SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS

July 18, 2023

Kameron Stutts

Auburn Tigers

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Tiger of the day is Kameron. He is ready for your questions.

Q. Kam, what does it mean to be selected as one of the three representatives for Auburn by the new coaching staff?

KAMERON STUTTS: It's really just an honor that they think I'm the Auburn man. I'm just excited to be here and be able to represent the Auburn family.

I've had great people around me helping me the whole way. It's really just an honor.

Q. Coach Freeze was up here earlier, and he said he likes to bring an offensive lineman. Feel like you need someone representing the line of scrimmage up there. In practice can you tell that he has a focus on the offensive line and takes a particular interest in your position group?

KAMERON STUTTS: For sure. He's definitely over there coaching us and taking an interest. I think everybody is working really hard, and Coach Thornton is doing a really good job of leading us. Just really excited about this year.

Q. Kam, the Sooners come into Auburn next year. What should fans, what should the team expect to experience at Jordan-Hare?

KAMERON STUTTS: The best atmosphere in the country, man. There's nothing like Jordan-Hare. For sure it's going to be rocking for that game. They should be excited for it for sure.

Q. Kam, how big was what Cadillac did late in the season taking over as interim head coach, bringing the energy? And how much of a carryover goes into this year?

KAMERON STUTTS: I think it was huge. I think everybody loves Cadillac, and he's the definition of an Auburn man. So having him go out there and lead us was big, and that momentum definitely carried over into the spring.

I think we felt that continuing to carry over into the summer and then carry over into the fall.

Q. What's your favorite part about game days inside Jordan-Hare Stadium?

KAMERON STUTTS: You said inside, but I've got to say Tiger Walk is probably one of my favorite parts. Coming out into the stadium and seeing the fans, there's nothing like the atmosphere in Jordan-Hare.

So getting to be out there and go to war with my brothers and see the Auburn family out there supporting us, there's nothing like it.

Q. What are some of the differences with the offensive line with the new coaching staff? Pass blocking, run blocking?

KAMERON STUTTS: I think the biggest difference is the level of experience we have. We've got a lot of older dudes over there now and a lot of new dudes. So building those relationships and getting to know each other is huge. Focusing on communication and those little details and intricacies of the play is really big.

Q. What's it like playing for Hugh? Just how does he fit at Auburn?

KAMERON STUTTS: He's done a really good job focusing on the details and just being grateful and being thankful that we have the opportunity to go out there and play every day. That's one of his big messages. I've really enjoyed it a lot.

Q. Of course a lot of transfer -- a lot of incoming transfers in year one of Hugh Freeze, namely on the offensive line. I believe you guys have brought five guys on the line in the portal. I just want to ask you, for a unit that struggled some last year, how do you expect these incoming transfers to help improve the play along the line of scrimmage in 2023?

KAMERON STUTTS: They can all play, man. Every dude we've brought in is talented, and they're all doing a really good job working hard and getting after it.

I'm excited to go out there with those guys. We're making each other better, and we're competing. So it's going to be really good.

Q. I'm just wondering what the Killen community means to you, and how did they set you up and support you to be where you are, both, the community as well as Brooks High School?

KAMERON STUTTS: Growing up, that family atmosphere, that home environment was big for me. Supported me all the way, my coaches, my family, my friends, everybody. Coming to a place like Auburn, you feel that all the same. It's just been really big.

That was one of the main points of my recruitment that was the reason I came here. So I've loved it.

Q. You're up here representing the Auburn offensive line. Anyone from that group who's had a really strong off-season? Anyone who has impressed you with the work they've put in the last couple months?

KAMERON STUTTS: I think everybody is doing a good job. I've given Connor Lew a couple shout outs. As a young guy that's come in, I'm really impressed with him and excited to see what he does in the future.

Q. Why is it that offensive linemen have the best personalities and the most interesting group to talk to on the team?

KAMERON STUTTS: I guess we're just the best, man, I don't know. I think it has to do with that -- just the mentality you have to have to play O-line. We don't get a lot of the recognition. We don't get a lot of the type of stuff like this. So whenever we do get the opportunity, it's really fun.

Q. You talked about Cadillac and what he means to you guys, but how pivotal was that Texas A&M game last year?

KAMERON STUTTS: It was big, man. That was some of the best energy I've seen. Probably top three games I've seen in Jordan-Hare energy-wise. It was huge. Like I said, that momentum will carry over and continue to carry over, and we're going to keep it pushing.

Q. Are you looking forward to going to College Station this year?

KAMERON STUTTS: It will be fun for sure. They're always well-coached, got a great team. Definitely looking forward to playing them.

Q. First time California and Auburn will play. Are you looking forward to the West Coast trip against a Pac-12 team?

KAMERON STUTTS: I actually just went to California like a week and a half ago for the first time. So I'm excited to go back out there on a business trip this time and get to work hopefully. Yeah, it will be fun.

Q. The growth of the line through your time there with different coaches, specifically into this season, how would you describe the transformation? And playing in front of and behind some of the new offensive talents as well.

KAMERON STUTTS: I think everybody's doing a really good job. It's been a lot of fun playing next to those guys, a lot of experience around the offensive line. They're all doing a really good job.

Playing next to those guys, not just on the offensive line, but going up against the new dudes on defense and wideouts, seeing the wideouts go, seeing the quarterbacks, everything, it's just been really fun.

Q. Speaking about Cadillac really quickly, he's an Auburn guy, an Auburn man through and through. How important was it to keep him around on this coaching staff? Just knowing what he means to the university and this team.

KAMERON STUTTS: I think that was big for everybody, seeing him get to come back. Like you said, he's the definition of an Auburn man. I mean, having those guys around is really big. Kendall Simmons is another one of those guys that he's the definition of an Auburn man.

Just shout out to them. Really excited about that for sure.

Q. You got to go up against some of the D-linemen in the spring and presumably since then. What can you tell us about the Auburn defensive line? Marcus is back. Jayson is back. You've got some new additions as well. What should folks expect out of those guys?

KAMERON STUTTS: They're doing a really good job. We've been going at it all spring. We've been going at it, competing during summer workouts. It's been a lot of fun.

I'm excited to see those guys go out there and dominate against whatever offensive lines they're going against. It will be really fun.