ellitor 33,039 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 Quote Auburn recruiting snapshot: 2020 class overview By Keith Niebuhr Oct 17, 6:02 AM Auburn commit Ladarius Tennison. (Photo: Keith Niebuhr , 247Sports) With the early signing period for college football only two months away (it begins Dec. 18), this is a good time to take a closer look at the 2020 Auburn recruiting class and where things stand with the Tigers. As of Thursday, Auburn has the No. 8 recruiting class from 247Sports with 19 commitments. Gus Malzahn's first year as Auburn coach was 2013 and the Tigers were in the top 10 every year through 2017. The last two cycles, however, Auburn fell just short. Can the Tigers return to the top 10 this cycle? They certainly have a shot, but it's by no means a slam dunk. Here's a snapshot of where things stand for the Tigers as of today …. TOTAL COMMITS: 19 (Most recent: 4-star safety Ladarius Tennison, Sept. 14) SPOTS TO FILL: Up to six. This is our best guess based on the current intel. CLASS RANKING: No. 8 overall, No. 5 in the SEC. The Tigers trail Alabama (No. 2), LSU (No. 4), Georgia (No. 6) and Texas A&M (No. 7). AVERAGE RATING PER COMMIT: 91.04 (90.00 is the 4-star threshold). Auburn’s average rating per commit is eighth best nationally. The 2019 class had an average of 91.16 but with only 21 signees finished at No. 11 in the national rankings. In 2018, Auburn's class average was 90.22. The Tigers finished 12th in the team rankings. Should Auburn hold its current average rating -- or come close to it -- when the final numbers are tabulated National Signing Day in February, there's a strong chance it will land in the top 10 if a full class is signed. Now, here's a position-by-position overview ... Chayil Garnett. (Photo: 247Sports) QUARTERBACK Committed: 1 -- 3-star (247Sports) Chayil Garnett (early enrollee) Spots to fill: 0-1 The 411: For most of this cycle, it didn't seem like Auburn would attempt to land a second quarterback, but now it's possible should backup Joey Gatewood, a redshirt freshman, decide to transfer. Having four scholarship quarterbacks would be ideal, especially since injuries do occur. If Auburn takes a second quarterback, it won't be a reach. Should no one at the high school or junior college levels emerge, you could see the Tigers explore the transfer (or graduate) transfer market. As for Garnett, after missing a couple games early in the season as he recovered from a broken thumb, his play has improved each week. His team, Lakeland (Fla.) High, is unbeaten and nationally ranked. Four-star RB Tank Bigsby. (Photo: 247Sports) RUNNING BACK Committed: 1 -- 4-star Tank Bigsby (early enrollee) Spots to fill: 0 The 411: Unless something unforeseen happens, we don't expect Auburn to take another running back for 2020. Right now, the Tigers seem happy with Bigsby -- and with their projected scholarship numbers for 2020. Bigsby, who committed to Auburn in August, was a massive get. According to our intel, he was Malzahn's No. 1 target at that position. The 6-feet, 210-pound Bigsby is the No. 35 overall recruit nationally in the industry generated 247Sports Composite. He currently has more than 500 rushing yards even though he missed a couple full games and three quarters of another because of a minor ankle injury. TIGHT END Committed: 0 Spots to fill: 1 The 411: After signing two tight ends in the 2019 class, the Tigers only need one this cycle. And, 4-star recruit Jeremiah Pegues of Oxford (Miss.) High is target No. 1. The 6-feet-3, 260-pound Pegues is a talented and physical jumbo athlete who can line up in multiple spots. We believe that physically he could be ready to contribute in Year 1. Peaues has visited the Tigers multiple times this year and has said they're his leader. However, hometown Ole Miss is not to be taken lightly and remains a threat. The chatter is Pegues could be close to having a decision -- but we've heard that for awhile. Tigers commit Kobe Hudson had a huge game last week. (Photo: Jason Caldwell, 247Sports) RECEIVER Committed: 4 -- 4-star Kobe Hudson (early enrollee), 4-star Ze'Vian Capers, 4-star J.J. Evans, 3-star Elijah Canion. Spots to fill: 0 The 411: It's likely Auburn is done at this position for 2020 and what a haul the Tigers have landed. Hudson and Capers arguably are the top two receivers in the state of Georgia. Hudson will compete in the All-American Bowl (formerly U.S. Army All-American Bowl). Capers currently is averaging more than 30 yards per reception this season. Evans, who had 1,700-plus receiving yards in 2018, has been slowed at times by injury this fall but is starting to heat up. Canion, who plays for one of the top teams in talent-rich south Florida, averages nearly 20 yards per catch. Most would agree this is one of the top receiver classes in the country. Tate Johnson and Javion Cohen, two Auburn commits. (Photo: Keith Niebuhr , 247Sports) OFFENSIVE LINE Committed: 6 -- 4-star tackle Javion Cohen (early enrollee), 4-star center Avery Jernigan (early enrollee), 3-star guard Tate Johnson (early enrollee), 3-star tackle Kilian Zierer (mid-year transfer), 3-star guard/tackle Jeremiah Wright, 3-star tackle Jonathan Buskey (mid-year transfer). Spots to fill: 0 The 411: Auburn appears to have met all of its needs with this class. Buskey and Zierer are high-level junior college players who should immediately challenge for starting spots next spring. Cohen is the top in-state offensive lineman and some think has the highest upside among the Auburn commits. Jernigan and Johnson are physical interior guys. Wright, who could play guard or tackle, arguably is the most underrated recruit on the Auburn commit list. Each appears to be fairly solid at this time, though Cohen said recently he wants to visit other schools. Daniel Foster-Allen is a longtime Auburn commit. (Photo: Jason Caldwell/Inside The Auburn Tigers, 247Sports) DEFENSIVE LINE/BUCK Committed: 1 -- 3-star end/tackle Daniel Foster-Allen. Spots to fill: 3-4 The 411: Foster-Allen, Auburn's only commit here, is the No. 24 recruit in the state but could be headed toward a bump because of his strong play this season. He is listed at 6-feet-4, 250 pounds and while Auburn has recruited him at strong-side end, how much he continues to grow could impact where he ultimately lands. If Auburn has one major concern heading into the home stretch, it's in this area. At this time, it is anyone's guess who the Tigers might land. Four-star strong-side end Jay Hardy of Tennessee has emerged as a top priority and this could be shaping up as an Auburn-Tennesse battle. The Tigers have fought hard and likely will get him on campus three more times this year (twice in November and again in December for an official). Another strong-side end to watch is 4-star Zykeivous Walker of Georgia. While the in-state Bulldogs are thought to be the favorite, he will officially visit Auburn the first weekend of November. At tackle, Mississippi 4-star McKinnley Jackson will officially visit in December. Alabama and LSU could be Auburn's biggest threats. At the buck, Phillip Webb of Georgia is Priority No. 1. That, too, looks like an Auburn-Alabama-LSU battle. Also, Auburn has scouted the junior colleges and we think it's very possible the Tigers will sign one lineman from that level. Auburn watched Marquis Burks of Iowa Central Community College play in person last week. There is much to be determined here and that certainly is a reason for concern. Traditionally, Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner has closed strong. Can he do it again? Auburn commit Wesley Steiner at The Opening Finals. (Photo: 247Sports) LINEBACKER Committed: 3 -- 5-star Trenton Simpson (early enrollee), 4-star Wesley Steiner, 4-star Cameron Riley. Spots to fill: 0 The 411: Auburn is done at linebacker and this class is the envy of many. Simpson is a top-20 national recruit and likely Year 1 contributor with the Tigers. He's fast, physical and highly intelligent. North Carolina continues to heavily recruit him but the confidence level at Auburn is high the Tigers will keep him in the fold. Simpson is said to be having a terrific season and the same can be said of both Steiner and Riley. Steiner, an inside backer, was the national combine-testing champ at The Opening Finals last summer. Riley is a long-and-lean outside backer with an extremely high ceiling. Ladarius Tennison. (Photo: Jason Caldwell, 247Sports) DEFENSIVE BACK Committed: 3 -- 4-star safety Ladarius Tennison (early enrollee), 4-star safety Chris Thompson Jr. (early enrollee), 4-star cornerback Marco Domio (mid-year transfer). Spots to fill: 1 The 411: In the secondary, Auburn is likely to add one more corner. The top target probably is Brian George of Highland Community College in Kansas. He could be nearing a decision but it is anyone's guess as to which way he might be leaning. Last weekend, he visited Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Auburn is the favorite for Kendall Dennis of Florida. In Tennison, Thompson and Domio, Auburn already has done quite well. Tennison is a nickel/star recruit who should make an immediate impact. Thompson also likely will be needed to play in 2020. At corner, Domio filled a big need and the Tigers expect him to push for a starting spot in Year 1. SPECIAL TEAMS Committed: 0 Spots to fill: 0-1 The 411: If the Tigers are to sign anyone here -- and that's up in the air right now because numbers are tight -- the player to watch is Evan McGuire of Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson. The big-legged senior is having a strong senior season and has attended every Auburn home game in 2019. He also is getting plenty of attention from several other programs. McGuire can kick and punt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle 3,898 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 More than likely wouldn’t happen anyway but what if Brian George and Dennis both wanted to commit to us? Would we accept both offers? Or turn one down like our LB situation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellitor 33,039 Posted October 18, 2019 Author Share Posted October 18, 2019 15 minutes ago, Sizzle said: More than likely wouldn’t happen anyway but what if Brian George and Dennis both wanted to commit to us? Would we accept both offers? Or turn one down like our LB situation George is the priority to the staff right now. Dennis is actually #3 on the board per other intel from Keith. I'm surprised Keith didn't mention juco Emmanual Appiah. Keith has said he has moved ahead on Dennis on the board. Last time I saw stats on him he had 5 INTs this season in 5 games. As of now we are only taking 1 CB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeek 16,525 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 Time to be a bit of a sunshine pumper. What's promising to me is how many of these guys are going to be Early Enrollees; which will be needed in some positions. QB - I'm not high on Garnett (EE) but the depth is needed and I wouldn't mind if we used one our remaining spots to take another quarterback. Though I have no evidence, I am in the camp of thinking Gatewood is more likely than not to transfer out. RB - Very hyped about Bigsby and pleased he's also an EE TE - Really would like to land Pegues, my guess is Ole Miss gets a new head coach anyways, WR - What a group! Hudson (EE), Capers, Evans, and Canion will add to an already very athletic group of receivers OL - This is where we need Early Enrollees and all but Wright will be on campus early! DL/Buck - We have a lot of tremendous names here but we need to lock some in to the roster. I would take 4 here if we don't want an additional QB. LB - Might be the best group of LBs we've signed in a while and Simpson is an EE and possible instant impact guy right along Pappoe. DB - Stout group and I hope we land George. I would take one more in this group for sure. So for the last 6 I'd like: 1 QB (I like Ashford and Hornsby) 1 TE (Pegues all the way) 3 DL (Webb, Thomas, and Walker) 1 DB (George or Appiah) This would be an insanely solid class and I'm excited about the huge number of Early Enrollees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle 3,898 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 3 hours ago, ellitor said: George is the priority to the staff right now. Dennis is actually #3 on the board per other intel from Keith. I'm surprised Keith didn't mention juco Emmanual Appiah. Keith has said he has moved ahead on Dennis on the board. Last time I saw stats on him he had 5 INTs this season in 5 games. As of now we are only taking 1 CB. I hope whichever DB we get is a ball hawk. Need more DB’s turning defense into offense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeek 16,525 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 6 minutes ago, Sizzle said: I hope whichever DB we get is a ball hawk. Need more DB’s turning defense into offense I have to agree. It seems like we have an above average secondary but they definitely don't force a lot of turnovers. Some of this, I think, also comes from a lack of a true pass rusher forcing rushed passes. We usually blitz to generate a rush and I'm pretty sure DBrown is leading the team in sacks right now with 4 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle 3,898 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 20 minutes ago, Zeek said: I have to agree. It seems like we have an above average secondary but they definitely don't force a lot of turnovers. Some of this, I think, also comes from a lack of a true pass rusher forcing rushed passes. We usually blitz to generate a rush and I'm pretty sure DBrown is leading the team in sacks right now with 4 or so. Playing press all the time doesn’t help with INT numbers either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeek 16,525 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 1 minute ago, Sizzle said: Playing press all the time doesn’t help with INT numbers either True, it's also agitating playing teams who all consistently attack the same exact weaknesses over and over again (short slants/drags/ins). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gowebb11 9,258 Posted October 18, 2019 Share Posted October 18, 2019 It wouldn’t hurt to recruit some corners with more length. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,292 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 9 hours ago, Sizzle said: I hope whichever DB we get is a ball hawk. Need more DB’s turning defense into offense 8 hours ago, Zeek said: I have to agree. It seems like we have an above average secondary but they definitely don't force a lot of turnovers. Some of this, I think, also comes from a lack of a true pass rusher forcing rushed passes. We usually blitz to generate a rush and I'm pretty sure DBrown is leading the team in sacks right now with 4 or so. Until we change DC or Steele changes schemes, we won't have many INTs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellitor 33,039 Posted October 19, 2019 Author Share Posted October 19, 2019 23 hours ago, Zeek said: OL - This is where we need Early Enrollees and all but Wright will be on campus early! @Zeek Where did you get this great info on EEs? I haven't found much of anything. 23 hours ago, Zeek said: DL/Buck - We have a lot of tremendous names here but we need to lock some in to the roster. I would take 4 here if we don't want an additional QB. Most likely scenario. Specifically a juco at DT for depth. 23 hours ago, Zeek said: 3 DL (Webb, Thomas, and Walker) We have much better chances with Mckinnley & Jay Hardy FWIW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeek 16,525 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 37 minutes ago, ellitor said: @Zeek Where did you get this great info on EEs? I haven't found much of anything. Most likely scenario. Specifically a juco at DT for depth. We have much better chances with Mckinnley & Jay Hardy FWIW. Hey E! If you look in the above article next to committed players names he put (early enrollee) next to their names! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellitor 33,039 Posted October 19, 2019 Author Share Posted October 19, 2019 4 hours ago, Zeek said: Hey E! If you look in the above article next to committed players names he put (early enrollee) next to their names! Thanks! Most of the free articles info I already know so I don't read them much. Just post for everyone else. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnphan 6,050 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Hate how things can change so quickly, time to go back to work T-Will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellitor 33,039 Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 11 hours ago, auburnphan said: Hate how things can change so quickly, time to go back to work T-Will. He's never stopped. He helps with other positions too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnphan 6,050 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 8 minutes ago, ellitor said: He's never stopped. He helps with other positions too. No way! Lol. It is a figure of speech. Quite aware that recruiting is 24/7 365 as they say. I even knew that they are assigned recruiting areas! You are the best E! I got a strong reason to believe that T-Will has a waiting list per se on this class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellitor 33,039 Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 2 minutes ago, auburnphan said: No way! Lol. It is a figure of speech. Quite aware that recruiting is 24/7 365 as they say. I even knew that they are assigned recruiting areas! You are the best E! I got a strong reason to believe that T-Will has a waiting list per se on this class. My bad for Sheldon-ing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey 16,466 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 22 hours ago, auburnphan said: No way! Lol. It is a figure of speech. Quite aware that recruiting is 24/7 365 as they say. I even knew that they are assigned recruiting areas! You are the best E! I got a strong reason to believe that T-Will has a waiting list per se on this class. There' a list. The problem is, the list has gone from 5* down to 4* and is heading towards to Diamond in the Rough. If Tisdol's grades are indeed in question then we've already taken one more hit at LB than we could reasonably afford to take and we're at the Diamond in the Rough stage. Having three of the nation's top LB prospects de commit in one recruiting cycle isn't so easily shaken off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auburnphan 6,050 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Mikey said: There' a list. The problem is, the list has gone from 5* down to 4* and is heading towards to Diamond in the Rough. If Tisdol's grades are indeed in question then we've already taken one more hit at LB than we could reasonably afford to take and we're at the Diamond in the Rough stage. Having three of the nation's top LB prospects de commit in one recruiting cycle isn't so easily shaken off. I mean that is how a list genuinely works. However, this list still has the potential to flip anyone on it. Also as has been previously stated one of them was recruited as a buck end and not a linebacker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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