Ahead of schedule: Freshmen Ellis, Mabson next men up for Auburn offense

AUBURN, Ala. – College football’s youngest player, 17-year-old Auburn center Kail Ellis knows he belongs with the big boys.

After all, he is a big boy.

“I like to stay humble, but I think I can compete with some of the best.” the 6-4, 315-pound freshman said. “I want to continue to show that as weeks go on.” 

Ellis will get his opportunity to take over for captain Connor Lew, who will miss the rest of the season with an injury. 

“Ball State was my first action,” Ellis said. “It was awesome being able to experience that. Getting thrown in when Connor went down at Oklahoma those couple plays was a great experience. Being able to play the second half against Missouri, I wish we had gotten the win, but to compete with my teammates and have the trust from my coaches, that was huge.”

An all-state standout at Cass High School in Canton, Georgia, Ellis reclassified to graduate in 2025, a year ahead of schedule, a move he began contemplating after attending Auburn’s Big Cat recruiting event in 2024.

“I felt like I didn’t have anything else to gain in high school,” said Ellis, who passed up his senior season. “To get under an SEC lifting program, an SEC O-line coach (Jake Thornton) who I think is the best in the country and especially get behind Connor for a year. I had in mind to learn under his wings.”

Most SEC offensive lines, including Auburn’s, are dominated by upperclassmen. It’s rare for true freshmen to earn playing time, much less someone who would typically be a high school senior. 

“It’s huge having that trust from the coaches to go in and compete,” said Ellis, who won’t turn 18 until April, after spring practice. “It’s very valuable. For the long run, it’s going to help me tremendously. That’s going to be huge for my future to keep pressing on with my teammates.”

While Auburn’s 2025 class excels on defense where five true freshmen have played in all seven games, Ellis and Omar Mabson II are representing Auburn’s offense, with more to come. 

“Credit to Coach Freeze,” Ellis said. “I think he’s done an incredible job since he’s been here with recruiting, building up these last three classes, especially the ’23, ’24 and ’25 classes, I feel like we have some ballplayers. I’m going to be biased, the ’25 class, I think we have the best players in that class on both sides of the ball.”

Like Ellis, Mabson reclassified to to get a head start on the Plains.

“The more experience you get, the more ready you will be, the more you’ll have in your bag to where you can develop more as a player,” Mabson said. 

The 5-9, 213-pound Auburn High School graduate scored his first collegiate touchdown last week against Missouri, turning his only carry into a lifelong memory.

“It was great, especially this being my hometown,” Mabson said of his 1-yard score. “It was great to score in front of my community. It felt amazing, like none other. It’s an experience I’ll never get again, that first touchdown in front of my hometown.”

“Seeing him have a chance to get the ball near the goal line and get in, to run a little power and vision was awesome to see from him,” offensive coordinator and running backs coach Derrick Nix said. “Great to see him have success. He’s done a great job all season. He makes me think he’s a veteran guy who’s been here for years, but he hasn’t. Very detail-oriented.”

Getting the ball at the 1-yard line shows the respect Mabson has earned from his coaches. 

“It meant that they trust me to get in the end zone,” he said. “I’m just trying to do whatever I can do to help my team win. If they would have put me in or not, I’m just trying to help the team win. Whatever I have to do to help the team win, I’m going to do it. If that’s me being the biggest cheerleader, I just want to contribute to the team however I can.

“I said I’m getting in the end zone regardless. I’m fixing to get in the end zone regardless of what I had to do, if I had to run over the O-linemen or not. Those guys made a big hole for me and I’ve just got to be able to find my way through there. Instincts kicked in. You’ve got to do what you have to do to get in the end zone.”

Mabson appreciates the opportunity to play for Nix, a Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer who starred as a running back at Southern Miss. 

“A great coach, a great guy. I’ve learned a lot from him in meetings and practice,” Mabson said. “His passion and love for the game wears off on everybody.”

Mabson’s next challenge is to master pass protection, knowing he often is the only thing standing between a blitzing defender and Auburn’s quarterback. 

“Everything else is kind of natural,” he said. “When it comes to pass protection, you’ve got to put your mouthpiece in and get up there.”

The precocious pair hopes to lead Auburn to an SEC road victory Saturday at Arkansas.

“It’s hard in the SEC to win on the road,” Ellis said. “Being able to lock in and keying on the snap count and communicate with my teammates is huge.”

“A blessing,” Mabson said. “God allowed me to be a part of this program and be able to go on the road. It feels great.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer