2019 Recruiting Thread

[corchjay 5,311]

1 hour ago, WaynesAUworld said:

Do you think Nix and/or Pickens will climb any higher by the time the final rankings come out? 

At their rankings a lot will depend on the 7v7 circuit, all the recruiting services challenges, and their seasons.  But both could move up and/or could move down before the final ranking 

[Zeek 16,649]

Added Mark-Anthony Richards and Zion Puckett!

[Zeek 16,649]

I don't see a thread for him but sounds like there is still some interest for Georgia commit and 5* WR Jadon Haselwood

https://www.seccountry.com/auburn/auburn-recruiting-jadon-haselwood-georgia

Quote

5-star Georgia WR commit comments on Auburn interest

If Auburn had its choice of any 2019 receiver to add to George Pickens, that wish list would start and end with Jadon Haselwood.

The 5-star Georgia commit would be the No. 1 receiver option for virtually every program in America. Take one look at his junior season film, and you’ll understand why that’s the case. Haselwood takes over every camp he attends, and dominance carries over to Friday nights. He has been committed to Georgia for a while, making him the centerpiece of what coach Kirby Smart hopes to be another top-3 recruiting class.

Auburn hopes it can steal another top target away from Georgia after winning the May 1 portion of the Owen Pappoe sweepstakes.

Haselwood has visited Auburn several times this spring. He last attended the Plains on a multi-day trip, a source confirmed, that coincided with the Pappoe and Wanya Morris trip before their commitment announcements.

Haselwood participated in an interview with my DawgNation colleague Jeff Sentell. In that, Haselwood mentioned his visits to Auburn. He also referenced a visit his mother took separately to the Plains to see it on her own. Her interests will be important in any chances another school has of flipping Haselwood.

“I like Auburn. I’m cool with Coach [Kodi] Burns and [Travis Williams]. They are cool. Cool people that I can relate to,” Haselwood told Sentell. “My mom liked Auburn. She liked Oklahoma, too. She’s going wherever I go.”

Haselwood mentions Oklahoma, and many see the Sooners as the most prominent threat to flip the nation’s No. 5 player.

Auburn feels as though it’s as much in the hunt to flip as Oklahoma, however. Haselwood has already taken an official visit to Oklahoma. He told Sentell it’s likely Auburn will receive one of those in the fall, as well.

His decision won’t be dictated by anyone else. It helps, though, that he has 7-on-7 friendships with Pickens and quarterback commit Bo Nix. Haselwood also has a close bond with Auburn commits Pappoe and Jaylin Simpson, as well as top athlete target Jashawn Sheffield. As a Georgia commit, he was doing his part to recruit Pappoe to Athens — and still will — but because of their relationship, Pappoe’s decision wasn’t something that came as a surprise to Haselwood.

“What I am going to say is that it didn’t surprise me,” he said. “But I’m happy for him. That’s where he should go. He probably will not have anybody ahead of him when he gets there. He’s got a good chance of playing and going to the league in three years.”

Down-the-line Louisiana cornerback to watch

Auburn sits in a solid position at cornerback in the 2019 class.

The Tigers already have commitments from Simpson and Cordale Flott, who were targeted early on in the cycle. They have other top targets such as Andrew Booth, Tyrique Stevenson and Marcus Banks who have been on campus in the last month. Devin Bush is another top cornerback prospect who falls into the must-take category. Zion Puckett of Georgia has been viewed by some as a wide receiver, but Auburn is pursuing him as a cornerback.

There are always contingency plans in recruiting, however.

One near the top of that list for Auburn, Greg Brooks from Harvey, La., said he has communicated with Tigers coaches and feels like an offer could come later in the process, depending on how their cornerback board shakes out.

“Auburn is probably one that said most about getting an offer. I had went up there for a visit. They said I’m one of the highest guys. They told me all that. They’re going to come down in the spring and should offer. I talk to coach [Marcus] Woodson three times a week,” Brooks told SEC Country."

Something I'll note about the end of the article here.

We must really think highly of Flott considering all of these other highly rated corners we're pursuing as well.

Edited May 11, 2018 by Zeek

[Zeek 16,649]

Keith Niebuhr has 4* Keiondre Jones coming to us as well. He's in the minority with his pick but he still has his 100% pick rate going for him!

edit: Keith also has us getting 4* OLB Derick Hall and we seem to be closing the gap on Ole Miss

finally he still has us as getting 3* TE Luke Deal

Edited May 11, 2018 by Zeek

[ellitor 33,085]

1 hour ago, Zeek said:

Added Mark-Anthony Richards

Altered. We don't know that AU will want him as an RB. That's still TBD.

