AUBURN, Alabama — Robert Muschamp's hard work had paid off.

The linebacker-turned-fullback picked up a scholarship for his final season on the Plains in an announcement made after practice Thursday.

Auburn had one scholarship open after the departure of defensive back John Broussard earlier in the week, and the decision was made to reward Muschamp, a walkon out of Rome, Georgia, the scholarship soon after the decision.

"Pretty special day here," Malzahn told the Auburn football team after practice. "We had a scholarship come available, which is rare at this time."

Malzahn then slowly let it be known Muschamp was being rewarded the scholarship by listing his three-year loyalty to Auburn that has included a move from linebacker to fullback, a place on special teams and plenty of time working on scout team preparing the Tigers' first-team offense and defense every week during the season in practice. He also plays 3-back in Auburn's offense on the scout team. He has played in one game on offense, an appearance at fullback against Alabama A&M in 2016.

Muschamp is the nephew of South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp, who served as Auburn's defensive coordinator during the 2015 season.

Robert Muschamp broke the post-practice huddle by shouting the team's motto: "Ring the bell."

Video footage shows Robert Muschamp chatting with his dad on the phone about receiving the scholarship. "Oh, God," his father says. "Great job."

Earlier, after the huddle was broken, quarterback Jarrett Stidham walked up to the newly-minted scholarship player and said: "Dinner on you tonight."

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Sources told Auburn Undercover in the summer Robert Muschamp was among a handful of players who had stood out in offseason workouts. His hard work paid off Thursday with a scholarship.

"Growing up my whole life, I've been a huge Auburn fan," Robert Muschamp said in an unrelated profile posted to Auburn's official website Wednesday. "I'm the 22nd person in my family to come to Auburn. Growing up, it was always ingrained in me so that played a huge part. It's something I always wanted to do as a kid, so being here and doing it is pretty surreal. This place means more to me than words can describe."

Robert Muschamp joked that his uncle, Will Muschamp, was "probably a little harder on me" during his one-year return as Auburn's defensive coordinator in 2015.

"But it was definitely pretty cool being around him and being able to be coached by him."

Muschamp is a former 3-star inside linebacker out of Darlington High School in Rome, Georgia, according to the 247Sports Composite. He walkd on at Auburn in 2015, the year his uncle was Auburn's defensive coordinator.

Walkon Auburn quarterback Devin Adams was rewarded with a scholarship during preseason camp following the departure of scholarship offensive lineman Tyler Carr.

No. 7 Auburn (1-0) is coming off a 21-16 victory against then-No. 6 Washington inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Tigers host in-state FCS foe Alabama State on Saturday (6:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network alternate) for their home opener inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.