Football News: 6-24-2026
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Dudley Dent
Jun 24, 2026, 7:45:52 AM (23 hours ago) Jun 24
to Tiger Tracks
Auburn Football News: 6-24-2026
On The Plains with Cole Best: 'A true, authentic leader':
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/06/23/on-the-plains-with-cole-best-a-true-authentic-leader
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 23:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-tigers-football-sylvester-smith-eric-winters-anquon-fegans-champ-anthony-287922466/
Auburn gets commitment from Top247 WR Deshawn Hall:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/deshawn-hall-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287769421/
BREAKING: 4-star Deshawn Hall, No. 1 WR in Alabama, commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/4-star-deshawn-hall-no-1-wr-in-alabama-commits-to-auburn/
Auburn "checked all the boxes", and WR DeShawn Hall is a Tiger:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/auburn-checked-all-the-boxes-and-wr-deshawn-hall-is-a-tiger/
Auburn Robs Blue-Chip WR from Penn State in Nearly Impossible Recruiting Win:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/auburn-robs-blue-chip-wr-from-penn-state-flip-deshawn-hall
Auburn beats Alabama, lands commitment from WR Cedrick Simmons:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/cedrick-simmons-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287909109/
BREAKING: In-state WR Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn over Alabama:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/breaking-in-state-wr-cedrick-simmons-commits-to-auburn-over-alabama/
From Roll Tide to War Eagle: Alabama fan Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/from-roll-tide-to-war-eagle-alabama-fan-cedrick-simmons-commits-to-auburn/
Auburn WR Duke Smith no longer on the team:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-tigers-football-roster-duke-smith-287943541/
NCAA Division I adopts age-based, 5-year eligibility model that eliminates redshirts, waivers:
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/article/ncaa-division-i-adopts-age-based-5-year-eligibility-model-that-eliminates-redshirts-waivers-232337982.html
On The Plains with Cole Best: 'A true, authentic leader'
By Patrick Meadows
Cole Best arrived on The Plains in the spring, following head coach Alex Golesh from South Florida to Auburn, and the senior center from Winter Park, Florida, is ready to put an exclamation on his final chapter of collegiate football with the Tigers.
Best first ventured into the realm of football when he played flag football at a young age and moved up in the sport until eighth grade. He stopped playing altogether and only went back out after his friends begged him.
“I was the biggest guy in our grade,” he said. “They were begging me to come out and try tackle, and I kept telling them, ‘No, no, no,’ and then finally I did it. At that level, if you're just big and strong, you are just kind of tossing kids around.”
After spending his entire football career in the state of Florida, Best arrived on The Plains alongside Golesh after five seasons at South Florida.
“Obviously being really, really loyal to Coach Golesh, when he took the opportunity to be the head coach here, and they wanted me to come with them, I was like, ‘Man, that's like a dream come true,’” said Best. “That's a no-brainer.”
Throughout his USF career, Best grew in his role and improved each season, he says.
“Obviously, there comes the physical component with playing O-line, that's just getting bigger, stronger and faster,” said Best, a USF captain in 2025. “For me, the part that I always struggled with early on was the mental part of it – being able to process stuff at a super-high clip, especially in the really high, up-tempo offense that we run.”
Best redshirted his freshman season and then played in two games the next season.
After playing 11 games in 2023, Best started 10 of 13 games in 2024, beginning a streak of 20 consecutive starts that he’ll take into the 2026 season.
Throughout his time as a Bull, his skills at center as well as his leadership ability grew and that all came to fruition when he earned All-American Conference recognition last season.
At the end of the 2025 season, his connection with Golesh helped with the decision to transfer, but Best also held an appreciation for the university and town before deciding to come to The Plains.
“I've always loved Auburn, loved the area,” he said. “I had a bunch of friends that came here out of high school, and I came and visited them. I've always loved this place, always loved the culture. I always thought the eagle in the stadium was the coolest tradition in college football.”
Before announcing his commitment to the Tigers, Best was already starting to feel the pull of the Auburn faithful.
“That Auburn Family is real,” Best said. “The way that even before I committed, the fanbase was reaching out to me and interacting with me and saying, ‘Come home, come to The Plains.’”
Best not only comes to Auburn with his coach but also with quarterback Byrum Brown. After several seasons together, Best and Brown have developed strong bonds on and off the field.
“Over the years, we've just gotten closer and closer and closer, especially snapping the ball to him every play,” Best said. “We have a good time, we joke around, we talk on the field, we talk off the field, we hang out in the building, we hang out outside the building, and I think that center-quarterback connection is everything.
“I've got to be able to trust him, but he's dang sure got to be able to trust me to put the snap right where he wants it every time. Not only that, but to get the O-line right and make sure that he's protected.”
Entering the 2026 season, Best looks to help Auburn take the next steps towards competing for championships again.
“This year all I have on my mind is being a leader to set the foundation, and that's what we did at the last spot,” Best said. “That's what I'm going to do here. It starts within the position room. You start small, so you get around those guys in the position room.”
Best has accomplished many things throughout his collegiate career, but there are still some achievements that remain and he is not done yet.
“To win a conference championship, go to the playoffs and go to a national championship,” Best said. “So, I’d say not even close to being done yet. The number one individual goal this year is to go get that Rimington Trophy.”
While Best’s achievements and accomplishments are meaningful, learning how to be a leader has been a defining and essential lesson of his career.
For Best, leadership is not simply about leading by example. It is about holding others accountable and having the confidence to speak when necessary.
“Don’t be afraid,” Best said. “You’ve earned the right to speak up. You've earned the right to demand it from the younger guys and even the older guys.”
More than anything else, Best is looking forward to his first game under the lights in Jordan-Hare when the Tigers take on Southern Miss.
“When I think about what I'm most excited for is standing in that tunnel at that first home game and just looking up and seeing almost 90,000 fans just losing their minds,” Best said. “To me, that's what I'm most excited for and just winning a lot of games, getting this place back on the map and giving these Auburn fans what they deserve.”
After the 2026 season, Best, who earned his degree in marketing from South Florida, looks to play in the NFL.
“The league is on my mind 100 percent,” Best said. “If it's meant to be, God willing, then it's meant to be, and that's been my dream my entire life.”
And life after football?
“I'd really like to get into real estate, and then I'm just excited to be a father, be a husband and start a family,” he said.
Best looks to write his final chapter on The Plains and hopes to leave a lasting impact on the program. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, his response had little to do with statistics or awards.
“True authentic leader and a dude that gave his all in everything that he did,” Best said. “I'd want to hear, ‘That dude came in and worked his tail off every day.’”
