Harsin: Auburn's Leota, Calzada to undergo surgery
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn edge rusher Eku Leota could miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury, coach Bryan Harsin said Monday.
Leota will have surgery on Tuesday for the injury sustained early in last weekend's loss to LSU, Harsin said.
The Tigers are set to visit No. 2 Georgia on Saturday in their first road game of the season.
Harsin also confirmed previous reports that transfer quarterback Zach Calzada will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. The former Texas A&M starter hasn't played this season.
A 6-foot-4, 257-pound graduate transfer, Leota has 17 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks. He had seven sacks last season after transferring from Northwestern.
Auburn has switched to a 4-2-5 defense on the depth chart, with Derick Hall as the only starting edge rusher.
“Eku is a big loss,” Harsin said. "He’s an emotional leader. He’s one of the smartest football players we have.”
___
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://bit.ly/3pqZVaF
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Best Bet, Prediction for NFL Draft Round 1
2026 NFL Draft No. 1 Pick Odds: Fernando Mendoza Clear Favorite; Simpson Moves
How Ohio State Could Make NFL Draft History With Top 2026 NFL Draft Picks
2026 NFL Draft: 8 Prospects Who Will Make This Draft One to Remember
2026 NFL Draft: What Drives Jeremiyah Love, Who Could Be First Top-5 RB Pick Since 2018
2026 NFL Draft: Rankings, Best Team Fits for Top-12 Quarterbacks
2026 NFL Draft Rumors: Seahawks Want to Trade Out of 1st-Rounder?
2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects
Sound Smart: 5 Observations Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
Chris 'The Bear' Fallica's Best Bet, Prediction for NFL Draft Round 1
2026 NFL Draft No. 1 Pick Odds: Fernando Mendoza Clear Favorite; Simpson Moves
How Ohio State Could Make NFL Draft History With Top 2026 NFL Draft Picks
2026 NFL Draft: 8 Prospects Who Will Make This Draft One to Remember
2026 NFL Draft: What Drives Jeremiyah Love, Who Could Be First Top-5 RB Pick Since 2018
2026 NFL Draft: Rankings, Best Team Fits for Top-12 Quarterbacks
2026 NFL Draft Rumors: Seahawks Want to Trade Out of 1st-Rounder?
2026 NFL Draft: Pro Player Comps for Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Draft Prospects
Sound Smart: 5 Observations Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
