Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze announced before Auburn’s practice on Thursday that walk-ons Griffin Speaks and Justin Jones were awarded scholarships.

Speaks and Jones spoke to reporters after practice on Friday, reflecting on the moment.

“There was definitely some celebrating. Me and my dad had a very emotional phone call. It was some screaming and it was really cool getting to tell my family, community and everybody that’s gotten me here, I would not be here without any of them,” Speaks said on Friday. “So, it was definitely cool, but it’s just right back to work.”

Speaks, an Auburn native, spent four seasons at Baylor before coming home to attend Auburn prior to the 2023 season.

A safety in college, he played quarterback at Auburn High School, leading the team to 10 wins in 2018.

“I’m just no doubt a product of my community and a product of my family,” Speaks said. “I’d really just say it means a lot just from where I’ve come from and doing it for the people that I love and cherish.”

Jones, a Bessemer native transferred to Auburn from UAB prior to the 2023 season. He never saw playing time at UAB, but appeared in every game for Auburn in 2023, playing largely on special teams.

“It’s a dream come true,” Jones said about receiving the scholarship. “It just seems so unreal. Even when I’m here now. It still doesn’t feel real.”

Before his college career, Jones was a standout running back at Bessemer Academy where he earned all-state and all-city honors and rushed for more than 2,500 yards.

The scholarship wasn’t the only event of the week for Jones to celebrate, as he graduates from Auburn on Saturday.

“Big weekend. I don’t think I’ve had a big weekend like this since probably coming out of high school,” Jones said.