***********************
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 23
By Nathan King
We're still in the heart of the college football offseason: two months removed from spring practice, more than a month from media days, and inside 100 days until the 2026 season, Auburn's first under head coach Alex Golesh.
So what better time to crank up the rankings? As we do annually this time of year, Auburn Undercover is counting down the top 25 most valuable players for the Tigers' 2026 season.
A few notes to set the table: These rankings are based on a player's previous contributions in college, as well as his assumed impact in 2026 — how important he is expected to be to Auburn's success in both production and the win-loss column. It is not simply Auburn's best players in descending order.
Next up is No. 23: safety Sylvester Smith-Reed, a returning starter in a deep safety room who was playing some of his best football toward the end of last season.
AS A RECRUIT
Hometown: Munford, Ala.
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: 4-star, No. 23 S
AS A PLAYER
A post-coaching change commitment for Auburn after Hugh Freeze arrived, Smith-Reed joined the Tigers' 2023 recruiting class as a do-it-all athlete for Munford, where he started at quarterback his senior season. Smith-Reed was a summer arrival as a freshman at Auburn and did make any sort of major waves in the rotation, but his practice habits were enough to get him on the field in Auburn's bowl game against Maryland, where the Tigers were down a number of defensive backs due to opt outs and injuries, including both starting safeties.
With Jaylin Simpson, Zion Puckett and Donovan Kaufman all exiting after the 2023 season, the door opened to more playing time for Smith-Reed, who had 28 tackles in 2024 and played the third-most snaps among Auburn's safeties, though more than half his usage came at nickel following Champ Anthony's season-ending injury. Smith-Reed again had 28 tackles last season, again playing the third-most reps at safety, this time behind Kaleb Harris and Jahquez Robinson.
Smith-Reed came on strong down the stretch of the season, with three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in Auburn's last five games. He opted to return under coordinator DJ Durkin — and new safeties coach Tim Banks, whom Smith-Reed was formerly committed to at Tennessee. In spring ball, Smith-Reed was the most commonly paired starting safety alongside Eric Winters, with Kaleb Harris rotating in plenty, as well.
2026 OUTLOOK
How much of a difference is there between what's perceived to be Auburn's top four safeties: Winters, Harris, Smith-Reed and Anthony? At the moment, there isn't much, and that's why someone like Smith-Reed, who has several starts to his name and plenty of experience, cracks our top 25, but not by much. He's in a safety room that should be one of the deepest spots on this roster, but no one in there is a major impact player (yet).
Smith-Reed, however, possesses a lot of qualities that make him valuable to Durkin's defense this fall. On top of his experience level as a redshirt junior, he showed last season that his real strength is laying hits close to the line of scrimmage and covering a lot of ground in a hurry. He also spoke often this past spring about wanting to take on a bigger leadership role within Auburn's defense and be a reliable veteran for this group.
It's tough to rank him very high — or players like Kaleb Harris or Champ Anthony, who could easily be slotted in here — considering what else Auburn has available in the secondary, but at season's end, Smith-Reed could very well prove to be one of the Tigers' most important players if he can improve his coverage skills a bit, continue being a physical tackler, and help the defense overall with his communication and experience.
WHAT THEY SAID
"Coach Golesh talks about it all the time, 'If you're leading by example, are you really leading?' So I'm just stepping out of my comfort zone and being more vocal with the guys. There's a bunch of young guys who I've got the attention of right now, and I can just bring them along with me. And the more people get along with us, man, the better it's going to be." — Smith-Reed on becoming more of a leader
**************************
Auburn gets commitment from Top247 WR Deshawn Hall
By Christian Clemente
Auburn is keeping one of the state's best at home.
Deshawn Hall, a 4-star wide receiver and former basketball star, has announced his commitment to the Tigers. Penn State was viewed as the favorite for a while, with Tennessee and Alabama other schools that were in the mix for official visits this summer.
From Prattville (Ala.), Hall is listed at 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds. He recently rose in the rankings with 247Sports and is now tabbed as the No. 141 player, No. 20 wide receiver and No. 7 player from Alabama. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite has Hall lower as the No. 185 player, No. 25 wide receiver and No. 9 player from Alabama.
The Tigers were the first school to bring Hall in for an official visit this summer, with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns leading the charge in recruiting Hall throughout the process this recruiting cycle.
"The way (Burns) interacts with the players. They get work done, but it's also a fun place. It's also a fun time and it makes it that much better for a player," Hall said previously about Auburn. "(Golesh's) energy, he keeps it real with the players and he isn't going to sugarcoat nothing. He's going to let you know how it is, and that's really what a player needs."
It was during one of Auburn's 7-on-7 team camps where Prattville participated, and Hall really shined, where he went from a top target to an even bigger target for the staff and the Tigers put even more pressure on.
Hall is the 23rd commitment for Auburn in the 2027 class, which is quickly starting to finalize before the calendar even reaches July. With the addition of Hall, Auburn's class moves up one spot from No. 9 to No. 8 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. Auburn is also up to third in the SEC behind just Texas A&M and Oklahoma in the recruiting rankings.
**************************
BREAKING: 4-star Deshawn Hall, No. 1 WR in Alabama, commits to Auburn
By Jeffrey Lee
Prattville (Ala.) four-star wide receiver Deshawn Hall has committed to Auburn.
Hall, who is ranked the No. 1 wide receiver in Alabama, announced his decision Tuesday morning on the Rivals YouTube channel. He chose Auburn over Penn State, Alabama and Tennessee, among many others.
“I’ve really grown to love it (at Auburn),” Hall told Rivals. “The new staff is doing a great job with me. I like them a lot.”
That includes wide receivers coach Kodi Burns.
“Me and Kodi Burns are really cool,” Hall said. “I feel like we’ll have a great relationship going forward. Also, the assistant coach, too, Coach Parker (Carmichael.) He’s real cool, too.”
Hall has visited Auburn several times during his recruitment with his most recent being an official visit June 12-14. He also visited Auburn in February and again in April for a spring practice.
“I really loved it,” Hall said of his spring practice visit. “I think the practice intensity was high. The energy was amazing. I really enjoyed it. The way (Burns) interacts with the players. They get work done, but it’s also a fun place. It’s also a fun time and it makes it that much better for a player.”
Hall also watched new coach Alex Golesh.
“His energy, he keeps it real with the players and he isn’t going to sugarcoat nothing,” Hall said. “He’s going to let you know how it is, and that’s really what a player needs.”
The Rivals Industry Ranking ranks Hall the No. 189 overall recruit in the country and No. 9 in Alabama. He is the 23rd commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and second wide receiver, joining three-star Brylan Oduor.
**************************
Auburn "checked all the boxes", and WR DeShawn Hall is a Tiger
By Chad Simmons
Director of Recruiting, Rivals
Not all that long ago, DeShawn Hall believed his future would be on the hardwood.
