"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord life His countenance upon you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26
As a group, I want to thank this group of seniors. You all
have prevailed through many ups and downs. You have truly been incredible and we will
miss every one of you. We really come to adore our Tigers. I have gone through and written and individual thanks to
each one of you. It is in no particular order.
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| Photo credit to @scottbouldin Scott and Janice Bouldin |
Photo from my personal collection @tatershell
Daniel Carlson ( Legatron) - Wow, what can I say? You by far
have been the most dominant kicker in college football for the past 4 years. Since about 2008, Auburn has had dominant
kickers. It has been a joy to see you kick. I mean, it is a thing of beauty. It
is also amazing how well your kicking team worked together. You have been a
leader on and off the field. Of course, I fully believe that you should have
won the Lou Groza Award all three times. SEC Special Teams Player of the Year
is pretty special. Of course, I am
biased. However, the thing I am post proud of is how you read to children at
school, you share your faith with other students, and you use your influence
for good. I know you have passed down many things to your younger brother. The legacy of great kicking is just being
carried on from one year to the next. There is a
great career ahead of you and I cannot wait to see it. I am looking forward to
meeting you in the senior bowl. I know
there are great things in store for you. Thank for your tireless dedication to
Auburn. Auburn is a better place because of you. Thanks for the work and time. Please keep in touch with your Auburn
family. War Eagle always!
Photo credit to @kimt205
Photo from my personal collection @tatershell
Tre Williams- You have been a absolute joy to watch play football. We are really going to miss you. Thank you for coming to Auburn. Every step of the way, you have done things the right way. I remember seeing you play in high school. You have come so far! Your leadership has been something that has been incredible to see. Thank you for everything you did for Auburn. As a Mobilian, for me, it has been special to see you and Deshaun and the brotherhood that you share. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for you I know it is going to be full of great things. I am looking forward to meeting you at the Senior Bowl. Thank you for paving the way for the future generations of defensive players. Auburn is a better place because of you. You will always have a home with Auburn. Visit us when you can and stay in touch. I know we are going to hear great things from you. War Eagle!
Photo courtesy of Donny Jones @DonnyJones75
Ike Powell- It’s not
frequent that the long snapper stands out, but you have done it. I know part of it is my
personal bias, but I still think you stand out. You’ve been on my prayer group list for all 4
years. You have been part of something
very special with the kicking team. I know Daniel got most of the glory, but it
would never have been as perfect as it was with you and Stovall. Thanks for doing the fun videos with your
teammates. Thanks for growing the beard
which was super fun to see on the jumbotron. Thanks for reaching out to the
family of Macy Ray. It means a lot to me to see players doing that with
kids. Thank you for everything. I cannot
wait to meet you at the Senior Bowl! Thank you for your time and dedication. It
means more than you will ever know for players to do things the right way.
Thank you for always representing Auburn the right way. War Eagle!
Photo Credit to Kristi Stovall
Tyler Stovall- I love a good story. What a story you have. I
have loved Auburn football all of my life. I absolutely love to see players
like you get to live out their dreams. Thank you for the positive impact you had
on the team over the years. You used it all for good. Sometimes college students need a mentor they can look to
and you gave them that. My absolute favorite memory of you is the Mississippi
State game in 2016. I do not know who the player was, but he attempted to come
over the line and take a cheap shot at Daniel. You immediately leaped in front,
appearing to say, “Not today!” I love it! Thank you so much for what you have
done for the team. Thank you for your time and dedication to Auburn. Please
stay in touch with your Auburn family. We are going to miss you! War Eagle!
Photo courtesy of Micah Abernathy @Cover22_
Kerryon Johnson- While not technically a senior, you are
thoroughly deserving of thanks. I will
never forget the first tweet of yours I saw. It was the one everyone is
probably thinking. It was the tweet about your name being Kerryon in an
airport. You have been an amazing Auburn Tiger. Right away, you reminded me of
Philip Lutzenkirchen. That is not something I say lightly. You have been
someone to look up to since you were a freshman. Auburn University is a better place because of you. You
have done everything the right way. You have given your all to Auburn for the
last three years. Your leadership both
on and off the field has been something to be extremely proud of. I got to
attend the Auburn-Georgia game this year. That is a game that I will never forget.
Thank you for everything. Congrats on
the Offensive Player of the Year. No one deserved it more. Thank you for your time,
dedication and effort. You have done it the right way. Thank you for laying the groundwork for the
next group of running backs. Thank you for always representing Auburn with
class. Please keep in touch with your Auburn family. We are going to miss you,
but it is your time. War Eagle!
