2018 Auburn Tigers football team

2018 Auburn Tigers football
Music City Bowl champion
Music City Bowl, W 63–14 vs. Purdue
Conference Southeastern Conference
Western Division
Record 8–5 (3–5 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey (2nd season)
Co-offensive coordinator Kodi Burns (3rd season)
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele (3rd season)
Home stadium Jordan–Hare Stadium
2018 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No.Georgia x   7 1     11 3  
No. 12 Kentucky   5 3     10 3  
No.Florida   5 3     10 3  
South Carolina   4 4     7 6  
Missouri   4 4     8 5  
Vanderbilt   3 5     6 7  
Tennessee   2 6     5 7  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^   8 0     14 1  
No. 16 Texas A&M   5 3     9 4  
No. 6 LSU   5 3     10 3  
Mississippi State*   4 4     8 5  
Auburn   3 5     8 5  
Ole Miss   1 7     5 7  
Arkansas   0 8     2 10  
Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Mississippi State vacated four conference and eight total wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2018 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by sixth-year head coach Gus Malzahn. The Tigers finished the season 8–5, 3–5 in SEC play to finish 5th in the West Division. They were invited to the Music City Bowl, where they defeated Purdue.

Recruiting

Position key

Back B Center C Cornerback CB Defensive back DB
Defensive end DE Defensive lineman DL Defensive tackle DT End E
Fullback FB Guard G Halfback HB Kicker K
Kickoff returner KR Offensive tackle OT Offensive lineman OL Linebacker LB
Long snapper LS Punter P Punt returner PR Quarterback QB
Running back RB Safety S Tight end TE Wide receiver WR

Recruits

The Tigers signed a total of 24 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Joey Gatewood
QB
Jacksonville, Florida Bartram Trail High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 232 lb (105 kg) Dec 5, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Shaun Shivers
RB
Hollywood, Florida Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 174 lb (79 kg) Oct 26, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Jalil Irvin
OG
Stone Mountain, Georgia Stephenson High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 296 lb (134 kg) Mar 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kameron Stutts
OG
Killen, Alabama Brooks High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 329 lb (149 kg) Apr 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kolbi Fuqua
WR
Cordova, Alabama Cordova High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Apr 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Daquan Newkirk
DE
Windermere, Florida Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 282 lb (128 kg) Jun 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Shedrick Jackson
WR
Birmingham, Alabama Hoover High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jun 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Quindarious Monday
S
Atlanta, Georgia Carver High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jul 11, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Josh Marsh
LB
Decatur, Alabama Decatur High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 216 lb (98 kg) Jul 21, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Michael Harris
LB
Tucker, Georgia Tucker High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 213 lb (97 kg) Jul 24, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Jamien Sherwood
S
Jensen Beach, Florida Jensen Beach High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jul 25, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Matthew Hill
WR
Snellville, Georgia Brookwood High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Aug 17, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Asa Martin
RB
Decatur, Alabama Austin High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 193 lb (88 kg) Aug 24, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Coynis Miller
DT
Birmingham, Alabama Jackson-Olin High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Oct 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Christian Tutt
CB
Thomson, Georgia Thomson High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 184 lb (83 kg) Nov 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Seth Williams
WR
Cottondale, Alabama Paul W. Bryant High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 212 lb (96 kg) Nov 23, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Richard Jibunor
LB
Athens, Georgia Athens Christian School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 206 lb (93 kg) Nov 23, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Zakoby McClain
LB
Valdosta, Georgia Valdosta High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Nov 28, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Arryn Siposs
P
Melbourne, Australia Prokick Australia 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 198 lb (90 kg) Dec 12, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Kayode Oladele
DE
Miami, Florida Champagnat Catholic School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Dec 17, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Anthony Schwartz
WR
Plantation, Florida American Heritage School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 172 lb (78 kg) Jan 4, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Harold Joiner
RB
Mountain Brook, Alabama Mountain Brook High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 218 lb (99 kg) Jan 14, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars
Roger McCreary
DB
Mobile, Alabama Williamson High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 178 lb (81 kg) Jan 24, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Caleb Johnson
LB
Columbus, Georgia Northside High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Auburn Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 18, 2018.

