Report: Auburn to be without 'at least 3 key players' in Citrus Bowl due to opt-outs
Auburn will reportedly be missing at least three key players in Friday’s Citrus Bowl game against Northwestern.
According to AL.com’s Matt Zenitz, safety Jamien Sherwood, wide receiver Anthony Schwartz and defensive back Christian Tutt are not expected to play in the bowl game. Zenitz reports that the trio has not been participating in bowl practices.
The report states that Sherwood is expected to declare for the NFL Draft. The junior defender is third on the team with 65 tackles. The long-term plans of Schwartz and Tutt are unclear.
Schwartz leads the team in catches with 54 receptions. The junior speedster is second in receiving yards with 636, trailing Seth Williams’ 688 yards (on 42 receptions).
Tutt, a junior, has 31 total tackles, along with a fumble return for a touchdown, a TFL, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele is serving as Auburn’s interim head coach for the game before Bryan Harsin takes over.
The Citrus Bowl is played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando and set for 1 p.m. ET Friday, airing on ABC.
I don’t know about the others, but Anthony Schwartz will get a chance in the NFL. He has one thing they cherish more than money. He has pure blinding speed.
Sherwood is the best prospect of the three. Schwartz will get a chance due to his speed but he has average hands at best and below average route running. Tutt is a good punt returner but I’d a liability at the Nickel spot.
Thanks. I know last year I was telling everyone on AL.commie that Iggy would probably go 1st round because he was not old talented, but he had blazing speed. Schwartz is not as talented but he is faster LOL.
old=only
I think Schwartz can be a great receiver with the proper coaching (like Slayton).
I think Anthony still has hopes of making it to the Olympics. That may have been part of his thinking
That could be. It is taking a chance because they are suppose to begin in 7 months. Who knows if they are played or not?
To me , opt outs should be guys that have a legitimate shot at the very early rounds of the draft. While these guys have done some good things and definitely have skills, they will not be receiving calls early in the draft and some may miss completely. I agree with the Olympic thing for Schwartz as he threatened that last year. With the added year, might the others consider a transfer, who knows? Wish they’d have stuck around though to improve their bowl game legacy, which ain’t too good.
AU has lost a lot of really good players looking for fame and fortune before they were ready. Some of them were late draft picks, some were free agents. AU really needs to do a better job of keeping these guys in school for their own benefit.
They could learn alot from players like Derrick Brown. This generation of I want it now has really hurt a lot of young players