Steven Roberts- There are often players who we really do not
know too much about until there is only a little time left. I must admit, most of the time you have been at Auburn I
did not know a bunch about you. I read
about your story this year. I do not pretend to understand what you have been
through. However, you always made us proud.
I will be honest. I do not know that much about what makes a GREAT
corner back, but I have heard LOTS of commentators say you are one of the best in
the business. Many have said that you are the best available at that position.
I cannot wait to see how it turns out for you. Thank you for always
representing Auburn with class. I know
we are going to hear great things about you in the future. Please always keep
your church music in your life. It makes you unique. I cannot wait to see how
things play out for you. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to
Auburn. We appreciate it more than we could ever say. Thank you. War Eagle for
life!
Jason Smith- I have watched you play since you were at McT
then at MGCCC. I know there have been
ups and downs. I cannot tell you how
proud I am of your graduation. You have
something that no one can ever take away from you. Things were not easy for you, but you worked
until you had what you needed to play at Auburn. I REALLY admire your commitment and dedication
to Auburn. You could have easily transferred and had playing time somewhere
else. You remained committed to Auburn through it all. It has been an honor to
be your “prayer person” these last few years. I will always remember your
touchdown catch against Alabama! I know that we will hear great things about
you. Please make sure to keep in touch
with your Auburn family. Thank you for your time and dedication to Auburn. Hope
to see you in Mobile sometime soon. War Eagle always!
Nick Ruffin- I loved watching your interception this year!
You have been one of those players that has demonstrated a quiet leadership
over the years. You have been incredible to watch develop as a person. You have
been such a huge member of the team.
Your football skills influenced the team without a doubt but your
leadership on the team has been worth more than any plays or skills. I hope you know your value. You are going to
be so very successful. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. I
know there are great things in store. Thank you for your time and dedication to
Auburn. Please keep in touch with your Auburn family and come back and visit
often! War Eagle!
Photo credit to @kimt205
Tray Matthews- We have loved having you at Auburn. There are
so many things I could say. This is what I will say. Things work out the way
they should. God has a plan for all of us and He has a very special plan for
you. Thank you for your time and dedication to Auburn. You made Auburn a better
place. I will always remember your fight for Auburn. You gave it everything you
had. To be cliché, you left it all on
the field. I watched a focus on you on some show, and you talked about how
close you were to your parents. That touched my heart. I, too, am very close to
my parents. Never change that. You won’t regret it, ever. Thank you for
everything that you have done for Auburn. It takes a TON of courage to make a
change in your life, and I completely
admire that about you. We are so
glad that you came to Auburn. You are forever a part of the Auburn family. I
cannot wait to meet you at the Senior Bowl. Thanks for representing Auburn with
class and dignity. I know we are going to hear great things about you in the
future. Please keep in touch. War Eagle!
Jeff Holland- Again, while not technically a senior, you are
deserving of a thanks as well. You made
this past season a ton of fun. It was awesome to watch you take out the other
team! It was a joy to have you at Auburn.
I am so grateful that you spent time at Auburn. I know that you are
going to do very well at the next level.
I know you are going to do great things and we are going to hear amazing
things. Do your thing, Sensei Mud. Thank you for your time and dedication to
Auburn. You will always be a part of our family. Come back and visit. Make sure
you stay in touch with us.
Carlton Davis- I have
mentioned a few times that I have been a fan of football all of my life,
especially Auburn football. I must admit, until a few years ago, I would have
had NO idea what a cornerback did. However, I switched over to teaching high
school ten years ago. My students have made sure I understood what each
defensive position was responsible for. I have been incredibly impressed with
you both on and off the field. You do your job with incredible accuracy on the
field, yet you do not make a lot of noise off the field. I read in a report
that you were one of the best cornerbacks that would be available if you went
to the draft, so there is no doubt that you have to do it. Thank you for your
time and dedication to Auburn. It has not gone unnoticed. You will always have
a home at Auburn. Thank you for sharing your gift and talent with us. Please
keep in touch with us. Come and visit often. War Eagle always.
Casey Dunn- It made all the difference in the world when you
were able to switch over to center this year! We were really glad to have you
come to Auburn from JSU. I was able to attend the Auburn/UGA game this year. I
got to see your “rollover” live and in person.
