https://www.al.com/auburnfootball/2...burn-mid-season-and-whats-happened-since.html
We must be doing something for al.com mouthpiece to release two transfer hit pieces. Pickens?
For those who don't want to click:
By Sam Blum | SBlum@al.com
SBlum@al.com
The look on John Broussard Jr.'s face as he walked off the field, and into the tunnel after Auburn’s season-opening win over Washington said it all. His father could see the dismay in Broussard’s eyes, having not seen the field when the junior DB had every expectation of playing.
Three days later, Broussard Jr. announced that he would be leaving the football program. It was a quick decision, but since there was no indication he had a role on this team, a simple one. He conferred with his parents, some Auburn coaches, and made his exit swiftly.
“I can look at my child and tell, he’s just distraught,” said John Broussard Sr. “... I’d rather him leave the program than stay there and be unhappy.”
Fast forward three emotionally difficult months, and, on Sunday, Broussard Jr. officially committed to Memphis. He will be a graduate transfer — after getting his degree online from Snead State Community College — and will be immediately eligible with two years left to play.
It’s an exciting change for Broussard, who came to Auburn as one of the most highly-touted players in the state of Alabama. He was a local star at Central-Phenix City, ranked as the No. 7 player in the state at the close of the 2016 class. He had a plethora of offers from Mississippi State, Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Florida State. A total of 17 offers across almost every powerhouse program.
But in his two years and one game at Auburn, he made just a handful of tackles in a small sampling of on-the-field action.
“I could have played in that game," Broussard Jr. said of the Washington game. “But I just felt like ... during that time at Auburn, I was fighting an uphill battle. I felt like I had earned time, I had earned playing time, but after the first game I didn’t get it. So I just felt like, I didn’t want to waste another year.”
This is coming from the same kid, who, in 2015, told AL.com that he wanted "to go to the NFL. I want to win the Jim Thorpe Award. The Heisman would be a high goal, but it is realistic.”
This is coming from the same player that actually won Auburn’s most improved player award during spring practices in 2018, per his parents. The whole family believed he was on the precipice of getting his opportunity.
“Yes, I think, I think it’s still very much in reach,” Broussard Jr. said of if those same lofty high school goals are in reach. “… No matter where you go your play will show, your tape will show. So I still believe, believe it’s a possibility, winning an award of any sort. … For me, the main thing I want is to just get on the field, I just want to play.”
Broussard Sr. said the family holds no ill will toward Auburn or its coaches. In Broussard Jr.'s post announcing he was leaving the team, he said he loves and appreciates Auburn. He still has many friends on the team.
When asked directly if he thought the coaches communicated clearly with him about his role on the team, Broussard Jr. was less emphatic. He waited six seconds before saying “um,” and then 13 seconds total before saying, “Well, I really don’t want to talk about the coaches."
Auburn’s safeties coach Greg Brown said in August that Broussard “has done nothing but come along steadily” during the offseason. When Broussard announced his departure, head coach Gus Malzahn said “We wish him nothing but the best.”
Broussard Jr.'s decision to leave left him in a bind academically, and he had to enroll in a community college in order to receive his associates degree. He will graduate this semester. There have only been a few days where he hasn’t worked out, as he prepared for his next move.
Those same schools didn’t come calling. But his choice came down to Memphis and Florida Atlantic — he took official visits to both schools.
He said it’s a little hard to see players he knew growing up, and guys he knew at Auburn declaring for the NFL Draft, taking those next big steps that he envisioned for himself.
“It breaks your heart,” said his mother, Vickie Broussard. "It makes you feel bad as a parent, because you can’t do anything about it. When your child feels bad, it makes you feel bad.”
But there’s solace in getting another opportunity. And that’s what is in front of Broussard now. He will sign his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, and soon the spring practices will be going on. It is not how he planed for things at Auburn to go.
He believed he should have played, and that he was ready to play, and, to some extent, that he and his family were recently led to believe he would play. At Memphis, he hopes there’s a chance to showcase his capability.
“I really improved a lot, I got a lot better,” Broussard Jr. said. “… Not only have I kept my ability when I first signed, I feel like I’ve gotten better.”
