Auburn running back Brian Battie was injured during a fatal shooting early Saturday morning in Sarasota, Florida, his hometown, as confirmed by 247Sports. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m., resulted in the death of Battie’s 24-year-old brother, Tommie Battie, according to police reports. Four others, including Brian Battie, were hospitalized.
An Auburn spokesperson stated, “We are aware of the situation and are continuing to gather information,” as reported by various news outlets.
During the 2023 season, Battie served as Auburn’s primary kick returner and provided depth at running back. He ranked fifth in the SEC in kick return average, with 23 yards per return, and averaged nearly 50 yards per game. Battie also rushed for 227 yards and scored a touchdown in a game against Arkansas on November 11.
Before transferring to Auburn, Battie played for South Florida for three years, where he became one of the nation’s top kick returners. In 2021, he was named a consensus All-American after accumulating 650 yards and three touchdowns as USF’s primary kick returner. In 2022, he earned second-team All-AAC honors as a running back with 1,186 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 12 games. He was a four-star prospect in 247Sports’ 2023 transfer rankings.
Battie began his college career at South Florida in 2020, after graduating from Sarasota High School.
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