I’ve talked to people on both Auburn’s side and Damari Alston’s side.
Alston met with Hugh Freeze and Derrick Nix on Sunday. He told them that since he hasn’t been playing much and this is his senior year, he wanted to redshirt — meaning he’d sit out the rest of the season to save a year of eligibility. He said he’d still go to every practice, lift weights, and even help on scout team. In his mind, he wasn’t quitting.
Freeze and Nix were not happy with the decision. They tried to talk him out of it. They talked about his legacy, his teammates, and how much the team needed him.
Sunday night, Freeze told Alston to think about it overnight and said if he still wanted to redshirt, he might allow it.
But by Monday morning, Freeze changed his mind. He told Alston he couldn’t let him redshirt after all — and that people from Auburn’s collective (the NIL group that helps players with financial deals) would be in touch.
When the collective reached out, they told Alston that if he “quits,” he’ll owe Auburn money. Alston said he never quit. He said he told the coaches he still wanted to be around the team and help, just not play to keep his redshirt year. He doesn’t think he should owe anything.
The word “quit” seems to be a big part of the issue. Freeze didn’t use that exact word when talking to Alston, but that’s how it’s being framed by Auburn’s side. Alston strongly disagrees with that label.
Then, on Monday at his press conference, Freeze said Alston had “failed to meet the standards” of the program and would no longer be with the team.
So now, there are two sides:
Auburn’s view: Alston quit on the team.
Alston’s view: He just wanted to redshirt and stay involved, not quit.
It’s a messy situation — and a sign of how complicated college football has become in the NIL and transfer portal era.
