Even in the new landscape of college football, shaped and revolutionized by the NIL era, young players who are good enough still desperately want a path to the NFL.

Auburn Tigers outstanding linebacker Eugene Asante The road to the professional game took him from North Carolina to the Plains, and he took time to thank everyone as he looks toward the NFL Draft.

“I can’t thank you enough for what this family has done for me,” Asante wrote in his message to Auburn on his social media accounts. “It was your confidence in me that motivated me day after day.

“To Coach Freeze, Coach Durkin and his staff, thank you for everything you have done for me. You took a kid from the scout team and turned him into a team captain. .. and all thanks to the learning of your leadership, which was exhibited daily.

“Finally, to the Auburn family…I will always be indebted to you and despite all the diversity, setbacks, etc…I would choose you again.”

Asante’s path to the NFL provided a compelling enough story, and it’s one that scouts will surely be paying close attention to next April. Overcoming the adversity of losing family and almost giving up on your football dreams is invariably a good thing, as teams look for individuals of high character.

Taking players to the next level also helps programs sell potential new recruits what can be accomplished if they stay the course. For all of the Tigers’ struggles on the field this year, Freeze did well to recruit players like Asante who really bought in and consequently carved out NFL-like trajectories for themselves.

Despite their back-to-back losing seasons, producing pro-level players can only help in the ongoing recruiting process for the UA.

Running back Jarquez Hunter also wrote a similar heartwarming farewell to the people at Auburn who helped him along the way.

From a broader perspective, it is reassuring that Auburn’s current staff is producing good young men who are now well equipped to meet the future challenges they will face.