​​Lyle's Corner

​Monday, July 30th, 2018

Auburn football's latest recruit is not your typical one - he's a former pro baseball player. 

Five years ago, Cord Sandberg was a four-star quarterback recruit who signed to play with Mississippi State and then-coach Dan Mullen. But his career took another route when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round of the 2013 MLB Draft. 

This year, though, Sandberg is coming back to college, attempting to follow in Brandon Weeden's footsteps of former MLB star turned NFL Draft first-round pick. Sandberg announced today via Twitter that he has committed to Auburn over schools like LSU and NC State. He is the newest member of the Tigers' 2018 class, and plans to enroll on August 5th. First off, however, he has to attend his brother's wedding, which is the day before. 

Obviously, this is a major addition for the Tigers, as Sandberg will have four full years of eligibility (five including a possible redshirt year). Will he be able to fill the large shoes that will be left behind by Jarrett Stidham? Yes, I realize that we have Malik Willis, Joey Gatewood, Bo Nix and so many others on board already, but these days, you just can't count anybody out. Only time will tell what develops. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Sunday, July 29th, 2018

​Auburn football gained another commitment yesterday. Theodore linebacker Demouy Kennedy announced his pledge to the Tigers Saturday. The 6-2, 204-pound Kennedy is Auburn's fourth commitment for the Class of 2020. According to the 247Sports Composite, Kennedy ranks as the No. 9 recruit out of Alabama, the No. 15 outside linebacker and the No. 228 prospect overall. 

At the time of his commitment, Kennedy had 12 scholarship offers, including Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Texas A&M. The Aggies' offer came earlier in the week on July 25th. Last month, Kennedy said that Georgia was his leader. However, he confirmed his decision via Twitter yesterday, calling himself "200% committed" to Gus Malzahn's program. 

In other news....

- Former Auburn receiver Trovon Reed has found a new home in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. Although he was a pass catcher in college, he is certainly raking in big bucks as a defensive back in the professional ranks. Interestingly, Reed began his NFL tenure as a Seahawk, as the team signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He was a member of the San  Diego Chargers last season, recording two interceptions. 

- Former Auburn offensive lineman Greg Robinson had a far less fortunate moment in his career recently. Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick, is currently with the Cleveland Browns. According to 923 AM The Fan's Daryl Ruiter, Robinson was carted off the field in preseason camp with an undisclosed injury after getting tangled up with a teammate. 

According to Hue Jackson of "The Athletic Cleveland", Robinosn was being evaluated for a head injury. Given that this is Robinson's third team in as many seasons - he's entering his fifth year in the league - this was clearly the last thing he wanted. He spent last season with the Detroit Lions, but was waived in November after an ankle injury. 

Robinson had been working as the second-team left tackle during the first week of Browns training camp. The team has a major void to fill in that group following the retirement of Joe Thomas. Obviously, Robinson's injury doesn't help the matter in the least. Let's all wish him a speedy recovery. 

One last note: We're just 34 days away from kickoff the 2018 season. Can you believe it? 

​That's all for today. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Wednesday, July 25th, 2018

I'll bet you missed me, didn't you? The past week has just been pretty quiet in regards to Auburn news. But that changed this morning when Auburn basketball hit the jackpot in landing a big recruit. 

Four-star forward Isaac Okoro, ranked as the top prospect in the state of Georgia, announced via Twitter that he will play for Bruce Pearl's Tigers. The 6-feet-5, 200-pound Okoro, a small forward from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Ga., stands as the No. 8 small forward in the nation and the No. 35 player overall in the 247Sports Composite. 

​"I would like to first thank God, my parents, my brother, sisters, teammates, and coaches for pushing me and making me the person I am today," he tweeted. "I sincerely thank all of the coaches who recruited me. With all of that being said, I am excited to announce that I'm committing to Auburn University. #WAREAGLE!!!!" 

Okoro joins Auburn's Class of 2019, joining forces with high school teammate Babatunde Akingbola. Okoro averaged 20.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest as a junior last season. His team went 26-3 and reached the 7A quarterfinals. Welcome aboard, Isaac. We wish you success in your upcoming journey on the Plains. 

One other note: Auburn gets its slot in the SEC Network's Takeover schedule next Friday, August 3rd. I'm hopeful that we'll find out exactly what programming will make the cut in the next few days. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Wednesday, July 18th, 2018

Get ready, college football fans. A slew of rule changes is on the horizon for the 2018 season. Yesterday morning, Steve Shaw, the SEC's coordinator of officials, took the podium at SEC Media Days in Atlanta to discuss these changes. As is the norm, there will be some adjustments in rules, policies and penalty enforcement that teams will have to grow accustomed to before the season begins. 

A list of these changes is as follows:

- Knee pads and pants must cover the knee. Otherwise, the player must leave the game for at least one play to rectify the issue. "It's a player safety issue, and we want to take care of that," Shaw said. 

- If a player calls for a fair catch behind the 25-yard line on a kickoff or free kick, the ball will belong to them at the 25-yard line. "So this is an opportunity where if there's a sky kick into the corner or whatever, the receiving team - before, they had to run it back; now they can opt to take what looks like a touchback if they complete a fair catch, take the ball on the 25," Shaw said. 

- There will be a 40-second play clock after touchdowns and kickoffs in an attempt to speed the game up. 

- Other than linemen in the tackle box on the line of scrimmage, all players must direct their block from the front. "The reason for that being that the player can defend themselves if they see it coming and its a safer block," Shaw said.  

 - On anything five yards or beyond, no blocking below the waist. 

- If a player runs forward and leaps in an attempt to block a kick, he cannot get into the plane above the frame. "If you leap, run forward and leap into that plane, it's a foul. So if you run forward and leap and don't get in that, it's OK," Shaw said. 

- There will be a 10-second runoff after an instant replay. However, either team can avoid a runoff if a timeout is used. 

​- There will be a limit on the number of coaching headsets. This rule is still awaiting final approval, which will be decided on July 25th. 

- If a corporate entity has bought naming rights to a stadium, it can have its logo in two spots, the two flanking locations. 

​- Field goal penalty enforcement will now be treated in the same manner as extra points. "If you have a personal foul on the defense or an unsportsmanlike conduct on a successful field goal, they can keep the points and have the penalty enforced on the kickoff. Or they can take the points off the board and enforce it. Field goals didn't allow the carryover opportunity like extra points. Now, they are all the same," Shaw said. 

Confused yet? As a closing note, don't forget that Gus Malzahn will speak tomorrow at SEC Media Days, and the Tigers will be represented by quarterback Jarrett Stidham, linebacker Deshaun Davis and defensive tackle Dontavius Russell. Set your DVR, if need be. 

That's all for today. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Saturday, July 14th, 2018

​Auburn football has gained its second commitment this week, this time on the offensive line. Keiondre Jones, a four-star offensive guard from Hogansville (Ga.) Callaway confirmed his pledge to the Tigers today via Twitter. 

Awhile back, Auburn wasn't exactly high on Jones' priority list. But in January, the Tigers vehemently strived to latch onto him, and Jones visited the Plains eight known times over the next six months. Obviously, this is a huge gain for Auburn. The 6-feet-4, 341-pound Jones ranks as the No. 8 guard and the No. 139 overall recruit nationally in the 247Sports Composite. He's an Under Aromur All-American.

This gives the Tigers 13 commitments and the No. 12 class in America (about 30 spots higher than they were at this time last year with the Class of 2018). Auburn now has eight pledges rated as a four-star or better in the class. Jones picked the Tigers over two other finalists - Florida and Mississippi State. "I'm very comfortable (with his choice)," Jones said. "That's my family. I feel like I'm family around it. All the coaches make me feel comfortable. I love (offensive line) Coach J.B. Grimes - he'll be the one coaching me. Coach (Gus) Malzahn made my mom feel comfortable, made me feel comfortable. We have a really good time when we go down there. They always tell me, if I want to bring family with me, they tell me to bring who I want."

According to Jones, the tide began to turn in his recruitment earlier this year when Grimes was called on to replace Herb Hand, who left during the offseason and bolted for Texas. That's when Auburn's recruitment of him blossomed up and he was told he was a priority recruit. The Tigers now have three offensive linemen on board as Jones joins center Jakai Clark and tackle Justin Osborne. They could take two more. Perhaps surprisingly, defensive line coach Rodney Garner is Jones' area recruiter. 

Auburn now has two commitments in July, and more could be on the horizon. Earlier this week, the Tigers landed four-star linebacker/end Quandarrius Robinson of Birmingham (Ala.) Jackson-Olin. As for Keiondre, welcome aboard, my friend. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Thursday, July 12th, 2018

It may be another two years before this happens, but it looks like Auburn football will have a return trip to Atlanta on the cards. This time, its opponent will be an ACC foe. 

Word came out today that the Tigers will face North Carolina in the 2020 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, though it will actually be a Week 2 contest. The game is set for Sept. 12th of that year. According to a news release that reported the game, the SEC holds a large advantage over the ACC in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game thus far. The two conferences have squared off against each other in said game 10 times before, with the SEC holding a 9-1 lead.  

Auburn is set to tangle with Washington in this year's opener on Sept. 1st, while Alabama will take on Duke in the 2019 opener. All of these games should serve as exciting starts to their respective seasons. For Auburn, this will be (if my memory serves me right) its first meeting with the Tar Heels since the 2001 Chick-fil-A Bowl. UNC won that one, 16-10. Despite that outcome, can you still see Karlos Dansby making that spectacular interception just before falling out of bounds on the sideline and tossing a lateral to Dontarrious Thomas? I sure can. That was one heck of a play! 

​That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Wednesday, July 11th, 2018

The three players who will represent Auburn (as well as all other SEC schools) at SEC Media Days next week are now set in stone. 

Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, linebacker Deshaun Davis and defensive tackle Dontavius Russell will speak to reporters at the annual event next Thursday, July 19th. They will be joined by sixth-year head coach Gus Malzahn, who will speak earlier that morning during the event. Stidham is set to return after becoming the first Auburn signal-caller to throw for at least 3,000 yards in a season. He passed for 3,158 yards and led the league with a completion percentage of 66.5 in 2017, his first with the Tigers. He threw for 18 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Also, he owned a passer rating of 150.99, which was good for fourth in the SEC while leading Auburn to an SEC West crown with upsets of then-No. 1 ranked Georgia and Alabama in the last month of the regular season. Stidham is one of six quarterbacks set to represent league teams at the event. He recently became engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Kennedy Brown, a Baylor soccer player. 

Davis recorded 82 tackles last season (including seven for loss) and four sacks. Russell, meanwhile, anchors the middle of the Tiger defense alongside Derrick Brown. He had 46 tackles and three sacks for Auburn last year. Russell is part of an incredibly deep defensive front that returns nine of the top 10 players from last season. 

SEC Media Days kick off Monday at the College Football Hall of Fame and the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta. The proceedings run through next Thursday, July 19th. This year's event will mark the first time in league history that it will be conducted outside of the Birmingham metropolitan area. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Tuesday, July 10th, 2018

Although Auburn got some good news in the recruiting department yesterday, it received a bit of bad news just as suddenly, if not more so. Benjamin Wolk reported that defensive lineman Kayode Oladele, one of three four-star defensive linemen that the Tigers signed for their 2018 recruiting class, won't enroll at Auburn this fall and will explore other options. 

Wolk reported the news via Twitter last night, and said that a decision by Oladele should be coming in the next few weeks. According to the 247Sports Composite, Oladele ranked as the No. 13 strong side defensive end in the Class of 2018 and the No. 54 overall recruit from the state of Florida. The Tigers still signed the No. 3  2018 class in the SEC and the No. 12 class nationally, according to 247Sports, but losing Oladele will definitely hurt. However, Auburn's loss is obviously another team's gain. I hope that Kayode finds success wherever he decides to go next. 

That's all for today. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 




Monday, July 9th, 2018

​Auburn football got its third commitment for 2020 today. Quindarrius Robinson, a standout four-star outside linebacker from Birmingham Jackson-Olin, verbally pledged to Gus Malzahn's Tigers. Robinson picked Auburn over programs such as Alabama, LSU and Oregon, all of which also offered him a scholarship. 

The 6-feet-4, 210-pound Robinson ranks as the No. 11 recruit in the state of Alabama for the Class of 2020 in the 247Sports Composite. "I feel like it's the best school to be at," he stated. "Because of just the atmosphere and culture of it. It just grabs me." Robinson joins two four-star recruits from LaGrange (Ga.) Troup County - defensive end Andy Boykin and receiver Kobe Hudson. The Tigers didn't get 2019 commitment No. 3 until earlier this year, which puts them well ahead on the following cycle. 

​Robinson's verbal helped Auburn's 2020 class jump from No. 11 to No. 7 in the 247Sports Composite class rankings. This could be a big month on the recruiting front for the Tigers. This weekend, 2019 four-star offensive guard Keiondre Jones of Hogansville (Ga.) Callaway will announce his decision and Auburn is considered the favorite. The Tigers currently have 12 commitments for 2019 and the No. 17 class ranking.

​That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Sunday, July 8th, 2018

With SEC Media Days just eight days away, the event's full schedule was released yesterday. But first of all, it should be noted that this year, the event will be held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, marking the first time since 1985 that it has taken place outside of Birmingham, Alabama. The four-day event occurs from July 16th-19th. However, the players who will attend have yet to be stated. 

All that said, here's the full schedule:

Monday, July 16th

​- 10:30 a.m.- 12:10 p.m.: Commissioner Greg Sankey and Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher

- 1:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.: Kentucky's Mark Stoops and LSU's Ed Orgeron


 Tuesday, July 17th

​7:30 a.m. - 7:50 a.m.: Steve Shaw, SEC Coordinator of Football Officials 

8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Georgia's Kirby Smart and Ole Miss's Matt Luke

​12:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.: Arkansas' Chad Morris and Florida's Dan Mullen


Wednesday, July 18th

​7:30 a.m. - 7:40 a.m.: David Fletcher, Football Bowl Association

7:40 a.m. - 7:55 a.m.: Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff

8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Mississippi State's Joe Moorhead and Tennessee's Jeremy Pruitt

12:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.: Alabama's Nick Saban and Missouri's Barry Odom


Thursday, July 19th

​7:30 a.m. - 7:40 a.m.: TBD, Football Writers Association of America 

7:40 a.m. - 7:55 a.m.: TBD, National Football Foundation

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Auburn (Gus Malzahn and players), Vanderbilt (Derek Mason and players), and South Carolina (Will Muschamp and players).

Set your DVRs accordingly, folks. This is exciting.

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Saturday, July 7th, 2018

Auburn basketball has reached into the Ivy League to hire its newest assistant. News came out this week that Ira Bowman, a former Penn assistant and ex-NBA player, had been hired to join Bruce Pearl's staff. In a news release from the school, Pearl said that he was elated to have Bowman on board and is confident that he will do great things for Auburn. 

"When you're hiring a staff, it's all about surrounding yourself with people better than you," Pearl said. "Who can help these kids realize their full potential on and off the court? Who do I want to walk into a living room with and say to a parent that these are the men I want to surround your son with? Ira Bowman is a former Ivy League Player of the Year, a self-made NBA player, a great father and a true role model. Even though he is from the east, I think he fits the profile of an Auburn man to a T."  

Bowman served as a Penn assistant for the past six seasons. Last year, the Quakers finished with a sparkling 24-9 record, an Ivy League title and an NCAA Tournament berth. Now, he has a chance to take the Auburn basketball team to such heights. 

One more note: Only nine more days until SEC Media Days dawns. Isn't that exciting? 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 

Thursday, July 5th, 2018

Auburn baseball has something it can be humbly proud of: A Top 10 finish in the final rankings for the first time in two decades. The Tigers finished No. 9 in the final USA Today Coaches Poll and No. 10 in that of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The former was Auburn's highest in a final poll since finishing No. 9 in the Baseball America poll in 1998. 

The Tigers advanced to the Gainesville Super Regional this past season, but came up just shy of the College World Series, losing 3-2 to Florida, the No. 1 national seed, in 11 innings to close out what was still a sparkling 43-23 slate. Auburn was ranked No. 12 by Baseball America and No. 15 by D1Baseball and Perfect Game. After winning two matches in the SEC Tournament, the Tigers flew through the Raleigh Regional by outscoring their opponents 40-12 on 50 hits in three blowout wins. In Gainesville, they lost the opener 8-2, won the second contest 3-2 on Luke Jarvis' walkoff single, and dropped the finale in heart-wrenching fashion.

Auburn made consecutive regional appearances for the first time in 15 years and advanced to a super regional for the first time since 1999. Buth Thompson was hired as the Tigers' baseball coach in October of 2015 when Sunny Golloway was fired after two troubling seasons. Thompson has guided Auburn to back-to-back regionals for the first time since 2002-2003. After the season concluded, athletic director Allen Greene announced that he had extended Thompson's contract through 2024. 

That's all for now. Until next time, God Bless, and WAR EAGLE! 



Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018

Big news broke today on the baseball front for Auburn pitchers. Right-hander Davis Daniel, who was drafted in the 11th round by the MLB's Milwaukee Brewers, announced via Twitter that he will return to Auburn for his junior season. In addition, Tanner Burns, also a righty, and a freshman All-American last season, made the final roster for the USA Collegiate National Team. 

"First I would like to thank the Brewers for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream and start my professional career," Daniel tweeted. "However we have some unfinished business down in Auburn! I am excited to announce that I will officially be returning for my junior year on The Plains!" As a draft-eligible sophomore, Daniel went 3-4 with a sparking ERA of 4.86. However, he became dominant as the season wound down. He had blowout performances against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament and against Florida in the super regional championship game.  

Against UK, Daniel only gave up two runs on six hits in 5 and 1/3 innings pitched. Against the Gators, he allowed one hit on 5 and 1/3 innings with six strikeouts. He's continued that trend in the Cape Cod League this summer, surrendering just two hits in 7 and 2/3 innings and striking out 10. Although Daniel pitched out of the bullpen down the stretch, pitching coach Steve Smith said he believes that his long-term future is as a starter in the SEC and beyond. 

​Burns, who made two appearances with Team USA last week, gave up just one run in three hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 4 and 2/3 innings tossed. One of four rising sophomores to make the final cut, Burns was a freshman All-American in his first year on The Plains. He went 6-4 with a 3.02 ERA in 86 and 2/3 innings of action. He also posted 77 strikeouts, the most by an Auburn freshman since 2008. LSU's Paul Manieri is the team's head coach. 

The Collegiate National Team will begin the 42nd USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star series at 6:05 p.m. CT today at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, North Carolina. The second game of the series will be held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 5:05 p.m. CT Wednesday. The series will also feature stops in Savannah, Charleston and Macon. 

​The team will travel to Havana, Cuba, for the 7th USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series to wrap up its summer on July 10th-14th. Auburn shortstop Will Holland did not make the final roster.

That's all for now. I hope you all have a safe and happy Fourth of July. (I certainly am planning to, as I will be spending it with some of my closest friends.) Until next time, God Bless America, and WAR EAGLE!