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2020 Recruiting Thread (OP Update 1/30/19)


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2020 impact: A closer look at Auburn's offensive class

ByKEITH NIEBUHR 

9348154.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offs(Photo: 247Sports)

 

Although you never can please everyone, an Auburn fan would be hard-pressed to complain about the Tigers’ offensive recruiting for 2020.

In terms of needs met, Auburn has done quite well.

For example …

The Tigers, who will lose all five projected starters up front after the 2019 season, had to land a sizable haul on the offensive line with at least two tackles who can play right away in 2020. Check and check.

With several key receivers hitting the homestretch of their Auburn careers, the Tigers also had to come up big there, not only in size (they wanted some taller players in this class) but with ability. Check.

At running back, Auburn desperate hoped to land an elite back. Check.

At quarterback, the Tigers had to find someone with both the skill to play at a Power 5 school and the patience to potentially wait a few years before being in an open quarterback competition. Check.

All told, Auburn has 18 commitments for 2020 — and 12 of them are offensive recruits. Things have gone so well the Tigers may only take one more recruit on that side of the ball, probably at tight end. At that spot, they seem best positioned to sign 4-star prospect Jeremiah Pegues of Mississippi.

Here’s a closer look at Auburn’s offensive commits …

 

 

 
 

9323056.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offs Four-star RB Tank Bigsby. (Photo: 247Sports)

 

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Tank Bigsby, RB, Hogansville (Ga.) Callaway

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 35 (98.24); No. 7 running back

COMMITMENT DATE: 8/09/2019

THE 411: Bigsby committed to Auburn over Georgia, LSU and South Carolina. As a junior, he finished the season with 2,221 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 238 carries. He added 217 receiving yards on 14 catches. He was the Class AA Georgia Player of the Year by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

2020 IMPACT: Although Auburn will have plenty of solid running backs on the roster, Bigsby is too good to not contribute. He plans to early enroll, which should give him the time needed to acclimate himself to the jump up in level. It's not all about running and catching ability. He can do that quite well right now. Bigsby also will have to be able to block at a high level and understand the offense to see the field. There's a lot more that goes into playing the position than taking handoffs. If Bigsby can get up to speed on the other aspects, he should play a fair amount in 2020.

 

 

 

8569932.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offsKobe Hudson" srcset="https://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/932/569/8569932.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offset-y0.50&width=620&height=320" data-src="https://s3media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/932/569/8569932.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offset-y0.50&width=620&height=320" /> 2020 WR commitment Kobe Hudson(Photo: Inside The Auburn Tigers, Scout.com)

 

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Kobe Hudson: LaGrange (Ga.) Troup County

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 88 (95.89); No. 19 wide receiver

COMMITMENT DATE: 4/27/2018

THE 411: Hudson, who is ranked fourth-highest among Auburn commitments, was a prospect just about everyone wanted. And, in fact, some schools continue to pursue him. But he chose the Tigers in large part because of the strong relationship the staff built with Hudson and his family. In 2019, Hudson played quarterback for his team out of need and came up big. By the time the season was done, he had amassed more than 5,000 total yards and arguably was the most valuable player in the state of Georgia.

2020 IMPACT: Of Auburn's four receiver commits, Hudson might be the most dynamic -- and the best with the ball in his hands. In the open field, he makes things happen. Playing quarterback last season, he accounted for more than 5,000 total yards. That says a lot about what he brings to the table. As he transitions back to receiver, he might need some time to get comfortable, so the fact he's expected to enroll in January is significant. We project Hudson to play a good bit in Year 1. He’s a special talent.

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Ze'Vian Capers, WR, Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 116 (94.59); No. 25 receiver

COMMITMENT DATE: 7/01/2019

THE 411: Capers chose Auburn over South Carolina and Tennessee in July and is ranked fifth-highest among Tigers commits. He previously wass committed to Arkansas but backed off that pledge in early June, just one day after camping at Auburn. He's a big receiver with a great catch radius and should have the chance to contribute fairly early in his college career. 

2020 IMPACT: Capers probably is the most polished of Auburn's receiver commits at this stage. He's an excellent route runner, has terrific hands and gets the most from his 6-feet-3.5 frame. With Sal Cannella playing his final season at Auburn, the Tigers will have room for a taller receiver to step forward and enter the rotation in 2020. If Capers, an early enrollee, continues to progress, he could make an impact fairly early in his career, much the way Seth Williams did in 2018.

