zone, it's 100% execution. You go out there and you make your field goals, it kind of rights that ship."
That's what Bronowski believes he's getting when McPherson takes the field this fall for the Tigers. Getting stronger and stronger as he continued to progress last fall, the kicker has continued that through the offseason. His new coach believes the best is still to come.
"I'm so excited," the Auburn special teams coach said. "He is coming back. His leg looks like it does his freshman year coming in. He's put on the weight in the weight room with Gio and those guys, and Ethan, our nutritionist, doing a phenomenal job with him putting that weight on.
"His leg speed is back up to where it needs to be, and he's having a great offseason so far. We've kicked twice so far, and he stretched it back to 62 the other day and piped it. He looks phenomenal. I couldn't be more excited about him."
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Auburn lands commitment from elite 2027 DL Donivan Moore
By Christian Clemente
Auburn is continuing to get things going in the 2027 class.
Donivan Moore, a blue-chip defensive lineman from Hueytown (Ala.), has announced his commitment to Auburn not long after visiting for Junior Day. He becomes the second commitment of the Alex Golesh era in the 2027 class.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, Moore is ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 72 player, No. 5 defensive lineman and No. 1 player from Alabama in the 2027 class.
Defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams led the way in recruiting him, both during the Hugh Freeze tenure and then after being retained by Golesh during the staff change.
That bond and connection was enough for Moore to want to join him.
"He's a great coach, he's going to tell you straight up, he's not going to sugarcoat it," Moore said previously. "He's just going to get to you to the next level and more importantly make me a better man."
As a sophomore for Hueytown, Moore totaled 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns.
Moore is the second commitment for Auburn in the 2027 class joining 3-star tight end Trae Proctor, who committed in January.
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COMMITMENT: 4-star DL Donivan Moore, state's top recruit, commits to Auburn
By Jeffrey Lee
Four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore, the No. 1-ranked recruit in Alabama in the 2027 class, has committed to Auburn.
Moore, who attends Hueytown, announced his decision Thursday on social media. He chose Auburn over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas, among others.
“I feel comfortable every time I go to a game or for a visit or even when I just go up to the city,” Moore said. “I just feel love. It feels like a home away from home.
“Auburn always feels like home for me. The coaches are great. I like the atmosphere a lot, too. It is always great when I am there.”
Moore said Auburn defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams played a major role in his decision.
“We have a great relationship,” Moore said. “He’s a great guy, a great role model as a coach and as a man. He’s going to teach me in the ins and outs.
“He’s going to give it to you straight up. He’s going to love you, but also coach you hard at the same time. Also, he’s going to teach you not just about football, but about life. That’s why I respect him so much.”
Moore, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, is ranked by Rivals as the No. 5 defensive lineman in the country and No. 52 overall recruit.
He is the second commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class, joining tight end Tank Proctor.
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4-star DL Donivan Moore commits to Auburn: 'This is like a dream coming true'
By Chad Simmons
Hueytown (Ala.) defensive lineman Donivan Moore has made his decision. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound four-star, ranked No. 52 in the 2027 Rivals300, announced his commitment to Auburn after collecting more than 30 offers.
Moore, who grew up an Auburn fan, said the commitment is the realization of a childhood dream.
“This is like a dream coming true for me,” Moore told Rivals. “I’ve been an Auburn fan growing up. I watched the Iron Bowl and told myself as a kid that I wanted to play in that game. I never imagined things would happen this fast. To get the offer from Auburn and now be committed — it’s shocking.”
Auburn offered Moore last fall and quickly became the frontrunner.
“Every time I go to Auburn, it feels like home. Everyone welcomes me, and the love from Auburn’s coaches is real. It just feels right — like another home.”
Moore chose Auburn over a long list of suitors, including LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, and USC. But the Tigers’ consistency and trust factor won out.
Alex Golesh is the new head coach, and Moore believes in him, but it is one of the coaches he retained that made the biggest impact.
“One of the biggest reasons I committed now is trust,” he said. “Coach Vontrell [King-Williams] is honest with me, and I believe the coaches there. The communication was key — they never stopped checking on me. And when I’m there, it just feels like home.”
