Auburn, Ala. (EETV) - Within a span of 24 hours, Auburn football has lost 4 key players for the 2017 season. On Wednesday CB Carlton Davis, RB Kamryn Pettway and OLB Jeff Holland announced they would be leaving Auburn to pursue an NFL career.
Davis was the first to announce Wednesday on Twitter tweeting a thank you to Auburn.
— C-Murda ™ (@Carlton_Lowkey) January 3, 2018
Davis was named a second-team AP All-American in 2017 and played a key role in locking down the Auburn secondary. He would end the season with 11 pass breakups, 1 interception, and a fumble recovery.
The projected first-round draft pick missed the Peach Bowl due to illness. Davis started as a true freshman in the 2015 season. Over his 3 years with the Tigers, Davis recorded 4 interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss.
In response to Davis' departure, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn released the following statement:
“Carlton has been a starter at Auburn from day one, using his talents and hard work to earn All-America honors. He has been a model of consistency and played an important role in the success of our defense. I appreciate Carlton and wish him all the best.”
Running back Pettway was the second Tiger to declare for the draft Wednesday, taking to Instagram to make his announcement.
Pettway missed much of the 2017 season due to an array of injuries. He finished the season with 305 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns.
He became a standout running back in the 2016 season, rushing for 1,224 yards and 7 touchdowns. Pettway leaves Auburn with 1,529 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Upon his announcement, Malzahn wished Pettway well wishes.
“I appreciate Kam Pettway’s time at Auburn. When healthy, he was a dominant running back. We’ll be rooting for him moving forward and wish him nothing but the best.”
Holland, Auburn's sack leader, was the final Tiger to announce his departure Wednesday taking to Twitter.
泥 thanks for the year of mud pic.twitter.com/jtQWjqrvQy
— 先生 泥 (@holland_jeffery) January 4, 2018
Over his three seasons with Auburn, Holland has accumulated 13 sacks for 87 yards and 18.5 tackles for loss for 106 yards.
Malzahn remarked on Holland's time at Auburn as well, noting Holland's love of the game of football.
“Jeff Holland had an outstanding junior year and was one of our most improved players. Jeff’s love and passion for the game of football is contagious and it will carry over to the next level. I appreciate his time at Auburn and wish him the best.”
To round out the group of four, late Tuesday night running back Kerryon Johnson announced he would be entering the draft. Johnson was the first Tiger to announce he would forego his senior season.
