Escambia Academy senior Garrett Kirk has been granted “preferred walk-on” status to play at Auburn University, according to EA football coach Hugh Fountain.

Kirk, who was the AISA Lineman of the Year, received the offer about a week after the Feb. 11 National Signing Day.

Fountain said that Kirk is an excellent student who received a 32 on his ACT, qualifying him for an academic scholarship at Auburn. He was also a key part of the Cougars’ 2014 AISA Class AAA championship team.

“This is quite an honor, because it means that Auburn University wants for him to play,” Fountain said. “I know that it’s something he’s been wanting to do for a while, and it has been a major goal of his.”