That Fly War Eagle is writing about Landen King no longer being a part of the Auburn football program is damning beyond belief right now. Sitting at 3-4 and with Arkansas coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday after their own bye week, a 52-point outing against BYU, and 3 straight SEC West losses before that, the Tigers didn’t need in-season drama.
But it’s Auburn, and we’re getting it.
King, who was projected to be a potential breakout wideout in 2022 after lining up as a tight end his first year, announced on October 25 that he’d be taking to the transfer portal. An apparent problem Bryan Harsin had with King taking a red shirt this season without a legitimate medical issue forced the portal move for the Class of 2021 TE out of Humble, Texas. This comes on the heels of Zykeivous Walker also announcing his departure from the program.
Walker made just one appearance this season, much like King. Against Penn State September 17, King recorded a single stat: a 24 spectacular yard reception from T.J. Finley in the second quarter with a 7-3 deficit before things got bowling shoe ugly.
While Walker’s case is a bit more unclear than King’s, there is clarity on what could happen if Harsin is let go by the program by season’s end or after it. According to Opelika-Auburn News deputy editor Justin Lee, Auburn football would have the chance to re-recruit him — making it clear that King doesn’t want to leave the Plains, he just wants Harsin to leave it:
Obviously if there's a coaching change at Auburn, the new coach would have the opportunity to recruit King to return. https://t.co/cI4GhPSvpL
— Justin Lee (@ByJustinLee) October 26, 2022
Bo Jackson bearish about popular potential Auburn football coaching candidate
For those looking to Auburn football legend to affirm the most exciting head coaching candidate, Jackson State head coach and former Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons star Deion Sanders, well, there’s not good news on that front either.
Bo Jackson knew Sanders was ready for the SEC and their brightest lights in college football, but questioned if the program was ready for ‘Prime Time.’ Sanders may just be too SWAC, or perhaps the program’s reputation is scaring away someone with a lot to lose if a Power Five jump doesn’t go well.