2020 Auburn signing class review: Where are they now?
Auburn is 9-10 over the past two seasons and was only 6-4 the season before that. The roster, most observers — impartial or not — likely would agree, is not where it needs to be, or where it should be.
This week, we’re taking a closer look at the last three recruiting classes to show how the Tigers got here and what the future may hold.
This will include the final class of Gus Malzahn as Auburn coach (2020), the transitional class that bridged the stints of Malzahn and current coach Bryan Harsin (2021) and Harsin’s first full class (2022).
We kick things off with the 2020 group …
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2020
Class rank nationally: No. 7
SEC rank: No. 5
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A look at the 2020 Auburn recruiting class
Here’s what they’ve done …
–Tank Bigsby, 4-star RB: Three-year starter at Auburn with 2,278 career yards.
–Zykeivous Walker, 4-star DL: Backup with 20 career tackles (none in 2022) and one sack.
–Jay Hardy, 4-star DL: Appeared in one game as a true freshman; transferred to Liberty in July 2021. Has four total tackles there this season.
–Wesley Steiner, 4-star LB: Ranks fourth on the team in total tackles this season, with 27.
–Kobe Hudson, 4-star WR: Auburn’s leading receiver (catches, yards) in 2021; transferred to UCF. Has three catches for 53 yards in 2022.
–Ze’Vian Capers, 4-star WR: Backup with 14 career receptions, but only one for 16 yards in 2022.
–J.J. Evans, 4-star WR: Never played a snap at Auburn; announced he was transferring in September.
–Ladarius Tennison, 4-star safety: Made four career starts at Auburn, had 22 tackles in 2021; transferred to Ole Miss last December. Has started multiple games this season and has 23 total tackles in six games.
–Marco Domio, 4-star CB: Junior college product had eight total tackles in 2020; transferred to UCF and had six tackles in 2021. Current status not known.
–Eric Reed, 4-star CB: Reserve who played in two games over two seasons at Auburn; transferred to Georgia Tech in May. Has not recorded any stats this season.
–JJ Pegues, 4-star ATH: Played tight end in 2020, had seven catches for 57 yards. Moved to defensive line in 2021 and recorded 16 total tackles. Transferred to Ole Miss in January and has 10 total tackles in six games.
–Chris Thompson Jr., 4-star S: Had eight tackles as a freshman at Auburn. Transferred to Southern California. Recorded 11 tackles last season. Now playing linebacker and has one tackle in 2022.
–Desmond Tisdol, 4-star LB: Backup with seven career tackles at Auburn — three this year.
–Malcolm Johnson Jr., 4-star WR: Has a few starts and eight career catches for 110 yards, with two receptions this season.
–Deandre Butler, 4-star DL: Junior college product had 20 tackles and one sack over two seasons at Auburn. Transferred to Liberty; has 17 tackles and a sack in six games.
–Cam Riley, 4-star DL: Starter; currently second on the team with 35 total tackles and 1/2 tackle for loss.
–Brandon Frazier, 4-star TE: Backup with three career receptions, one in 2022.
–Romello Height, 4-star edge: Backup at Auburn who played in nine games last season and had 19 tackles. Transferred to Southern California. Became an immediate starter for the Trojans but sustained a shoulder injury Sept. 10 and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
–Kilian Zierer, 3-star OT: Junior college product. Backup in 2020 and 2021; now the starter at left tackle.
–Tate Johnson, 3-star C: Backup in 2020 and 2021; won starting center job in August after veteran starter Nick Brahms retired due to injuries. Johnson started multiple games but will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious left elbow injury.
–Brenden Coffey, 3-star OT: Junior college product. Backup who has played in multiple games at Auburn.
–Avery Jernigan, 3-star OL: Backup offensive lineman who has not yet seen game action for the Tigers.
–Elijah Canion, 3-star WR: Had six receptions for 126 yards in two seasons at Auburn. Transferred to Purdue; has no catches this season and has missed four games with a knee injury.
–Daniel Foster-Allen, 3-star DL: No snaps in two seasons at Auburn. Transferred to South Alabama and moved to offensive tackle this spring; has not played this season.
–Marquis Burks, 3-star DL: Junior college product; backup at Auburn with 22 career tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.
–Jeremiah Wright, 3-star OL: Reserve defensive tackle in 2020, injured in 2021 and did not play, now a backup at offensive guard who has played in all six games this year.
–Chayil Garnett, 3-star QB: Did not play in 2020 and transferred to Tennessee State. There, he’s a backup who is 9 of 19 for 92 yards with 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions this season.
-(Transfer) Grant Loy, QB: Bowling Green transfer who attempted two passes at Auburn.
-(Transfer) Brandon Council, OL: Akron transfer who has started multiple games at Auburn, including this season at center.
-(Transfer) Caylin Newton, ATH: Howard transfer (where he started at quarterback), played receiver and special teams at Auburn. Had one reception for 31 yards; blocked punt in comeback 2021 win over Georgia State. Transferred to William & Mary and has 20 catches for 301 yards this season.
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The final numbers …
Total signees including transfers: 30
Still at Auburn: 15
Transferred out of Auburn: 14
Eligibility complete: 1
Currently starting at Auburn: 4 (approximately; it varies from week to week)