 

 

8748358.png?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offs J.J. Evans. (Photo: J. Garcia, Jr., 247Sports)

 

J.J. EvansMontevallo (Ala.)

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 148 (93.80); No. 29 wide receiver

COMMITMENT DATE: 2/24/2019

THE 411: Evans was a little-known prospect a year ago at this time but burst onto the scene with a memorable 2019 season in which he had more than 1,700 receiving yards -- one of the best single-season totals in the history of high school football in the state of Alabama. Evans, who is listed at 6-feet-2, 180 pounds, is a tall receiver who does well on 50-50 balls and is strong after the catch. Improving his speed is a focus moving forward

2020 IMPACT: It's not yet known if Evans will early enroll. Getting to campus early probably would give his chances of playing in 2020 a big boost. Last year, he caught 74 passes for 1,706 yards and 18 touchdowns, which are just ridiculous numbers at the high school level. Evans has excellent height and very good hands. Getting quicker will be a point of emphasis moving forward. If he's a summer enrollee, playing in 2020 won't be easy. But what we know is Gus Malzahn likes to play a lot of receivers. So don’t rule him out just yet.

 

 

9260108.jpeg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,off Javion Cohen, new Auburn commit. (Photo: Keith Niebuhr, 247Sports)

 

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Javion Cohen: Phenix City (Ala.) Central

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 324 (89.37); No. 25 offensive tackle

COMMITMENT DATE: 6/1/2019

THE 411: Cohen committed to Auburn over Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech on June 1, which was the day of Big Cat Weekend. His stock has soared thus far in 2019, largely because 1. he showed out in camps and during spring practice and 2. he continues to grow. Cohen has started just one season of varsity football, but made a tremendous amount of progress in the last year and is one of the most athletic tackles in the South.

2020 IMPACT: We're told Auburn loves Cohen's upside and some of our sources think he might have the highest ceiling of any of the offensive line commits. But can he contribute in 2020? Maybe. Cohen plans to early enroll, so that will boost his chances. But with the Tigers brining in two junior college tackles, he may have to be patient. Cohen is in the 290-pound range, which is up about 40 pounds from last season. As he continues to grow, look out. As for 2020, a redshirt is very possible. Some of that will depend on his progress. Some of it will depend on the progress the younger tackles currently on the roster make.

 

 

9272908.png?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offsTate Johnson(Photo: Jason Caldwell, Inside the Auburn Tigers, 247Sports)

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Tate Johnson: Hogansville (Ga.) Callaway 

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 350 (88.96); No. 14 offensive guard

COMMITMENT DATE: 6/10/2019

THE 411: Johnson, who committed to the Tigers in June, had a strong junior season and followed that up by making waves at multiple offseason camps this spring. He picked Auburn over programs such as Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech. One of the more popular recruits in the South, he has been an active recruiter for the Tigers. 

2020 IMPACT: If Johnson continues to progress, he could have a nice career at Auburn. One reason for that is that he's both intelligent and coachable. He plans to enroll early, so that will give him a chance to get acclimated to things next spring. While Auburn had a huge need for tackles who can play right away in the 2020 class, the Tigers have less urgency at guard as young players on the roster such as Keiondre Jones and Kameron Stutts will be back next year. Because of that, cracking the lineup won't be easy for Johnson. Making the two-deep is much more realistic. For an offensive lineman, not playing a lot right away is perfectly okay -- often ideal. For most players, it's a developmental position. Seasoning is needed.

 

 

 

9212130.jpeg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,off Avery Jernigan committed to the Tigers earlier this year. (Photo: Keith Niebuhr , 247Sports)

 

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Avery Jernigan: Blackshear (Ga.) Pierce County

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 396 (88.63); No. 19 offensive guard

COMMITMENT DATE: 2/7/2019

THE 411: Jernigan committed to Auburn earlier this year over South Carolina and others. He's a player the Tigers targeted back in 2018 and he attended several games at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2018. Given his size and skillset, Jernigan is capable of playing either guard or center. Most likely, he'll be trained at both positions. While Jernigan is a 3-star in the industry generated 247Sports Composite, it should be noted 247Sports has him as a 4-star.