Spring game

The A-Day spring game was held on Saturday, April 7. Bad weather led to the lowest attendance for A-Day in the Gus Malzahn era as head coach, as only 28,033 showed up. The game was dominated by defense, and only 28 total points were scored between the two teams. Many starters did not play or did not see significant time on the field due to the amount of injuries Auburn had already suffered during the spring. For their performances, C.J. Tolbert was named Offensive MVP, Nick Coe was named Defensive MVP, and Anders Carlson was named Special Teams MVP.

2018 Auburn A-Day Game
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Blue 3 0 0 7 10
Orange 2 13 0 3 18

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Lott Trophy Deshaun Davis LB SR
Chuck Bednarik Award Javaris Davis CB JR
Dontavius Russell DT SR
Maxwell Award Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Davey O'Brien Award Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award Ryan Davis WR SR
Butkus Award Deshaun Davis LB SR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Derrick Brown DL JR
Marlon Davidson DL JR
Outland Trophy Derrick Brown DL JR
Wuerffel Trophy Derrick Brown DL JR
Walter Camp Award Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Manning Award Jarrett Stidham QB JR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Jarrett Stidham QB JR

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Tigers predicted to finish in second place in the West Division.

Media poll (West)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Alabama 1,971 (263)
2 Auburn 1,664 (19)
3 Mississippi State 1,239 (2)
4 Texas A&M 1,091
5 LSU 1,025
6 Ole Miss 578
7 Arkansas 412

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Tigers had nine players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Schedule

Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance
September 1 2:30 p.m. vs. No. 6 Washington* No. 9 ABC W 21–16 70,103
September 8 6:30 p.m. Alabama State* No. 7 SECN W 63–9 84,806
September 15 2:30 p.m. No. 12 LSU No. 7
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL (rivalry)
CBS L 21–22 86,787
September 22 6:30 p.m. Arkansas No. 11
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
SECN W 34–3 84,188
September 29 3:00 p.m. Southern Miss*dagger No. 10
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
SECN W 24–13 83,792
October 6 6:30 p.m. at Mississippi State No. 8 ESPN2 L 9–23 60,635
October 13 11:00 a.m. Tennessee No. 21
SECN L 24–30 84,589
October 20 11:00 a.m. at Ole Miss ESPN W 31–16 56,885
November 3 11:00 a.m. No. 20 Texas A&M
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
ESPN W 28–24 85,945
November 10 6:00 p.m. at No. 5 Georgia No. 24 ESPN L 10–27 92,746
November 17 3:00 p.m. Liberty*
  • Jordan–Hare Stadium
  • Auburn, AL
SECN W 53–0 81,129
November 24 2:30 p.m. at No. 1 Alabama CBS L 21–52 101,821
December 28 12:30 p.m. vs. Purdue* ESPN W 63–14 59,024

Game summaries

Vs. No. 6 Washington

2018 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
No. 6 Washington Huskies vs. No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 6 Washington 3 10 0 3 16
No. 9 Auburn 9 6 0 6 21

at Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 1, 2018
  • Game time: 2:43 p.m.
  • Game weather: Indoors
  • Game attendance: 70,103
  • Referee: John O'Neill
  • TV announcers (ABC): Steve Levy (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst), Todd McShay (sideline reporter)
Game information

Alabama State

Alabama State Hornets at No. 7 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Alabama State 0 2 7 0 9
No. 7 Auburn 21 21 7 14 63

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 8, 2018
  • Game time: 6:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 87° • Wind: SE 5 mph • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,806
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (SEC Network Alternate): Mark Neely (play-by-play), Barrett Jones (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
Game information

No. 12 LSU

No. 12 LSU Tigers at No. 7 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 12 LSU 7 3 3 9 22
No. 7 Auburn 0 14 7 0 21

