Report: Auburn DB Antonio Kite dismissed from team

Auburn safety Antonio Kite has been dismissed from the team, according to Jay Tate of AuburnSports. He reportedly missed practice on multiple occasions this season.

Kite is a former four-star recruit and recorded one interception during the 2024 season. He was also responsible for a touchdown on a muffed punt play against Missouri.

Kite is the fourth defensive back the Tigers have lost since releasing its initial spring roster. Colton Hood is now at Colorado after transferring mid-offseason while both Champ Anthony and Tyler Scott are lost for the season due to injuries.

The product of the 2022 class transferred to Auburn from Alabama after Nick Saban retired at the end of last season. He was expected to provide an immediate boost for the Tigers at the safety position but had only played five snaps in the secondary since September. True freshman Jay Crawford has been starting in his place for the past month.

Kite played high school football at Anniston (AL) High School, where he was the No. 161 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.

He played mostly on special teams for Alabama in 2023, appearing in seven games as a redshirt freshman before transferring across his home state to play for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers. He played in just two games as a true freshman in 2022.

Auburn will look to move forward without Kite coming off its first SEC win of the season during a 24-10 victory on the road against Kentucky in Week 9. They matchup against the Vanderbilt Commodores, who are looking to secure their sixth win of the season against Auburn on Saturday.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network. The Tigers are seven-point betting favorites over the Commodores at home before taking on Louisiana Monroe the following week.