Thanks for coming to Auburn. You may have only been with us a short
time, but you have gained family forever. Thank you for your time and
dedication to Auburn. You effort and
hard work did not go unnoticed. Thanks for a fun season. I know you are going
to do great things. Please keep in touch with us and visit often. War Eagle!
Chase Ritter-
Walk-ons have a special place in my heart. Please know that your time
and effort did not go unnoticed. You have been able to be a part of something
bigger than any individual. I know you are going to do great things with your
life. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you. Thank you for your
time and dedication to Auburn, both in the classroom and with the football
team. You will forever be a part of the Auburn family! War Eagle!
Kam Pettway- Thank you so much for your time at Auburn! I
know you were hurt part of this year and it did not work out how you had hoped, but when you played in the Arkansas game,
wow what a game! It was a joy to watch you play football. You have to go on and
do your thing now. We appreciate
everything you did for Auburn. Please
keep in touch with the Auburn family often. You will forever have a fan in me. I
look forward to hearing great things from you in the future! Thank you so much
for your time and dedication to Auburn. War Eagle!
Keenan Sweeney- I must admit, when I watched the video of
you getting your scholarship, it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much
for your time and dedication to Auburn. You made Auburn a better place. I know
you dedicated long hours without scholarship reinforcement. That is the mark of
strong character. You are going to do great things. I cannot wait to see what
is in store for you. Please keep in touch with your Auburn family. You are
forever a part of it. Keep in touch with
your Auburn family. War Eagle!
Josh Shockley- There
are many people who wish they could have suited up in the orange and blue. You
went after that dream and reached it. I know it was a lot of hard work,
especially for a walk-on. We are so grateful to players like you who put all of
the hard work and dedication to play.
Thank you so much for your time and dedication to Auburn. I know we are
going to hear great things from you. Please keep in touch with your Auburn
family. You forever have a home with us. War Eagle!
Austin Golson- We are so glad that you came to Auburn! You
made such a huge difference in the offensive line. I know the players on the
o-line do not always get the credit they deserve. You deserve a lot of credit for your ability
to switch around and play anywhere on the line. Thank you for everything you have done for
Auburn. You will always have a home with
us. I do not know what the future holds
for you, but I know it is going to be filled with great things. Thank you for
your time and dedication to Auburn. We are really going to miss you. Make sure you stay in touch with your Auburn
family. War Eagle forever!
Braden Smith- We have
seen you grow up so much over the last few years. I know the offensive linemen do not always
get the credit they deserve, but this year would not have been possible without
you and the other O-line fellas. Thank
you so much for your time and dedication to Auburn. I know you have paved the way
for great offensive linemen in the future. I know we are going to hear great
things about you in the future.Your
work and effort have not gone unnoticed. Please make sure you keep in touch
with your Auburn family in the future. Visit when you can. War Eagle forever!
Brock Campbell- I hope you have some great memories from
your time at Auburn. You certainly deserve it. Thank you so much for your time
and dedication to Auburn. You have thought that it was not noticed, but it was
noticed. You are going to do great
things. You are forever a part of something special. Please stay in touch with you Auburn
family. You will always have a place
with us. Thank you for everything. War
Eagle!
Tyler Carter- I
always like to see the Auburn walk-ons get a scholarship. I actually like to
see it at any school. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to Auburn.
You will always have a place with the Auburn family. We are going to miss you!
Good luck with all of your future endeavors.
Thank you for everything you do for Auburn. Thank you for your time and
dedication. Please keep in touch with us
and visit often. War Eagle!
Wilson Bell- We are
so glad you came to Auburn, even if it was just for a little while. You are really doing to do great things. Thank you for your time and dedication to
Auburn. We appreciate it more than you will ever know. You will always have a
home with us. Please keep in touch with
your Auburn family. Come back and visit
often. We are going to miss you! War
Eagle!
Darius James- We are so glad that you came to Auburn! You really made a difference on the o-line. I
know a lot of the time, offensive linemen are not given the credit they
deserve. Thank you for your hard work.
We are going to miss you. Your
time and dedication to Auburn has not gone unnoticed. You will have a home with
us forever. Thank you for everything. I know we are going to hear great things from
you in the future. Please stay in touch with your Auburn family and come and
visit when you can. War Eagle!
Pete Berryman- Thank you for your time and dedication to
Auburn. Thank you for using your
influence for good. I know we are going to hear great things from you. You will
always have a home at Auburn. We are going to miss you. Thank you for your hard
work. Please keep in touch with your
Auburn family and visit when you can. War Eagle!
All photos used with permission of the owner
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