Over the years, we’ve done different countdowns to kickoff (or tipoff). This year, we’re putting a twist on the classic “Best Auburn Player to Ever Wear Each Number” list. Football is all about lighting up the scoreboard in 2021, so let’s take a walk down memory lane and review the last time a player in each uniform number put up points.

#55 — Takeo Spikes, LB

Game — Auburn vs. Louisiana Tech, October 11, 1997

Takeo Spikes and Martavius Houston were the first major recruits I remember being excited about coming to Auburn, and they didn’t disappoint. Houston was a multi-year starter and All-SEC player, and then there’s Takeo. #55 was a prototypical middle linebacker. He had the size to play the run in the mid-90’s SEC. He had the speed to cover sideline to sideline. He seemed like he was everywhere. And on Homecoming against Louisiana Tech in his final season in Auburn, he correctly read a screen pass and scored his first, and only, career touchdown.

This wasn’t an everyday LA Tech team. They finished 9-2 with wins over Cal, Boise State, and Alabama, and their other loss was by just 4 points to Arkansas. This pick-6 put Auburn on its way to a 49-13 thumping.

With TD Moultry moving to #99 last season, #55 has been given to OL Brendan Coffey, so I don’t think Takeo’s score will go off the board any time soon.