[Zeek 16,649]

Just now, ellitor said:

Altered. We don't know that AU will want him as an RB. That's still TBD.

Derrian Brown seems heavily interested

Is it mutual on Auburn's end though? SIAP

[ellitor 33,085]

52 minutes ago, Zeek said:

I don't see a thread for him

Don't need one til AU thinks there's a real chance at a flip.

[ellitor 33,085]

Just now, Zeek said:

Derrian Brown seems heavily interested

Is it mutual on Auburn's end though? SIAP

Yes but don't know how high he is on the board.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

Hasselwood would be a pull but not sure it happens unless Georgia collapses and Oklahoma fricks it up.

[Zeek 16,649]

42 minutes ago, ClaytonAU said:

Hasselwood would be a pull but not sure it happens unless Georgia collapses and Oklahoma fricks it up.

That would be one hell of a group with him on it!

[ellitor 33,085]

 

Quote

 

Ten reasons the Tigers will have a top-10 recruiting class

As of Friday, Auburn had seven football commitments and the No. 16 recruiting class in the country. While we don’t have final numbers (and won’t until National Signing Day next February), our best guess is the Tigers will sign a number of recruits in the low 20s. So far, the class is solid.

You have a 5-star recruit in linebacker Owen Pappoe. There’s a high-level quarterback in top-75 prospect Bo Nix. Receiver George Pickens is one of the truly elite pass-catchers in the country. Cornerback Jaylin Simpson has a ton of potential. Tight end Tyler Fromm fills a major need. Corner Cordale Flott is a high-ceiling guy. Center Jakai Clark is a run-blocking standout.

All told, the class has an average rating per commit of 91.12 — well above the 4-star line of 90.00. Auburn’s 2018 class finished 12th. That ended a streak of five straight years in the top 10. What are the chances the Tigers will get back into the top 10 this cycle? Fairly good, it seems, though nothing is certain. Here are 10 reasons I think they’ll do it. These are in no particular order, just how they popped into my head.

 

1. The Owen Pappoe factor: Landing Pappoe was huge. For starters, he’s really good. But beyond that, he’s really well-connected. Because he has been a national recruit dating back to his freshman year other prospects know his name and respect him. Pappoe already has started recruiting for the Tigers. Now, recruits won’t pick Auburn just because of Pappoe, but it certainly won’t having him on board. With Papoe in the ears of other prospects, that’s a good way to get them interested.

2. With an elite QB, recruits follow: Having a strong quarterback in the class always is important in building a class. The quarterback isn’t just the leader on the field, he’s often the leader of a recruiting class. Other prospects look at a class and want to join one that has a top-level quarterback. With Bo Nix, the Tigers have a talented player -- and one who likes to help recruit.

3. A more active Gus Malzahn: The Auburn coach always is active. Especially on campus, where prospects often comment on how much they enjoy meeting the coach in his office. But we’ve heard from multiple sources Malzahn has been even more active than usual this cycle when it comes to communicating with recruits. So far, the results have been positive. Several 2019 recruits have told me Malzahn is their favorite head coach. Also, he has that new contract and he is selling stability. Will it pay off? It could.

4. A good start: Last year, Auburn wasn’t even in the top 50 of the recruiting team rankings when the summer began. The Tigers are in a good spot today.

5. Momentum heading into Big Cat Weekend: There’s a lot more buzz than the past couple of cycles heading into Auburn’s signature recruiting event. Pappoe’s commitment had a lot to do with that. The bottom line, recruits are talking about the Tigers more than in recent years. The June 2 event will be loaded with talent. It’s up to the Auburn staff to capitalize on that. History shows it probably will.

6. The addition of Marcus Woodson to the staff: Admit it, when Auburn hired Woodson, a secondary coach, as the 10th assistant earlier this year you weren’t blown away. That’s okay, I didn’t know much about him either. Neither did some of the people he’d be working with at Auburn. But it’s been a home run hire. Woodson has gotten the Tigers in the game with several targets in Mississippi. Landing them won’t be easy, but Auburn has a shot. Elsewhere, he has made his presence known in the recruitments of several top-flight defensive backs, from Andrew Booth to Zion Puckett.

