BREAKING: Auburn lands two MAJOR Studs - Keshaun Singleton, Joseph Simmons

0:00Auburn lands two more Portal studs, Keeshawn Singleton, Joseph Simmons, you are both Auburn Tigers. You are Lockdown Auburn, your daily podcast on the Auburn Tigers. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Yes, welcome on into Lockdown Auburn, your daily Auburn Tigers podcast. I'm your host, Zach Blackerby. And thank you so much for making Lockdown Auburn, your first lesson every single day, Darryl Taffish Montgomery radio legend hanging out with us. And what a busy morning. It's been the big news did cause someone in the portal. We'll talk about that in a second. Keeshawn Singleton, the former USF wide receiver. He was Byron Browns wide receiver one last season. And then Joseph Simmons, the left tackle for JMU last season. They both in just a span of like 10 to 15 minutes.

1:04They both announce they are now Auburn Tigers. Well, if you watch the program this morning that we dropped, we kind of suspected this was going to happen. It was inevitable with Keeshawn Singleton. We even speculated that they wanted to do it for the basketball game tomorrow night. So that might be interesting to see if he's the celebrity end or whatever it is. But this is big. I mean, I will just reiterate what we said, you know, this morning on the show, and I'm glad that there wasn't going into the weekend drama because here's what happens. Again, it's contagious. It's a snowball effect. People start committing. They see others committing and then they want to jump on board. So within 15 minutes of Singleton, we'll talk about later on about Simmons, but in a nutshell, there's more coming. This is, I think, the beginning of a really big wave for this weekend. We suspected that could happen. And on a Friday morning before people settle down to eat their lunch, you got two big ones. And Singleton, to me, other than Byron Brown, without trying to sound too high for two over the top.

2:11Is the biggest one so far that Auburns had commit in the portal. And it seems likely that he's going to be wide receiver one. We talked about a few of the receivers that are also coming in. I think they'll try to add one more maybe two. We'll see what those numbers look like. But all of the guys that have been rumored to be coming in. I think I think he's better than them. So like the guys from Ohio State or Rogers from NC State. What was it? Noah Rogers. Yeah. No Rogers. Grant. From Ohio State. The former five star than Quincy Porter as well from Ohio State. I think, at least in 2026, I would expect. He's on Singleton to be a better wide receiver than them and a more productive wide receiver than them. So I think he's wide receiver one.

3:12And that's, I mean, that's what he's used to in this system with the same guy throwing the ball with the same offense of coordinator with the same position coach with the same head coach. Okay. Yeah. Let's see if all this transitions and works. So step further than that, I would argue that he would have been wide receiver two on last year's team that only Cam Coleman. I think he's on par with Eric Singleton, which is ironic that they're saying I'm not saying that one's better than the other, but I think they're very comparable. I think it argued could be made that he would have been just as good as Eric Singleton was last year for Auburn. So he could have been wide receiver two other than Cam Coleman. They're different receivers. They are. They are. They're just different receivers. I look at targets. I look at receptions. I look at touchdowns. Now a different offense is different quarterback. Don't it to you. Right. My gosh. The numbers look at them. I mean, 18 yards average receipt reception. Yeah. I mean, I don't care what level. That's that's heavy stuff. And also the two products to like the products of their production.

4:23He's on singleton coming from a situation where coaches allowed them to succeed. Set them up to succeed. True. And you know, Eric and the rest of the Auburn receivers for the vast majority of the year were not set up to succeed. And here's the point about that that I want to make. Did I want to follow up? Okay. There were times last year where it looked like to me, even when Derek Nix was calling plays that Auburn was was strategically and forcefully trying to get Cam Coleman the ball, even if he was double covered, right. And in the go is office, the stuff that I've seen, he spreads the love. No matter how good Key shot Singleton was, Cogor got a lot of targets. I'm going to try to force the ball to one guy in order they have to. It's going to be spread around there by the defense is going to have a lot to try to digest. Yeah, that's, yeah, I think that's well said. I think that's well said. All right, let's pivot to the other big news happening this morning. Joseph Simmons. Former JMU tackle, he makes Auburn better. Immediately, immediately and nothing against Vermil. It's interesting like Joseph Simmons played exclusively pretty much exclusively left tackle a JMU last year.

5:37As did. Vermil at Michigan State. So like they're both not going to play left tackle. And so do they battle it out? Is that part of the conversation? I think it was you and me. The conversation a few times. I assume one of the times was was with you Darryl. Like can Vermil is Vermil willing to play other positions on the offensive front. I kind of think this addition. We've talked about this before with other guys. This addition. I think makes multiple positions on the offensive line better. Because I think Simmons is better than Vermil just based off of what I've seen from both of them so far. Could this system and fit, you know, change things, of course, of course, it's good. But right now, right now, I think Simmons is better than Vermil. If you put Simmons at left tackle, Vermil at right tackle, I think it makes Vermil better as well. And that's that's two roster spots that got better just like that. I know I made a quick text before we're going on here. And I know that some people at Troy's coaching staff think Simmons is an absolute stud.

6:41Being a sunbelt guy and having played here. Here's what I think. I don't think what we heard. The rumor of what they paid Vermil to come here. He comes as a backup orders to battle it out. I think you're going to see a move. And I think it would be Vermil who who's had some knee issues and has had some stay healthy issues. You want a guy like that more right tackled in the blind side with the right hand a quarterback. But that being said, if Auburn goes out and gets a stud right tackle, then that flips the whole dynamic. Then you're saying either Simmons or Vermil will compete with that dude at right tackle or they'll compete at left tackle. If they go out and get a guy that's a plug and play at right tackle. My feeling is Auburn's found two starters to start his offensive tackle. One will be left tackle. One will slide over to right tackle.

7:42You don't pay what Auburn's been rumored to pay for Vermil to have him be a backup. What is that rumor? As far as number. Yeah. Well, it's supposedly pretty high for an offensive tackle. I've heard that it's close to a million. For Vermil. Yes. Wow. That might be your starting right tackle them. That might be your start. So if you're if you're offensive line from left to right. What Simmons at left tackle. Jacobi Ward at left guard. Kill Ellis at center. Shabola at right guard. That's the Ohio State offensive lineman that we're kind of expecting to happen this weekend. And then Vermil at right tackle. Are we okay with that? I'm a little concerned about starting a guy left guard that's never played a meaningful snap of college football in ward. And I know they love ward, but I'd rather see him play as it is number two on the depth chart and progressively get in and get some snaps and get his feet wet.

8:51I would love to see them get another left guard that's plug and play that has. You know, division one experience. That's just me. Yeah. And I mean, the. The other USF guy we talked about cold Skinner. Yes. Yes. If they're going to get four offensive lineman, Zach, we're halfway there. And then if you get the Ohio State guy, that's three. That would make sense that a Skinner or someone else that can come in and play left guard right away and then let Jacobi Ward, you know, he's into the position. I mean, to throw a kid in. I mean, I get he's going to be a sophomore, but he's not taking any meaningful snaps. And in the SEC, I don't know if you want to roll with that. Yeah. I mean, at some point, you're eventually going to have to when you replace guys, but yeah, I get it. I get it. And then are either any of these freshmen guys are we comfortable with the depth that they provide, like a Wilson's I air or Parker, Bridget, Michael Lundy Foster, Mason, Mathis, bear McHorter.

9:51Like if you told me bear McHorter was a backup guard, I think I'm okay with that. That's the one that I think has the potential to get on the field and be number two on the depth chart is bear McHorter. He's one that I think can take that leap. Yeah. So obviously this news cause an effect cause an effect to this force. Another guy out of the portal, which we would have brought up just a second ago in the discussions, but sounds like Tyler Johnson is now heading to the portal. That's next right here unlocked on Auburn. Today show brought to you by our friends at Fandall. Fandall is America's number one sports book. It's a big weekend. Darryl to big weekend for NFL playoffs, your Steelers, what a three and a half four point dog against the Houston Texans. What is the line now for your Steelers? It was three and a half. Yeah, three. Love it. Bring it. I want to keep it there. Yep. And then yeah, my new England Patriots three and a half point favorites.

