< PreviousNEW C OMER Q&A: D ANIEL F OS TER-ALL EN 61 Q: Why did you choose Auburn? A: I have always been an Auburn fan so that was one thing. Auburn felt different when I visited. There is more of a family atmosphere here, and that’s what I wanted going into college. Q: What are some of your earliest memories growing up as an Auburn fan? A: I was at the 2010 Iron Bowl in Tuscaloo- sa and then at the 2013 Iron Bowl and the 2013 Georgia game. Q: How has your time at Auburn been so far? A: It’s been good, considering the situa- tion we’re all in. It’s been a little different than what I was expecting purely because of COVID-19, but besides that it’s been good. Q: How has dealing with the pandemic during this season helped you grow and prepare for future seasons? A: We’re building more depth at every po- sition this season because you have to be prepared for anything. Once everything is back to normal, and we don’t have guys out who are dealing with COVID or have been in close contact with someone who had it, then I think we’ll be a more complete football team because everybody is ready to play. Q: What has been your favorite on-field memory so far? A: Just realizing that I’m here and I’ve made it to where I wanted to be. It’s like a dream come true. I was nervous when I first stepped on the field, but I knew I had to just live in the moment after the first snap. Q: Is there anything that Auburn and your coaches have taught you skill-wise since you’ve started here? A: I’ve learned a lot. Especially with Coach G (Rodney Garner). That man knows so much. All the older guys have also been teaching me how to play the game more efficiently. Transi- tioning from high school to college was tough, but I’ve learned new techniques and how to focus on those because every little thing matters in college. Q: Have any of the guys who were already on the team taken you under their wing and tried to help you adjust to playing here? A: I would say definitely Big Kat (Bryant) and Colby Wooden. Those are the two biggest ones who have helped me along with the process. Q: What team were you most excited to play this year when the schedule was finally announced? A: Always Alabama. I would also say South Carolina. I have family up there who are big South Carolina fans, so it was sort of a bittersweet game for me. Q: What does “War Eagle” mean to you? A: It’s a mentality, a fighter’s mentality. It means that you never give up. Q: What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? A: My grandma’s mac and cheese. She’s been cooking it for a while, so she knows exactly what to do. Q: Why did you choose to major in business? A: I plan on getting my business degree, and after that, I plan on getting a construction degree to start my own construction business. Q: Who is your personal hero? A: I would say my dad. He wasn’t supposed to make it out of where he came from, but he did. He was the first person in his family to go to college. He’s my hero because he beat all the odds. NEWCOMER Q&A BY WILLIAM FINNEY & TUCKER CLEVERDON A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M DANIEL FOSTER-ALLEN NEW C OMER Q&A: MARC O DOMIO 63 Q: What made Auburn stand out? A: Just the family environment. That’s what made me really gravitate my decision to Auburn. Q: What is your major and do you have a plan on how you’d like to use it once your football career has finished? A: My major is interdisciplinary studies with emphasis areas of psychology, entrepreneurship and physical training. I hope to use that to open up my own gym and be a physical train- er myself. I would start out going back home, but maybe go somewhere else later on. Q: If you could trade places with one of your coaches on a game day, who would it be and why? A: Coach Russell, the strength coach, because he’s always hyped. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions? A: I write my grandma’s name on my tape. Q: Do you have a favorite Auburn tradition, why? A: Rolling Toomer’s Corner. There’s nothing like it. Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be and why? A: I would say the power to control time. If I can control time, I’ll never run out of it. Q: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned playing at a junior college that you feel has been most applicable now playing in the SEC? A: Just to never take things for granted because it can be gone at any moment. Q: What advice would you give your younger self? A: Go harder. If you think you’re going hard enough, you’re not. Just keep going. Q: What is your favorite memory with your teammates so far? A: It was definitely after the LSU win. The locker room was turned up and wild. It was a lot of fun. Q: What is the number one way you stand out on the field? A: Just my athleticism. I like to do some freakish things some- times when I get the opportunity like one-handed snags. Q: Who is your favorite NFL player and why? A: Jalen Ramsey [LA Rams] and Odell Beckham Jr. [Cleveland Browns]. They just have that dog-mentality. Q: What is one word you’d use to describe yourself on the field and one word you’d use to describe yourself off the field? A: On the field, I’d say monster. I say that because once I touch the field, I’m a whole different person. Off the field, I’m a pretty quiet guy. So I would describe myself as quiet away from football. Q: If we made a movie about your life, what would the plot be and who would you want to star as you, why? A: I would name it Perseverance. Just that one word. I’d name it that because whatever life throws at you, you just have to find a way to get through. I would want Will Smith to play me. He’s always been my favorite actor. Q: How would your friends and family describe you in three words? A: Goofy, quiet and hard-headed. I was always in some kind of trouble growing up. Q: In your eyes, what is particularly special about the defensive back position? A: You’re the last line of defense and if you mess up, every- body is going to know. Some positions are able to hide in there and it might look like it was someone else’s fault. Once you’re a DB, it’s over with. I played receiver and quarterback and you get hit. When you’re on defense you do the hitting. So I like that part as well. Q: If you could give a message to the Auburn Family, what would it be? A: Thank you for all the support and War Eagle! NEWCOMER Q&A BY AMANDA RONAN A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M MARCO DOMIO POS T SEASON TROPHY W INNERS 65 n Zeke Smith 1958 Outland Trophy n Tracy Rocker 1988 Outland Trophy & Lombardi Award n Carlos Rogers 2004 Jim Thorpe Award n Nick Fairley 2010 Lombardi Award n Reese Dismukes 2014 Rimington Trophy n Derrick Brown 2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy POST SEASON TROPHY WINNERS A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M66 TIGERS IN THE NFL TIGERS IN THE NFL A UBURNTI G ERS.C OM PEYTON BARBER KERRYON JOHNSON DEE FORD JOSH BYNES DARIUS SLAYTON DERRICK BROWN BRADEN SMITHTIGERS IN THE NFL 67 TIGERS IN THE NFL A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M CAM NEWTON DANIEL CARLSONCARLTON DAVIS Auburn in the NFL (as of October 28, 2020) Montravius Adams DT Green Bay Packers Peyton Barber RB Washington Football Team Angelo Blackson DL Arizona Cardinals Derrick Brown DL Carolina Panthers Josh Bynes LB Cincinnati Bengals Daniel Carlson PK Las Vegas Raiders Shon Coleman OL San Francisco 49ers Chandler Cox FB Miami Dolphins Marlon Davidson DL Atlanta Falcons Carlton Davis DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamel Dean DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jack Driscoll OT Philadelphia Eagles Dee Ford DE San Francisco 49ers Rudy Ford DB Philadelphia Eagles Josh Harris LS Atlanta Falcons Mike Horton OL Carolina Panthers Noah Igbinoghene DB Miami Dolphins Kerryon Johnson RB Detroit Lions Jonathan Jones DB New England Patriots Brandon King DB New England Patriots Carl Lawson DE Cincinnati Bengals Cam Newton QB New England Patriots Cody Parkey K Cleveland Browns Dontavius Russell DL Jacksonville Jaguars Chad Slade OL New York Giants Darius Slayton WR New York Giants Braden Smith OL Indianapolis Colts Jarrett Stidham QB New England Patriots Daniel Thomas DB Jacksonville Jaguars Neiko Thorpe DB Seattle Seahawks C.J. Uzomah TE Cincinnati Bengals D’haquille Williams WR Buffalo Bills ALSO AU LETTERMEN: Byron Cowart DL New England Patriots John Franklin III DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers PRACTICE SQUADS: Arryn Siposs (Detroit), Prince Tega Wanogho (Philadelphia), Nick Coe (Miami), Derrick Moncrief (LA Rams), Daren Bates (Tennessee), Devaroe Lawrence (Washington) Next >