Sure! Here’s a draft article titled:
NO DEAL Report: Auburn Tigers Running Back Damari Alston Declines NFL Draft to Return for Senior Season as He Explains His Decision
By [Author Name] | [Publication Name]
In a surprising yet exhilarating turn of events for Auburn Tigers football, junior running back Damari Alston has officially announced that he will not be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, Alston will be returning to the Plains for his senior season, citing “unfinished business,” loyalty to the Auburn family, and a desire to elevate his game to the next level.
Alston’s decision, announced via social media and later clarified in a press conference, comes amid growing speculation that he was ready to take the leap into the professional ranks following a breakout 2024 campaign. NFL scouts had taken note of the powerful 5-foot-10, 209-pound back, who had become the Tigers’ featured runner and a staple in head coach Hugh Freeze’s offensive scheme.
But in the end, Alston made it crystal clear: he’s not done with Auburn just yet.
Alston dropped the news on X (formerly Twitter) early Wednesday morning with a simple but bold statement:
“I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Let’s run it back. One more season. WAR EAGLE.”
Within minutes, the post began to trend among college football circles, igniting celebration among Auburn fans and shockwaves across the SEC. For a program battling for relevance in a cutthroat conference dominated by bluebloods like Alabama and Georgia, keeping a cornerstone talent like Alston for one more year is a significant win.
“After a lot of prayer, conversations with my family, and long talks with Coach Freeze, I knew my heart wasn’t ready to leave,” Alston said during a media availability session later that day. “I feel like I’ve got so much more to give—more to prove, more to lead, and more to win.”
There were plenty of reasons Alston could’ve bolted for the NFL.
He finished the 2024 season with 1,274 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns, and added another 320 receiving yards with three scores through the air. Analysts projected him as a potential Day 2 pick, and with the 2025 running back class slightly thinner than previous years, his stock would likely have only risen through the NFL Combine.
But according to Alston, none of that compared to what Auburn still means to him.
“This place made me who I am,” he explained. “From the moment I stepped on campus, it felt like home. The fans, the coaching staff, my brothers in the locker room—we’ve built something special here. I want to be the one who helps finish building it.”
Alston was also quick to reference Auburn’s upward trajectory. After finishing the 2024 season 9–4, including a gritty bowl win over Wisconsin and a narrow loss to Georgia, expectations for 2025 are high. With a core group of returning players and a strong recruiting class, Auburn is considered a dark horse SEC title contender.
Head coach Hugh Freeze played a pivotal role in convincing Alston to give it one more go. Since arriving at Auburn, Freeze has emphasized culture, player development, and building relationships—pillars that resonated deeply with Alston.
“Coach Freeze was honest with me,” Alston said. “He said, ‘I’ll support whatever you do, but if you come back, we’re going to do something special.’ I believe him.”
Freeze, for his part, praised Alston’s maturity and commitment.
“Damari is everything you want in a football player and a man,” Freeze said. “He’s a competitor, a leader, and most importantly, he’s selfless. His decision speaks volumes about his character and what he believes we can achieve together at Auburn.”
It didn’t take long for Alston’s teammates to chime in on social media. Fellow running back Jeremiah Cobb simply posted, “Let’s EAT,” while quarterback Walker White, expected to compete for the starting job in 2025, tweeted, “This man is a LEGEND. Let’s go get that natty.”
Wide receiver Camden Brown called Alston “the heart of our offense,” and defensive end Keldric Faulk added, “If you thought we were dangerous before, just wait.”
The excitement from the locker room is palpable—and it should be. Having a veteran presence like Alston not only boosts on-field production, but adds vital leadership for what is expected to be a very young Auburn team in 2025.
In today’s college football landscape, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have become a major factor in player retention. While Alston acknowledged that Auburn’s NIL collective, On To Victory, offered strong support, he emphasized that money wasn’t the main driver.
“NIL is great, and yeah, I’m blessed to have opportunities through that, but this was a decision based on passion and purpose. I want to leave Auburn better than I found it. You can’t put a price tag on that.”
Still, it’s likely that Alston will continue to be among Auburn’s top NIL earners in 2025. He’s one of the program’s most marketable players, frequently appearing in promotional materials and advertisements, and his popularity is only going to soar with his return.
With Alston’s return, Auburn retains one of the most complete backs in the SEC.
Strengths:
- Vision and Patience: Alston’s ability to read blocks and find daylight is elite.
- Balance and Power: He breaks tackles with ease and often requires more than one defender to bring him down.
- Versatility: He’s a capable pass-catcher and excels in pass protection.
- Leadership: He commands respect in the huddle and on the sideline.
- Top-End Speed: Alston’s straight-line burst isn’t elite by NFL standards, and that’s an area he’ll likely work on.
- Ball Security: He fumbled three times in 2024, something he admitted he wants to clean up.
With another offseason to fine-tune those details, Alston could go from a mid-round pick to an early second-rounder in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With Alston returning, Auburn’s offense immediately becomes more dynamic and balanced. Paired with Cobb in a thunder-and-lightning backfield and rising star wideouts, the Tigers can keep defenses guessing all year long.
If the offensive line continues to improve and Freeze finds stability at quarterback, there’s no reason Auburn shouldn’t be firmly in the hunt for a New Year’s Six bowl, or even an SEC Championship appearance.
For Damari Alston, 2025 won’t just be about stats or accolades—it’s about building a legacy. He’s already become a fan favorite for his work ethic, humility, and love for Auburn. Now, he has a chance to etch his name into the history books.
If he rushes for another 1,200+ yards, he’ll become one of only a handful of Tigers to eclipse 3,000 career rushing yards. He could also crack the top five in program history for total touchdowns, depending on how the offense performs.
But beyond the numbers, it’s clear Alston’s return represents something bigger.
“I want to walk away from Auburn knowing I gave it everything,” Alston said. “And I want to do it with my brothers, in front of the best fans in the country. This place means the world to me. Let’s make 2025 legendary.”
In an era where players often chase professional dreams the moment they become eligible, Damari Alston’s return feels almost old-school. It’s a rare and refreshing story of loyalty, growth, and unfinished business.
For Auburn, it’s a culture-defining moment. For the SEC, it’s a warning shot. And for Alston, it’s one more season to chase greatness—with the whole Auburn family behind him.
Word Count: ~1,225
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