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 15, 2018
  • Game time: 2:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 93° • Wind: N 10 mph • Weather: Partly Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 86,787
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)
Game information

Arkansas

Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 9 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Arkansas 0 0 3 0 3
No. 9 Auburn 10 7 7 10 34

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 22, 2018
  • Game time: 6:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85° • Wind: SE 9 mph • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 84,188
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
Game information

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at No. 10 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Southern Miss 0 3 3 7 13
No. 10 Auburn 7 7 7 3 24

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: September 29, 2018
  • Game time: 3:01 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85° • Wind: 3 mph NW • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 83,792
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
Game information

At Mississippi State

No. 8 Auburn Tigers at Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 8 Auburn 3 0 3 3 9
Mississippi State 3 10 3 7 23

at Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, Mississippi

  • Date: October 6, 2018
  • Game time: 6:35 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 81° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Clear skies
  • Game attendance: 60,635
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Molly McGrath (sideline reporter)
Game information

Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers at No. 21 Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Tennessee 3 10 14 3 30
No. 21 Auburn 10 7 0 7 24

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: October 13, 2018
  • Game time: 11:01 a.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70° • Wind: N 6 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 84,589
  • Referee: Matt Austin
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), D.J. Shockley (analyst), Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter)
Game information

At Ole Miss

Auburn Tigers at Ole Miss Rebels – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Auburn 7 3 21 0 31
Ole Miss 3 3 3 7 16

at Vaught-Hemmingway StadiumOxford, Mississippi

  • Date: October 20, 2018
  • Game time: 11:02 a.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 59° • Wind: • Weather: Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 56,885
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter)
Game information

No. 25 Texas A&M

No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies at Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 25 Texas A&M 3 14 7 0 24
Auburn 7 7 0 14 28

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 3, 2018
  • Game time: 11:03 a.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 53° • Wind: SE 3 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 85,945
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter)
Game information

At No. 5 Georgia

Auburn Tigers at No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Auburn 7 3 0 0 10
No. 5 Georgia 3 17 0 7 27

at Sanford StadiumAthens, Georgia

  • Date: November 10, 2018
  • Game time: 6:10 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 45° • Wind: Calm • Weather: Clear
  • Game attendance: 92,746
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter)
Game information

Liberty

Liberty Flames at Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Liberty 0 0 0 0 0
Auburn 15 17 21 0 53

at Jordan-Hare StadiumAuburn, Alabama

  • Date: November 17, 2018
  • Game time: 3:01 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 66° • Wind: NW 2 mph • Weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 81,129
  • Referee: Jason Autrey
  • TV announcers (SEC Network Alternate): Richard Cross (play-by-play), Hutson Mason (analyst), Taylor Davis (sideline reporter)
Game information

At No. 1 Alabama

Auburn Tigers at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Auburn 7 7 7 0 21
No. 1 Alabama 7 10 21 14 52

at Bryant-Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Date: November 24, 2018
  • Game time: 2:39 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 101,821
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)
Game information

Vs. Purdue

2018 Music City Bowl
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Auburn Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 3 4 Total
Purdue 7 0 7 0 14
Auburn 28 28 7 0 63

at Nissan StadiumNashville, Tennessee

  • Date: December 28, 2018
  • Game time: 12:33 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 59,024
  • Referee: Brad Van Vark
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Ahmad Brooks (analyst), Roddy Jones (sideline reporter)

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final
AP 9 7 7 9 10 8 21 RV RV RV RV RV RV
Coaches 10 7 7 11 10 9 21 RV RV RV RV RV RV RV
CFP Not released 24 Not released

Players drafted into the NFL

Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
3 94 Jamel Dean CB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4 133 Jarrett Stidham QB New England Patriots
5 171 Darius Slayton WR New York Giants
6 210 Deshaun Davis LB Cincinnati Bengals
7 233 Chandler Cox FB Miami Dolphins
7 235 Dontavius Russell DT Jacksonville Jaguars