10:55Two low to low. I think we cover that. I thought it was going to be speed. Yeah, it's I see at least seven. I mean, there's just no right goodness. I hope you're right. And then tonight Indiana three and a half point favorite over Oregon. I would take Indiana to cover. But we'll see what happens there. Head over to Fandall.com to get in on the action today. Thank you so much for making locked on Auburn. Your first listen every single day. Tyler Johnson heading to enter the portal per reports. And of course, I don't think it's a coincidence that this news is happening right after the announcements of Joseph Simmons coming over. And then of course, Stan Romell earlier in the week. Yeah, I mean, you talked about cause and effect. I mean, I'm not somebody that, you know, it's pretty I don't have to think too hard on this one in my opinion within what five minutes of Simmons announcing that he's coming to Auburn Tyler Johnson gets in the portal.

12:00I think there's a definite correlation there. And I hate that because you want depth. And I think Tyler Johnson's a guy that could have competed and started at one of the tackle positions. So I hate that again, but if you get Simmons and you get Romell, then and you look to get two or three more. Although probably two of those will be interior guys. It's yeah, yeah, it is what it is. Let's put it that way. Yeah, but I've rather had Tyler Johnson than not sure. And Tyler Johnson's had opportunities to step up and I think it was so close with those and he was younger. And now you kind of thought that. He'd have a chance to battle it out, but he will go elsewhere. It looks like it will see we'll see what that looks like. But all in all big day for the old line with the with the ending with getting Joseph Simmons. That's a big deal. I think this is going to be a really significant weekend as far as adding players in this roster. And it's already started with getting two right out of the gate.

13:03So I think from now until Sunday, you're going to see a lot of movement and they'll be, you know, some some good roster additions and people should start really starting to feel good about how this roster is rounding out. Now the attention in my opinion, Zach, once you get a couple more offensive lineman needs to immediately shift with some urgency to the defensive line, including edge. And then that's when you start to address that. Is there another corner that needs to come on board? Absolutely. And the UCLA kids, the one we talked about. Andre Jordan, Jr. Yeah. From UCLA. Yeah. So you can see him pop scanner pop defense another defensive lineman pie. It could get really interesting over the next 48. Yeah. And I think it's going to be that way across college football. I mean, this is the last. I mean, you can enter after the portal. You can commit after the portal closes, you know, but at some point, like, if you want to enroll and go through spring.

14:07I mean, classes are starting at a lot of different places next week. And if you want to go where you want to go, you're rolling the dice the longer you wait. If you, if there's a desired location, you better get in because spots fill up really, really quickly. So I mean, it's not that you're almost running out of time, but there is some urgency this weekend across all of college football. Well, and keep in mind, too, as Ole Miss drops out and is as either Indiana or Oregon drops out of the call, their players will start to portal. There'll be some guys that are going to leave Ole Miss now. Are they automatically earmarked for LSU? We don't know. But Indiana Oregon could have some guys drop in the portal over the weekend after tonight, whoever loses. So that's also something to keep an eye out for. Yeah. And there's other tackles that have entered to this morning that that people sent me like the Michigan tackle. Hey, what? Hey, good. Hey, wood. I can't think of his name. Is that it? Hey, what I think he's a good. Yeah, he's, he's, he's coveted. Check that out. I think it's Hey, wood. Yeah, that'd be awesome. So yeah, yes, Michigan office, a tackle tie. Hey, wood plans to enter the portal.

15:11I think I'm four for four in the last two days. You're on a street. You're on a heater. Which is pretty amazing because I can't even tell you what I for breakfast, but sure. Yeah. But yeah, I'm starting to this old head, this old brain is kind of getting focused in post holiday, I'm getting sharp. So, you know, right. We'll see. Right. Somebody asked, I think it was the obligator asked in the chat. Who's always in here. We really appreciate you. We do ask if we get more commits today. I've made a prediction. We get one more. Me too. I think we get one more than I think we get some tomorrow morning. I think we get to one tonight, two more tomorrow morning and two more Sunday. You had to guess who was next. I've been wrong the last two times. The last two times. I've said that the next one would be Skinner. The interior offensive lineman. I'm going to go with the defensive back. I'm going to go with the UCLA Jordan. I think he'll be tomorrow because he's visiting today slash tomorrow. I think he would announce tomorrow.

