Coffee and Magnolia: 14 January 2015

AUBURN FOOTBALL

Some unexpected news broke last night that offensive tackle Pat Miller is declaring for the draft. Miller spoke with Charles Goldberg from AuburnTigers.com about the decision and said he feels like it's the best time for him to go pro. Playing time will be hard earned on Auburn's offensive line next season, so perhaps he's right. We wish Pat all the best and hope the decision works out for him.

Auburn has now lost three experienced starters on the offensive line, so the question becomes who will replace them? AL.com examines that very question. Here's the good news: If Kozan comes back healthy, then we won't miss Chad Slade (Avery Young can take Slade's spot with no problem). Austin Golson is the likely Center, and while there will be a drop-off from a four year starter like Dismukes, Golson has SEC experience from his time at Ole Miss (though not at center). In Miller's case, Davonte Danzey was playing well in relief of Miller while Miller was injured, and Braden Smith will have an off-season and spring practice to get seasoned enough to compete for the starting job there, as well. So all is not doom and gloom for the line. Auburn has recruited very well on the offensive line the past few seasons, and I think we're going to see the fruit of that this coming season.

In recruiting, the Ledger-Enquirer says the next three weeks are "pivotal" for Auburn's 2015 class and the future of the program. I think that's a bit of hyperbole with the "future of the program" bit, but that's just me. They are very important, though, and there may be none more important than this weekend.

We'll have an article up today that's a good talk with AL.com's Wesley Sinor about Auburn recruiting. Be looking for that around lunch. Meanwhile, there is talk of an early signing period for college football possibly getting approved in the not-too-distant future. That article give you a headache in trying to read it? Bud Elliot has a wrap-up of just what it all means for the mothership.

Auburn's director of player development Kenny Ingram is stepping from the offices of Auburn to the sidelines of former Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville as Cincinnati's defensive line coach. Seven football staff members have left to take coaching jobs over the past two seasons. Auburn continues to hire great people for these positions because they keep getting better jobs in the coaching world afterwards.

Two former Tigers earned accolades for their rookie performances in the NFL. Cody Parkey is going to the Pro Bowl as a rookie to launch Parkey Bombs. Parkey and Tre Mason made the Pro Football Writer's Association (PWFA) All-Rookie Team. Tre didn't even see his first action until a few games into the 2014 football season, but still made the best of it becoming a feature back for the Rams. As we all knew he would.

AUBURN BASKETBALL

The Montgomery Advertiser wrote about KC Ross-Miller's transformation into the SEC steals leader over the course of the season to date. The men will next take the court on Thursday night at 6pm CDT in Gainesville against Florida. That game will be on ESPN2.

The women will play Tennessee on Friday night at Auburn Arena. It will be a 7pm CDT tip-off.