Now, after piling up nearly 40 scholarship offers and emerging as one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2027 cycle, the Prattville (Ala.) standout has committed to Auburn over Penn State, giving Alex Golesh and the Tigers another major in-state recruiting victory.
Hall’s rise has been one of the more unique stories in the Southeast. A gifted basketball player, he transitioned to football full-time and quickly turned his athletic upside into national attention.
Despite heavy interest from around the country, the Tigers separated themselves.
“It’s just a great all-around place,” Hall told Rivals. “Auburn really checked every box that I was looking for from a relationship standpoint to development. It’s been a second home… everything really worked out. It was obvious that it was the best choice.”
Auburn had what he was looking for.
“The main things I’ve been looking for were relationships with the coaches and players,” he said. “I’m trying to be there for the next three to four years. I’m not trying to be a transfer portal guy. I want to go somewhere that’s going to help me become the greatest football player I can be, but also a great man.”
Wide receivers coach Kodi Burns played a significant role in that vision.
“He’s a real straight-up guy,” Hall said. “He’s not going to sugarcoat anything. He’ll tell me exactly where I need to get better, and that’s what I need if I want to become one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game.”
Hall also expressed confidence in the head coach and the direction of the program.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they make a crazy run this year,” he said. “Coach Golesh is a great guy. He has the brains for football, and he has relationships with his players that help get the best out of them.”
Penn State made the decision difficult, and they were trending after his official visit, but after returning to the Plains recently, he knew where he wanted to be.
“Auburn just showed me why I needed to be home. It was definitely a tough decision, but Auburn is for sure the right decision.
“It being in my home state and being able to do what I can do in front of the people I grew up with is really a dream come true. It’s a perfect situation, and I’m really excited to continue the journey with them.
“Auburn just checked all the boxes for me.”
**************************
Auburn Robs Blue-Chip WR from Penn State in Nearly Impossible Recruiting Win
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
It is no secret that the Auburn Tigers are quickly becoming a force in the world of recruiting– just ask Kirby Smart, whose Georgia Bulldogs have had two players stolen from right out under their feet in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Deshawn Hall made a shocking decision to commit to the Tigers, choosing the Plains over programs like Alabama, Tennessee, Penn State and Arkansas. A four-star wide receiver from Prattville, Ala., Hall is currently rated as the 24th-best wide receiver in the 2027 class, as well as the 10th-best in-class player from Alabama.
https://x.com/Rivals/status/2069444452439986326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069444452439986326%7Ctwgr%5E5ec581ad8dc318d4abeb51a383b6e87bcfc1eb88%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Frecruiting%2Fauburn-robs-blue-chip-wr-from-penn-state-flip-deshawn-hall
A defensive coordinator’s nightmare, Hall stands at a terrifying 6-foot-5, 185 pounds while still managing to run a 4.86 40-yard time. Some have already begun referring to him as ‘Cam Coleman 2.0,’ as he is two inches taller than Cam Coleman was in his sophomore season at Auburn, though Hall is a few pounds slimmer. He will almost certainly be a jump-ball threat as well as a versatile route-runner, like Coleman.
Why was Hall’s decision so surprising? Just over a week before his commitment, Penn State stood with a 93% chance to land the four-star, and Auburn had just a 2% chance. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Rivals’ Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong logged official predictions for Hall to land at Auburn, and the Tigers’ chances leaped.
When Golesh stepped into the role as the Tigers’ latest head coach, many feared that he would not be able to recruit on the same level as Hugh Freeze, who consistently put together top-10 recruiting classes despite not turning in a winning season during his tenure with the Tigers.
Golesh, however, has shown that he is more than able to recruit with the best, stealing commitments like Nash Johnson’s from Alabama, as well as players like Chance Gilbert and Isaac McNeil, whom the Tigers stole from Georgia.
In fact, the Tigers’ class has been ranked among the top-10 for a few days now, though it will be interesting to see how ranking networks balance the recent loss of Kingston Miles with Hall’s commitment.
In-class, Hall joins Brylan Odour, a three-star wide receiver who, up until today, was the Tigers’ only wide receiver commit in the 2027 class.
Currently in the Tigers’ wide receiver room are a litany of transfer pieces from across the country, including a host of USF transfers like Jeremiah Koger, Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton and Auburn returner Bryce Cain, all of whom will certainly be welcoming Hall with open arms.
**************************
Auburn beats Alabama, lands commitment from WR Cedrick Simmons
By Christian Clemente
Growing up, Cedrick Simmons was a fan of Alabama. But now he's set to be an Auburn Tiger.
The in-state standout took official visits to both schools this summer, but it was the last trip to Auburn that helped seal the deal and make him decide that he wanted to play for the Tigers. He announced his commitment on Tuesday, with Purdue the other school that hosted him for an official visit this summer.
"It feels like home," Simmons said. "I have visited so many times that it feels like home. I'm familiar with the place and familiar with the players and I feel like I will be successful in the offense."
From Selma, Simmons was recruited to play slot wide receiver and is listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds. He's ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 628 player, No. 39 athlete and No. 24 player from Alabama.
Wide receivers coach Kodi Burns led the way in recruiting him to the Plains.
"He's a great guy and a great teacher," Simmons said. "He's a great coach and would be a great person in my life to develop me as a man and as a player."
Head coach Alex Golesh also played a key role, especially on his official visit.
"We had dinner together," Simmons said. "We talked and he told me what he liked about me. I like him. I like him as a man, a family man and a coach. He's really in tune with his players."
Previously playing alongside second-year Auburn receivers Duke and Erick Smith in high school, Simmons was the top option for his junior year and put together a historic season. He ended it with 106 receptions for 2,192 yards and 20 touchdowns. On top of that, Simmons totaled 34 tackles and seven interceptions on defense.
He now brings that playmaking ability to Auburn as the second wide receiver to commit on Tuesday, joining Top247 Prattville (Ala.) standout Deshawn Hall who announced his commitment earlier in the day.
Auburn is now at 24 commitments in its 2027 class with the addition of Simmons. The class started Tuesday ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings, and it's now ranked No. 8, leapfrogging Florida. Auburn is third in the SEC behind Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
***********************
BREAKING: In-state WR Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn over Alabama
By Jeffrey Lee
Selma (Ala.) three-star wide receiver Cedrick Simmons has committed to Auburn.
Simmons, who had 20 receiving touchdowns as a junior, announced his decision Tuesday on social media. He chose Auburn over Alabama and Purdue, among others.
“It feels like home,” Simmons said of Auburn. “I have visited so many times that it feels like home.”
