Freshmen Make Headlines at First Day of Auburn Practice
The question of if and when freshman quarterback Zeke Pike would return to Auburn after being sent home over the summer for a public intoxication charge was answered Wednesday at the first Auburn practice.
Pike, who has had a history of behavioral problems before joining Auburn, will not return to the Tigers along with sophomore cornerback Jonathan Rose. Both Pike and Rose will transfer. Coach Gene Chizik said the decision of Pike’s dismissal was made during the past two weeks.
The Tigers were without two more incoming freshmen Wednesday, as well.
Four-star wide receiver JaQuay Williams and tight end Darrion Hutcherson have not arrived on campus yet because they have not been cleared academically.
News, however, was better for two other freshmen.
Jonathan Wallace, who is now the only freshman quarterback on scholarship aside from Kiehl Frazier and Clint Moseley, received immediate praise on his first day of practice. Chizik said Wallace did a lot of studying over the summer and teammates said the freshman showed readiness and maturity.
Wallace is creating some buzz outside the quarterback battle between Frazier and Moseley with some media members making the bold prediction he will be the second-string QB instead of Moseley, who missed a decent amount of spring practice with a sore throwing arm.
One of the best stories of the year continued Wednesday as Shon Coleman returned to the field after being cleared to practice in April. The redshirt freshman was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after signing with Auburn in February 2010. After battling back and his cancer going into remission, Coleman is going to take baby steps, according to Chizik, on his way to hopefully making his collegiate debut.
