AUBURN NOTEBOOK: DB Furr misses second practice

One thing is for sure: Freshman safety DeRon Furr has not been present for the last two Auburn football practices.

Beyond that, no one seems to know, including head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Asked about Furr’s absence Monday, Tuberville said the Columbus, Ga., native’s status “hasn’t changed,” but refused to say what his status was.

Tuberville was evasive during a brief exchange after practice. Asked if he’d spoken to Furr, he said, “Have not.” Asked if there were any more details, he said “nothing’s changed.”

A reporter asked whether Furr was on the team, and Tuberville repeated, “Nothing’s changed,” then cut off a follow-up question.

Furr hasn’t practiced since AU’s first preseason practice last Saturday. During that session, the rookie was involved in a fight with fellow defensive backs and was held out of the remainder of Saturday’s practice with an apparent injury.

Monday, junior safety Zac Etheridge said the fight was sparked by Furr’s attitude in drills.

“Everyone was tired,” Etheridge said. “The heat was bothering everyone.

“He just didn’t push himself hard. Other than that, we got the other freshmen to (teach).”

Etheridge said he hasn’t spoken to Furr and isn’t sure of his status.

“I haven’t talked to him,” he said. “I don’t know the situation with that whole thing. I’m sure whatever he’s going to do, he’s going to make the decision himself.”

Injury report
Monday’s practice swelled Auburn’s injured list. Cornerback Aairon Savage, who suffered a potentially serious knee injury and was carted off the field, was one of two defensive starters injured during the practice.

Defensive end Michael Goggans sat out all of Monday’s practice with bruised ribs. Goggans finished spring practice as the starter at strongside defensive end; it’s unclear when he’ll return to practice.

Senior wide receiver Charles Olatunji, a walk-on, injured his shoulder diving for a pass during 11-on-11 drills in the practice’s final minutes.

Tuberville said sophomore tight end Brent Slusher missed practice with an undisclosed injury and redshirt freshman tight end Bailey Woods was absent due to final exams.

AU adds two commitments
Auburn’s recruiting efforts paid off again Monday, when two touted prospects announced their plans to sign with the Tigers in February.

Junior-college wide receiver Cameron Kenney committed Monday afternoon. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder, currently at Garden City (Kansas) Community College, told Auburnsports.com he didn’t want to waste any more time accepting AU’s scholarship offer.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Auburn,” he told the Web site. “And to have the opportunity, I had to jump on board real quick.”

Kenney, a Dacula, Ga., native, picked AU over scholarship offers from Ole Miss and South Florida. As a freshman at Garden City, he did a little bit of everything, catching 43 passes for 633 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 322 yards and a touchdown, returning 11 punts, including one for a touchdown, and hitting five of nine field-goal attempts. He also punted for Garden City.

“Wherever I get the ball at, it doesn’t really matter where I play,” Kenney said. “I’m going to get out there and see who is the better punter.
Given that option, being able to run and do a bunch of things will help out.”

Kenney is the fourth wideout to verbally commit to the Tigers this recruiting season.

The second prospect, Batesville, Miss., safety David Conner, committed a few hours later.

Conner, rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, had 98 tackles, 12 sacks and three interceptions as a junior. He is the second defensive back to commit to AU this recruiting season.

Conner chose Auburn over scholarship offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

cmickle@oanow.com | 737-2561