Simmons took an official visit to Auburn June 19-21, a week after an official visit to Alabama in which he deemed the Tide his leader. Auburn overcame Alabama after his official visit and there we plenty of reasons why.
“I’m familiar with the place and familiar with the players,” Simmons said. “And I feel like I will be successful in the offense. The brotherhood and the culture that is built around this place (stands out). Auburn has great people, great family and great brothers to be around. They push each other every day.”
Auburn wide receivers coach Kodi Burns played a role in Simmons’s decision.
“He’s a great guy and a great teacher,” Williams said. “He’s a great coach and would be a great person in my life to develop me as a man and as a player.”
As a junior, Simmons had 106 receptions for 2,192 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had 34 tackles and seven interceptions on defense.
Simmons is the 24th commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and second of the day. Prattville (Ala.) four-star wide receiver Deshawn Hall committed to Auburn Tuesday morning. Simmons and Hall give Auburn three wide receiver commitments in the class as they join three-star Brylan Oduor, who committed to Auburn in May.
***********************
From Roll Tide to War Eagle: Alabama fan Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn
By Chad Simmons
Director of Recruiting, Rivals
Growing up in Alabama, Cedrick Simmons dreamed of playing for Alabama. His family rooted for the Crimson Tide, he wore the colors, and he envisioned one day calling Tuscaloosa home.
Instead, the dynamic playmaker from Selma (Ala.) Southside will be saying, “War Eagle.”
Simmons went back and forth before committing to Auburn, choosing the Tigers over his childhood favorite and in-state rival after a recruitment that came down to the wire.
“It was a tough decision,” Simmons told Rivals. “I had to choose between my dream team or the rivalry that I always grew up going against. My whole family has always been Alabama fans, and they all wanted me to go to Alabama.”
The decision did not become clear until late in the process. Simmons admitted he entered his official visit to Auburn still leaning toward Alabama because of his lifelong connection to the Crimson Tide.
That changed during the visit.
A strong relationship with the coaching staff, particularly wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, and Auburn’s offensive vision ultimately convinced him that the Tigers offered the best fit.
“This spring was when Auburn really made their move,” Simmons said. “Coach Burns went into specific detail about how much they wanted me, how much they liked me and what they could use me for.
“That put Auburn up there for me, then when I talked with Coach Golesh on Sunday, he broke down all the facts on why Auburn would be the best fit for me. They showed how much they love me, and we’ve built that relationship for so long. That was big.
“When talking to Coach Golesh on the last day of my official visit, I knew. Auburn is home.”
When talking about the biggest reasons behind his decision, Simmons pointed to three things.
“I’ve got great relationships with all the coaches,” Simmons said. “I fit great into their playbook and offensive scheme, and Coach Burns has done a great job producing wide receivers.
“Those things put Auburn on top.”
Simmons acknowledged that wearing Auburn colors after growing up a Crimson Tide fan felt surreal, but also reaffirmed that he made the right choice.
“It felt great,” he said. “It’s a blessing to have those kinds of decisions to make.”
Now, instead of chasing his childhood dream in crimson, Simmons will help build a new era on the Plains.
“Being a part of this new program that they’re building, they’re going to bring something new to the state,” Simmons said. “I really want to be a part of that.”
For the Alabama fan who grew up dreaming of the Crimson Tide, the future now belongs to Auburn — and the next words out of his mouth won’t be “Roll Tide.”
“They’ll be saying War Eagle now,” he said. “I am learning how to say it now too.”
**********************
Auburn WR Duke Smith no longer on the team
By Nathan King
Auburn redshirt freshman wide receiver Duke Smith is no longer on the team, an Auburn spokesperson confirmed Tuesday night. Smith has been removed from the Tigers' official roster.
A source close to the program told Auburn Undercover that Smith was dismissed for violating team rules.
A 4-star recruit from Selma in Auburn's 2025 class, Smith and his brother, Erick, were two of four returning receivers from last year's team, joining Bryce Cain and Sam Turner. Duke Smith appeared to take a step forward in a deep receiving corps this past spring and was also involved on kickoffs.
Smith is the second Auburn player to exit the program this offseason, following Arizona transfer safety Jack Luttrell, who medically retired from football.
The Tigers' 2026 season, the first under new head coach Alex Golesh, begins Sept. 5 against Baylor in Atlanta.
********************
NCAA Division I adopts age-based, 5-year eligibility model that eliminates redshirts, waivers
By Andy Backstrom
Yahoo Sports Contributing writer
The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved an age-based, five-year eligibility model on Tuesday that's set to replace an existing model that allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.
The change isn't final until the Division I Cabinet's meeting concludes on Wednesday, but the rule change is poised to go into effect for all prospects initially enrolling full-time in college in fall 2027 or later. For incoming 2026 class members and current student-athletes with eligibility remaining, Division I schools will apply whichever eligibility model is most beneficial for each individual.
Student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility during the 2025-26 academic year will have no additional eligibility, though it's reportedly expected that some will seek fifth years via lawsuit.
The age-based model will start student-athletes' eligibility clocks when they first enroll in college full-time or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever takes place first.
The existing eligibility model has drawn criticism in recent years due to the manipulation of the waiver system and the surge of athletes in their mid-20s creating roster logjams. Under the age-based eligibility model, waivers — including those previously granted for hardships — and redshirts will be eliminated.
https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/2069541008270819789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069541008270819789%7Ctwgr%5E19cc7a768aaa494f727e5c604fc3a1995dda93ed%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fcollege-football%2Farticle%2Fncaa-division-i-adopts-age-based-5-year-eligibility-model-that-eliminates-redshirts-waivers-232337982.html
"While previous NCAA rules have served college sports well for a long time, we heard also loud and clear from NCAA members and student-athletes that eligibility rules should be easier to understand," NCAA president Charlie Baker said in an NCAA release.
"This change to an age-based model eliminates aspects of the rules that have proven difficult to administer in the current litigious environment and clearly defines the exceptions available in limited circumstances, while preserving the long-intended alignment of eligibility with typical college enrollment and graduation patterns, because 98% of the 550,000 NCAA student-athletes will go pro in something other than sports."
As for the exceptions Baker alluded to, those include pregnancy, active-duty military service and official religious missions. Student-athletes in that bucket could delay or pause their eligibility under the age-based model.
An exception, administered by the NCAA Eligibility Center, will be available as long as the qualifying student-athlete doesn't participate in organized competition in that time.
Current student-athletes who still have eligibility and are considering submitting season-of-competition or eligibility clock extension waiver requests based on circumstances during or before this past academic year must do so no later than July 31, per the NCAA release.
"After that date, waivers of the previous rules will no longer be available," the release reads.
