Latest news with #MontgomeryAdvertiser
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auburn football, Hugh Freeze flip blue-chip QB recruit from Penn State
AUBURN — The hole is being dug out of in regards to Auburn football's 2026 recruiting class. After losing three commitments this month, Hugh Freeze and the Tigers picked up their second addition in three days Thursday. Peyton Falzone, a consensus four-star quarterback from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, announced his commitment to Auburn, flipping his pledge from Penn State, where he'd been committed since April. While he's considered a blue-chip recruit by each of the major recruiting sites, he's also listed as a top-13 player at his position by three of those four. He's also the second-highest-rated player in Auburn's eight-man 2026 class, according to 247Sports' composite ratings. Falzone is a quarterback that has flashed dual-threat abilities at Nazareth High School the past two seasons, throwing for 4,663 yards and 42 touchdowns alongside 1,137 yards rushing and 19 rushing touchdowns. With Falzone in tow, Auburn's 2026 class now ranks 77th nationally and 15th in the SEC. Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@ or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter. To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football, Hugh Freeze flip blue-chip QB recruit from Penn State
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auburn football, Hugh Freeze get commitment from 4-star 2026 LB Adam Balogoun-Ali
AUBURN — As it tries to make significant strides in recruiting the 2026 class, Auburn football got a notable commitment Tuesday, as Adam Balogoun-Ali, a four-star linebacker from West Palm Beach, Florida, committed to the Tigers. Listed as a four-star prospect by ESPN and Rivals, Balogoun-Ali chose Auburn from a trio of finalists that included Kentucky and Missouri. The box linebacker is considered the third-best prospect in Auburn's 2026 class by both 247Sports and On3, as he's just the third blue-chip pledge in what's now an eight-man class for Hugh Freeze's program. Still, the Tigers are a long way off from securing the top-10 class they desire. Both 247 and On3 rank Auburn's class as the 78th- and 73rd-best groups of the 2026 recruiting cycle, respectively. Both of those rankings are last in the SEC. Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@ or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter. To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football, Hugh Freeze land 2026 LB Adam Balogoun-Ali
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Auburn football, Hugh Freeze nab blue-chip commitment in 2026 linebacker Jaquez Wilkes
AUBURN — It appears Auburn football is finally stringing together some victories — on the recruiting trail, at least. After landing a commitment from Auburn legacy Wilson Zierer last week, Hugh Freeze and the Tigers got their second blue-chip pledge in two weeks Monday, as four-star linebacker Jaquez Wilkes committed to the program. Wilkes, an in-state product from Wadley, chose the Tigers from a group of five finalists that included Alabama, Florida State, Miami and Texas A&M. A consensus four-star prospect, Wilkes is now the highest-rated player in Auburn's 2026 class, based on 247Sports' composite ratings. A two-way standout at Wadley, Wilkes rushed for 1,792 yards and 22 touchdowns last fall. He also registered 104 total tackles and three tackles for loss. Based on 247's recruiting calculator, Wilkes' pledge should boost Auburn's seat in the national rankings 10 spots, from No. 75 to 65th. It still remains 15th among its SEC peers, coming in ahead of Missouri. Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@ or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter. To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football lands commitment from 2026 LB Jaquez Wilkes
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Montgomery safety issues worry entertainment district business operator
An entertainment district can be fun, energetic and even electric. But an anxious mood is always bad for business. "When people feel safe and cared for, they stay longer, they spend more, they come back more often," said Nicholas Wyatt, an area director for Vintage Hospitality Group in Montgomery. "That's something downtown has to be able to cultivate." From his venues at Downtown's Ravello, City Fed, and rooftop site Bar Attico, and the Riverfront district's Red Bluff Bar at the Silos, Wyatt has seen worried messages about downtown Montgomery violence pop up on customer phones. "I've had some guests over the past few weeks who when things have gone up on social media locally express feelings of, 'Hey, we've got to get out of here before it gets too late,'" Wyatt said. An example that caught the world's attention in 2023 happened at the Riverfront Entertainment District, where an infamous a dock brawl took place. But there have been plenty of recent incidents downtown. "We've had fights and shootings downtown almost every weekend in recent weeks," Wyatt said. "The mayor and police chief have acknowledged that and said they're working on it. From where I stand, it hasn't stopped yet, and makes the moment feel a little bit delicate." More: Montgomery entertainment districts: How they work and why they could change Later this fall, plans are in the works to reexamine and possibly expand the city's entertainment districts. Though Wyatt isn't against growing their footprint, he would like to see the existing areas stabilized first. "To me, it doesn't make sense to grow the district when we haven't gotten a firm handle on safety in the areas that we already have," Wyatt said. One step toward that is the recent installation of surveillance cameras in the Downtown Entertainment District. The feeds from those cameras will be constantly monitored by the Montgomery Police Department's Strategic Technology and Resource (STAR) Center. More: Montgomery entertainment districts: 15-year timeline "We're committed to creating a safer, more welcoming downtown for citizens and visitors to enjoy!" MPD wrote on a social media post about the new cameras. Another is a curfew in downtown for ages 17 and under. On July 15, the Montgomery City Council enacted one from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday. "We're using all our angles to make sure that we are growing in a sufficient manner and an effective manner," said Frank Robinson, Montgomery's director of economic and community development. "We're making sure that public safety is there, and in addition to public safety, making sure that everybody has a good time and feels safe while they're doing it." Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@ To support his work please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Entertainment district safety concerns worry business operator Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Auburn football wide receiver Malcolm Simmons arrested on domestic assault charge
This story will be updated. AUBURN — Malcolm Simmons, a sophomore wide receiver with the Auburn football program, has been arrested on assault charges of domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation, according to the Lee County Sherriff's Office recent arrest database. Simmons, 20, was booked at midnight Wednesday. His bond was set at $20,000. The Auburn football program has yet to respond to the Montgomery Advertiser's request for comment. According to Alabama state law, the charge of domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation is a Class B felony, meaning a defendant could face a prison sentence between two and 20 years, and a monetary fine of up to $30,000 upon conviction. Simmons' arrest was the program's second this offseason, as linebacker DJ Barber was arrested July 7 in Dadeville on charges of trafficking in marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Barber has since been dismissed from the program. A former four-star recruit from Alexander City, Simmons shined in his true freshman season, catching 40 passes for 451 receiving yards and three touchdowns, putting him in line for a starting position this season. Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@ or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter. To support Adam's work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football WR Malcolm Simmons arrested on domestic assault charge
