Experienced trio represents Auburn at SECMD23

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Experienced trio represents Auburn at SECMD23Experienced trio represents Auburn at SECMD23
Auburn University Athletics

NASHVILLE – Appropriate given the setting, Auburn tight end Luke Deal talked about music after playing a tune of his own Tuesday at SEC Media Days. 

When in the Music City… 

Carrying the guitar he learned to play by watching YouTube videos and practicing during the pandemic, Deal sang a country song he wrote about his family, a tribute to his father, Chris, who passed away from ALS in June 2022. 

"Absolutely the most difficult time in my life," said Deal, pointing to the ALS awareness ribbon he wore while talking to reporters. "But it also has made me into who I am today. It's helped mold me.

"For everything to be taken from you is heartbreaking, but to see how he responded and led our family even at his lowest physical point, it was something I'll never forget."

Returning for his fifth season, Deal appreciates the support of Auburn fans, who have purchased the most season tickets in program history for the 2023 season. 

"Whenever I see that the greatest atmosphere, in my opinion, in college football is going to be even better, that's music to my ears," he said.

"There's nothing like Jordan-Hare Stadium in the fall. We need to build that momentum throughout the season. Every game is going to be a challenge starting with the first game."
 

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN KAM STUTTSAnother veteran Tiger, offensive lineman Kam Stutts, also decided to take advantage of his extra season of eligibility to play for first-year Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze.

"Definitely excited about it," said Stutts, the dean of the Tigers in his sixth season in the program. "He's been doing a really good job of focusing on the details and getting everybody to buy in. He's had successful offenses so I'm excited to play in it.

"He comes in every day ready to work, and he's always pushing that on us, being grateful for our opportunities, getting ready to work, and taking advantage of every day we get."

Stutts started eight games last season, two at left guard and six at right guard. Auburn will rely on his leadership on a revamped offensive line that replaces starters at center and both tackle positions. 

"Especially when you have a lot of new dudes," Stutts said. "Being on the same page, building those relationships, for an O-line that's really big. 

"We can make calls and if we see something we can change up and get those things handled. The coaches give us those tools and help us build those relationships, then it's on us to go out there and use them."



JACK LINEBACKER ELIJAH MCALLISTERIn a Media Days rarity, Auburn's Elijah McAllister represented the Tigers before playing his first Auburn game.

Such is the impact the doctoral candidate and Vanderbilt transfer has made in his short time on the Plains.

"It's a blessing," McAllister said. "It something that speaks to who I am as a person but most importantly, how God has led my life, and also how my teammates, my coaches and this university feels about me being here for such a short amount of time."

Like Stutts, McAllister is a sixth-year senior. At Vanderbilt in 2019, the edge rusher recovered a fumble for a touchdown against eventual national champion LSU, a play that still inspires confidence four years later. 

"I did that as a 19-year-old player playing in this league and I know I can make plays in this league at a high level if I can do that at a young age against those high-level players," he said. 

McAllister will make his Jordan-Hare Stadium debut when Auburn hosts Massachusetts Sept. 2 at 2:30 p.m. CT for Kickoff on The Plains.

"I'm so excited and blessed to have the opportunity to play in front of the Auburn faithful and to represent them the best way I know how by making plays," he said. "To be able to be in a stadium where the fans are for you, they're excited, and they love their football, I'm very excited to experience that."