On The Plains with Cole Best: 'A true, authentic leader':
https://auburntigers.com/news/2026/06/23/on-the-plains-with-cole-best-a-true-authentic-leader
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 23:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-tigers-football-sylvester-smith-eric-winters-anquon-fegans-champ-anthony-287922466/
Auburn gets commitment from Top247 WR Deshawn Hall:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/deshawn-hall-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287769421/
BREAKING: 4-star Deshawn Hall, No. 1 WR in Alabama, commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/4-star-deshawn-hall-no-1-wr-in-alabama-commits-to-auburn/
Auburn "checked all the boxes", and WR DeShawn Hall is a Tiger:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/auburn-checked-all-the-boxes-and-wr-deshawn-hall-is-a-tiger/
Auburn Robs Blue-Chip WR from Penn State in Nearly Impossible Recruiting Win:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/auburn-robs-blue-chip-wr-from-penn-state-flip-deshawn-hall
Auburn beats Alabama, lands commitment from WR Cedrick Simmons:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/cedrick-simmons-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287909109/
BREAKING: In-state WR Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn over Alabama:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/breaking-in-state-wr-cedrick-simmons-commits-to-auburn-over-alabama/
From Roll Tide to War Eagle: Alabama fan Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/from-roll-tide-to-war-eagle-alabama-fan-cedrick-simmons-commits-to-auburn/
Auburn WR Duke Smith no longer on the team:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-tigers-football-roster-duke-smith-287943541/
NCAA Division I adopts age-based, 5-year eligibility model that eliminates redshirts, waivers:
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/article/ncaa-division-i-adopts-age-based-5-year-eligibility-model-that-eliminates-redshirts-waivers-232337982.html
**************************
By Patrick Meadows
Cole Best arrived on The Plains in the spring, following head coach Alex Golesh from South Florida to Auburn, and the senior center from Winter Park, Florida, is ready to put an exclamation on his final chapter of collegiate football with the Tigers.
Best first ventured into the realm of football when he played flag football at a young age and moved up in the sport until eighth grade. He stopped playing altogether and only went back out after his friends begged him.
“I was the biggest guy in our grade,” he said. “They were begging me to come out and try tackle, and I kept telling them, ‘No, no, no,’ and then finally I did it. At that level, if you're just big and strong, you are just kind of tossing kids around.”
After spending his entire football career in the state of Florida, Best arrived on The Plains alongside Golesh after five seasons at South Florida.
“Obviously being really, really loyal to Coach Golesh, when he took the opportunity to be the head coach here, and they wanted me to come with them, I was like, ‘Man, that's like a dream come true,’” said Best. “That's a no-brainer.”
Throughout his USF career, Best grew in his role and improved each season, he says.
“Obviously, there comes the physical component with playing O-line, that's just getting bigger, stronger and faster,” said Best, a USF captain in 2025. “For me, the part that I always struggled with early on was the mental part of it – being able to process stuff at a super-high clip, especially in the really high, up-tempo offense that we run.”
Best redshirted his freshman season and then played in two games the next season.
After playing 11 games in 2023, Best started 10 of 13 games in 2024, beginning a streak of 20 consecutive starts that he’ll take into the 2026 season.
Throughout his time as a Bull, his skills at center as well as his leadership ability grew and that all came to fruition when he earned All-American Conference recognition last season.
At the end of the 2025 season, his connection with Golesh helped with the decision to transfer, but Best also held an appreciation for the university and town before deciding to come to The Plains.
“I've always loved Auburn, loved the area,” he said. “I had a bunch of friends that came here out of high school, and I came and visited them. I've always loved this place, always loved the culture. I always thought the eagle in the stadium was the coolest tradition in college football.”
Before announcing his commitment to the Tigers, Best was already starting to feel the pull of the Auburn faithful.
“That Auburn Family is real,” Best said. “The way that even before I committed, the fanbase was reaching out to me and interacting with me and saying, ‘Come home, come to The Plains.’”
Best not only comes to Auburn with his coach but also with quarterback Byrum Brown. After several seasons together, Best and Brown have developed strong bonds on and off the field.
“Over the years, we've just gotten closer and closer and closer, especially snapping the ball to him every play,” Best said. “We have a good time, we joke around, we talk on the field, we talk off the field, we hang out in the building, we hang out outside the building, and I think that center-quarterback connection is everything.
“I've got to be able to trust him, but he's dang sure got to be able to trust me to put the snap right where he wants it every time. Not only that, but to get the O-line right and make sure that he's protected.”
Entering the 2026 season, Best looks to help Auburn take the next steps towards competing for championships again.
“This year all I have on my mind is being a leader to set the foundation, and that's what we did at the last spot,” Best said. “That's what I'm going to do here. It starts within the position room. You start small, so you get around those guys in the position room.”
Best has accomplished many things throughout his collegiate career, but there are still some achievements that remain and he is not done yet.
“To win a conference championship, go to the playoffs and go to a national championship,” Best said. “So, I’d say not even close to being done yet. The number one individual goal this year is to go get that Rimington Trophy.”
While Best’s achievements and accomplishments are meaningful, learning how to be a leader has been a defining and essential lesson of his career.
For Best, leadership is not simply about leading by example. It is about holding others accountable and having the confidence to speak when necessary.
“Don’t be afraid,” Best said. “You’ve earned the right to speak up. You've earned the right to demand it from the younger guys and even the older guys.”
More than anything else, Best is looking forward to his first game under the lights in Jordan-Hare when the Tigers take on Southern Miss.
“When I think about what I'm most excited for is standing in that tunnel at that first home game and just looking up and seeing almost 90,000 fans just losing their minds,” Best said. “To me, that's what I'm most excited for and just winning a lot of games, getting this place back on the map and giving these Auburn fans what they deserve.”
After the 2026 season, Best, who earned his degree in marketing from South Florida, looks to play in the NFL.
“The league is on my mind 100 percent,” Best said. “If it's meant to be, God willing, then it's meant to be, and that's been my dream my entire life.”
And life after football?
“I'd really like to get into real estate, and then I'm just excited to be a father, be a husband and start a family,” he said.
Best looks to write his final chapter on The Plains and hopes to leave a lasting impact on the program. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, his response had little to do with statistics or awards.
“True authentic leader and a dude that gave his all in everything that he did,” Best said. “I'd want to hear, ‘That dude came in and worked his tail off every day.’”
***********************
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 23
By Nathan King
We're still in the heart of the college football offseason: two months removed from spring practice, more than a month from media days, and inside 100 days until the 2026 season, Auburn's first under head coach Alex Golesh.
So what better time to crank up the rankings? As we do annually this time of year, Auburn Undercover is counting down the top 25 most valuable players for the Tigers' 2026 season.
