Auburn players clearly unhappy with Hugh Freeze over controversial Damari Alston call

Surprising news hit the Auburn football program on Monday as it was announced running back and team voted captain Damari Alston was no longer with the team. Head coach Hugh Freeze said it was because Alston "failed to meet the standards and expectations" of the football program.

Freeze clarified later that Alston is a stand-up guy and that it had nothing to do with his character or how he was as a teammate, but that he simply did not meet certain standards set for players to be ready to play in games. This came as a shock to fans and his teammates, as Alston has been on the team for four seasons now.

Many of Alston's teammates took to social media to express their thoughts and feelings over the move, and wanted to show their now former teammates that they are with him.

Alston was in his fourth season with the Tigers and came in as the leading back. He did have to miss two games for a shoulder injury against Ball State and South Alabama, but since the first game of the season, Alston's usage had declined. After returning from his injury, Alston's carries declined compared to Jeremiah Cobb, who will now take over the starting duties.

The Auburn locker room clearly feels that Alson should not have been dismissed from the team. Based on the social media posts, the guys feel it was wrong that he was dismissed and are standing with their teammate.

Alston was clearly well-liked amongst his teammates as they voted him a team captain. Now with Alston gone, that role is also vacant.

While Freeze tried to clarify the reasons for Alston's dismissal, no specific, concrete reason has yet to be given, so it is understandable why the Auburn locker room is upset. Freeze is walking a dangerous line right now because once a coach loses the locker room, it is hard to get it back.