How they got here: Three seniors selected to represent Auburn at SEC media days

It is a high honor to be chosen to represent a team at SEC Media Days. Usually, the players who are chosen are going to be in the running to be team captains. For Auburn, seniors Elijah McCallister, Kam Stutts, and Luke Deal are the choices for 2023 SEC Media Days.

Each of the three had interesting paths to being named representatives for media days. You never know who might become team leaders when they are just high school recruits.

Here is how all three made it to the prestigious honor.

Jack – Elijah McCallister

McAllister played high school football at Rumson-Fair Haven (New Jersey) High School, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 665 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

McAllister played in 34 games in his career at Vanderbilt, redshirting in 2018 as a freshman and not playing in 2020 during the Covid year. Across the 34 games in 2019, 2021 and 2022, he had 65 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks in his career.

McCallister entered the portal, added an offer from Auburn, and committed to the Tigers not long after. He is set to potentially start at the Jack linebacker position and has been a great locker room addition as evidenced by Freeze selecting him to represent Auburn.

OL – Kam Stutts

Stutts, who was a class of 2018 3-star recruit, helped lead Brooks High School in Killen (Ala.) to a playoff run as a senior. He was a Mr. Football finalist in Alabama and the Lauderdale County player of the year. He was named All-State two years in a row and super All-State as a senior. Stutts was All-area in track and field and two time state champion in shot-put.

Stutts was the No. 639 overall player, the No. 49 offensive tackle, and the No. 20 best prospect in the state of Alabama according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He did not earn playing time at Auburn until his third year in 2021, and it was on special teams. In 2022, Stutts earned the starting job at right guard but rotated with others. He is up for another starting job in 2023.

TE – Luke Deal

Deal, who was a class of 2019 3-star recruit, played quarterback for Emerald High School in Greenwood (SC). He passed for 742 yards and 8 touchdowns as a senior. Deal also rushed for 332 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. He would add some catches and a receiving touchdown when he was not playing quarterback.

Deal was the No. 676 overall player, the No. 28 tight end, and the No. 7 best player in the state of South Carolina according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Deal was named to the USA Today All-South Carolina first team. He was considered a 4-star recruit by ESPN. He played basketball and was a member of the National Honor’s Society.

As a freshman, Deal played in three games with his first coming against Mississippi State. He was named to the SEC First-year Academic Honor Roll that year (2019).

Deal’s first start came as a sophomore against Arkansas. His first career catch came against South Carolina and it went for 4 yards.

As a key tight end in 2021, Deal had several starts and was named game captain twice against Georgia State and South Carolina. He continued to be a starter in 2022. Deal has made the SEC Academic Honor Roll each year while at Auburn.

2023 SEC MEDIA DAYS SCHEDULE

Monday, July 17: LSU, Missouri, Texas A&M 

Tuesday, July 18: Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt

Wednesday, July 19: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky

Thursday, July 20: Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee