Nov. 3, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- Everything is bigger in Texas.
You've heard the saying. You've probably seen it on signs or keychains. If you're not from there, you might not understand it. But if you grew up in the Lone Star State, there's an extra sense of pride. It's no different with the four Texas natives on Auburn's roster.
Just ask Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham about how everything is bigger in Texas.
"Dang right it is," he joked. "We are the only state to ever be our own country, so yeah there's definitely a sense of pride."
Stidham, Darius James, Kam Martin and Spencer Nigh make up the group that hails from Texas, and there's a connection between them because of where they're from. You'll see them wearing their "Texas Strong" shirts from time to time. They all agree that high school football and barbecue are both better in Texas than anywhere else.
"That's facts," James said. "For some reason, Georgia and Florida think they're high school football is better because they have one or two programs, but everybody knows Texas football is the best in the world. There's no comparing to it. We basically have like college football in our own state. Nobody can compare."
All jokes aside, that bond has been there through the good times and the bad.
When Hurricane Harvey hit the Houston area back in September, they were all affected in some way. That was their home state. And when the other three discovered that Martin's family was directly impacted, they immediately reached out and offered to do whatever they could to help their teammate and brother.
"We all leaned on each other," Nigh said. "I know I told Kam multiple times if he needed anything that my family was there. It was definitely a tough time, but I think it was a good thing for the community as a whole. I think it brought the entire state together."
"Obviously, that was a hard time for everybody," added Stidham. "We just had to stick together and just pray for one another and hope that everything is going to be OK."
This Saturday, Auburn will travel to the Lone Star State where the Tigers will play at Texas A&M in a critical SEC West game. All four of the Texas players on Auburn's roster grew up within three hours of College Station, so it will be a homecoming of sorts for each of them. And they're all expecting a few extra friends and family to be in attendance.
"I think there's definitely some extra excitement," Stidham said. "Being from Texas and playing here in Alabama, a lot of these guys get to go home quite a bit because they're from the state or Georgia or Florida, which is really close. Anytime I get to go home and especially play back home in front of a lot of my friends and family, it's definitely exciting."
"It means a lot going back to Texas and seeing all my family," Martin said. "Everybody is excited just to see me do what I do this week."
After transferring from the University of Texas, James did not travel with his Auburn teammates to Texas A&M in 2015. So his last memory of Kyle Field came in 2011 when he watched from the stands as his former school went in and beat the Aggies and proceeded to tear down the goalposts.
"Going home, being from the state of Texas, everything is bigger and better in Texas," James said. "Playing in front of your people, it gives you a little edge. Plus, me transferring from Texas, A&M is not our best friend. I take a lot of pride playing in this game."
The goalposts likely won't be coming down Saturday, but all four players would love nothing more than to leave their home state with a victory.
Rapid fire
What's your favorite place to eat in Texas?
Stidham: Where I'm from in Stephenville, there's a Hard-Eight Barbecue. It's hard to beat that barbecue-wise.
James: Bush's Chicken
Martin: Can I say two? Texas Roadhouse and Pappadeaux Seafood
Nigh: Whataburger
What's your favorite sports team?
Stidham: Houston Rockets
James: San Antonio Spurs
Martin: It's not a Texas team. It was the Kansas City Chiefs, but it's the Denver Broncos now.
Nigh: Houston Texans
What was your favorite hobby or thing to do in Texas?
Stidham: Hunt. I'm a big hunter. I'm kind of sad because when I went to Baylor, every Monday I would go hunt. That was kind of like my getaway where I could go relax and kind of just get my mind ready for the week.
James: Probably deer hunting. All kind of hunting is great down there, especially around this time.
Martin: Just working out with my teammates and having fun.
Nigh: I rode horses a little bit. My mom had horses.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf