Auburn OL Connor Lew wins SEC freshman of the week
In his first true collegiate start, Auburn freshman Connor Lew has been named SEC freshman of the week. Lew came into last week’s game against Ole Miss midway through the 2nd quarter after starter Avery Jones went down with an injury. He made his first start while also playing in his second SEC game Saturday against Mississippi State and played at a high level. Lew was part of a line that gave up no sacks and paved the way for 186 yards rushing.
Lew, as a recruit in the class of 2023 was ranked the No. 429 overall player, the No. 33 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 43 player in the state of Georgia according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He carried a 3-star rating.
Lew was a Miami commit heading into the final stretch of his recruitment. Shortly after Tigers’ coach Hugh Freeze was hired, the Tigers flipped Lew on Dec. 13, 2022. It was a concerted effort as Lew had been an Auburn target for several months. Freeze and his staff finished the job.
Now, Lew is in command at center for the Tigers and will be until Jones is back from injury. Even then, there may be discussion of who the starter will be going forward.
Auburn Live Analysis
Analysis provided by Auburn Live’s Cole Pinkston
— Twice, Lew was able to catch the defense off guard with an unprompted snap of the ball. Lew snapped the ball when quarterback Payton Thorne clapped in attempt to get the defense to jump. When the defense jumped, Lew snapped the ball and gave Thorne a free play opportunity. Both of the plays were incomplete passes, but the offense was able to move up 5 yards and repeat first down. This was a veteran type of play from Lew in his first start.
— Lew was up and down in the zone run game. He was often involved in combo blocks with guards Gunner Britton, Jeremiah Wright, and Kam Stutts. At times, he was too quick to climb to the next level, but other times, he completely handled the down lineman and allowed the guard to climb. There were very good moments from Lew, who is working to learn from experience while being thrown into the fire.