2020 IMPACT:Although the Tigers will graduate all three projected inside starters on the offensive line, they do have some talented young players on the roster who will be back in 2020 and are hungry to become starters. But given Jernigan's toughness and physicality -- and the fact he plans to enroll in January -- it's certainly possible he could be a two-deep player in Year 1. The fact he's capable of playing center or guard adds to his value.

 

 

8381076.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offs Elijah Canion will be a Tiger. (Photo: Andrew Ivins, 247Sports)

 

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Elijah Canion: Hollywood (Fla.Chaminade-Madonna Prep 

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 424 (88.30); No. 72 wide receiver

COMMITMENT DATE: 6/7/2019

THE 411: Canion chose Auburn over Florida in early June. We are told there are some on the Auburn staff who think he is one of the most underrated players currently on the Auburn commitment list. Canion was second on his team in receptions and receiving yardage last year behind Penn State signee John Dunmore(a one-time Auburn target) with 21 catches for 574 yards. Additionally, Canion was the team-leader with eight receiving touchdowns. He's a tall receiver who's very good after the catch.

2020 IMPACT: Canion has some serious big-play potential and you have to love his size (he's 6-feet-3, 190 pounds). He comes from a winning program and put up big numbers last season. The only concern here is that he's not an early enrollee. In the longterm, that's not a big deal. He's got plenty of ability. In the short team, it will make it harder to be a big contributor in 2020.

 

 

9337543.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offsKilian Zierer, new Auburn commit. (Photo: Keith Niebuhr, 247Sports)

 

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Kilian ZiererCollege of the Canyons (Calif.)

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 8 overall in the junior college rankings (88.00); No. 1 offensive tackle

COMMITMENT DATE: 7/22/2019

THE 411: Zierer's announcement for Auburn in late July surprised many as he had been projected to UCLA by the Crystal Ball. Zierer officially visited Auburn in June. He is a native of Germany who grew up playing soccer and still is somewhat new to football. 

2020 IMPACT: With current right tackle starter Jack Driscoll playing his final season at Auburn and another top tackle on the roster (Austin Troxell) receovering from ACL surgery, there is a big opening for Zierer to be the starter on the right side in 2020. Although he's still learning the game, he is the No. 1-ranked junior college tackle for a reason. Zierer, who plans to enroll at Auburn in January, will need to bulk up some, but he has the type of athleticism needed to thrive in the SEC. For Auburn, the best-case scenerio would be for Troxell to get fully healthy and have a healthy competition with Zierer next spring. If Zierer should win the job, it's conceivable Troxell, who is a talented run blocker, could move inside. For Auburn, that wouldn't be a terrible scenario because both are believed to be very good.

 

 
 

9256458.jpeg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,off Jeremiah Wright will be a Tiger. (Photo: Keith Niebuhr, 247Sports)

 

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Jeremiah Wright: Selma (Ala.)

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 628 (86.87); No. 51 offensive tackle

COMMITMENT DATE: 7/27/2019

THE 411: Wright, a top in-state target, chose Auburn over Tennessee. Despite his 3-star ranking, he was a priority recruit for the Tigers in this cycle. He could play either tackle or guard in college. The Tigers love his upside.

2020 IMPACT: Some close to the Auburn program think Wright is the steal of the class, but will he be ready to contribute in Year 1? That's hard to say, but possibly not. At last check, he wasn't expected to enroll early. If that's the case, than a May arrival would make it hard for an offensive lineman to see the field. With Wright's high upside, though, you just never know. He can play either guard or tackle and probably will get cross-trained.

 

 

9085616.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offsChayil Garnett(Photo: 247Sports)

 

 

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Chayil Garnett: Lakeland (Fla.)

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 568 (86.43); No. 20 dual-threat quarterback

COMMITMENT DATE: 4/13/2019

THE 411: Garnett committed to Auburn over Duke and UCF shortly after Auburn's annual A-Day game in April. The 6-feet-2, 205-pound Garnett passed for 2,028 yards (completing 61 percent of his attempts) with 18 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 2018, while adding 336 rushing yards.

