Former five-star Auburn offensive tackle Calvin Ashley has entered his name into the transfer portal. Ashley is considering the Miami football program.
Calvin Ashley was the highest rated player in Auburn’s 2017 recruiting class according to 247Sports compositing ratings. Ashley will be a highly sought after player. The Miami football program needs to add an offensive lineman to the 2019 Class.
The mammoth 6’6 310 offensive tackle was the 26th ranked player, the sixth-ranked offensive tackle and the top player in Washington D.C. in the Class of 2017.
Ashley redshirted as a True Freshman before serving as a backup on the offensive line this season. After being listed second on Auburn’s depth chart at right tackle during his redshirt season, Ashley was the backup at right guard in 2018.
Ashley made the announcement that he was leaving Auburn via Twitter on Monday morning. He could be the second transfer the Miami football program adds from Auburn this year. The Hurricanes signed Class of 2018 running back Asa Martin during the early signing period in December as part of the Surge ’19 class.
Martin has not taken a redshirt season yet. He will sit out in 2019 and have three seasons of eligibility remaining commencing in 2020. Hopefully, Manny Diaz and his staff can have Martin be a part of the recruiting pitch to convince Ashley to come to Coral Gables.
Ashley dealt with injuries on multiple occasions in 2018. He was hospitalized last August following an Auburn scrimmage according to the Bleacher Report. The injury seemed to involve Ashley’s neck or spine last summer. Tom Green of AL.Com quoted an Auburn source regarding Ashley’s injury.
"“Feeling and full movement in all of his extremities”"
Ashley left the team in October to deal with an unspecified medical issue. Tigers Head coach Guz Malzahn released a statement about Ashley at the time.
"“He’s dealing with a medical issue, and we’re hoping that he’ll be back in the near future…The most important thing is his health.”"
Ashley would be another exceptional talent that the Miami football program could add through the Transfer Portal. The Hurricanes have already added seven players through the portal and are pursuing several others. Ashley would give Miami a versatile player on the offensive line with exceptional size.
James Crepea of AL.com quoted Malzahn over the summer regarding where they planned to play Ashley in 2018.
"“That is just what (offensive line) coach (J.B.) Grimes is thinking is best at this time…Ashley) does have the flexibility to play tackle, too. We have done that in the past…I think Calvin enjoys that…he is competing for playing time at that position.”"
Miami added only three offensive linemen in the Surge ’19 Class. All three were three-star players. Guard Zion Nelson is already enrolled. Tackle Adam El-Gammal and center Jakai Clark will enroll later this year. The Hurricanes also added left tackle Tommy Kennedy as a Graduate Senior from FCS Butler.
Upgrading the offensive line has been one of Manny Diaz’s priorities since he took over as Head Coach from Mark Richt three weeks ago. Miami finished in a tie for 59th in the country in sacks allowed in 2018 with 27. The Hurricanes were much better at run blocking in 2018. They finished 24th nationally averaging 5.2 yards per carry.