Moore sees Auburn as a program on the rise under Golesh and defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams.
“I’m very excited about their future,” he said. “They’re coming back up. I like Coach Golesh and I really like Coach King.”
Moore will take his official visit on June 5.
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Auburn Lands First Defensive Commit of 2027 Class with No. 1 Recruit in Alabama
By Cam Parker
Auburn Daily
The Auburn Tigers are now up to two commitments in its 2027 recruiting class with Hueytown (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore on Thursday pledging to the program. Moore is the Tigers' first defensive commit of the class and joins Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage three-star tight end Trae Proctor in the class.
Moore (6-4, 280 pounds) is rated as the No. 5 defensive lineman, No. 52 overall and No. 1 in-state recruit in the class of 2027 by Rivals.
"All glory to god,im staying home WAR DAMN EAGLE," Moore tweeted shortly after Rivals' Hayes Fawcett's initial report.
https://twitter.com/Hayesfawcett3/status/2022085560345780493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2022085560345780493%7Ctwgr%5Ed0b6a20a92da65c9aba456f053353ead90935bc9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Frecruiting%2Fauburn-first-defensive-commit-2027-class-no-1-recruit-alabama-01kha1vr05w1
Auburn, with retained defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams headlining its efforts, beat out Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Texas for the in-state talent. Moore's commitment to the Tigers also does not come as a surprise after naming Auburn his top school on Feb. 1 shortly after a visit to the campus.
"Oh my God, Coach Golesh, AG, that’s my guy right there," Moore said, via 247 Sports' Christian Clemente. "We just built a relationship very quickly. We bonded very quickly."
Moore's commitment is also a big step towards a promise made by Golesh to "have a giant footprint in this 250-mile radius around campus."
"We’re going to recruit this 250-mile radius harder than anybody in the entire country," he said in his introductory press conference on Dec. 1. "The high school football within these 250 miles is nothing short of elite. I’ve been in this part of the country for a long time. I’ve recruited this part of the country for a long time. Our staff, as it all comes together, is going to have a giant footprint in this 250-mile radius around campus. We’re going to identify, we’re going to recruit, we’re going to attack, and we’re going to bring those guys right here to the Plains.
"We’re going to develop as hard as anybody ever has. The investment that has been made by the administration to go and attack every single part of recruiting is phenomenal - nothing short of phenomenal. We’ve got every resource known to man right here to be able to go attract, recruit, retain and develop the best talent there is in the entire country."
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Pair of Five-Stars Headline Recruits Who Have Listed Auburn as a Top School
By Cam Parker
Auburn Daily
The Auburn Tigers on Thursday added its second commit of the 2027 class with Hueytown (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore, the No. 1 recruit in Alabama, joining Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage three-star tight end Trae Proctor in the class.
As Alex Golesh builds his second recruiting class with the program, other recruits are heavily considering the Tigers, including a large group that has listed Auburn as a top school.
Auburn Tigers on SI lists those recruits who have publicly listed the Tigers as a top school, while quickly breaking down where things stand for three of the highest-ranked recruits.
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List of Recruits
5-star QB Elijah Haven (Top four: Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia)
5-star Edge Rusher Anthony Sweeney (Top 12): Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech)
4-star QB Andre Adams (Top five: Auburn, Cincinnati, Mississippi State, NC State, Virginia Tech)
4-star QB Carson White (Top eight: Auburn, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, Kentucky, UCF, Utah, Virginia Tech)
4-star RB David Gabriel Georges (Top eight: Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas)
4-star WR Jaden Upshaw (Top six: Auburn, Alabama, Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC)
4-star OL Terrance Smith (Top seven: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Rutgers, Tennessee)
4-star OL Layton Von Brandt (Top eight: Auburn, Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech)
4-star DL Georgia Toia (Top eight: Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas Tech)
4-star CB Jaden Carey (Top seven: Auburn, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon)
4-star CB Chase Johnson (Top five: Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami)
4-star S Zayden Gamble (Top 10: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M)
3-star QB Jamison Roberts (Top eight: Auburn, Arkansas, Duke, Iowa, Kentucky, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ole Miss)
5-Star QB Headlines Offensive Group
Hailing from Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham School, five-star quarterback Elijah Haven (6-5, 215 pounds) is rated as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 overall prospect in the 2027 class by 247 Sports after throwing for 9,274 yards and 134 touchdowns and rushing for 2,375 yards and 44 touchdowns in his career.
While he has included Auburn in his list, Alabama has long been considered the favorite, and Florida appears to be rising in his recruitment.
He has not announced a planned commitment date or an upcoming visit schedule, although he did visit Auburn for an unofficial visit on Feb. 1.
Outside of Haven, Auburn is in the running for three other quarterbacks in the class: Nashville (Tenn.) Antioch four-star Andre Adams, Arcola (Texas) Iowa Colony four-star Carson White and Mobile (Ala.) Saraland three-star Jamison Roberts. According to Rivals' Recruiting Prediction Machine, Auburn is in a neck-and-neck battle with Vanderbilt for Adams, White is predicted to choose Houston and Roberts is predicted to choose Oklahoma.
5-Star Edge Rusher Has Auburn in Top 12
Headlining the defensive prospects on the list is Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel five-star edge rusher Anthony Sweeney, the No. 18 recruit, No. 3 edge rusher and No. 1 Maryland recruit in the 2027 class, according to the 247 Sports Composite.
While he has released a top 12, the process appears to be early for Sweeney, but one team has taken an early separation. Alabama will receive his first official visit of the summer, hosting the five-star on May 28. Rivals lists the Crimson Tide as the early leader. However, Texas A&M is making a push and is set to host him on June 12, according to 247 Sports.
Sweeney has not announced any other scheduled visits.
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Former Auburn QB Cam Newton Expresses Interest in Return to Program in Off-Field Role
By Dre Gaines
Auburn Daily
Former Auburn Tigers Heisman-winning quarterback Cam Newton recently expressed interest in making a return to the program, albeit in a non-coaching role.
Newton, who is currently the co-host of ESPN’s First Take and runs his own podcast, 4th&1, made an appearance during Super Bowl week on the Snapback Sports Podcast to discuss his future. Initially, he was asked what he thinks his NIL value would be if he were in college football today, but he diverted the question to what he truly wants.
“I would love a managerial position at Auburn,” Newton said. “This is the reality. Former players don't get enough just respect of being an expert in the space. Certain players finesse their way to money that you couldn't do that (with their film). I would have incentive based contract (for Auburn players). If you hit these incentives, you’ll definitely be paid.”
https://twitter.com/i/status/2021350849549828504
Newton has not played football since 2021, when he emerged with the Carolina Panthers for a second stint. Since then, Newton has primarily worked in sports media, whilst still wishing for a return to football.
During the 2010 season for Auburn, Newton recorded 2,834 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns to go along with 1,473 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. During that same season, he not only won the Heisman Trophy but also led the Tigers to the national championship. The national championship was the last time the Tigers won the big game.
Newton was then drafted with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, where he won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2015. Since being drafted, Newton made frequent appearances for Auburn during big games, including last season during the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry against the Georgia Bulldogs, where he had his jersey retired.
Newton is one of three former Tigers to have earned the Heisman Trophy, with the other two being running back Bo Jackson and quarterback Pat Sullivan. All three players have statues out in front of Jordan-Hare Stadium, but none had a role with the Tigers after leaving campus.
The national champion’s idea is not necessarily new. Another notable quarterback who is the current general manager of their alma mater’s program is former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
Still, it will be up to Auburn athletic director John Cohen on whether or not he will have an answer to Newton’s wishes and up to Newton to follow through.
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Judge grants Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss an injunction to play for Rebels in 2026
By Nick Bromberg
Senior writer
Yahoo Sports
Trinidad Chambliss’ push for an extra year of eligibility has paid off.
The Ole Miss quarterback was granted an injunction in Mississippi state court on Thursday that allows him to play for the Rebels in 2026. Chambliss, who transferred from Ferris State, had argued that he should have received a medical redshirt in 2022 while he was playing for the Bulldogs and dealing with health issues before his tonsils were removed in 2024. Chambliss redshirted in 2021 while he was at Ferris State and didn’t appear in a game in 2022.
The injunction from Judge Robert Whitwell came after the NCAA twice denied Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility. In January, the governing body denied his request for a waiver and then subsequently denied his appeal. During the hearing Thursday, news emerged that the NCAA had denied Chambliss' request to reconsider its decision.
Whitwell noted before he issued the injunction that the NCAA's lawyers had left the courtroom and were not present at the time of his ruling Thursday afternoon. Whitwell talked for over an hour before issuing his ruling, and it was obvious over the course of his remarks that he was going to rule in Chambliss' favor as he noted that the NCAA had operated "in bad faith" and that it disregarded Chambliss' medical issues in refusing to grant him the waiver.
Whitwell also made clear that he was not ruling that the NCAA's rules were illegal or making a larger example of the NCAA's eligibility system.
Chambliss, 23, was one of college football's breakout stars in 2025. After relieving an injured Austin Simmons in Ole Miss’ second game of the season, Chambliss totaled 30 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions as the Rebels made it to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff before losing to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Chambliss’ performance in the quarterfinals against Georgia was a game that will live forever in Ole Miss lore. He was 30-of-46 passing for 362 yards and two scores as the Rebels outscored the Bulldogs 27-13 in the second half for a 39-34 Sugar Bowl win.
His return to Ole Miss is a huge boost for the Rebels as they look to get back to the College Football Playoff under new coach Pete Golding. The former Ole Miss defensive coordinator became the team’s head coach ahead of the playoff in December as Lane Kiffin decided to leave Ole Miss for the open job at LSU.
To say that having Chambliss back for a second season in Oxford is massive may be an understatement. Simmons transferred after the season to Missouri and, had Chambliss not come back, Auburn transfer Deuce Knight would have been the prohibitive favorite to start for the Rebels.
Chambliss will likely be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy ahead of the 2026 season even with Kiffin and former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. now at LSU. Ole Miss added the No. 18 transfer class in the country this offseason, according to On3, and signed Michigan State RB Makhi Frazier and (controversially) Clemson LB Luke Ferrelli among others.
With Chambliss now set to play for the Rebels next season, there's still one more eligibility case among starting quarterbacks in the SEC remaining. Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar has received a temporary restraining order in his efforts to play for a seventh season of college football, with a hearing set for Friday over a possible injunction that would clear the way for him to play next season.
McPherson looking 'phenomenal' says Auburn's new special teams coach:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburns-alex-mcpherson-continues-to-progress-after-making-a-comeback-last-season-274110217/
Auburn lands commitment from elite 2027 DL Donivan Moore:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/donivan-moore-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-274129145/
COMMITMENT: 4-star DL Donivan Moore, state's top recruit, commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/donivan-moore-states-top-recruit-in-2027-commits-to-auburn/
4-star DL Donivan Moore commits to Auburn: 'This is like a dream coming true':
https://www.on3.com/rivals/news/2027-4-star-dl-donivan-moore-commits-to-auburn-this-is-like-a-dream-coming-true/
Auburn Lands First Defensive Commit of 2027 Class with No. 1 Recruit in Alabama:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/auburn-first-defensive-commit-2027-class-no-1-recruit-alabama-01kha1vr05w1
Pair of Five-Stars Headline Recruits Who Have Listed Auburn as a Top School:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/five-stars-recruits-listed-auburn-top-school-01kha0eqersz
Former Auburn QB Cam Newton Expresses Interest in Return to Program in Off-Field Role:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/former-auburn-qb-cam-newton-expresses-interest-return-to-program-off-field-role-01kh7d83x67v
Judge grants Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss an injunction to play for Rebels in 2026:
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/judge-grants-ole-miss-qb-trinidad-chambliss-an-injunction-to-play-for-rebels-in-2026-234628828.html
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By Jason Caldwell
A special teams analyst at Tennessee in 2021 before coaching two seasons at Miami-Ohio and Pittsburgh, Jacob Bronowski remembers losing out on Alex McPherson as a recruit almost five years ago. Now he'll get his chance to coach the talented kicker this season with McPherson returning for his senior season with the Tigers.
