ellitor 33,091 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Really good stuff here. Jason Caldwell evaluates each signee. Under each eval there is a signee spotlight article linked for each signee written by Keith. Quote Evaluating Auburn's 2020 early signing class By Jason Caldwell Dec 18, 6:25 AM It's National Signing Day in December as coach Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers are looking for a strong finish to the early signing period Wednesday. Auburn is expected to sign the bulk of the class Wednesday with a few players making decisions throughout the day, so stay tuned as we give evaluations on the signees as they officially join the Auburn signing class. Kilian Zierer—The number one ranked junior college offensive tackle in the country, the 6-7, 290 Zierer was a huge get for Auburn and despite a knee injury this season he’s still very much a possibility to be a starter for the Tigers in 2020. Enrolling in January, Zierer will have the chance to rehab at Auburn and learn the offense in the spring. With a great frame, Zierer has the ability to bend and get low in the run game. Combine that with quickness and good feet and you have a player that should be in the mix at left tackle for Auburn next season if he’s full speed by the time the Tigers open practice next August. Signee Spotlight Avery Jernigan—One of the more underrated prospects in the 2020 class, the 6-3, 290 Jernigan is a powerful blocker who finishes plays from sideline to sideline. A versatile offensive lineman, Jernigan could play guard, but may wind up being a center for the Tigers down the road. Reminiscent of former Auburn offensive lineman Reese Dismukes because of his mindset on the field, Jernigan is an early graduate and has a chance to play early for the Tigers if he has a strong spring. Signee Spotlight Tate Johnson—A player who has continued to improve with every rep he gets, the 6-4, 310 Johnson has a chance to become a valuable offensive lineman for Auburn because of his versatility. With the ability to play either guard or center, Johnson is a powerful run blocker who should be a good fit in Auburn’s system as he continues to get bigger, stronger and more explosive in the weight room. An early graduate, Johnson will benefit from going through spring practices and getting an early start on the Plains. Signee Spotlight Kobe Hudson—When you start a list of players who could have a chance to play early when they get to Auburn from this 2020 group, the 6-1, 192 Hudson is definitely one of those guys. Despite playing quarterback the last two seasons at Troup County, Hudson is a natural receiver and a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands. Very similar to former Auburn and NFL receiver Ben Obomanu in size and with his body control, Hudson could be deadly working the middle of the field for Auburn with threats like Seth Williams and Anthony Schwartz on the outside. Look for Hudson to play right away if he stays healthy. Signee Spotlight Elijah Canion—At 6-3, 190, Canion is the prototype for what teams are looking for in college football these days. With the speed to run by defensive backs, but also the ability to go up and get the ball in one-on-one situations, he should be a very good addition to Auburn’s wide receiver corps and someone who should give quarterback Bo Nix and first-year offensive coordinator Chad Morris another good option on the perimeter. While he needs to continue to get more physical, there is no denying Canion’s talent and that should put him on the field early in his career with the Tigers. Signee Spotlight Jeremiah Wright—The biggest player in Auburn’s signing class at 6-5, 340 pounds, the Selma High athlete is expected to get his first look at offensive tackle for the Tigers when he arrives on campus next summer. Raw but showing explosion and a powerful first punch, Wright has the type of athleticism that could see him slide inside to play guard if needed. A player who will likely need a redshirt year to work on the fundamentals needed to excel in this league, Wright is someone who could be a steal for the Tigers in this class because of his skill set and size. Signee Spotlight Wesley Steiner—Athletic and physical, the 6-0, 220 Steiner chose Auburn over Stanford and is a player the Tigers can build a defense around in the middle for years to come. Running a 4.51 second 40-yard dash at The Opening over the summer with a vertical leap of 40.2 inches, Steiner is a powerhouse who should be a great addition for Travis Williams at the linebacker spot. In this era of teams spreading the field and making players make plays in space, Steiner is a great fit for what teams are looking for at the linebacker position. Signee Spotlight Marco Domio—Losing Javaris Davis at the cornerback position in a league where Auburn almost exclusively plays with five defensive backs on the field, adding a player who could come in and help right away was a must for the Tigers in the 2020 class. That’s what the 6-2, 190 Domio brings to the table for Coach Kevin Steele’s defense. A physical player, Domio is aggressive and excels in man coverage. With the ability to get guys on the ground, the Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College standout should be in the mix for very early playing time in the Auburn secondary next season. Signee Spotlight Chayil Garnett—At 6-2, 210, Garnett has the look and skill set to be a good fit in Auburn’s offense and by enrolling early and going through spring practice it will give him the chance to get a leg up on learning the offense. Playing in an