16:11I think he's, I think he announced us tonight. I think he is going to be overwhelmed. Wood loved the experience on emotions says, let's go. I'm a tie. He's so important. Very important and very good. I like this kid a lot. Assuming who we, because we haven't seen official statements from Champ Anthony or Ray Sean pleasant. Assuming or Smith. Yeah, I'm about to ask about corners, but I'm sorry and Caleb Harris. Right. But let's assume Andre Jordan Jr. The UCLA corner who's visiting today. Let's say he commits. Let's say he's part of the roster. Who are the starting two corners next year for Auburn? If we stay, if we hold court after that. Yes. Pleasant and Jordan. You know what? I may revise that. Let's, let's, let's not sleep on would be. He could be that dude as a sophomore that could overtake pleasant.

17:13I think Jordan's, I think George the starter period that UCLA kids a starter. And then I think the battle becomes between pleasant. Who I love. He made some plays. He won Auburn a football game. One of a couple games actually who really with the kick return. Yeah. So I love that kid. So him or would be on the other side. I think would be so much more physical. Little bigger corner. Yeah. That I know that sounds like I'm hedging, but I don't want to give up on. On would be yet. So I think it would be between would be in pleasant on the other side. And then you just move champ around like champ to play nickel. Yeah, just. And then your safeties are freaking elite with. Yeah, they're awesome. With his name is Fred Gaskin. Winners, Fagan Smith. Holy cow. Where does Gavin Jenkins, the USF DB? I think it's pretty much like corner. Yeah. I wonder, I wonder if he's got like relevant play. He's younger. He's part of that younger group of USF guys that came over.

18:17Curious. Curious to see what what kind of impact he, because. When we see Durkin play a ton of DBs, it would not shock me if like who's the guy last year that played more than we've like Kinsley Faustin. Right. Right. Because he be a Kinsley Faustin. This like sure. That one shocked me at this point. I was shocked that Faustin played so much and straighter played so little. I really was. I just. I look at ball skills and physicality and in practice, he was given Cam Coleman everything he wanted in August. And then and looked very good against Baylor. Remember, he's the one that made the big break up in the back of the Inzone on Treg, who is absolutely killing Auburn in the in the Baylor game. And straighter made a great play in the back of the Inzone, very physical to dislodge the ball. And then I think they missed the field goal on the next, you know, that was that's that was a big swing. So I don't know. I mean, you know, what we think in June and July, sometimes doesn't come to fruition.

19:22So we'll see. But I think that's a great point that he does play corners and defensive acts that you're like, what kind of come out of nowhere. I think Robinson came out of nowhere this year. We didn't expect him to get as much play at safety. He played a lot. And I did not expect that at all. Yeah. That's true. That's true. All in all, good morning. Absolutely good morning. Keeshawn Singleton. Joseph Simmons. Now Auburn Tigers. Awesome stuff. There are people check out everything you've got going on tomorrow night. Never, right? Arkansas game. Let's get this. Let's have a great Auburn weekend on the planes. Get that dub against Arkansas. We'll talk about it when the games over and then Sunday night. Little barn cast action live with me you and Kyle. That'll be fun. I think it's going to be a fun weekend to recap. Yes. It goes the way we think it will. That'll be a super fun weekend.

20:22I want people to understand the commitment level of jumping on the barn cast. Last Sunday while the Steelers were battling the Ravens to see who was going to the playoffs. And I didn't even have my fault. I told people in the chat, don't tell me. I want to be focused on Auburn in the barn cast. Yeah. I was nervous watching the end of that game for you. Oh. That was. Yeah. My heart rate was up. Yeah. I think we play each other week too. I think y'all beat Houston. And I think Buffalo beats the Jack. So y'all would come and play us. And I don't want any part of that. But having lucked up and beat y'all once this year. I turnovers. I'll still beat us. Yeah. I still owe you that part of the bet. You do. I've forgotten. If they win that game and play New England. I'll, of course, I want them to beat New England. But I'll just be a little more satisfied that they want to play off game at home. Oh, be huge. Because Tom let hasn't done crap in that in that realm. So please like the video. Please subscribe. We'll see you next time. This has been locked on Auburn.