Auburn football: Former No. 1 JUCO recruit says he’ll revisit troll on NFL draft night
Auburn football defensive lineman Jeffrey M’ba, the former No. 1 overall JUCO recruit during the 2022 cycle, took a page from Bruno Mars’ book in responding to a Twitter troll that implied he’d be working for Dairy Queen:
In so many words, M’ba said “don’t believe me just watch.”
M’ba appeared in nine games during his first season on the Plains in 2022 and amassed six tackles, one tackle for a loss, and a sack. When Director of Football & Recruiting Relations Trovon Reed responded to M’ba’s photo calling the DL “him,” the troll tried to disparage the Frenchman. It didn’t work:
finally !!!! I got my first hater tweet ,from bama, who else !! I’m exited to repost that on draft night !!! https://t.co/Jwx2MdvsQi
— jeffrey m’ba (@jeffrey_mbaa) March 1, 2023
Auburn football DL Jeffrey M’ba must earn his spot under new coaching staff
In M’ba’s commitment piece for Sports Illustrated, the DL spoke glowingly of the last Auburn football coaching staff — specifically ex-head coach Bryan Harsin, ex-defensive line coach Nick Eason, and ex-tight ends coach Bad Bedell.
Obviously, Hugh Freeze and Ron Roberts weren’t on the radar with the former coaching Liberty and the latter serving as defensive coordinator under Dave Aranda at Baylor. The reality is, though, that M’ba needs to prove himself to the new coaching staff. Very few returners have been named the starter in 2023. Jarquez Hunter has been named RB1, but not even Robby Ashford has his starting position from last season locked down yet.
M’ba has the physical tools to do contend for playing time, but he’ll have a tough time usurping fifth-year defensive tackle Marcus Harris on the depth chart. The addition of Justin Rogers from Kentucky and presence of Jayson Jones figure to also make it tough for M’ba to get on the field.
If he does push past the struggles of navigating a crowded but unproven defensive trench, M’ba could make this troll eat his words on a future NFL draft night.