We must be doing something for al.com mouthpiece to release two transfer hit pieces. Pickens?
For those who don't want to click:
By Sam Blum | SBlum@al.com
SBlum@al.com
The look on John Broussard Jr.'s face as he walked off the field, and into the tunnel after Auburn’s season-opening win over Washington said it all. His father could see the dismay in Broussard’s eyes, having not seen the field when the junior DB had every expectation of playing.
Three days later, Broussard Jr. announced that he would be leaving the football program. It was a quick decision, but since there was no indication he had a role on this team, a simple one. He conferred with his parents, some Auburn coaches, and made his exit swiftly.
“I can look at my child and tell, he’s just distraught,” said John Broussard Sr. “... I’d rather him leave the program than stay there and be unhappy.”
Fast forward three emotionally difficult months, and, on Sunday, Broussard Jr. officially committed to Memphis. He will be a graduate transfer — after getting his degree online from Snead State Community College — and will be immediately eligible with two years left to play.
It’s an exciting change for Broussard, who came to Auburn as one of the most highly-touted players in the state of Alabama. He was a local star at Central-Phenix City, ranked as the No. 7 player in the state at the close of the 2016 class. He had a plethora of offers from Mississippi State, Clemson, LSU, Michigan, Florida State. A total of 17 offers across almost every powerhouse program.
But in his two years and one game at Auburn, he made just a handful of tackles in a small sampling of on-the-field action.
“I could have played in that game," Broussard Jr. said of the Washington game. “But I just felt like ... during that time at Auburn, I was fighting an uphill battle. I felt like I had earned time, I had earned playing time, but after the first game I didn’t get it. So I just felt like, I didn’t want to waste another year.”
This is coming from the same kid, who, in 2015, told AL.com that he wanted "to go to the NFL. I want to win the Jim Thorpe Award. The Heisman would be a high goal, but it is realistic.”
This is coming from the same player that actually won Auburn’s most improved player award during spring practices in 2018, per his parents. The whole family believed he was on the precipice of getting his opportunity.
“Yes, I think, I think it’s still very much in reach,” Broussard Jr. said of if those same lofty high school goals are in reach. “… No matter where you go your play will show, your tape will show. So I still believe, believe it’s a possibility, winning an award of any sort. … For me, the main thing I want is to just get on the field, I just want to play.”
Broussard Sr. said the family holds no ill will toward Auburn or its coaches. In Broussard Jr.'s post announcing he was leaving the team, he said he loves and appreciates Auburn. He still has many friends on the team.
When asked directly if he thought the coaches communicated clearly with him about his role on the team, Broussard Jr. was less emphatic. He waited six seconds before saying “um,” and then 13 seconds total before saying, “Well, I really don’t want to talk about the coaches."
Auburn’s safeties coach Greg Brown said in August that Broussard “has done nothing but come along steadily” during the offseason. When Broussard announced his departure, head coach Gus Malzahn said “We wish him nothing but the best.”
Broussard Jr.'s decision to leave left him in a bind academically, and he had to enroll in a community college in order to receive his associates degree. He will graduate this semester. There have only been a few days where he hasn’t worked out, as he prepared for his next move.
Those same schools didn’t come calling. But his choice came down to Memphis and Florida Atlantic — he took official visits to both schools.
He said it’s a little hard to see players he knew growing up, and guys he knew at Auburn declaring for the NFL Draft, taking those next big steps that he envisioned for himself.
“It breaks your heart,” said his mother, Vickie Broussard. "It makes you feel bad as a parent, because you can’t do anything about it. When your child feels bad, it makes you feel bad.”
But there’s solace in getting another opportunity. And that’s what is in front of Broussard now. He will sign his National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, and soon the spring practices will be going on. It is not how he planed for things at Auburn to go.
He believed he should have played, and that he was ready to play, and, to some extent, that he and his family were recently led to believe he would play. At Memphis, he hopes there’s a chance to showcase his capability.
“I really improved a lot, I got a lot better,” Broussard Jr. said. “… Not only have I kept my ability when I first signed, I feel like I’ve gotten better.”