2020 IMPACT: Most likely, Garnett will be a redshirt candidate. But predicting the future at quarterback isn't easy and things can change fast. Garnett will arrive at Auburn in January so that will give him a chance to get his feet wet early. With no attrition from 2019, Garnett probably would be fourth (at best) on the depth chart. But if anyone departs, than obviously it would become more pressing to get him ready sooner rather than later. That said, it would take a lot of things to happen for Garnett to hit the field.

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9251997.jpg?fit=bounds&crop=620:320,offs Jonathan Buskey, Auburn commit. (Photo: 247Sports)

 

Jonathan BuskeyCoffeyville Community College (Kan.)

247SPORTS COMPOSITE RANKING: No. 53 in junior college (84.00); No. 9 offensive tackle

COMMITMENT DATE: 2/12/2019

THE 411: A Mobile, Ala., native, Buskey was virtually unknown when he committed to the Tigers earlier this year. But now the 6-feet-7, 320-pound prospect also has offers from programs such as South Carolina, TCU and Texas A&M.

2020 IMPACT: Buskey very well could be Auburn's opening-day starter at left tackle, where Prince Tega Wanogho this year is playing his final season for the Tigers. To improve the chances of that happening, Buskey really needs to graduate this fall. That's his plan but while he said he'll make it we won't know for sure for a few months. Remember, he took an academic redshirt his first year at Coffeyville. Getting him on campus in January is crucial here. He needs to learn the offense. He needs to get comfortable with his surroundings. He needs as much practice as possible against SEC-level talent. Recently, his coach told 247Sports that Buskey was the most talented player on his roster. Auburn is quite excited to have him in the class.

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Great read. This O-line class is solid on paper, but very well could be dominant if everything comes together on the field for them. Really like Zierer as he plays with a mean streak and should be ready to go for 2020.

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51 minutes ago, GwillMac6 said:

 

Now that is an interesting mix of schools. You don't often see Ga Southern on a list of finalists that includes 3 SEC teams. Maybe just a good kid showing some love.

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1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

Now that is an interesting mix of schools. You don't often see Ga Southern on a list of finalists that includes 3 SEC teams. Maybe just a good kid showing some love.

Sorry if it has already been mentioned, when is he planning on announcing?

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7 hours ago, Barnacle said:

Hey man what is your avatar? Just curious.

The Indonesian Flag. My family and I are missionaries and have serving here for the past 13 years. I am originally from Boaz, Alabama.

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10 hours ago, roe4christ said:

Sorry if it has already been mentioned, when is he planning on announcing?

@roe4christ  i’m not sure but it doesn’t really matter from our standpoint. He’s not a take for Auburn unless we lose a linebacker in the class somehow. The only linebacker left on the board for us is Philip Webb. Tisdol tried to commit twice and Auburn wouldn’t take it.. He loves Auburn but we just simply don’t have room for him.

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3 hours ago, roe4christ said:

The Indonesian Flag. My family and I are missionaries and have serving here for the past 13 years. I am originally from Boaz, Alabama.

Looks like a poke ball.  Gotta catch em all.

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46 minutes ago, ellitor said:

Tisdol tried to commit twice and Auburn wouldn’t take it.. He loves Auburn but we just simply don’t have room for him.

I understand, but I hate that.

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45 minutes ago, ellitor said:

@roe4christ  i’m not sure but it doesn’t really matter from our standpoint. He’s not a take for Auburn unless we lose a linebacker in the class somehow. The only linebacker left on the board for us is Philip Webb. Tisdol tried to commit twice and Auburn wouldn’t take it.. He loves Auburn but we just simply don’t have room for him.

I think passing on Tisdol is a mistake. The position has more disappointments, percentage-wise, than most others. "Sign four, have two work out" seems to be the norm at LB and we haven't had 4* LB's beating our door down in the past. We have nine slots left, more if a current commit flips. We can make room.

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10 minutes ago, Mikey said:

We have nine slots left, more if a current commit flips

Who do you have in mind?

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4 hours ago, Mikey said:

I think passing on Tisdol is a mistake. The position has more disappointments, percentage-wise, than most others. "Sign four, have two work out" seems to be the norm at LB and we haven't had 4* LB's beating our door down in the past. We have nine slots left, more if a current commit flips. We can make room.