A few notes to set the table: These rankings are based on a player's previous contributions in college, as well as his assumed impact in 2026 — how important he is expected to be to Auburn's success in both production and the win-loss column. It is not simply Auburn's best players in descending order.
Next up is No. 23: safety Sylvester Smith-Reed, a returning starter in a deep safety room who was playing some of his best football toward the end of last season.
AS A RECRUIT
Hometown: Munford, Ala.
Class: 2023
247Sports ranking: 4-star, No. 23 S
AS A PLAYER
A post-coaching change commitment for Auburn after Hugh Freeze arrived, Smith-Reed joined the Tigers' 2023 recruiting class as a do-it-all athlete for Munford, where he started at quarterback his senior season. Smith-Reed was a summer arrival as a freshman at Auburn and did make any sort of major waves in the rotation, but his practice habits were enough to get him on the field in Auburn's bowl game against Maryland, where the Tigers were down a number of defensive backs due to opt outs and injuries, including both starting safeties.
With Jaylin Simpson, Zion Puckett and Donovan Kaufman all exiting after the 2023 season, the door opened to more playing time for Smith-Reed, who had 28 tackles in 2024 and played the third-most snaps among Auburn's safeties, though more than half his usage came at nickel following Champ Anthony's season-ending injury. Smith-Reed again had 28 tackles last season, again playing the third-most reps at safety, this time behind Kaleb Harris and Jahquez Robinson.
Smith-Reed came on strong down the stretch of the season, with three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in Auburn's last five games. He opted to return under coordinator DJ Durkin — and new safeties coach Tim Banks, whom Smith-Reed was formerly committed to at Tennessee. In spring ball, Smith-Reed was the most commonly paired starting safety alongside Eric Winters, with Kaleb Harris rotating in plenty, as well.
2026 OUTLOOK
How much of a difference is there between what's perceived to be Auburn's top four safeties: Winters, Harris, Smith-Reed and Anthony? At the moment, there isn't much, and that's why someone like Smith-Reed, who has several starts to his name and plenty of experience, cracks our top 25, but not by much. He's in a safety room that should be one of the deepest spots on this roster, but no one in there is a major impact player (yet).
Smith-Reed, however, possesses a lot of qualities that make him valuable to Durkin's defense this fall. On top of his experience level as a redshirt junior, he showed last season that his real strength is laying hits close to the line of scrimmage and covering a lot of ground in a hurry. He also spoke often this past spring about wanting to take on a bigger leadership role within Auburn's defense and be a reliable veteran for this group.
It's tough to rank him very high — or players like Kaleb Harris or Champ Anthony, who could easily be slotted in here — considering what else Auburn has available in the secondary, but at season's end, Smith-Reed could very well prove to be one of the Tigers' most important players if he can improve his coverage skills a bit, continue being a physical tackler, and help the defense overall with his communication and experience.
WHAT THEY SAID
"Coach Golesh talks about it all the time, 'If you're leading by example, are you really leading?' So I'm just stepping out of my comfort zone and being more vocal with the guys. There's a bunch of young guys who I've got the attention of right now, and I can just bring them along with me. And the more people get along with us, man, the better it's going to be." — Smith-Reed on becoming more of a leader
**************************
Auburn gets commitment from Top247 WR Deshawn Hall
By Christian Clemente
Auburn is keeping one of the state's best at home.
Deshawn Hall, a 4-star wide receiver and former basketball star, has announced his commitment to the Tigers. Penn State was viewed as the favorite for a while, with Tennessee and Alabama other schools that were in the mix for official visits this summer.
From Prattville (Ala.), Hall is listed at 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds. He recently rose in the rankings with 247Sports and is now tabbed as the No. 141 player, No. 20 wide receiver and No. 7 player from Alabama. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite has Hall lower as the No. 185 player, No. 25 wide receiver and No. 9 player from Alabama.
The Tigers were the first school to bring Hall in for an official visit this summer, with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns leading the charge in recruiting Hall throughout the process this recruiting cycle.
"The way (Burns) interacts with the players. They get work done, but it's also a fun place. It's also a fun time and it makes it that much better for a player," Hall said previously about Auburn. "(Golesh's) energy, he keeps it real with the players and he isn't going to sugarcoat nothing. He's going to let you know how it is, and that's really what a player needs."
It was during one of Auburn's 7-on-7 team camps where Prattville participated, and Hall really shined, where he went from a top target to an even bigger target for the staff and the Tigers put even more pressure on.
Hall is the 23rd commitment for Auburn in the 2027 class, which is quickly starting to finalize before the calendar even reaches July. With the addition of Hall, Auburn's class moves up one spot from No. 9 to No. 8 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. Auburn is also up to third in the SEC behind just Texas A&M and Oklahoma in the recruiting rankings.
**************************
BREAKING: 4-star Deshawn Hall, No. 1 WR in Alabama, commits to Auburn
By Jeffrey Lee
Prattville (Ala.) four-star wide receiver Deshawn Hall has committed to Auburn.
Hall, who is ranked the No. 1 wide receiver in Alabama, announced his decision Tuesday morning on the Rivals YouTube channel. He chose Auburn over Penn State, Alabama and Tennessee, among many others.
“I’ve really grown to love it (at Auburn),” Hall told Rivals. “The new staff is doing a great job with me. I like them a lot.”
That includes wide receivers coach Kodi Burns.
“Me and Kodi Burns are really cool,” Hall said. “I feel like we’ll have a great relationship going forward. Also, the assistant coach, too, Coach Parker (Carmichael.) He’s real cool, too.”
Hall has visited Auburn several times during his recruitment with his most recent being an official visit June 12-14. He also visited Auburn in February and again in April for a spring practice.
“I really loved it,” Hall said of his spring practice visit. “I think the practice intensity was high. The energy was amazing. I really enjoyed it. The way (Burns) interacts with the players. They get work done, but it’s also a fun place. It’s also a fun time and it makes it that much better for a player.”
Hall also watched new coach Alex Golesh.
“His energy, he keeps it real with the players and he isn’t going to sugarcoat nothing,” Hall said. “He’s going to let you know how it is, and that’s really what a player needs.”
The Rivals Industry Ranking ranks Hall the No. 189 overall recruit in the country and No. 9 in Alabama. He is the 23rd commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and second wide receiver, joining three-star Brylan Oduor.
**************************
Auburn "checked all the boxes", and WR DeShawn Hall is a Tiger
By Chad Simmons
Director of Recruiting, Rivals
Not all that long ago, DeShawn Hall believed his future would be on the hardwood.
