In addition to the countless position battles that took place, there was one other competition brewing on The Plains throughout fall camp — and sophomore cornerback Champ Anthony, junior defensive lineman Zykeivous Walker and senior defensive lineman Lawrence Johnson are all frontrunners.

However, the competition is far from settled, says junior linebacker Eugene Asante, who will have the final say on which of his teammates can best mimic his distinctive “Let’s work!” catchphrase.

“The boys are carrying it on,” Asante said. “It’s a good feeling.”

It all started during a team workout; Asante told reporters Monday. The energy was lacking and Asante felt he was in a position to do something about it — finally.

Asante didn’t see the field much in 2022, adding to an already tough year, which Auburn linebackers coach Josh Aldridge alluded to in a comment earlier this month.

“I don’t want to air out anything about Eugene’s personal life, but Eugene had a tough year last year,” Aldridge told reporters on Aug. 10. “He had a tough year.”

In a recent interview with Auburn Undercover’s Nathan King, Asante revealed that he lost his father last February, which is likely what Aldridge was hinting at. Asante’s father would’ve turned 71 on Aug. 21.

After only appearing in Auburn’s first four games last fall, Asante was stuck watching from the sidelines as Owen Pappoe, Derick Hall and Cam Riley led the Tigers’ defense.

Asante’s lack of play time left him struggling to hype himself up, let alone others.

“It was a big reflection piece for me,” Asante said of last season. “Last year I was very upset within myself in terms of, I just didn’t get on the field. I really don’t know why that was.”

And so Asante kept his head down and remained the quiet guy at practice.

But that didn’t mean Asante wasn’t still embodying his “Let’s work!” catchphrase. Instead, he was just keeping it to himself.

Asante was a workhorse in the weight room, says Aldridge, adding that the linebacker gained around 15 pounds between this year and last year.

“I have seen changes in my own body I didn’t think I would ever get to,” Asante said after gushing about the effectiveness of head strength and conditioning coach Dom Studzinski’s program.

Asante’s physical changes made for the foundation he could build on throughout this year’s fall camp.

Aldridge admits that at 6-foot-1, Asante isn’t the longest guy at outside linebacker. However, especially with his added weight, Asante is big enough for the position.

“When I first got here, I came in here and I got asked what are we looking for in a linebacker. The word I used was ‘dynamic’,” Aldridge said. “That’s what he brings. He’s not a one-trick pony. He can run, he’s physical, he’s smart. All those things. We don’t want the old-school, neckroll mike linebacker in this defense anymore.”

As a result of his hard work and versatility, Asante started weaseling his way back onto the field throughout fall camp, working in with the 1s and 2s of Auburn’s defense.

And it all started with a promise.

“I made a vow to myself and a vow to my family that I’m going to establish myself and work the hardest I’ve ever worked and I can’t be denied,” Asante said. “I just thank God to allow me to go out there and give me the strength to show some consistency in my game.”

It wasn’t long after you started hearing about Asante from his coaches and teammate that you started hearing from Asante himself.

After working his way back into the on-field rotation, Asante was in a better position to be a vocal leader for the Tigers. And so he took full advantage with his “Let’s work!” and “Work time!” catchphrases.

“When I first got here, I was kinda, like, quiet. I’m sure they guys are, like, ‘Bro. Who’s this guy? Now he’s yelling and stuff?’,” Asante said.

“The energy, the excitement, the enthusiasm is really just who I am. I embody that.”

On the first day of classes on Aug. 16, Asante – dressed in full uniform – was sent out onto campus to see if he could inspire Auburn students to embody the same energy, excitement and enthusiasm as the fall semester got underway.

“Let’s work!”, “Work time”, and the occasional “Does everyone have a pencil?” rang out across Auburn’s campus.

It’s hard to think that the same guy getting asked to inspire a campus of students was the same guy feeling uninspired last fall.

“I think he’s just cleared his head,” Aldridge said of Asante. “They obviously signed him here for a reason, because they thought he was gonna be a great player.

“He’s just really caught on. He’s a joy to coach. I love coaching him. He’s a fun kid. I think he’ll have a great season, regardless of if he’s in the starting role. I think he’s definitely gonna help us out this year. Auburn fans should definitely keep an eye on him.”

And if fans aren’t able to keep an eye on Asante, at the very least they should listen for him.