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Yesterday was a gigantic news day on the Plains, as we basked in the resurgent glory of Auburn basketball, we saw the shifting sands of rosters and coaching staffs take shape as decisions about the future were made.
Just before Auburn tipped off against Tennessee on January 2nd, we got the first news of our early entrants to the NFL Draft.
“Kerryon has made this team better both on and off the field with his character, competitiveness and leadership.”
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 2, 2018
» @CoachGusMalzahn#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/hBu1YJa0Cy
With the comparisons to Le’Veon Bell, Kerryon Johnson may have himself a few suitors when he starts meeting with teams.
Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson is our 4th ranked RB in a strong 2018 RB class.
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) January 3, 2018
Then yesterday, the floodgates opened with one...
Thank you, @Carlton_Lowkey.#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/0c0jV5KmLn
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 3, 2018
...after...
“I appreciate Kam Pettway’s time at Auburn. We’ll be rooting for him moving forward and wish him nothing but the best.”
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 4, 2018
» @CoachGusMalzahn#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/UHB3HCik9U
...another moving on to the NFL.
"Jeff’s love and passion for the game of football is contagious and it will carry over to the next level."
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 4, 2018
» @CoachGusMalzahn#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/NKOcGl7ZFE
That’s four early entries to this year’s draft, which may cause some Auburn fans concern. However, there’s one good way to look at our juniors jumping to the pros.
FWIW having a bunch of players declare early is good for the program. More players leave early means more guys are gonna get drafted which in turn is used as a selling point in recruiting. Here's to hoping these guys hear their names called early
— AUNerd (@AUSportsNerd) January 4, 2018
Then, after all was said and done, we got a new face on the Plains as Gus Malzahn filled out his defensive staff with the newly-legal tenth assistant coach.
Please welcome @MarcusWoodsonUM to the Auburn Family!
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) January 4, 2018
» https://t.co/SesheUBkxu#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/Zx1ygsiPQ0
Woodson should be a nice addition as the Tigers look for more takeaways in 2018.
Auburn's defense has been elite under Kevin Steele, but it hasn't generated many turnovers. Memphis had 16 INTs in each of Marcus Woodson's two seasons there. Auburn only had 6 in 2017. https://t.co/apHR94EF0B
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) January 4, 2018
And as we continue to look ahead to 2018, the Tigers will be a popular pick to start the year in the top ten, mainly due to the returning talent we’ve got (sans offensive line and running back).
Athlon has five Big Ten teams in its 2018 top 11. https://t.co/WisWYMASQP
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 3, 2018
Let’s make our time in the top ten a constant as opposed to a fleeting moment of glory. War Eagle!