But I thought a lot of fans on this board said Gus should stop stockpiling one position when you don’t necessarily need it and try to spread to other positions 😐

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5 hours ago, Mikey said:

I think passing on Tisdol is a mistake. The position has more disappointments, percentage-wise, than most others. "Sign four, have two work out" seems to be the norm at LB and we haven't had 4* LB's beating our door down in the past. We have nine slots left, more if a current commit flips. We can make room.

I just did a deep dive on actual numbers- recruiting rankings, guys that have panned/flamed out, etc.- and I don't think you're correct about anything other than the 9 slots left.

You may or may not be right about Tisdol, but we have more talent and depth at linebacker than probably any other position group on the team except RB going back a few years now. (RB just caught up this year.) And production has been higher there than most groups the last couple years, and we look to be more talented than we have been this year and going forward. 

Linebacker and running back are probably the two deepest position groups on the team. And, after this season, the most talented. 

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We lost four senior linebackers off of last year's team. We have a number of youngsters that look good on paper but have not had to produce in SEC game type situations. LB's are handy to have around, they are just the right physical type to serve on special teams. I think we should at least replace the four that graduated. With some saying we may only take one more player on offense, there is definitely room for a fourth linebacker. There's a quality LB (Tisdol) that wants to come to Auburn. I say welcome him in.

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2 hours ago, Sizzle said:

But I thought a lot of fans on this board said......

A lot of fans on this board said a lot of things. A different lot of fans said a lot of different things. That doesn't make any of them correct.

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25 minutes ago, Mikey said:

there is definitely room for a fourth linebacker.

With the exception of the staff seeing Webb as elite there's not enough room for another LB the staff doesn't see as elite in a guy like Tisdol even though he is quality. All the rest of the spots are ear marked for other positions where there is greater need plus 1-2 left open for a Grad Transfer or 2 down the line.

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1 hour ago, ellitor said:

With the exception of the staff seeing Webb as elite there's not enough room for another LB the staff doesn't see as elite in a guy like Tisdol even though he is quality. All the rest of the spots are ear marked for other positions where there is greater need plus 1-2 left open for a Grad Transfer or 2 down the line.

The only place I could see a Grad Transfer helping us is in O-line in case one of the Juco OT's didn't work out, Maybe safety also as we might be thin there next year  depth wise. If Tisdol is still available come signing day I personally would not be adverse to signing him.  Right now I am definitely worried about D=line to many of the ones we are trying to get seem to be medium chance. I am one of the ones who always preaches Garner comes through late but this year I don't feel as confident. It is a gut feeling not based on facts.

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10 hours ago, ellitor said:

@roe4christ  i’m not sure but it doesn’t really matter from our standpoint. He’s not a take for Auburn unless we lose a linebacker in the class somehow. The only linebacker left on the board for us is Philip Webb. Tisdol tried to commit twice and Auburn wouldn’t take it.. He loves Auburn but we just simply don’t have room for him.

Thanks Ellitor appreciate the info. Makes sense, but like others have said (and I agree). You have a guy with legit talent, that loves Auburn, I think you make the room, especially at the LB position. Hope this one does not come back to bite us. If Webb does does not come, then do you take him or do you still look to fill other positional needs? We may know soon or may be a mute point soon if he picks from his finalist.

 

Again, thanks for the info.

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41 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:

The only place I could see a Grad Transfer helping us is in O-line in case one of the Juco OT's didn't work out, Maybe safety also as we might be thin there next year  depth wise

@AuburnNTexas There are other potential immediate impact needs that could happen depending on early departures, transfers, & how new guys look next Spring in Spring training. You mentioned 1 in the OL. I don't think Safet will need a GT with Smoke & Sherwood slated to be back. CB might though depending on if Iggy leaves & how the juco CBs look next Spring. The biggest immediate impact question mark I see is on the DL with Brown, Davidson, & likely Coe leaving. If impact replacements haven't stepped up by next Spring I think trying to bring in a GT DT is very possible.

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24 minutes ago, roe4christ said:

If Webb does does not come, then do you take him or do you still look to fill other positional needs?

Staff has decided they are done at LB if Webb goes elsewhere.

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I don't see holding more than one slot open for a grad transfer that might fall out of the sky or might not. We graduated four linebackers off the 2018 team. We signed three last cycle, Pappoe and two projects. Logic would say that we should make room for another 4* LB, given that we took a 2* last year just because we needed the warm body at LB.

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