Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante primed and ready for 2023 season

The linebacker room has been a question mark for the Auburn defense all offseason.

With the departure of Owen Pappoe, it has been a period of transition within the room.

Eugene Asante, a former North Carolina Tarheel who joined the program last season, has had a productive camp and has been talked about positively by Auburn's coaches.

"I think my fall camp went really well," Asante said. "I think I showed the coaches what I can do from a physical standpoint. I think the biggest thing for me is continuing to hone in on the mental side of the game."

Asante has grown as a player in multiple areas since joining the program. One sticks out in his mind, however.

"Physically, I've grown in terms of building my body up," Asante said. "I can't thank Coach Dom (Studzinski) and his staff enough. They do a really good job and oftentimes they deflect how good their program is.

From a defensive standpoint, I've grown in terms of trying to understand why defensive coordinators call what they call."

Asante played in the first four games last season, but never saw the field again after. He spoke about his mental process to improve and earn a bigger role this season.

"It was a big reflection piece for me," Asante said. "Last year I was in a state where I was very upset with myself.

I decided that I was going to work the hardest I've ever worked and I can't be denied."

Auburn has some film to study on UMass and Asante weighed in on what he saw from it.

"The biggest thing with a running quarterback is gap integrity," Asante said. "Everybody holding their gaps and being fundamentally sound. They do a lot of good things and we're not in any sense underestimating UMass and what they can do.

Asante and the rest of the Auburn football team do not have much longer to wait until they have the opportunity to show off how much they have improved.

Kick-off is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday and the game will be televised by ESPN.

Auburn linebacker Eugene Asante primed and ready for 2023 season

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