< Previouslegacyofhope.org Have a HEART. When you become an organ donor, you’re helping people in need. Please register today. It’s quick, it’s easy and it could save up to eight lives. Scan the code to register now!SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: JACOB QUATTLEBAUM 61 Growing up a huge Auburn fan, Jacob Quattlebaum always knew Auburn University was the school for him, regardless of whether he would be given the opportunity to play football here. “I decided I was going to go to Auburn, at least as a student, and then try to walk on for the football team,” the senior said. Quattlebaum, originally from Enterprise, Alabama, is now a fifth-year long snapper. In May, he graduated with his degree in electrical engineering. His plan is to spend the rest of his time at Auburn playing football and completing a master’s degree in business administration. Although there are limited spots for snappers in the NFL, it would be a dream for him to make it to the league. Quattlebaum began playing football around age 10. It was around this time when his dad told him he should consider long snapping. He learned about Josh Harris, a Pro Bowl NFL long snapper who began his football career at Auburn. This led to Quattlebaum’s initial interest in snapping, and it really took off when his dad began studying the position and coaching him on it. Fast forward to 2022. Quattlebaum is one of the most veter- an members on the team, and he’s making it a point to step up and lead the younger players. “I’m trying to take on more of a leadership role, and with that comes difficulties that I’ve never dealt with before because there have always been guys in front of me or guys older than me that took the reins,” he said. Quattlebaum had his own mentor, All-American defen- sive lineman Derrick Brown, to guide him through his time at Auburn. “My freshman year, Derrick Brown took me under his wing,” Quattlebaum said. “At the time, he was the president of Stu- dent Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He showed me the ropes of what that organization is all about.” Brown’s advice and guidance helped Quattlebaum follow a similar path. He became a SAAC member, and this past year, he served as the president of SAAC – a highlight of his college experience. As president, he was able to work on new policies and initiatives that are key to bringing all Auburn student-ath- letes closer. His favorite SAAC initiative put into action is called “Athletes Support Athletes.” It encourages student-athletes to attend all different types of Auburn sporting events, giving each team the support it deserves. Quattlebaum enjoys keeping up with other Auburn sports during his free time, especially baseball, basketball, and gymnastics. Being president of SAAC has allowed Quattlebaum to strengthen his leadership capabilities and learn many life skills. Like Brown once did for him, Quattlebaum hopes to pay it for- ward and be a mentor for the next aspiring football player. “That’s something I hope to do this year,” he said. “Just find somebody that I can take under my wing and show how great of a place Auburn is and help them reach their full potential.” As an electrical engineering major, Quattlebaum has always recognized the importance of prioritizing academics. He spent his college career balancing school, athletics, a social life, and on-campus involvement. And yet, school always came first. “Grades are the most important thing,” he said. “If you get your academics straight, football will take care of itself.” Going into his final season, Quattlebaum has set high goals for himself. As a snapper, he wants to achieve 100 percent accuracy over the course of the season and help the team meet its goal of winning the SEC Championship “with class, integrity and academic excellence.” “Our team has extremely high character this year, as well as guys who are willing to do whatever it takes,” he said. “We’re just at a different level this year of taking responsibility and taking ownership for what we do, and I think that will pay off when it comes to the fall.” Since he first arrived at Auburn, Quattlebaum has expe- rienced a lot of change and has had to learn how to adjust to different coaching styles. He has been coached and advised by five different special teams coordinators and analysts, which has allowed him to understand what coaching style works best for him. However, one thing has remained the same with all of them. “Those guys, they’re just good people you can go and talk to about football and life,” Quattlebaum said. As current head coach Bryan Harsin and other members of his staff have come to Auburn, they have stressed the impor- tance of knowing your teammates. New culture groups have been created on the team, making it a point to enhance team relationships and identity, strengthening the family feeling that Auburn is all about. “Auburn is just a different place than other colleges,” he said. “It’s such a small town feel with a big college, and such a family