Auburn Tigers linebacker declares for 2022 NFL Draft

As head coach Bryan Harsin wraps up his first season, roster turnover has become a major theme for the Auburn Tigers. Just three days before their Birmingham Bowl matchup against Houston, another Auburn player will be heading to the next level.

On Sunday, linebacker Zakoby McClain announced his decision to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. He released a statement via Twitter, thanking everyone involved with the Auburn program.

“Finally, I would like to thank my family, teammates, and classmates,” McClain said. “You all have made me a better player, but more importantly, a better man. I will take all that you have given me and improve as I embark on this journey. After much thought, consideration, and a lifetime of preparation, I will enter the 2022 NFL Draft and further pursue my dreams of becoming a professional football player. Again, thank you and God Bless!”

McClain played in all 12 games this year, totaling 95 tackles, with a season-high 15 coming on the road against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The linebacker finished with eight tackles for a loss and two sacks. He added two quarterback hurries and six pass breakups as well.

McClain not only Auburn Tigers player to declare for NFL Draft

Cornerback Roger McCreary announced he will be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft on Tuesday. In addition, he will not be playing for Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl against Houston.

McCreary announced his decision via Twitter and penned a letter to his coaches and teammates. He also wanted to make sure to thank Auburn fans for supporting him throughout his career.

“Lastly, to my Auburn Family — your support these past three and a half years has been exceedingly unmatched,” McCreary said. “From packing out Jordan-Hare on Saturdays to welcoming a kid from Mobile, Alabama into this beloved community, I will forever cherish the moments that were created. What that, I was able to become a first-generation graduate student athlete, and that has always been a primary goal!”

Byran Harsin explains why bowl opt-outs could help team

As Bryan Harsin and the Auburn Tigers prepare for their Birmingham bowl matchup against the Houston Cougars, they are doing so without key contributors from this past season.

With the increased of movement in the NCAA Transfer Portal and more players opting not to play in bowl games to preserve their current draft stock, the Tigers, and many other teams around college football are making adjustments to their bowl rosters.

But while some may think of this as a hindrance, Harsin sees the silver lining in the influx of bowl game opt-outs.

“… There’s that opportunity at the next level, but that’s just become part of college football, at the end of the year,” Harsin said. “With some bowl games and some guys make decisions not to play, for different reasons. I think that’s just, whether you agree with it or not, that that’s become a part of college football in the past several years, at the end of the year.

“We’re not the only team, you’ll see there’s going to be everything in the country that’s not gonna have guys playing. They’re good players that can help you win. So, you gotta have other guys, I think that’s one of the best things when you have some time in a bowl, you get some other guys ready.”