Auburn Tigers News: Several make freshman All-SEC team, Etheridge to Troy?

In today’s Auburn Tigers News, several players are named to the freshman All-SEC team, and Zac Etheridge is named a candidate to become Troy’s next head coach.

It was a big year for the freshman class of Auburn Tigers. Whether by plan or necessity, several of the Tigers’ freshmen were asked to step up this year and play a big role for the team. As a result of their hard work this season, three players were named to the Freshman All-SEC team.

The first is Alex McPherson, a redshirt freshman who was honored as both the place kicker and kickoff specialist. From Fort Payne, AL, McPherson made every kick he attempted this year, knocking down 13 field goals and 39 extra points.

Next up is Connor Lew, a true freshman who was bumped up to starting center halfway through the season after veteran center Avery Jones was injured. He was named the All-SEC team center, and earned SEC Freshman of the Week after debuting as the Tigers’ starting center.

Finally, true freshman Keldric Faulk was named to the Freshman All-SEC defense after starting the last seven contests for Auburn football. He recorded 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, and one pass breakup.

Is Zac Etheridge leaving the Plains?

Could the Auburn football secondary coach be on his way out? If Zac Etheridge’s ultimate goal is to become a head coach, it’s possible he is looking elsewhere for promotions. Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson tweeted earlier this month that he was told Etheridge interviewed for the Louisiana-Monroe job, and now his name is being linked to the vacancy at Troy.

According to On3, Bruce Feldman listed Zac Etheridge as a possible candidate to be the next head coach at Troy, a program that just lost their head coach Jon Sumrall to Tulane:

"Since returning to his alma mater in 2021, Zac Etheridge’s name has come up in connection with a few jobs over the years. He could be gaining steam for the Troy job, though, according to Feldman.Feldman reported Etheridge had a strong interview and is a “name to keep an eye on” as the process unfolds. He joined Auburn in 2021 as safeties coach and remained on staff under new coach Hugh Freeze last year."

While Etheridge is an Auburn football alum, a fan-favorite, and a great asset to the program, it’s no surprise that he is wanted for bigger jobs.