"Obviously, he had the sickness that he had to go through, but man, I could not be more excited to be with Alex McPherson this year," Bronowski said. "He was a guy that I recruited really, really hard when we were at Tennessee. Obviously, he broke my heart there, but I get the last laugh."
The young assistant knows a thing or two about coaching outstanding kickers. In his last two seasons at Pitt, Bronowski mentored Pitt freshman Trey Butkowski to an All-ACC season and Lou Groza Award semifinalist selection. He converted 19-of-22 field goals (86.4%) and 41-of-42 extra-point tries.The year before he helped Ben Sauls have one of the best seasons ever recorded by a Pitt specialist. Sauls was selected to a pair of All-America teams and was a Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Semifinalist. The year before he coached Graham Nicholson at Miami-Ohio, who won the 2023 Groza Award.
Now he gets an opportunity to coach a kicker in McPherson who has made 40-45 career field goals. That consistency is something that Bronowski and the staff are excited about.
"I think he can be a huge weapon," Bronowski said. "From the consistency standpoint, obviously with what we do offensively, like you're going to have, hopefully, a couple more drives every single game with the tempo.
"Whether it's end of half, end of game, those situations with his experience in those moments, to go out there and execute at a high level, and just to right that ship at times as a field-goal kicker, I think you can do a huge service to the team by just, when things are stalling out in the red zone, it's 100% execution. You go out there and you make your field goals, it kind of rights that ship."
That's what Bronowski believes he's getting when McPherson takes the field this fall for the Tigers. Getting stronger and stronger as he continued to progress last fall, the kicker has continued that through the offseason. His new coach believes the best is still to come.
"I'm so excited," the Auburn special teams coach said. "He is coming back. His leg looks like it does his freshman year coming in. He's put on the weight in the weight room with Gio and those guys, and Ethan, our nutritionist, doing a phenomenal job with him putting that weight on.
"His leg speed is back up to where it needs to be, and he's having a great offseason so far. We've kicked twice so far, and he stretched it back to 62 the other day and piped it. He looks phenomenal. I couldn't be more excited about him."
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Auburn lands commitment from elite 2027 DL Donivan Moore
By Christian Clemente
Auburn is continuing to get things going in the 2027 class.
Donivan Moore, a blue-chip defensive lineman from Hueytown (Ala.), has announced his commitment to Auburn not long after visiting for Junior Day. He becomes the second commitment of the Alex Golesh era in the 2027 class.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, Moore is ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 72 player, No. 5 defensive lineman and No. 1 player from Alabama in the 2027 class.
Defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams led the way in recruiting him, both during the Hugh Freeze tenure and then after being retained by Golesh during the staff change.
That bond and connection was enough for Moore to want to join him.
"He's a great coach, he's going to tell you straight up, he's not going to sugarcoat it," Moore said previously. "He's just going to get to you to the next level and more importantly make me a better man."
As a sophomore for Hueytown, Moore totaled 58 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns.
Moore is the second commitment for Auburn in the 2027 class joining 3-star tight end Trae Proctor, who committed in January.
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COMMITMENT: 4-star DL Donivan Moore, state's top recruit, commits to Auburn
By Jeffrey Lee
Four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore, the No. 1-ranked recruit in Alabama in the 2027 class, has committed to Auburn.
Moore, who attends Hueytown, announced his decision Thursday on social media. He chose Auburn over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas, among others.
“I feel comfortable every time I go to a game or for a visit or even when I just go up to the city,” Moore said. “I just feel love. It feels like a home away from home.
“Auburn always feels like home for me. The coaches are great. I like the atmosphere a lot, too. It is always great when I am there.”
Moore said Auburn defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams played a major role in his decision.
“We have a great relationship,” Moore said. “He’s a great guy, a great role model as a coach and as a man. He’s going to teach me in the ins and outs.
“He’s going to give it to you straight up. He’s going to love you, but also coach you hard at the same time. Also, he’s going to teach you not just about football, but about life. That’s why I respect him so much.”
