What happened to Auburn DB Antonio Kite who ditched a practice?

According to reports, Antonio Kite has been dismissed from the Auburn football program. The decision follows reports that the safety has missed several practices throughout the season, making the Tigers' defensive back short of some depth.

Kite arrived at Auburn this season via the transfer portal. The defensive back played his first two seasons of college football at Alabama before making an in-state transfer following the retirement of Nick Saban. He was anticipated to make an instant impact with the Tigers.

Antonio Kite has been a crucial part of Auburn’s secondary this season, logging significant games in the Tigers’ first four games. The safety’s highest involvement for the Tigers came in the loss to Arkansas in Week 4, where he played 66 snaps and recorded two tackles.

However, his role diminished sharply afterward, with no recorded playtime in matchups against Oklahoma and Georgia. Kite’s participation was reduced to just five snaps by Week 8, during the game at Missouri. He was, however, responsible for a touchdown on a muffed punt during the game.

---

What’s next for Antonio Kite?

Antonio Kite is expected to enter the transfer portal once again following his dismissal from the Auburn team and continue his career elsewhere. He's believed to have garnered the experience needed to be picked up by another team on the portal.

Kite was mostly involved with the special teams in the 2023 college football season at Alabama but gained game time on the defense at Auburn. His role has, however, reduced significantly in recent weeks after logging many snaps early in the season.

While his role reduced in the team, freshmen Jay Crawford and Kensley Louidor-Faustin have stepped up. Crawford has played 238 snaps across the last four games, while Louidor-Faustin contributed in 55 plays during Auburn's matchups against Georgia and Missouri

---

Auburn's secondary gets further thinner

With the dismissal of Antonio Kite by Auburn, the team’s defensive backfield continues to face significant challenges this season. He becomes the fourth player to become unavailable from the secondary since the team’s spring roster was announced.

Cornerback Colton Hood transferred to Colorado mid-offseason, creating a shortage in depth following the spring game. Additionally, cornerbacks Champ Anthony and Tyler Scott have also been sidelined for the rest of the 2024 season due to injuries.

Anthony suffered a serious leg injury during the first quarter of the game against Arkansas earlier this season, resulting in a long-term absence. Meanwhile, Scott, who initially considered entering the transfer portal, suffered a torn ACL during the offseason and won’t be available for the 2024 college football season.