MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — No player on the Auburn University football program benefited more from coach Hugh Freeze's recruiting than linebacker Eugene Assante.
Assanti began his three-year career at the University of North Carolina before transferring. He played in four games at Auburn in 2022 and spent time on the scout squad during practice. The former four-star recruit burst onto the scene in 2023, setting career highs in tackles (86), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (5).
What Assante did was the very definition of a breakout: going from a minor role player to one of the team's most important players.
Below are some of the players we think have the potential to follow in Assanti's footsteps and become even more well-known in 2024. The players are listed in alphabetical order.
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RB Jeremiah Cobb
This feels the most natural. Former four-star recruit Jeremiah Cobb arrived at Auburn ahead of the 2023 season and immediately joined a crowded group at the running back position. Three other running backs recorded more rushing attempts than Cobb last season, including Harkes Hunter. Hunter will still be the starter in 2024, but Cobb's role will likely increase. Cobb showed what he can do with minimal snaps last season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and reaching the end zone four times in limited opportunities.
DE Keldrick Faulk
Auburn fans are already familiar with defensive end Keldrick Faulk, but other fans in the SEC may not know his name yet. Faulk impressed as a true freshman in 2023, totaling 35 tackles and one sack in 441 reps. Faulk's run defense grade of 71.4 by Pro Football Focus ranked fourth among Auburn defensive linemen and he played the second-most snaps out of that group behind Marcus Harris.
DB Terrance Love
Auburn is looking to add some young talent after losing four starters from last season — cornerbacks DJ James and Nehemiah Pritchett and safeties Jaylin Simpson and Zion Puckett. The Tigers added transfers such as Jaelin Thompson (Texas) and Antonio Kite (Alabama), but at least one second-year defensive back must provide depth. Terrance Love is a leading candidate after competing for playing time at safety throughout spring practice and positioning himself to be part of the two-man rotation.
TE Micah Riley
Rivaldo Fairweather is set to be the Tigers' star tight end in 2024. He has good blocking options behind him in Luke Diehl and Brandon Frazier, but another athletic player who could create some buzz through the air is Micah Riley. Riley caught two passes for 40 yards last season, including a 32-yard touchdown against Samford on Sept. 16.
DB Sylvester Smith
Sylvester Smith, another young DB expected to emerge, showed versatility during spring practice playing everything from nickel cornerback to safety. It's unlikely he'll be a starter — Champ Anthony will start in the slot, with Thompson and Caleb Wooden slated to be the starting two safeties — but there will certainly be opportunities for him to take advantage. His ability to play multiple positions will work to his advantage and get him on the field sooner.
Richard Silva is an Auburn University sports reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached by email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter X (formerly Twitter) @rich_silva18.