Now, after piling up nearly 40 scholarship offers and emerging as one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2027 cycle, the Prattville (Ala.) standout has committed to Auburn over Penn State, giving Alex Golesh and the Tigers another major in-state recruiting victory.
Hall’s rise has been one of the more unique stories in the Southeast. A gifted basketball player, he transitioned to football full-time and quickly turned his athletic upside into national attention.
Despite heavy interest from around the country, the Tigers separated themselves.
“It’s just a great all-around place,” Hall told Rivals. “Auburn really checked every box that I was looking for from a relationship standpoint to development. It’s been a second home… everything really worked out. It was obvious that it was the best choice.”
Auburn had what he was looking for.
“The main things I’ve been looking for were relationships with the coaches and players,” he said. “I’m trying to be there for the next three to four years. I’m not trying to be a transfer portal guy. I want to go somewhere that’s going to help me become the greatest football player I can be, but also a great man.”
Wide receivers coach Kodi Burns played a significant role in that vision.
“He’s a real straight-up guy,” Hall said. “He’s not going to sugarcoat anything. He’ll tell me exactly where I need to get better, and that’s what I need if I want to become one of the best wide receivers to ever play the game.”
Hall also expressed confidence in the head coach and the direction of the program.
“I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they make a crazy run this year,” he said. “Coach Golesh is a great guy. He has the brains for football, and he has relationships with his players that help get the best out of them.”
Penn State made the decision difficult, and they were trending after his official visit, but after returning to the Plains recently, he knew where he wanted to be.
“Auburn just showed me why I needed to be home. It was definitely a tough decision, but Auburn is for sure the right decision.
“It being in my home state and being able to do what I can do in front of the people I grew up with is really a dream come true. It’s a perfect situation, and I’m really excited to continue the journey with them.
“Auburn just checked all the boxes for me.”
**************************
Auburn Robs Blue-Chip WR from Penn State in Nearly Impossible Recruiting Win
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
It is no secret that the Auburn Tigers are quickly becoming a force in the world of recruiting– just ask Kirby Smart, whose Georgia Bulldogs have had two players stolen from right out under their feet in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, Deshawn Hall made a shocking decision to commit to the Tigers, choosing the Plains over programs like Alabama, Tennessee, Penn State and Arkansas. A four-star wide receiver from Prattville, Ala., Hall is currently rated as the 24th-best wide receiver in the 2027 class, as well as the 10th-best in-class player from Alabama.
https://x.com/Rivals/status/2069444452439986326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069444452439986326%7Ctwgr%5E5ec581ad8dc318d4abeb51a383b6e87bcfc1eb88%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Frecruiting%2Fauburn-robs-blue-chip-wr-from-penn-state-flip-deshawn-hall
A defensive coordinator’s nightmare, Hall stands at a terrifying 6-foot-5, 185 pounds while still managing to run a 4.86 40-yard time. Some have already begun referring to him as ‘Cam Coleman 2.0,’ as he is two inches taller than Cam Coleman was in his sophomore season at Auburn, though Hall is a few pounds slimmer. He will almost certainly be a jump-ball threat as well as a versatile route-runner, like Coleman.
Why was Hall’s decision so surprising? Just over a week before his commitment, Penn State stood with a 93% chance to land the four-star, and Auburn had just a 2% chance. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Rivals’ Chad Simmons and Steve Wiltfong logged official predictions for Hall to land at Auburn, and the Tigers’ chances leaped.
When Golesh stepped into the role as the Tigers’ latest head coach, many feared that he would not be able to recruit on the same level as Hugh Freeze, who consistently put together top-10 recruiting classes despite not turning in a winning season during his tenure with the Tigers.
Golesh, however, has shown that he is more than able to recruit with the best, stealing commitments like Nash Johnson’s from Alabama, as well as players like Chance Gilbert and Isaac McNeil, whom the Tigers stole from Georgia.
In fact, the Tigers’ class has been ranked among the top-10 for a few days now, though it will be interesting to see how ranking networks balance the recent loss of Kingston Miles with Hall’s commitment.
In-class, Hall joins Brylan Odour, a three-star wide receiver who, up until today, was the Tigers’ only wide receiver commit in the 2027 class.
Currently in the Tigers’ wide receiver room are a litany of transfer pieces from across the country, including a host of USF transfers like Jeremiah Koger, Chas Nimrod, Keshaun Singleton and Auburn returner Bryce Cain, all of whom will certainly be welcoming Hall with open arms.
**************************
Auburn beats Alabama, lands commitment from WR Cedrick Simmons
By Christian Clemente
Growing up, Cedrick Simmons was a fan of Alabama. But now he's set to be an Auburn Tiger.
The in-state standout took official visits to both schools this summer, but it was the last trip to Auburn that helped seal the deal and make him decide that he wanted to play for the Tigers. He announced his commitment on Tuesday, with Purdue the other school that hosted him for an official visit this summer.
"It feels like home," Simmons said. "I have visited so many times that it feels like home. I'm familiar with the place and familiar with the players and I feel like I will be successful in the offense."
From Selma, Simmons was recruited to play slot wide receiver and is listed at 5-foot-9 and 190 pounds. He's ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 628 player, No. 39 athlete and No. 24 player from Alabama.
Wide receivers coach Kodi Burns led the way in recruiting him to the Plains.
"He's a great guy and a great teacher," Simmons said. "He's a great coach and would be a great person in my life to develop me as a man and as a player."
Head coach Alex Golesh also played a key role, especially on his official visit.
"We had dinner together," Simmons said. "We talked and he told me what he liked about me. I like him. I like him as a man, a family man and a coach. He's really in tune with his players."
Previously playing alongside second-year Auburn receivers Duke and Erick Smith in high school, Simmons was the top option for his junior year and put together a historic season. He ended it with 106 receptions for 2,192 yards and 20 touchdowns. On top of that, Simmons totaled 34 tackles and seven interceptions on defense.
He now brings that playmaking ability to Auburn as the second wide receiver to commit on Tuesday, joining Top247 Prattville (Ala.) standout Deshawn Hall who announced his commitment earlier in the day.
Auburn is now at 24 commitments in its 2027 class with the addition of Simmons. The class started Tuesday ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings, and it's now ranked No. 8, leapfrogging Florida. Auburn is third in the SEC behind Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
***********************
BREAKING: In-state WR Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn over Alabama
By Jeffrey Lee
Selma (Ala.) three-star wide receiver Cedrick Simmons has committed to Auburn.
Simmons, who had 20 receiving touchdowns as a junior, announced his decision Tuesday on social media. He chose Auburn over Alabama and Purdue, among others.
“It feels like home,” Simmons said of Auburn. “I have visited so many times that it feels like home.”