Moore, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, is ranked by Rivals as the No. 5 defensive lineman in the country and No. 52 overall recruit.
He is the second commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class, joining tight end Tank Proctor.
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4-star DL Donivan Moore commits to Auburn: 'This is like a dream coming true'
By Chad Simmons
Hueytown (Ala.) defensive lineman Donivan Moore has made his decision. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound four-star, ranked No. 52 in the 2027 Rivals300, announced his commitment to Auburn after collecting more than 30 offers.
Moore, who grew up an Auburn fan, said the commitment is the realization of a childhood dream.
“This is like a dream coming true for me,” Moore told Rivals. “I’ve been an Auburn fan growing up. I watched the Iron Bowl and told myself as a kid that I wanted to play in that game. I never imagined things would happen this fast. To get the offer from Auburn and now be committed — it’s shocking.”
Auburn offered Moore last fall and quickly became the frontrunner.
“Every time I go to Auburn, it feels like home. Everyone welcomes me, and the love from Auburn’s coaches is real. It just feels right — like another home.”
Moore chose Auburn over a long list of suitors, including LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, and USC. But the Tigers’ consistency and trust factor won out.
Alex Golesh is the new head coach, and Moore believes in him, but it is one of the coaches he retained that made the biggest impact.
“One of the biggest reasons I committed now is trust,” he said. “Coach Vontrell [King-Williams] is honest with me, and I believe the coaches there. The communication was key — they never stopped checking on me. And when I’m there, it just feels like home.”
Moore sees Auburn as a program on the rise under Golesh and defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams.
“I’m very excited about their future,” he said. “They’re coming back up. I like Coach Golesh and I really like Coach King.”
Moore will take his official visit on June 5.
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Auburn Lands First Defensive Commit of 2027 Class with No. 1 Recruit in Alabama
By Cam Parker
Auburn Daily
The Auburn Tigers are now up to two commitments in its 2027 recruiting class with Hueytown (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore on Thursday pledging to the program. Moore is the Tigers' first defensive commit of the class and joins Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage three-star tight end Trae Proctor in the class.
Moore (6-4, 280 pounds) is rated as the No. 5 defensive lineman, No. 52 overall and No. 1 in-state recruit in the class of 2027 by Rivals.
"All glory to god,im staying home WAR DAMN EAGLE," Moore tweeted shortly after Rivals' Hayes Fawcett's initial report.
https://twitter.com/Hayesfawcett3/status/2022085560345780493?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2022085560345780493%7Ctwgr%5Ed0b6a20a92da65c9aba456f053353ead90935bc9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Frecruiting%2Fauburn-first-defensive-commit-2027-class-no-1-recruit-alabama-01kha1vr05w1
Auburn, with retained defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams headlining its efforts, beat out Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Ole Miss and Texas for the in-state talent. Moore's commitment to the Tigers also does not come as a surprise after naming Auburn his top school on Feb. 1 shortly after a visit to the campus.
"Oh my God, Coach Golesh, AG, that’s my guy right there," Moore said, via 247 Sports' Christian Clemente. "We just built a relationship very quickly. We bonded very quickly."
Moore's commitment is also a big step towards a promise made by Golesh to "have a giant footprint in this 250-mile radius around campus."
"We’re going to recruit this 250-mile radius harder than anybody in the entire country," he said in his introductory press conference on Dec. 1. "The high school football within these 250 miles is nothing short of elite. I’ve been in this part of the country for a long time. I’ve recruited this part of the country for a long time. Our staff, as it all comes together, is going to have a giant footprint in this 250-mile radius around campus. We’re going to identify, we’re going to recruit, we’re going to attack, and we’re going to bring those guys right here to the Plains.
"We’re going to develop as hard as anybody ever has. The investment that has been made by the administration to go and attack every single part of recruiting is phenomenal - nothing short of phenomenal. We’ve got every resource known to man right here to be able to go attract, recruit, retain and develop the best talent there is in the entire country."
