5 Auburn-Opelika Area Sleepers

<p>There have been several CFB and NFL players come out of the Auburn-Opelika area over the years. Here, we scan the surrounding areas and formulate a list of some intriguing sleepers with D1 upside. </p>   <p><strong><em>Ean Nation</em></strong> - 2024 - WR - Auburn </p>   <p>Nation is a new prospect on my radar and I can't help but be impressed with his game. Nation is on the shorter side at 5'8, but he plays much larger than listed and has a surprisingly wide catch radius for his frame. He is a fluid athlete that shows good flexibility in his routes. He is a crisp runner that can take sharp cuts and dip his shoulder to slip right by defenders. He has good awareness of the defense around him and can sit in pockets to reel in the football. Nation has natural hands. He catches the ball away from his body and can reel in the football in tight coverage and in uncomfortable spots. On film, he shows an outstanding 1 handed catch where he battles through contact and snags the ball out of the air for a TD. Nation has the tools to be highly productive at the next level. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ean_nation/status/1626407697997234176?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>TJ Barker</em></strong> - 2024 - DB - Beauregard</p>   <p>Barker is a hard-hitting safety with the measurables and skills that translate nicely to the next level. Barker maintains his speed across the field and keeps outside contain on the offense. His ability to run sideline to sideline allows him to cover a lot of ground and impact the ball on any given play. In coverage, he relies on his physicality and violence to impact the receiving game. When the receiver goes up to get the ball, they will come down to be greeted by Barker with a rough blow that can separate the football from the ball carrier. Barker is certainly an impact-style tackler, launching himself into the ball carrier to blow them off their feet. He does a good job of launching from a lower angle into the chest or lower body of a player, which prevents any unwanted penalties or injuries at the next level. Barker checks the size and speed boxes for strong safety. His ability to strike and separate the football from the ball carrier makes him an even more intriguing prospect worthy of your attention. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Prince_Tee9/status/1658900597133778961?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Ethan Payne </em></strong>- 2024 - DB - Loachapoka </p>   <p>Payne is a fast and feisty DB prospect that could have a breakout senior season in store. He shows some versatility on film, lining up both on the outside as a cover corner and on the inside as more of a nickel-type defender. Personally, I think he could make an intriguing nickel prospect. He has excellent speed and explosiveness. Once he plants his foot and comes downfield, he can close the gap in a hurry. He is very much a solid tackler in space. He creates a lot of momentum downfield and packs some punch at impact. He also does a good job of getting his arms around the ball carrier and bringing them to the turf. This fall, I would expect him to get more reps as a cover corner. He has the speed and length to impact the game from that spot as well. With more reps, he could continue to develop a more well-rounded game and raise his stock as a prospect. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EthanPayne00/status/1656779537382776833?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='790717' first='E'Mauri' last='Smiley']</em></strong> - 2025 - EDGE - Opelika</p>   <p>In my eyes, I see Smiley as a bonafide P5 EDGE prospect. Frankly, I am a little shocked that some of the bigger schools aren't flocking to Opelika and waiting in line for him. Smiley is all of 6'3 235 and he plays even bigger than listed. His sheer presence alone seals off the edge and impacts the offense. With his explosiveness, he can collapse running lanes and completely flatten angles. Smiley is more than capable of rushing the passer. He is explosive off the ball and is agile enough to bend around the tackle and get after the QB. He is also able to fight off the blockers' hands and lock out his strong arms to create cushion for himself to work. Where Smiley really separates himself is his agility. He has outstanding lateral movement which allows him to change directions efficiently and move with the offense. It also allows him to make an impact in the passing game, whether it means rising up to bat the ball down or dropping back into space. You won't find a lot of prospects Smiley's size that can move the way he does. Due to his physical traits and promise in all facets of the game, I have a major P5 grade on Smiley and believe it's a matter of time before some big-name schools enter the picture. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EMauriSmiley91/status/1660669016338251776?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1182848' first='Caleb' last='Pitts']</em></strong> - 2025 - DL - Auburn </p>   <p>Pitts immediately catches an evaluator's eye. As he enters his junior season, it seems like a matter of time before he breaks onto the radar for some P5 teams. Pitts looks the part of a big-time DE prospect. He is all of 6'3 and has a lot of length. He has already built out nicely and will become even more toned from here. In fact, he looks like a totally different prospect this spring compared to the fall as far as physical traits are concerned. Pitts is a gifted, multi-sport athlete. His agility from the basketball court translates to the grass as he shows that he can bend and explode off the ball. While he is able to athletically outmatch offensive tackles, he also plays with a high motor and is not afraid to bull-rush his way into the backfield. There is a good chance that you will see Pitts drop back and play in coverage in certain situations as he has the speed to flatten angles and soak up a lot of open space in the second level. Pitts has the speed and power profile needed to play at the P5 level. However, what makes him intriguing is that he seems to have his best football ahead of him. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TheCalebPitts/status/1659983982367318020?s=20 </div></figure>

There have been several CFB and NFL players come out of the Auburn-Opelika area over the years. Here, we scan the surrounding areas and formulate a list of some intriguing sleepers with D1 upside.