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Gus Malzahn Post-Practice Press Conference

Normally I don't do tweet-caps of practice press conferences, but this is the first time Gus has spoken since Jakell Mitchell's murder. So, let's see what he has to say. As usual, credit to the beat writers who are there typing these things up.

By Walt Austin
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Gus Malzahn and Sammie Coates are here. Malzahn will speak first.</p>&mdash; Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/544613490011684864">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn now here. &quot;The last 48 hours have been tough and challenging. We lost a member of our family.&quot;</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/544613587483103232">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Auburn will wear No. 31 on helmets for the Outback Bowl in honor of Jakell Mitchell.</p>&mdash; Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/544613649915342848">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn: &quot;We had a team meeting yesterday. We had professional counselors here. It was good for our players and coaches.&quot;</p>&mdash; Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/544613975061954560">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn says he has spoken to Jakel Mitchell&#39;s family &quot;numerous times.&quot; Says &quot;It breaks your heart.&quot;</p>&mdash; John Zenor (@jzenor) <a href="https://twitter.com/jzenor/status/544614229840781312">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn: No other players were with Jakell Mitchell on Sat. night&#10;Police said same.</p>&mdash; James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/544614391959023616">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Deter players from going to Tiger Lodge complex in future? Malzahn: &quot;Well, I mean, we want our players in safe places.&quot;</p>&mdash; Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/544614473441742849">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn on Jakell Mitchell: He was an outstanding player. He was an outstanding person. Had a lot of winner in him.</p>&mdash; John Zenor (@jzenor) <a href="https://twitter.com/jzenor/status/544614757039624193">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn on Jakell Mitchell: &quot;I&#39;ve known him a long time. There&#39;s a lot of memories. The smile. I think about the off-the-field stuff.&quot;</p>&mdash; Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/544614848274112512">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Travis Williams is coaching linebackers for bowl preparation at Auburn.</p>&mdash; Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/544615192198676483">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn said No. 1 JUCO RB Jovon Robinson got &quot;some work&quot; today at practice.</p>&mdash; Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/544615230790062080">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Now Sammie makes it official:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sammie Coates: &quot;I&#39;ve decided to come out this year and enter the NFL draft.&quot; Thanks every coach who helped him along the way.</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/544615414807146496">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Coates says he did not look at NFL Draft evaluation. Made decision because he graduated. Said wouldn&#39;t have declared if still undergrad</p>&mdash; Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/544616003700027393">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Dang it, Sammie. Why'd you have to be so responsible and such a good student that you graduated early?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Coates said he hasn&#39;t talked to fellow WR Duke Williams about his upcoming draft decision. &quot;I was just worried about my own decision.&quot;</p>&mdash; Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/544616724763770880">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sammie Coates on Jakell Mitchell: &quot;It&#39;s a hard time for anybody. That was our brother. I knew him real, real well.&quot;</p>&mdash; Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) <a href="https://twitter.com/bmarcello/status/544616862710247424">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Coates on Jakell Mitchell: &quot;It broke my heart when I heard it. ... It still bothers me now, thinking about his family, his friends.&quot;</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/544616978611462144">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Coates: &quot;Losing a teammate is always going to hurt. All the brothers I&#39;ve lost, I still think about them.&quot;</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/544617119284215808">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn on Coates: &quot;I&#39;m very proud of Sammie.&quot; Talks about how far he has come since being a 2-star at a camp many years ago.</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/544617342312136704">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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A 2*. Talk about a steal.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn on Sammie Coates: &quot;I&#39;m real proud. It just seems like yesterday that a real quiet, skinny kid from Leroy was up in our office.&quot;</p>&mdash; Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/544617350935613440">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn: &quot;He&#39;s represented us in a great way and he has a bright future.&quot;</p>&mdash; WarEagleExtra (@wareagleextra) <a href="https://twitter.com/wareagleextra/status/544617424784744450">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Malzahn says AUburn will cover the loss of value insurance for Sammie Coates in the bowl game</p>&mdash; James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesCrepea/status/544617858798743552">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>What do you tell NFL coaches and scouts about what kind of player Sammie Coates is, Gus Malzahn?&#10;&#10;&quot;Turn the film on.&quot;</p>&mdash; Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/JFergusonAU/status/544618012767440896">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Oh, and if you want something to bring a big smile to your face:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>God is good! First day back out with my team <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WDE?src=hash">#WDE</a></p>&mdash; carl lawson (@carllawson14) <a href="https://twitter.com/carllawson14/status/544618925770932224">December 15, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Will he play in the bowl game? He COULD, but he'd be nuts to. I know I made my case on him coming back late in the season if he was ready before the year started, but for one game? Nah, go ahead and redshirt, Carl. We'll see you back strong and ready to destroy QBs in the fall.

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