Did former Auburn player Kaleb Kim get a rose on 'The Bachelorette’?

Did former Auburn player Kaleb Kim get a rose on ‘The Bachelorette’?

We knew going into this week’s season 20 premiere of “The Bachelorette” that a former Auburn football player would try to win the heart of AU grad and the show’s lead Charity Lawson. But did Kaleb Kim walk away with a rose during the first night in the mansion?

Yes! So Auburn love remains a real possibility during a season in which Lawson insists we’ll hear a “War Eagle!” or two. AL.com even asked Lawson what we might see from the Auburn connection during her time as Bachelorette. “I think you can see potentially maybe us connect on our time at Auburn, and you might see us do an Auburn tradition,” she said. “We’ll see.”

While he did not get a ton of camera time Monday night (outside of standing next to presumptive season villain Brayden), we did see Kim step out of the limo and greet Charity on his way into the mansion, and his entrance came during a moment when another suitor agonized over the height of several men hoping to win the heart of the Auburn grad. Kim stands at an intimidating 6-foot-4-inches, so it’s no wonder he made an impression on the other guys, even if he didn’t get the first impression rose.

We also saw Kaleb give a nervous look during the dramatic rose ceremony, seemingly getting one of the final four or five Charity handed out. He let out a big sigh and smile as he gets another shot at love (er, different show) at least one more week.

Another lucky break: In the official cast photo (above), Kim is standing directly next to Lawson on the back row. So maybe it’s meant to be! That said, limited screen time during the premiere (and the sneak peek at the season at the end of the episode) doesn’t exactly bode well, so we anticipate a group date appearance in lieu of a one-on-one for Kim during week two.

MORE: ‘Bachelorette’ Charity Lawson on all her favorite Auburn things, if we’ll hear ‘War Eagle’ this season

Kaleb Kim (above) poses for a portrait for ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” on which he’s a contestant during the show’s 20th season starring Auburn University graduate Charity Lawson. Kim played football at AU from 2016-19. (Ricky Middlesworth/ABC; Julie Bennett/AL.com)

Kaleb Kim of Norcross, Ga., played offensive line for the Auburn Tigers in 2016-19, finishing his college career as the team’s starting center during the 2019 season. Kim finished with 17 career starts, starting the first three games of the 2018 seasons including the Washington season opener. He missed the Outback Bowl in 2019 but made the SEC academic honor roll, as well as the preseason Rimington Trophy and Reese’s Senior Bowl watch lists.

Kim wore number 54 during his Auburn football career. His parents are John and Cindy Kim. His father played football at Gardner-Webb in North Carolina. Standing at 6-foot-4-inches and 300 pounds while at AU, Kim originally hails from Buford, Ga., and attended Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Ga. He studied business at AU.

Now a construction salesman, the 26-year-old Kim “spent many years bettering himself and is ready to take the next step and find true love,” according to his official ABC biography page. “As a loyal, caring and consistent partner, Kaleb K. will go the extra mile to appreciate his partner’s passions.”

So what is Kaleb passionate about? “Pushing himself to be the best,” his bio says. “With a blue belt in jujitsu, Kaleb is excited to put his competitive edge to the test to win Charity’s heart. And a fellow Auburn Tiger alum, he may already have another leg up with Charity. Kaleb K., don’t drop the ball on this one!”

ABC shared these fun facts about Kim: He would love to coach high school football, he personally offended by mayonnaise, and he hopes to visit South Korea and learn more about his heritage.

According to Kim’s Auburn football bio and Lawson’s 2022 Instagram post reflecting on her graduation, it appears the pair were on campus at the same time. Episode two of “The Bachelorette” will air Monday, July 3 at 8 p.m. central time on ABC.

More on The Bachelorette:

‘The Bachelorette’ through the eyes of a sports editor: Charity Lawson episode 1

Who is Charity Lawson? The next Bachelorette has Alabama ties

15 times Alabama took over ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’