Good Morning, Auburn Family. After contemplating entering the NBA Draft, popular and productive Auburn center Dylan Cardwell returns for his fifth season on the Plains. 

"I'm an Auburn man through and through," says Cardwell, who recorded career highs in blocked shots (56), steals (22), points (5.3 per game) and assists (42) while shooting 70.9 percent from the field and 58.7 percent from the free-throw line last season. "What I've built here is special. I fell in love with the community here more than anything. I stuck it out because I love Auburn."

Cardwell, who graduated with honors in December from Auburn University's Harbert College of Business, talks more about his decision and hopes for the future. For more, go 👉🏼 here. 🏀

What else can you find mixed into today’s Brew?

🏀 All-Conference player DeYona Gaston signs with Auburn WBB
🏈 With the Next Pick: Jaylon Simpson
🐅 And much, much more!

🎙 WAREAGLE+: TALKING TIGERS

Talking Tigers - Caitlin Atkinson-Tomlin
Caitlin Atkinson-Tomlin was the anchor when Auburn Gymnastics beat Alabama for the first time in 36 years, the SEC Gymnast of the Year in 2016 and a multi-year All-American. She was the first freshman to be named an All-American in school history. In 2015, she set the Auburn record with a 39.750 in the All Around against Alabama in Birmingham.

Caitlin was part of the most recent Tiger Tail class, joining Cliff Ellis, Takeo Spikes and Kasey Cooper. She now spends her time as a Physical Therapist assistant on the Space Coast in Florida. Caitlin Atkinson-Tomlin is featured in this Talking Tigers Podcast.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 A Safe Bet. The “With the Next Pick 2024 Draft Series” is just getting started, and the first to be featured is Jaylon Simpson. In the transfer portal era, Simpson exemplifies an exception to the rule. Through five seasons and three head coaches, Simpson made his mark, enjoying an All-SEC senior season that positioned him for an NFL opportunity.

"I'm ready to continue to do what I was destined for,” the 6-1 safety said. “Continue to grow as a player, continue to show everybody why I feel like I'm one of the best players in the country, one of the best safeties in the draft." 

Your pick? Going here for more on Simpson’s draft analysis and overall grade.

🔼 Friends in Lowe Places. Behind another stellar performance by Shelby Lowe, Auburn softball (25-15-1, 6-12 SEC) scored four unanswered runs to take down No. 24 Kentucky (29-16, 7-11 SEC) 4-1 Monday night at Jane B. Moore Field.
 
"Sometimes, in a space of time, you aren't where you want to be when it comes to wins and losses,” said head coach Mickey Dean. “We're not where we want to be, but you have to look at home many 'championship' games, those final games of the series, that we have won. That's a big deal.”

🔼  Coach Harris Steps on the Gas. Another all-conference performer will join Auburn women's basketball for 2024-25 as Texas transfer DeYona Gaston has signed with the Tigers, head coach Johnnie Harris announced.
 
A graduate transfer from Pearland, Texas, Gaston was named the Big 12 Sixth Woman of the Year in 2024 and was an All-Big 12 First Team selection in 2023. She averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season with a season-high of 21 points, helping lead Texas to a 33-5 record, a Big 12 Tournament title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Read more about Gaston ⇢ here. 🏀

🔼 Switching Gears. Auburn (19-20) completes its home midweek schedule with a matchup against Florida A&M (20-19) Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT at Plainsman Park.
 
"It's a challenge for us to play (Florida A&M)," head coach Butch Thompson said. "Really, that continued soul searching and hunting for moments and building this club and getting into a different gear is something we're after. Tomorrow is a big day for us to get right back out on the field."

🔼 By Leaps and Bounds. The Auburn track and field team continued its impressive outdoor campaign, hosting the annual Tiger Track Classic on Saturday at the Hutsell-Rosen Track. The Tigers took gold in eight different events.  

Freshman long jumper Shonedra Richardson surpassed her previous PR of 5.42m with a mark of 6.22m to finish ahead of her competition in first place. Richardson is now ranked eighth in the SEC. Competing in the long jump for the first time in his collegiate career, freshman Kayden Slay took home bronze with a leap of 7.20m. He later went on to compete in the high jump, where he placed third with a PR mark of 2.09m. 

 🤔 TIGER TRIVIA

📬 SPREAD THE WORD

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🐅 ONE BIG THING

Takeo’s Trail to Greatness. ICYMI! Takeo Spikes is featured on “Tiger Trail Induction on The Flight - Auburn Football”, now streaming on WarEagle+!

📅 ON THE DOCKET

Tuesday 4/23
⚾️ Baseball vs. Florida A&M @ 3 p.m. CT SEC Network+ | Live Audio | Live Stats | Tickets | Game Program

Wednesday 4/24
⛳️ Men’s Golf @ SEC Championship (R1)

Thursday 4/25
⛳️ Men’s Golf @ SEC Championship (R2)

Friday 4/26
⛳️ Men’s Golf @ SEC Championship (R3)
🥎 Softball @ Ole Miss @ 5 p.m. CT SEC Network | Live Audio
⚾️ Baseball @ LSU @ 6:30 p.m. CT SEC Network+ | Live Audio

🐅 Click here to view the entire Auburn Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: After playing college football for the Auburn Tigers, Takeo Spikes was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1998 NFL draft as the 13th overall draft pick.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time All-Pro, Spikes also played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers.

🐅 Have a great Tuesday, y’all