Auburn Daily’s 2023 Auburn draft recap
Dreams came true for ten Auburn players over the NFL draft weekend. It has to be a feeling and a memory they will never forget as all their hard work is recognized and they become professional athletes at the highest levels. With 24 players currently on NFL rosters, this class should lead to over 30 former Auburn Tigers active in the pros. Here is how draft days shook out for Auburn this year:
Derick Hall
With the #37 overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks selected Derick Hall. Hall, a captain of the ’22 version of the Tigers, was the first Auburn player selected this draft season. He was a three-year starter for Auburn and was first-team all-SEC in his final season.
"It's just a blessing and an honor to be in this position, I definitely won't take this for granted, having this opportunity. Because less than one percent of the world gets an opportunity to play this game at a national level and call themselves professional in what they do. I'm overjoyed. I'm blessed and honored. As always, Auburn Family, thank you and War Eagle.” - Derick Hall
Tank Bigsby
With the #88 overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars took former Auburn running back Tank Bigsby. Bigsby amassed nearly 3000 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns in his three years with the Tigers. He trades in one type of cat for another and hopes to be a staple of the offense down in Florida.
"When I got that phone call, my heart dropped," Bigsby said. "It's like it really happened. It's amazing. It's a feeling I will never forget. Everything from July to mid-January to now, the stress just dropped. Knowing where I'm going to be, knowing where I can go to work, knowing my team. It's a blessing.”
Colby Wooden
With the #116 overall pick, the Green Bay Packers snagged up former Auburn defensive lineman Colby Wooden. In only two seasons for the Tigers, Wooden hammered out 152 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks. The Packers have to be pleased with this pick as he should be a solid depth lineman for them instantly and possibly be an NFL starter within a couple of years.
"It was amazing. I'm blessed and honored to go to such a historic, accomplished program, the OGs of the league, to learn so much. I'm blessed and highly favored. Go Pack!”
Owen Pappoe
With the #168 overall pick, the Arizona Cardinals took former Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe. Pappoe, who had suffered through injuries in his 2021 season, put a good season on film in 2022. He clocked in 91 tackles with 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. In his career at Auburn, he totaled eight sacks along with 256 tackles. If not for his shortened ’21 season he would probably set a few Auburn records and be higher in this draft.
Pappoe jumped up the draft boards when he ran a smoking 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. He was also an outstanding leader for Auburn being captain twice and helping navigate near-constant coaching changes. His production scores really dragged down his athleticism score and it would seem Arizona got a steal getting him this far down.
Anders Carlson
With the #207 overall pick, the Green Bay Packers looted another former Auburn player, kicker Anders Carlson. He should be familiar with the area considering the other half of Auburn’s Carlson kicking dynasty, his brother Daniel, was drafted originally by the Minnesota Vikings. At some point in the near future, it should be the first time ever that two brothers are starting kickers at the same time in the NFL.
Anderson, who missed the final three games of last year, was a finalist for the NFF Campbell trophy, and is second only to his brother in scoring and in field goals made at Auburn and finished third in career PAT made. That was during some admittedly anemic Auburn offensive performances. He should be in the NFL a long, long time.
John Samuel Shenker
The Las Vegas Raiders picked up the former Auburn tight end on an undrafted free-agent deal. Shenker, who played in all 5 seasons he was at Auburn, holds Auburn’s all-time records for catches by a tight end (68), single-season tight end receptions (33) as well as the single-season tight end receiving yardage (413). Even with all those catches most fans will remember his crushing blocks for running backs and wide receivers over the years.
A 4-year starter with the Tigers, Shenker was a strong beacon of stability through the storms of coaching changes. All while maintaining the SEC academic honor roll in every year of his career. His work ethic and dedication to the Auburn program led to him being named captain of the team in his senior year.
Aku Leota
The Carolina Panthers picked up the former Auburn EDGE on an undrafted free-agent deal. The Panthers saw what Auburn could produce on the defensive line with Derrick Brown last year, and decided they wanted some more of it. He only played two seasons for the Tigers and was easily one of the best defenders on the team. However, he had to have surgery after the LSU game in 2022. That dropped his name down the draft boards with the loss of film and production numbers. He did manage 64 career tackles, 25 of which were for a loss. Including 15.5 sacks.
Shedrick Jackson
The Cincinnati Bengals picked up the former Auburn wide receiver on an undrafted free-agent deal. Jackson, the nephew of Auburn legend Bo Jackson, caught 16 passes for 217 yards in 2022. However, he had an amazing pro day and burned out a 4.25. 40-yard dash and put up some amazing physical numbers that earned him a shot at an NFL roster.
Killian Zierer
The Houston Texans made a deal with Zierer as an undrafted free agent. Zierer, an offensive lineman, started every game at left tackle for Auburn in 2022. He has great size, hand skill, and length. He is expected to be a developmental project for the Texans.
Brandon Council
The New York Jets penned an agreement with Brandon Council as an undrafted free agent. Council, an offensive lineman, played every position along the offensive line during his career at Auburn. The Jets, needing line depth badly, figured that with his versatility, he could be prepared to cover several interior offensive line positions at the professional level.
There you have it. The ten former Auburn players that made their way onto NFL camps for the 2023 draft. It is worth noting that with this draft class, and with the portal exits so far, Auburn only has 5 players left on campus from Gus Malzahn’s last signing class in 2021. That is a lot of turnover in two years of college football. That being said, there is a ton of talent being brought in and hopefully developed by new head coach Hugh Freeze and staff that should see the number of draft picks rise exponentially in the next few years.