Simmons took an official visit to Auburn June 19-21, a week after an official visit to Alabama in which he deemed the Tide his leader. Auburn overcame Alabama after his official visit and there we plenty of reasons why.
“I’m familiar with the place and familiar with the players,” Simmons said. “And I feel like I will be successful in the offense. The brotherhood and the culture that is built around this place (stands out). Auburn has great people, great family and great brothers to be around. They push each other every day.”
Auburn wide receivers coach Kodi Burns played a role in Simmons’s decision.
“He’s a great guy and a great teacher,” Williams said. “He’s a great coach and would be a great person in my life to develop me as a man and as a player.”
As a junior, Simmons had 106 receptions for 2,192 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had 34 tackles and seven interceptions on defense.
Simmons is the 24th commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and second of the day. Prattville (Ala.) four-star wide receiver Deshawn Hall committed to Auburn Tuesday morning. Simmons and Hall give Auburn three wide receiver commitments in the class as they join three-star Brylan Oduor, who committed to Auburn in May.
***********************
From Roll Tide to War Eagle: Alabama fan Cedrick Simmons commits to Auburn
By Chad Simmons
Director of Recruiting, Rivals
Growing up in Alabama, Cedrick Simmons dreamed of playing for Alabama. His family rooted for the Crimson Tide, he wore the colors, and he envisioned one day calling Tuscaloosa home.
Instead, the dynamic playmaker from Selma (Ala.) Southside will be saying, “War Eagle.”
Simmons went back and forth before committing to Auburn, choosing the Tigers over his childhood favorite and in-state rival after a recruitment that came down to the wire.
“It was a tough decision,” Simmons told Rivals. “I had to choose between my dream team or the rivalry that I always grew up going against. My whole family has always been Alabama fans, and they all wanted me to go to Alabama.”
The decision did not become clear until late in the process. Simmons admitted he entered his official visit to Auburn still leaning toward Alabama because of his lifelong connection to the Crimson Tide.
That changed during the visit.
A strong relationship with the coaching staff, particularly wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, and Auburn’s offensive vision ultimately convinced him that the Tigers offered the best fit.
“This spring was when Auburn really made their move,” Simmons said. “Coach Burns went into specific detail about how much they wanted me, how much they liked me and what they could use me for.
“That put Auburn up there for me, then when I talked with Coach Golesh on Sunday, he broke down all the facts on why Auburn would be the best fit for me. They showed how much they love me, and we’ve built that relationship for so long. That was big.
“When talking to Coach Golesh on the last day of my official visit, I knew. Auburn is home.”
When talking about the biggest reasons behind his decision, Simmons pointed to three things.
“I’ve got great relationships with all the coaches,” Simmons said. “I fit great into their playbook and offensive scheme, and Coach Burns has done a great job producing wide receivers.
“Those things put Auburn on top.”
Simmons acknowledged that wearing Auburn colors after growing up a Crimson Tide fan felt surreal, but also reaffirmed that he made the right choice.
“It felt great,” he said. “It’s a blessing to have those kinds of decisions to make.”
Now, instead of chasing his childhood dream in crimson, Simmons will help build a new era on the Plains.
“Being a part of this new program that they’re building, they’re going to bring something new to the state,” Simmons said. “I really want to be a part of that.”
For the Alabama fan who grew up dreaming of the Crimson Tide, the future now belongs to Auburn — and the next words out of his mouth won’t be “Roll Tide.”
“They’ll be saying War Eagle now,” he said. “I am learning how to say it now too.”
**********************
Auburn WR Duke Smith no longer on the team
By Nathan King
Auburn redshirt freshman wide receiver Duke Smith is no longer on the team, an Auburn spokesperson confirmed Tuesday night. Smith has been removed from the Tigers' official roster.
A source close to the program told Auburn Undercover that Smith was dismissed for violating team rules.
A 4-star recruit from Selma in Auburn's 2025 class, Smith and his brother, Erick, were two of four returning receivers from last year's team, joining Bryce Cain and Sam Turner. Duke Smith appeared to take a step forward in a deep receiving corps this past spring and was also involved on kickoffs.
Smith is the second Auburn player to exit the program this offseason, following Arizona transfer safety Jack Luttrell, who medically retired from football.
The Tigers' 2026 season, the first under new head coach Alex Golesh, begins Sept. 5 against Baylor in Atlanta.
********************
NCAA Division I adopts age-based, 5-year eligibility model that eliminates redshirts, waivers
By Andy Backstrom
Yahoo Sports Contributing writer
The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved an age-based, five-year eligibility model on Tuesday that's set to replace an existing model that allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.
The change isn't final until the Division I Cabinet's meeting concludes on Wednesday, but the rule change is poised to go into effect for all prospects initially enrolling full-time in college in fall 2027 or later. For incoming 2026 class members and current student-athletes with eligibility remaining, Division I schools will apply whichever eligibility model is most beneficial for each individual.
Student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility during the 2025-26 academic year will have no additional eligibility, though it's reportedly expected that some will seek fifth years via lawsuit.
The age-based model will start student-athletes' eligibility clocks when they first enroll in college full-time or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever takes place first.
The existing eligibility model has drawn criticism in recent years due to the manipulation of the waiver system and the surge of athletes in their mid-20s creating roster logjams. Under the age-based eligibility model, waivers — including those previously granted for hardships — and redshirts will be eliminated.
https://x.com/RossDellenger/status/2069541008270819789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2069541008270819789%7Ctwgr%5E19cc7a768aaa494f727e5c604fc3a1995dda93ed%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2Fcollege-football%2Farticle%2Fncaa-division-i-adopts-age-based-5-year-eligibility-model-that-eliminates-redshirts-waivers-232337982.html
"While previous NCAA rules have served college sports well for a long time, we heard also loud and clear from NCAA members and student-athletes that eligibility rules should be easier to understand," NCAA president Charlie Baker said in an NCAA release.
"This change to an age-based model eliminates aspects of the rules that have proven difficult to administer in the current litigious environment and clearly defines the exceptions available in limited circumstances, while preserving the long-intended alignment of eligibility with typical college enrollment and graduation patterns, because 98% of the 550,000 NCAA student-athletes will go pro in something other than sports."
As for the exceptions Baker alluded to, those include pregnancy, active-duty military service and official religious missions. Student-athletes in that bucket could delay or pause their eligibility under the age-based model.
An exception, administered by the NCAA Eligibility Center, will be available as long as the qualifying student-athlete doesn't participate in organized competition in that time.
Current student-athletes who still have eligibility and are considering submitting season-of-competition or eligibility clock extension waiver requests based on circumstances during or before this past academic year must do so no later than July 31, per the NCAA release.
"After that date, waivers of the previous rules will no longer be available," the release reads.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages