Coffee and Magnolia: 27 January 2015

AUBURN FOOTBALL

Looking to next year, AL.com featured a story on Jeremy Johnson taking on the leadership role in working with his wide receivers to prepare for next season. That is definitely a good thing to hear. Hopefully they're working together all spring and summer long. I will say though that there is still the chance JJ is not the starting QB next season. I believe he will be, but you just never know. It will be an open competition, and just maybe Gus Malzahn decides to go with a Nick Marshall type in Jason Smith or a hybrid of the two in Sean White.

Carl Lawson practiced with the team for the bowl game, even though he did not play. Having him back next season will improve Auburn's defense dramatically if nothing else happens. I do believe Auburn is set to make some big games on the defensive live front, though.

Auburn picked up a new commitment late last night from 3* cornerback Jeremiah Dinson from Miami, FL. He is the 21st overall commitment, and the first cornerback of this class (after the Tigers lost two others to other schools). We'll have a big recruiting post from Jared up later today, I hope.

That commitment proves one thing we knew when we brought him home: Travaris Robinson is an excellent recruiter and we are going to love having him on staff.

With the news that UNC and Wake Forest are going to play as "non-conference opponents" in the next few years, I floated the idea that others have proposed before that Auburn and Florida should do the same thing.

Former Tiger Robenson Therezie will take part in the College Gridiron Showcase. I honestly haven't heard of that particular all-star game, but good for Therezie. He did not have quite the season in 2014 as he did in 2013, but he's still a ball-hawk who could make some waves with a team that picks him up.

Sammie Coates picked up an endorsement deal with UnderArmour. He is the second Tiger to do so following Cam Newton. I'm guessing UnderArmour expects big things from Coates in the League. They're lucky to have him. I can't imagine a better ambassador for someone than Sammie Coates.

AUBURN BASKETBALL

The men are on a three game losing streak, and are looking to end that on Tuesday night against Texas A&M at home. Auburn's KT Harrell is putting up good numbers, but the team needs to find more scoring threats to help him in order to get wins.

The women dropped a home game to Mississippi State last night in Auburn Arena. They had an early lead, but a 15-2 run by MSU let the Bulldogs gain a leave that they never relinquished. The Tigers have dropped all eight of their SEC games so far this season, and have lost their last nine overall.

AUBURN SPORTS

There was a lot of action for the Tigers of all stripes last week, including a big win by the gymnastics team. You can find out just where to see the Tigers in town this week thanks to Everett's update.