Morning reads: Derick Hall loves Bryan Harsin, consensus All-American Sonny DiChiara and more
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Derick Hall ‘wouldn’t want anybody else’ to lead Auburn
Derick Hall was recently featured in a Senior Spotlight feature for the university. Hall was asked about the culture of transfers, and the coaching change from Gus Malzahn to Bryan Harsin. Here’s what he said:
“I’m not here for a coach, I’m here for the university. But when Harsin came in and I started to get to know him better, I mesh really well with him, just the kind of person he is. We’ll be out at practice sweating, and he’ll be there throwing balls and sweating with us. I love him and wouldn’t want anybody else to be my coach.”
Derick Hall also echoed what we’ve been hearing from the inside regarding a new feel amongst the players and coaches entering Year Two under Harsin and Co.:
“Everybody is coming together to work toward one common goal – to win an SEC championship and play for a national championship. I think we are moving further faster. The team as a whole is different, and I think people will see that rolling into the fall.”
Time will tell. Wins and losses will be the ultimate measuring stick, but those kinds of words from one of your best leaders are always encouraging.
Sonny DiChiara third consensus Auburn All-American
Sonny DiChiara has been named First Team All-America by Baseball America and D1 Baseball, making him the third consensus All-American in program history. DiChiara joins Frank Thomas (1989) and Casey Mize (2018) as the only other consensus All-Americans in Auburn baseball history.
DiChiara earned first team honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America, D1 Baseball and Perfect Game while earning second team honors from the College Baseball Foundation, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
The senior slugger was also named the SEC Co-Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC and a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy.
DiChiara was a beast this season. DiChiara finished as the league leader in average (.383), on-base percentage (.549) and slugging percentage (.777). His on-base clip was good for second in the country, second to Frank Thomas (.568) in program history and is 42 points higher than any other SEC player in the last 10 full seasons.
Someone recently asked me during a radio interview if DiChiara would turn professional. I can’t imagine DiChiara returning. How can you top the season he just had?
Where will Jeremiah Cobb go?
The On3 Consensus 4-star running back prospect announced his top three on Monday evening. Per usual, the Auburn Live recruiting team was all over it. Jeremiah Cobb will choose between Auburn, Clemson and Tennessee on Friday. Auburn sure could use the good news to build momentum into July.
Auburn’s Alex Vogelsong wins 105th Florida State Amateur Championship
Auburn men’s golf rising senior Alex Vogelsong captured the first amateur title of his career Sunday, shooting 280 (-8) and making birdie on the first hole of a playoff to win the 105th Florida State Amateur Championship at the Bears Club in Jupiter, Florida. The Palm City, Florida product becomes the second Auburn man to leave the event victorious, joining Blayne Barber, who won the title in 2009.
The event is one of the most prestigious amateur events in America.
Jabari Smith winning Houston over already
Here’s a good interview with Jabari Smith with the Houston Rockets media team from over the weekend. Judging from social media reaction, the fans of the Rockets and the city of Houston is already falling in love with Smith.
The SEC continues football, baseball domination
With Ole Miss’ impressive run to the College World Series and national championship, it continues the SEC’s fantastic run in the sports of football and baseball. LSU, Alabama and Georgia have won three straight football titles, while Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have won three straight baseball titles.
