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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.
#22 — Harold Joiner, RB
Game — Auburn vs Samford, November 23, 2019
I mentioned we weren’t done with this game, and we still won’t be after this one. So it goes when scoring a ton of points in the SoCon Challenge game. Everybody gets to make an appearance. This one is a Gus staple. It’s technically out of Wildcat. I think the first guy we saw run this route was Mario Fannin.
Joiner deciding to change numbers got him on this list twice. Might he not be the last?
#21 — Smoke Monday, DB
Game — Auburn vs Tennessee, November 21, 2020
When we originally researched around when the season started in 2020, this was a Smoke Monday pick-6. Now, it’s just a different one.
I have no idea what Guarantano sees here. Owen Pappoe does a great job to fight off a block and create pressure, but Guarantano stares down the receiver the entire time. Not to mention that receiver appears to be blanketed by Roger McCreary. Smoke described it perfectly: “He wasn’t doing a good job of looking us off tonight, so I tilted away and came back late. It was right there.”
#22 is currently held by a couple of walk-ons: running back Jay Sharp and cornerback and A-Day Defensive MVP Trey Elston. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Elston pick up a scholarship for the season, and he’ll be active on special teams.
As for #21, that’s still Smoke, and he’s averaging one touchdown per season the last two years. Who am I to say he won’t get another?