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Pair of Five-Stars Headline Recruits Who Have Listed Auburn as a Top School
By Cam Parker
Auburn Daily
The Auburn Tigers on Thursday added its second commit of the 2027 class with Hueytown (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Donivan Moore, the No. 1 recruit in Alabama, joining Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage three-star tight end Trae Proctor in the class.
As Alex Golesh builds his second recruiting class with the program, other recruits are heavily considering the Tigers, including a large group that has listed Auburn as a top school.
Auburn Tigers on SI lists those recruits who have publicly listed the Tigers as a top school, while quickly breaking down where things stand for three of the highest-ranked recruits.
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List of Recruits
5-star QB Elijah Haven (Top four: Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Georgia)
5-star Edge Rusher Anthony Sweeney (Top 12): Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech)
4-star QB Andre Adams (Top five: Auburn, Cincinnati, Mississippi State, NC State, Virginia Tech)
4-star QB Carson White (Top eight: Auburn, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State, Kentucky, UCF, Utah, Virginia Tech)
4-star RB David Gabriel Georges (Top eight: Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas)
4-star WR Jaden Upshaw (Top six: Auburn, Alabama, Miami, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC)
4-star OL Terrance Smith (Top seven: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Rutgers, Tennessee)
4-star OL Layton Von Brandt (Top eight: Auburn, Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech)
4-star DL Georgia Toia (Top eight: Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas Tech)
4-star CB Jaden Carey (Top seven: Auburn, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon)
4-star CB Chase Johnson (Top five: Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami)
4-star S Zayden Gamble (Top 10: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas A&M)
3-star QB Jamison Roberts (Top eight: Auburn, Arkansas, Duke, Iowa, Kentucky, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ole Miss)
5-Star QB Headlines Offensive Group
Hailing from Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham School, five-star quarterback Elijah Haven (6-5, 215 pounds) is rated as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 overall prospect in the 2027 class by 247 Sports after throwing for 9,274 yards and 134 touchdowns and rushing for 2,375 yards and 44 touchdowns in his career.
While he has included Auburn in his list, Alabama has long been considered the favorite, and Florida appears to be rising in his recruitment.
He has not announced a planned commitment date or an upcoming visit schedule, although he did visit Auburn for an unofficial visit on Feb. 1.
Outside of Haven, Auburn is in the running for three other quarterbacks in the class: Nashville (Tenn.) Antioch four-star Andre Adams, Arcola (Texas) Iowa Colony four-star Carson White and Mobile (Ala.) Saraland three-star Jamison Roberts. According to Rivals' Recruiting Prediction Machine, Auburn is in a neck-and-neck battle with Vanderbilt for Adams, White is predicted to choose Houston and Roberts is predicted to choose Oklahoma.
5-Star Edge Rusher Has Auburn in Top 12
Headlining the defensive prospects on the list is Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel five-star edge rusher Anthony Sweeney, the No. 18 recruit, No. 3 edge rusher and No. 1 Maryland recruit in the 2027 class, according to the 247 Sports Composite.
While he has released a top 12, the process appears to be early for Sweeney, but one team has taken an early separation. Alabama will receive his first official visit of the summer, hosting the five-star on May 28. Rivals lists the Crimson Tide as the early leader. However, Texas A&M is making a push and is set to host him on June 12, according to 247 Sports.
Sweeney has not announced any other scheduled visits.
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Former Auburn QB Cam Newton Expresses Interest in Return to Program in Off-Field Role
By Dre Gaines
Auburn Daily
Former Auburn Tigers Heisman-winning quarterback Cam Newton recently expressed interest in making a return to the program, albeit in a non-coaching role.
Newton, who is currently the co-host of ESPN’s First Take and runs his own podcast, 4th&1, made an appearance during Super Bowl week on the Snapback Sports Podcast to discuss his future. Initially, he was asked what he thinks his NIL value would be if he were in college football today, but he diverted the question to what he truly wants.
“I would love a managerial position at Auburn,” Newton said. “This is the reality. Former players don't get enough just respect of being an expert in the space. Certain players finesse their way to money that you couldn't do that (with their film). I would have incentive based contract (for Auburn players). If you hit these incentives, you’ll definitely be paid.”
https://twitter.com/i/status/2021350849549828504
Newton has not played football since 2021, when he emerged with the Carolina Panthers for a second stint. Since then, Newton has primarily worked in sports media, whilst still wishing for a return to football.
