Mike Blakely no longer with Auburn

AUBURN — Running back Mike Blakely is no longer with the Auburn football team or enrolled at the school, an athletic department official confirmed Wednesday evening.

Blakely, a redshirt freshman, had 33 carries for 153 yards this season. He led the Tigers with 11 carries for 42 yards against Mississippi State and with 38 yards on seven carries against Arkansas but had issues with ball security throughout the season.

Blakely’s departure coupled with the graduation of Onterio McCalebb leaves just Tre Mason and Cory Grant in the backfield who played last year for the Tigers. Mason ran for 1,002 yards and scored eight touchdowns while Grant had just nine carries for 29 yards in limited action last season.

Auburn has already signed top-rated JUCO running back Cameron Artis-Payne and is targeting several other recruits including New Hope’s Johnathan Ford, who decommitted from Vanderbilt on Monday, according to several recruiting websites, Notre Dame four-star commit Tarean Folston and four-star athlete Cornelius Elder.

Blakely is the third player to leave Auburn since Gus Malzahn became the coach Dec. 4. Offensive lineman Christian Westerman transferred to Arizona State and quarterback Clint Moseley is no longer with the team but still at Auburn and completing his degree.

An Auburn spokesman said Malzahn had no comment regarding Blakely’s departure.

Blakely, a native of Bradenton, Florida, originally signed with Florida in 2011 before transferring to Auburn and sitting out the 2011 season.  His future plans are not certain.

Against Louisiana-Monroe, Blakely had three carries for 32 yards and could have scored a crucial touchdown to put Auburn up by 21 but fumbled at the one-yard line with 1:40 left in the third quarter. ULM scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to tie the game before Auburn won 31-28 in overtime.

He sat out against LSU and was having a productive game against Arkansas before again fumbling with 11 minute remaining in a 10-point game. The Razorbacks scored on the ensuing drive and won 24-7.