< PreviousNEW C OMER Q&A: OSCAR CHAPMAN 61 Q: What’s your major? A: I am currently majoring in pre-business. That is possible to change while I continue to get used to the American school system. Q: Why did you choose Auburn? A: I chose Auburn because overall it’s an amazing school with a great sports program. Auburn has a family vibe and is family oriented. I felt wanted here. They cared about me as a person, and not just an athlete. Q: How did you hear about Auburn and what was the process like getting over here? A: When I was 19, I heard about many Australian punters moving to the United States to play football and I thought I’d give it a try. So, I moved to the States away from my family and started punting school with the same program which former Auburn player, Arryn Siposs went. The process all happened so fast that it was honestly a blur, but something I’ll never regret. I have loved being here so far. Q: Can you describe the South Australian National Football League? How is it different than the College/NFL level in the United States? A: I had never played American football before. My first game was against Kentucky. The program I attended; we train for a year strictly on punting. I’ve seen local football teams play in Australia, but it’s not as competitive as it is here in America. Q: How do you see yourself impacting this team? A: I’m still learning a lot at the moment. I arrived at Auburn late because of traveling across the world due to COVID-19. I want to bring the Australian diversity to the team by placing my punts on different areas of the field. It’s the different dynamic that breaks down the field, and I hope I can bring that kind of play with me. Q: What are you looking forward to most about your Auburn experience? A: It’s been interesting with COVID-19 so far. I was really hoping I could have been going to in-person classes and meet more people, but overall, I’m excited about getting a good education. I want to receive my degree and figure out what I want to do with my life while I’m here at Auburn. I also look forward to playing in front of big crowds at the football games. Q: How did you get started punting? How long have you been playing? A: I was listening to the radio one day and there was an Aus- tralian talking about guys being recruited to punt for Amer- ican football, while also receiving academic scholarships. I thought to myself, ‘That sounds pretty cool!’ I started punting in my backyard, and I was actually good at it. That’s when my parents encouraged me to attend punting school. I trained for one year, and by the end of that year I was coming to Auburn. Q: Is there a player or athlete that you look up to? A: Michael Dickson is an NFL punter that I have a lot of re- spect for. He went through the same program I did and he’s the drive for me. He shows how you can be successful athleti- cally and academically. Q: What’s the best advice someone has given you? A: Always give 110 percent. It’s easy and simple, but never give up or give less than what you should. Q: Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions? A: I don’t. I sometimes feel weird that I don’t, but I just get out there and play. Maybe I’ll have one by the end of the year. Q: What’s something you did to stay busy during quarantine? A: My quarantining was interesting. In Australia, we did not have many cases, so it was normal there. Once I came to Auburn, I had to quarantine in my dorm which was very boring. I tried to keep busy with studying and get my sleep schedule back to normal. I watched a lot of TV and tried to stay active while staying in my room. Q: Do you have any goals for yourself or your team this year? A: I want to play the best I can and always improve. I also want to keep my education up and not fall behind. I want to always give 110 percent and get a little better each day. Q: How was your first home game experience as an Auburn Tiger? A: It was very exciting! I thought running out of the tunnel hearing music and fans was sick. Although it was only 20 per- cent capacity, it was very loud and so amazing. It was a huge memory for me. Q: If you won the lottery and ending up winning a million, what would you do with it? A: I would definitely fly my family over here and buy them a house. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without them. I would also donate money to a community or charity in need. Lastly, I would save some of it for the future. NEWCOMER Q&A BY VIRGINIA COOK A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M OSCAR CHAPMAN NEW C OMER Q&A: J.J. PEGUES 63 Q: What steered you to Auburn after growing up in Oxford, Miss.? A: My dad always told me to get out of my comfort zone and he wanted me to get to experience life and grow as a man. I felt like Auburn was a home away from home. Coach Malzahn really made it feel like home. The team was great when I visit- ed and they’re all about family and brotherhood. Q: How have you been adjusting to college football? A: It took some time, but I am getting the hang of it. Practice has been way harder than games of course. I feel like I have adjusted pretty well for a freshman. Q: What is the game atmosphere like in Jordan-Hare? A: It’s way different even with less people in the stands. I asked after my first game if it was always like this and my teammates told me I hadn’t even seen nothing. Hopefully one day they allow us to get the fans back so I can get that opportunity. Q: How was your first game in Athens? A: It was surreal being in that atmosphere playing against Georgia. Playing in the wildcat was my first time in, I don’t know how long, since high school. All I thought when I got the ball was just don’t fumble. I did my job and it felt good. Q: How does that experience prepare you to move forward? A: I feel like it prepared me and showed me how it really is in the SEC. Playing 10 SEC games is super valuable as a fresh- man. It is allowing us to grow and is building us into something good. With 10 games, there are just so many more opportuni- ties to learn and grow. Q: What is the biggest lesson you have learned at Auburn so far? A: How important it is to be there for my teammates. Doing my job on and off the field so that I can just help this team get better. Coaches always say to do your job and play for 60 min- utes. To play for your brother and not for you. If we do that, we will be successful. I feel like I’ve done that and can still improve in some areas. It all starts with the small things. Q: What do you specifically bring to the tight end position? A: I feel like I can bring a little juice to the table. Being 300 pounds, people don’t think I can handle that weight like I do. Q: We heard you were a good basketball player and played a handful of different positions in high school. How did this prepare you for college? A: I feel like it helped me learn how to move my weight around. Being able to run up and down the court and to move around in many different positions in sports has helped my feet be- come quicker. Not playing basketball and being able to solely focus on football will definitely give me time to make more improvements. Q: Goals athletically and academically? A: Academically, I want to graduate with a 3.5 grade-point average or above. My athletic goal is to be the best tight end at Auburn and be the first tight end to win a Heisman trophy. I know that’s going to be very hard, but you’re playing the game for a reason. Being the best freshman tight end in the SEC at the end of this year would be special. Q: What is your biggest motivation? A: I want to say my family, but mainly what motivates me every day is the little kids at home that look up to me. I feel like God has put me in this position for a reason. He has given me this platform so that I can give my experience back to them and let them know they can do what I’m do- ing. I really want to give back to the kids in my community and let them know that they can do anything that they put their mind to. Q: If your younger self could see you now, what would you tell him? A: I’d tell him to just stay motivated. Be a kid at the end of the day, but there comes a point when you have to set your mind to what you want to do. No matter if you’re 6-6, 300 pounds and can’t move that well. Just stay dedicated. It’s all about being different and setting yourself apart with footwork. Q: Favorite TV series? A: All American. Q: Favorite food? A: Rotel and some chips. I could eat that all day. Q: Favorite route to run? A: I like to run a corner. It’s just big play potential. Q: Any hidden talents/ hobbies? A: I like to do magic. I’ve got a couple of tricks here and there with cards and hiding things, sleight of hand type stuff. NEWCOMER Q&A BY WILLIAM FINNEY A UBURNTI G ERS.C O M J.J. PEGUES 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 5, 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 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 ALSO AU LETTERMEN: Byron Cowart DL New England Patriots John Franklin III DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers PRACTICE SQUADS: Arryn Siposs (Detroit), Duke Williams (Buffalo), Mike Horton (Carolina), Prince Tega Wanogho (Philadelphia), Nick Coe (Miami), Derrick Moncrief (LA Rams), Daren Bates (Tennessee), Devaroe Lawrence (Washington) Next >