In today's edition of Auburn Tigers News, two former Auburn football players reunite at NC State, and Jayson Jones has high praise for new DL coach Vontrell King-Williams
During the offseason, the Auburn football program lost a number of players to the transfer portal. Many of the entries were expected, like quarterback Robby Ashford, but a few were impact players whose departures were somewhat surprising.
Now, two former Auburn football players will be reuniting for the 2024 season at a shared transfer destination. Linebacker Cam Riley and safety Donovan Kaufman have both transferred to NC State. Kaufman was the first to commit to the Wolfpack in early January, but Riley, as a graduate transfer, committed to NC State at the end of February.
Over three seasons on the Plains, Kaufman recorded 109 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles. Riley was a Tiger for four seasons, and finished his career in orange and blue with 120 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two passes deflected.
Jayson Jones has high praise for new DL coach Vontrell King-Williams
There were quite a few staffing shakeups for the Auburn football program during the offseason, including the loss of defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. Vontrell King-Williams, who spent the previous season as a defensive analyst for the Tigers and before that worked under Hugh Freeze at Liberty, was promoted to the on-field role.
King-Williams will coach the Tigers' defensive tackles while former linebackers coach Josh Aldridge is now the defensive edge coach. According to veteran defensive lineman Jayson Jones, one of the biggest contributors on the DL for Auburn last season, it was a move that all the players wanted.
“Everyone knows him,” Jones said, per Auburn Undercover. “I know him and I love him. You can go ask anybody, even outside of the position, everybody loves Vontrell and the energy he brings. Everyone wanted him and I wanted him. I expressed that. We’ve got him now, and I’m excited to be coached by him.”
Jones went on to say that having King-Williams to support and push their unit everyday makes the position group want to play that much harder. The Tigers are currently in the midst of spring practices, which will culminate in A-Day on April 6.