There has been a debate on social media recently pertaining to whether Auburn football is an upgrade over Kentucky or not in this day and age. With two consecutive winning seasons, including a 10-win 2021 campaign, the Wildcats fanbase is convinced UK has surpassed AU on the gridiron.
The transfer of defensive tackle Justin Rogers from Kentucky, where he recorded 60 tackles and three sacks over a three-year career in Lexington, to Auburn football sparked the debate in a big way.
Best of luck to Justin, but this move is a head scratcher. Auburn in my eyes is no longer an upgrade over Kentucky. 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/1oAyL7fjx4
— McElroy11 (@McelroyCullen) January 12, 2023
The War Rapport’s Mike Gittens was having none of that, though. Gittens pointed to much superior recruiting results with Hugh Freeze in charge for his explanation:
Don’t let recent result on the field fool you. Kentucky is NOT an upgrade over Auburn in football. If anything the recruiting rankings pan that out. Don’t get it twisted. #auburnfootball #justinrogers
— Mike G. (@mikegittens) January 13, 2023
Kentucky beat out Auburn football for a top transfer portal quarterback target
Once the transfer portal started heating up, the top name at quarterback for Auburn football — whose QB room has already lost Zac Calzada and Trey Lindsey and are likely to lose T.J. Finley at some point as well — was Coastal Carolina transfer Grayson McCall.
McCall was set to visit the Plains the same weekend North Carolina State transfer signal-caller Devin Leary, but he canceled the trip due to Auburn University not offering his major. Many presumed McCall’s cancelation would lead to Leary committing, but instead, Leary committed to Kentucky.
Does that mean Kentucky is a superior option? Well, no, because no one recruit, including Justin Rogers, determines which situation is better. Years and years as an institution does that, as does budget, revenue, and the level of national relevance the program has even during a down-year.
Few doubt Auburn football beats Kentucky in those respects.