atmosphere.” Regardless of how the upcoming season goes, Quattlebaum has done his part to better the football team and Auburn as whole. He credits the Auburn community for this success and is looking to make fans proud in his final season. “Thank you, Auburn Family,” he said. “Thank you for letting a kid who dreamed to be an Auburn player come up here and live out his dream of playing on the football field on Saturdays. Thank you for the opportunity.” ‘THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY’ BY: ASHLEY RYAN AUBURNTIGERS.COM SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: JACOB QUATTLEBAUM$15billion impact. ServingAlabama's number-oneagricultural industrywitha GoodforYouandGreatforAlabama www.alabamapoultry.org Didyoueatyoureggsthismorning?SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: MARCUS BRAGG 63 People talk about the Auburn Family, but graduate transfer defensive lineman Marcus Bragg has a true War Eagle family connection. “I started playing football in little league. My dad brought football in my life, and I had cousins who played football,” the product of Miami, Florida, recalls. “I also played basketball but why I started playing football more is because of my cousin, Ricardo Louis, who also was an Auburn Tiger, and that made football very important to all of us who were younger.” Ricardo Louis, the Auburn wide receiver who totaled 98 catches for 1,338 yards from 2012-15, was the recipient of the “Prayer at Jordan-Hare” – the tipped pass he caught for a 73- yard touchdown in the 2013 win over Georgia, making him an Auburn legend. That older cousin was also influential when Bragg had to choose a path toward pursuing a college scholarship. “My senior year of high school I decided to go forward with football,” Bragg recalls. “I was good at both sports, but I fell in love with football more because of my family and Ricardo. I used to play wide receiver – I was trying to be just like him.” After finishing at Miami’s Jackson High, Bragg began the journey that has brought him to the Plains. “After high school, I sat out a year and then I went to junior college,” he remem- bers of the decision that took him to Mississippi Delta Com- munity College and then Arizona Western College. “I had a mentor – his name is Mr. O – I’m still close with him, and he’s like a father figure to me. He took me under his wing and said he wanted me to keep doing this football stuff. So, I did that -- in juco and then at Western Kentucky, which felt comfortable right away. I had a lot of other schools show inter- est, but the coaches, specifically Coach (Kenny) Martin, really connected with me.” Another instant connection came when Bragg made the move from playing offense to defense. “A coach suggested that I switch to playing defense and once I got my first hit, my first tackle, I fell in love. And it’s been like that ever since.” After playing three seasons at Western Kentucky and earn- ing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Bragg came full circle in a way in selecting the program where he would finish his college career. “When I graduated from Western Kentucky, the whole de- fensive staff changed because the coordinator left and there were a whole bunch of new faces; I tried, but it just wasn’t working for me. When I got the call from Auburn, I felt like it was God’s plan, because I grew up with my cousin, he went to Auburn, and he talks about it all the time. “When I got a chance to go to Auburn, I said, ‘I’m going.’ I had some other offers but, because of Ricardo, this was already home.“ Bragg is also ready to accept a leadership role with some of the younger players on the Tiger defense. “As an older guy, I would tell the younger ones something very simple but it’s true. Listen to the older people when they tell you something; sometimes, you think they’re just trying to get on your nerves and push your buttons, but really, they want what’s best for us and they know.” Bragg’s life lessons have been learned not just through football, but also in the business world. “My brother, Isaiah George – I call him my brother, but we’re really long-term friends for 10-12 years – he’s the one who got me into life insurance because that’s where he started,” Bragg recalls about the start of his entrepreneurial ventures. “Isaiah had moved out of town from Miami, and we hadn’t talked in a bit, but when we met again, he was doing life insur- ance and I got hired by the life insurance company. Then we switched over and started our real estate business called Black Stallion. While I’m doing this football stuff, he’s back home grinding -- buying and selling commercial properties. “I took business classes and computer science at Western Kentucky, and now I’m doing social science here,” he says. “I’d like a chance to play in the league – I try not to think about it too much but just let God take the wheel. I just do what I can where my feet are, and control what I can control.” And what’s in his control is making Marcus Bragg one happy