During the 2010 season for Auburn, Newton recorded 2,834 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns to go along with 1,473 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. During that same season, he not only won the Heisman Trophy but also led the Tigers to the national championship. The national championship was the last time the Tigers won the big game.
Newton was then drafted with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers, where he won the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2015. Since being drafted, Newton made frequent appearances for Auburn during big games, including last season during the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry against the Georgia Bulldogs, where he had his jersey retired.
Newton is one of three former Tigers to have earned the Heisman Trophy, with the other two being running back Bo Jackson and quarterback Pat Sullivan. All three players have statues out in front of Jordan-Hare Stadium, but none had a role with the Tigers after leaving campus.
The national champion’s idea is not necessarily new. Another notable quarterback who is the current general manager of their alma mater’s program is former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
Still, it will be up to Auburn athletic director John Cohen on whether or not he will have an answer to Newton’s wishes and up to Newton to follow through.
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Judge grants Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss an injunction to play for Rebels in 2026
By Nick Bromberg
Senior writer
Yahoo Sports
Trinidad Chambliss’ push for an extra year of eligibility has paid off.
The Ole Miss quarterback was granted an injunction in Mississippi state court on Thursday that allows him to play for the Rebels in 2026. Chambliss, who transferred from Ferris State, had argued that he should have received a medical redshirt in 2022 while he was playing for the Bulldogs and dealing with health issues before his tonsils were removed in 2024. Chambliss redshirted in 2021 while he was at Ferris State and didn’t appear in a game in 2022.
The injunction from Judge Robert Whitwell came after the NCAA twice denied Chambliss’ request for a sixth year of eligibility. In January, the governing body denied his request for a waiver and then subsequently denied his appeal. During the hearing Thursday, news emerged that the NCAA had denied Chambliss' request to reconsider its decision.
Whitwell noted before he issued the injunction that the NCAA's lawyers had left the courtroom and were not present at the time of his ruling Thursday afternoon. Whitwell talked for over an hour before issuing his ruling, and it was obvious over the course of his remarks that he was going to rule in Chambliss' favor as he noted that the NCAA had operated "in bad faith" and that it disregarded Chambliss' medical issues in refusing to grant him the waiver.
Whitwell also made clear that he was not ruling that the NCAA's rules were illegal or making a larger example of the NCAA's eligibility system.
Chambliss, 23, was one of college football's breakout stars in 2025. After relieving an injured Austin Simmons in Ole Miss’ second game of the season, Chambliss totaled 30 touchdowns and threw just three interceptions as the Rebels made it to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff before losing to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Chambliss’ performance in the quarterfinals against Georgia was a game that will live forever in Ole Miss lore. He was 30-of-46 passing for 362 yards and two scores as the Rebels outscored the Bulldogs 27-13 in the second half for a 39-34 Sugar Bowl win.
His return to Ole Miss is a huge boost for the Rebels as they look to get back to the College Football Playoff under new coach Pete Golding. The former Ole Miss defensive coordinator became the team’s head coach ahead of the playoff in December as Lane Kiffin decided to leave Ole Miss for the open job at LSU.
To say that having Chambliss back for a second season in Oxford is massive may be an understatement. Simmons transferred after the season to Missouri and, had Chambliss not come back, Auburn transfer Deuce Knight would have been the prohibitive favorite to start for the Rebels.
Chambliss will likely be one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy ahead of the 2026 season even with Kiffin and former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. now at LSU. Ole Miss added the No. 18 transfer class in the country this offseason, according to On3, and signed Michigan State RB Makhi Frazier and (controversially) Clemson LB Luke Ferrelli among others.
With Chambliss now set to play for the Rebels next season, there's still one more eligibility case among starting quarterbacks in the SEC remaining. Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar has received a temporary restraining order in his efforts to play for a seventh season of college football, with a hearing set for Friday over a possible injunction that would clear the way for him to play next season.
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