Auburn football: Major contributors named Iron Men of the Week

With summer workouts in full swing on the Plains ahead of fall camp, the Auburn football team has once again resumed naming Iron Men of the Week. The honor goes to one player on the defensive side of the ball and one on the offensive side for raising the bar during the week of training.

During the summer months, the Tigers have also begun naming a position group to honor. Last week, recognition went out to running back Tank Bigsby and defensive end Colby Wooden while the position group recognized was the safeties.

This week, the Tigers named two key contributors from last season as the Iron Men of the Week in senior tight end John Samuel Shenker and sophomore safety Donovan Kaufman. The defensive line was the position group of the week.

John Samuel Shenker is returning to the Plains for his sixth season with Auburn football in 2022 following a record-breaking season in 2021. Shenker holds the records for both single-season receptions by a tight end with 33 and single-season tight end receiving yards (413). He was a key player for the Tigers in 2021 and emerged as a team leader for the Tigers.

Donovan Kaufman transferred to Auburn in 2021 after a year at Vanderbilt, and immediately became an impact player at safety and as a kick returner. Last season he totaled 33 tackles, two tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and one interception.

With the departure of Smoke Monday to the NFL, Kaufman will likely see an increased role in 2022, along with the two transfer additions Craig McDonald and Marquis Gilbert.

Both Iron Men were key to Auburn football’s game plan last season and will have big roles in the upcoming season.