Kevin Steele: Noah Igbinoghene possesses 4 key traits to be great No. 1 cornerback

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This time last year, Noah Igbingohene was just getting his feet wet.

The former four-star receiver made the move to defensive back last spring and was getting acclimated to his new position. It was an experiment, to be sure, but Auburn’s coaching staff felt confident it would pay off.

Fast forward to this spring, and Igbinoghene is set to be Auburn’s No. 1 cornerback in 2019—and according to defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, the junior possesses four key traits that have contributed to his smooth transition and emergence in the secondary.

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“What you saw this spring was a guy who was very comfortable in what he was expected to do, as well as very comfortable in what we were asking him to do,” said Steele, who spoke Monday to the Emerald Coast Auburn Club in Niceville, Fla. “He’s got a tremendous skill set, he’s got a great defensive temperament and he’s very knowledgeable — and put that with a toughness; he just has an innate toughness that is defensive.”

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That shouldn’t be too surprising, given Igbinoghene’s background as the son of two former Olympic athletes. A lot of those traits were on display last season, when Igbinoghene solidified himself as the Tigers’ second cornerback opposite Jamel Dean, who went on to be selected in the third round of last weekend’s NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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In that role, Igbinoghene led the team with 11 pass breakups to go along with one interception. He totaled 50 tackles, with 1.5 for a loss and a forced fumble. He was also the Tigers’ No. 1 kick returner, averaging 28.27 yards per return.

“He played very well last year, but it was his first year on defense,” Steele said. “A lot of it was all new to him and he progressed each game.”

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With a full year under his belt now, the expectations for Igbinoghene in 2019 are even higher as he anchors the cornerback position in a veteran-laden secondary for the Tigers that also includes cornerback Javaris Davis, nickel Christian Tutt and a formidable two-deep at safety in Daniel Thomas, Jeremiah Dinson, Jamien Sherwood and Smoke Monday.

“You’ll see a guy (this year) that progresses and progresses,” Steele said of Igbingohene. “The ceiling is really high for Noah.”

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‘Let’s Make a Deal’ announcer tries to ‘Roll Tide’ a contestant, gets a ‘War Eagle’ instead

AL.com

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They’re on “Jeopardy!”... “The Price is Right”... “Family Feud”... seemingly everything Ryan Seacrest does...

No, gameshow “War Eagles” aren’t exactly rare these days.

But Wednesday’s was the first we’ve heard on “Let’s Make a Deal"... and Mobile-raised announcer Jonathan Mangum so wanted it to be a “Roll Tide.”

Portia, a victims services director for an Alabama rape crisis center who appeared on the show dressed as a jester, was having none of it. “War Eagle,” she responded.

(Host Wayne Brady had no idea what was happening. Mangum had to explain.)

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