Five best Auburn Tigers to wear No. 21 since 2000

To the long-time Auburn fans, I ask for your forgiveness…

My wheelhouse with Auburn football is from the year 2000 until now. Looking through every Auburn Tiger to don the number 21, these were the five best since the year 2000 in my opinion–and quite frankly, my favorites to showcase the number in orange and blue.

I am solely looking at each player’s time at Auburn, not their NFL careers. What did they do while wearing the number 21 jersey?

I’d like for you to educate me on the best players to wear the number 21 in Auburn history. Or, at least, who were your favorites?

No. 1 – Tre Mason (2011-2013)

Mason is the pick here. He made history wearing the No. 21. Not only did he help lead Auburn to the National Championship, but he helped win the SEC Championship. Mason rushed for over 300 yards in that game. Mason ran all over every opponent Auburn faced in 2013 as he went for 1,816 yards–the most in a single season by any Auburn Tiger ever. He is 7th on the all-time rushing list at Auburn, 4th in career rushing touchdowns, and 1st in season rushing touchdowns. Mason was phenomenal at Auburn.

CAREER STATS:
38 games
516 rushes
2,979 yards
32 touchdowns
19 catches
249 receiving yards
1 touchdown
42 kick returns
1,107 return yards
2 touchdowns

No. 2 – Kerryon Johnson (2015-2017)

Johnson donned 21 at running back right after Mason and made it proud. Johnson was a key playmaker for all three years at Auburn. He went crazy in 2017, of course, leading Auburn to back-to-back wins over the No. 1 teams in the country (Georgia and Alabama). Johnson is tied for 6th with Brent Fullwood for single season rushing yards. He is tied for 4th with Tre Mason for rushing touchdowns in a career. Johnson had 5 touchdowns in a game against Missouri, which is 2nd most in Auburn history. He had 18 rushing touchdowns in a single season, third in Auburn history for that category. He was tough, he was gritty, and he carried the team at times.

CAREER STATS:
37 games
519 rushes
2,494 yards
32 touchdowns
55 catches
478 receiving yards
2 receiving touchdowns

No. 3 – Eltoro Freeman (2009-2011)

Freeman has a strong case against Takeo Spikes for most passionate player in Auburn history. He was crazy and played like it. Freeman was a part of some strong Auburn defenses that helped the Tigers accomplish big things, like in 2010. His interview after the Iron Bowl will live on forever. He gave credence to the phrase “playing like your hair is on fire.”

CAREER STATS:
34 games
126 tackles
16 tackles for loss
5 sacks
2 forced fumbles

No. 4 – Karibi Dede (2003-2006)

I grew up watching Dede play linebacker. Not only did he have an awesome name, but he’s the first Auburn player I remember wearing the No. 21 proud. He was another tough linebacker in a line of so many tough linebackers at Auburn. He packed a punch and made several big plays, once again, for a few great Auburn teams and one elite team in 2004.

CAREER STATS:
24 games
101 tackles
7 tackles for loss
2 intercpetions
1 fumble recovery
1 defensive touchdowns

No. 5 – Smoke Monday (2018-2021)

Monday had his issues, he had busted coverages, but man did he have some monster plays. Three defensive touchdowns, one of which happening in the 2019 Iron Bowl. He had a knack for jumping a route or timing a blitz with the snap to get a tackle for loss. He knew football and understood how to make a play. That very instinct got him in trouble a lot, but the upside was always there. He was a vicious competitor and got thrown out of the game for targeting a few times–my kind of guy.

CAREER STATS:
50 games
172 tackles
17 tackles for loss
8 pass breakups
5 interceptions
3 defensive touchdowns