Auburn Man. “When I was at Western Kentucky, I was told a lot by coaches that I needed to put a smile on my face,” he explains. “When I call my teammates from those days now, the first thing they say is that they’ve never seen me this happy before. “They can tell I’m happy here. I’m excited to play here and to experience the Auburn family and game day in person. They ask me about the War Eagle experience, and I tell them I love it.” ‘THIS WAS ALREADY HOME’ BY: SHELLY POE AUBURNTIGERS.COM SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: MARCUS BRAGGBUSINESS FRIENDS WORKING FOR THE FUTURE OF AUBURN AL lic #11024 334-501-2426 We Service All Brands • Better lift without underwire Our camis feature: • Digging Underwire For more information: Text the word “curious” to (205) 813-RUBY (7829) • Straps that stay in place all day • Cups designed to custom fit you • Full coverage for no bulge or spillage • Smoothing back and tummy panels • Wicking fabric to stay cooler and dryer • Slipping Straps • Cups That Don’t Fit • Bra Bulge • Bra Lines • Boob Sweat DO YOU HATE WEARING BRAS? -Call for pickups 334-705-8858 - Supporting Hosanna Home and His Place - 2,000 fresh pieces daily! 1750 Opelika Road, Auburn www.harvestevangelism.org AXE Come Check us out in Downtown Opelika... the owner is an Auburn Alum! (912) 322.1699Find us on 223 S 8th St. Opelika AL, 36801 Auburn’s First OFF-LEASH Dog Park & Bar! Bring Your Dog & Come Watch The Game With Us! We Have TV’s, Shade, & Over 16,000 Square Feet Of Turf! No Dog Required! 203 East University Drive gooddog_auburn | gooddogpark.org TASTE WEEKLY 2638 Enterprise Drive Opelika AL 36801 (334) 203-4783 www.Crumblcookies.comPOST SEASON TROPHY WINNERS 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 AUBURNTIGERS.COM66 TIGERS IN THE NFL TIGERS IN THE NFL AUBURNTIGERS.COM C.J. UZOMAH ANTHONY SCHWARTZ ARRYN SIPOSS JOSH BYNES RUDY FORD DERRICK BROWN K.J. BRITTTIGERS IN THE NFL 67 TIGERS IN THE NFL AUBURNTIGERS.COM JOHANTHAN JONES DANIEL CARLSON PRINCE TEGA WANOGHO Auburn in the NFL (as of Oct. 13, 2022) Montravius Adams DL Pittsburgh Steelers Angelo Blackson DL Chicago Bears K.J. Britt LB Tampa Bay Buccanners Derrick Brown DL Carolina Panthers Josh Bynes LB Baltimore Ravens Daniel Carlson PK Las Vegas Raiders Carlton Davis DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamel Dean DB Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jack Driscoll OT Philadelphia Eagles Rudy Ford DB Green Bay Packers Josh Harris LS Los Angeles Chargers Noah Igbinoghene DB Miami Dolphins Jonathan Jones DB New England Patriots Carl Lawson DE New York Jets Roger McCreary DB Tennessee Titans Anthony Schwartz WR Cleveland Browns Jamien Sherwood DB New York Jets Arryn Siposs P Philadelphia Eagles Darius Slayton WR New York Giants Braden Smith OL Indianapolis Colts Jarrett Stidham QB Las Vegas Raiders Daniel Thomas DB Jacksonville Jaguars C.J. Uzomah TE New York Jets Prince Tega Wanogho OL Kansas City Chiefs Injured Reserve: Marlon Davidson DL Atlanta Falcons Smoke Monday DB New Orleans Saints Also AU lettermen: Byron Cowart DL Indianapolis Colts Malik Willis QB Tennessee Titans Practice Squads: Big Kat Bryant (Miami), Seth Williams (Jacksonville), Chandler Wooten (Arizona)BUSINESS FRIENDS WORKING FOR THE FUTURE OF AUBURN Make tailgating easy by picking up our homemade dips, casseroles, cookies and cakes! Downtown Opelika • 334-748-9075 • 105 Southridge Ct. Opelika AL, 36804 334-663-2464 LET US MOVE YOU! Recover from Opioid Addiction 205-877-8585 WWW.READYMIXUSA.COM READY MIX USA Concrete Right...The First Time...On Time 334-737-1818 Ready Mix Concrete • Paving Water Proof Concrete • Flowable Fill Internally Reinforced Concrete Lightweight Concrete • Shotcrete Architectural Polished Concrete A Proud Supporter of Auburn University Moving? Let our team at Lambert Moving Systems do the heavy lifting Call us today @ (334) 745-5706 or visit us at www.golambertteam.comBUSINESS FRIENDS WORKING FOR THE FUTURE OF AUBURN WWW.PIEDMONTFERTILIZER.COM Axe Throwing, Darts VR & More! Come check out our great food and drink specials! 706-501-1253 719 3rd Ave West Point, GA 31833 • www.purgenation.com Weagle's One Stop Home for all your tailgate needs Proud supporter of our home team! 305 North Donahue Dr 334-246-3380 ROTC Recruiting Officer Phone: 334-844-4355 Email: AFROTC.Recruiter@auburn.edu Ark Remediation, LLC Environment Contractors - Asbestos Abatement Cell: 205-837-3012 tstuart@arkrem.com O ce: 334-283-5663 Fax: 334-283-8017 Email: o ce@arkrem.com Tom Stuart President 2064 Notasualga Rd. P.O. Box 780727 Tallassee, AL 36078 Salutes the Graduating Class of 2021! Aptar CSP Technologies, Inc. is a supplier of highly technical packaging alternatives for the medical, food and diagnostics companies located in Auburn, AL. We are always looking for talented, self-motivated Chemical, Mechanical and Polymer & Fiber Engineers. Send engineering resumes to careers.aub@aptar.com. 960W. Veterans Blvd. | Auburn, AL 36832 334-887-8300 | Fax:334-887-8328Next >