Former No. 1 overall recruit Cowart leaving Auburn

Defensive lineman Byron Cowart, the No. 1 overall recruit from the 2015 class, has been granted his release from Auburn, head coach Gus Malzahn confirmed Tuesday.

Malzahn said Cowart was disappointed with his lack of playing time, and approached him multiple times over the first month of the season about quitting the team.

Despite the fanfare that accompanied Cowart to Auburn, the Seffner, Fla., native was never able to make an impact for the Tigers. He notched just 15 career tackles in two-plus seasons, and didn't record a single sack.

Auburn experimented with Cowart at both defensive end and defensive tackle in an attempt to spark the struggling lineman's career, but to no avail.

An Armwood High School product, Cowart signed with Auburn in 2015 over Florida, Alabama, Florida State, and Maryland.