7. Travis Williams is on the war path: With Auburn having big needs at linebacker, Williams has zeroed in on some major targets. He’s also contributing in areas such as Gwinnett County (Ga.), where the Tigers like multiple prospects. Beating out Georgia for Pappoe when few gave him a shot was an eye-opener and could lead to more surprises down the road.

8. Staff cohesiveness: The Tigers lost just one assistant (offensive line coach Herb Hand) from 2017 and added Woodson and J.B. Grimes, who replaced Hand. We’re told the chemistry is excellent. Grimes, having worked at Auburn from 2013-15, knows the lay of the land and has prior relationships on the road that should help. Our sources say the staff clicks well, with each looking out for their co-workers on the recruiting trail.

9. Rodney Garner is going to Rodney Garner: The one thing we’ve learned in recent years is when Auburn needs a strong defensive line class, Garner, the Tigers defensive line coach, delivers. We don’t expect that to change any time soon.

10. Peach State recruiting. The Tigers are off to a great start in the state they must do well in. In fact, it’s probably priority No. 1 for Auburn. More commitments likely are coming. Pappoe’s pledge has given the Tigers even more cred in this ultra-important talent-rich state.

 

 

[aujeff11 6,243]

1 minute ago, ellitor said:

Travis Williams is on the war path: With Auburn having big needs at linebacker, Williams has zeroed in on some major targets. He’s also contributing in areas such as Gwinnett County (Ga.), where the Tigers like multiple prospects. Beating out Georgia for Pappoe when few gave him a shot was an eye-opener and could lead to more surprises down the road.

?

[McLoofus 35,182]

24 minutes ago, ellitor said:

3. A more active Gus Malzahn: The Auburn coach always is active. Especially on campus, where prospects often comment on how much they enjoy meeting the coach in his office. But we’ve heard from multiple sources Malzahn has been even more active than usual this cycle when it comes to communicating with recruits. So far, the results have been positive. Several 2019 recruits have told me Malzahn is their favorite head coach. Also, he has that new contract and he is selling stability. Will it pay off? It could.

I'll eat my hat and I'll eat yours too. Line 'em up and bring me some hot sauce. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO

Is this what @GwillMac6 feels like all the time? Internet yayo on a Friday. 

[WaynesAUworld 179]

10 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I'll eat my hat and I'll eat yours too. Line 'em up and bring me some hot sauce. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO

Is this what @GwillMac6 feels like all the time? Internet yayo on a Friday. 

No gif to go with this? @GwillMac6 is going to be very disappointed. I'm sure he will come through with a great one though.  

[Zeek 16,649]

13 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Several 2019 recruits have told me Malzahn is their favorite head coach.

Wow! I honestly would not have ever imagined this but it's exciting nonetheless. War Eagle Gus

[McLoofus 35,182]

14 minutes ago, Zeek said:

Wow! I honestly would not have ever imagined this but it's exciting nonetheless. War Eagle Gus

Right?!? We've heard it before from a couple recruits gravitating towards our down home family farm vibe, but to see Gus's effort and personality listed as a primary reason this class is shaping up so nicely is really exciting to me. 

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

19 minutes ago, WaynesAUworld said:

No gif to go with this? @GwillMac6 is going to be very disappointed. I'm sure he will come through with a great one though.  

I think this is deserving of a professional job done right. The anticipation will be worth it. 

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

8 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Right?!? We've heard it before from a couple recruits gravitating towards our down home family farm vibe, but to see Gus's effort and personality listed as a primary reason this class is shaping up so nicely is really exciting to me. 

 

Best 49 Million we’ve ever spent!!!!

[fredst 9,064]

39 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I'll eat my hat and I'll eat yours too. Line 'em up and bring me some hot sauce. LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO

Is this what @GwillMac6 feels like all the time? Internet yayo on a Friday. 

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

6 minutes ago, ClaytonAU said:

Best 49 Million we’ve ever spent!!!!

Dangit out of likes again

[McLoofus 35,182]

7 minutes ago, fredst said:

 

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

2 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Dangit out of likes again

If only I had 7000 likes man 

[abw0004 10,110]

4 hours ago, McLoofus said:

Right?!? We've heard it before from a couple recruits gravitating towards our down home family farm vibe, but to see Gus's effort and personality listed as a primary reason this class is shaping up so nicely is really exciting to me. 

 

I’m tellin ya, it’s that BMW!  

[McLoofus 35,182]

9 minutes ago, abw0004 said:

I’m tellin ya, it’s that BMW!  

Vroom

 

[bigbird 60,499]

19 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Vroom