old school system that rarely put him in the shotgun or spread the field, Garnett didn’t put up big numbers as a senior for powerhouse Lakeland (Fla.) High, but the physical quarterback with a strong arm has a chance to be one of the steals of the class for Auburn if he can develop the touch and feel for the game needed to succeed in the SEC at the position. Signee Spotlight Daniel Foster-Allen—Still just 17 years old, the 6-4, 265 Foster-Allen had a big senior season for St. Paul’s in Mobile and is just the type of athletic big man that Rodney Garner looks for on his defensive line. A player who could wind up inside before his career is done as he continues to get bigger and stronger, Foster-Allen could play defensive end early as a collegian. With long arms and explosive off the edge, Foster-Allen is someone who could add some pass rushing punch for the Tigers down the road. Signee Spotlight Cam Riley—A standout since breaking onto the scene as a sophomore at Hillcrest-Evergreen High when he was the best player on the field in the 3A title game, the 6-3 1/2, 215 Riley has all the tools to become a dominant player for the Auburn defense down the road because of his versatility at the linebacker position. Capable of making plays in space and covering backs and tight ends in the passing game, Riley has a skill set that has the look of a young Karlos Dansby. If he can come close to the production that Dansby showed on the Plains then Riley will be one of the best players in this class. Signee Spotlight Chris Thompson Jr.—A longtime commitment to Auburn out of powerhouse Duncanville (Texas) High, the 6-2, 200 Thompson is a long, rangy safety who has the ability to make plays all over the field. Part of a team that is currently 15-0 and preparing to face Galena Park Shore (14-1) for the 6A title on Saturday, Thompson plays with and against some of the best high school players in the country. Because of his experience and the competition level, Thompson should be more prepared than the normal freshman to handle life in the SEC. With Auburn losing a pair of senior safeties, he could be an early option to mix into the playing rotation for the Tigers. Signee Spotlight Desmond Tisdol—A 6-0, 210 linebacker from the same school that produced Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall, Tisdol is a three-sport athlete that gives Travis Williams a huge haul at the linebacker position when you pair him up with Cameron Riley and Wesley Steiner. Capable of making plays all over the field, Tisdol is another athletic player that should work well in Kevin Steele's system because of his versatility. Capable of making plays at the line of scrimmage and also in coverage, Tisdol is a four-star playmaker that will have a chance to get on the field as a freshman for the Tigers. Signee Spotlight Jeremiah Pegues—A 6-3, 285 tight end and a top 200 prospect nationally, Pegues chose Auburn over Alabama and the hometown Ole Miss Rebels on signing day, giving Gus Malzahn and Coach Larry Porter a huge addition to the 2020 class. A true weapon with the ball in his hands because of his power and nimble feet, Pegues will remind you of a player from the 1980’s named Keith Byars. A running back at Ohio State, Byars played tight end and fullback in the NFL, but excelled as a receiver and was a load to tackle. Pegues could be a huge weapon for Auburn because of his receiving skills and also his knack for pancaking opponents in the run game. Signee Spotlight Ladarius Tennison—One of the most versatile members of the entire class, the 5-9, 193 Tennison could play on either side of the ball in college after a strong season as a running back at Rockledge (Fla.) High, but projects as a defensive player for the Tigers. Very similar to former Auburn and NFL player Robensen Therezie, Tennison is a sledgehammer in the run game, but has the athleticism to cover and play in space as well. Likely a nickel in Auburn’s system, Tennison will be hard to keep off the field because of his combination of physicality, athleticism and a nose for the football. Signee Spotlight Zykeivous Walker—Continuing a long line of talented defensive line signees for Auburn out of Georgia, the 6-4, 260 Walker is a powerful end who has the ability to rush the passer while also being physical enough to hold up against the run. Finishing the year with 85 tackles, 11 sacks and 29 tackles for a loss, Walker has long arms and uses his hands well at the point of attack. That’s something that gives him a chance to be another in a long line of true freshman contributors on the Auburn defensive line. A player that could get an early start to his career with bowl practices this week, Walker's addition is another very big one for the Tigers. Signee Spotlight Tank Bigsby—A dynamic player with the ball in his hands, the 6-0, 210 Bigsby can run through defenders like a tank, but he’s much more than a plodding runner. With the ability to make defenders miss in space and the speed to take it the distance, Bigsby is the home run hitter that the Auburn running game has been missing. Expected to have a chance to work into the playing rotation early in his career after enrolling in January and going through spring practice, Bigsby could be one of the most impactful players in the 2020 class by the time the dust settles. Signee Spotlight Ze'Vian Capers—At nearly 6-4 and 200 pounds, Capers is a player who will remind you of LSU’s group of receivers this season, long and athletic and capable of going up and getting the ball over smaller defensive backs. A big play waiting to happen, Capers caught 45 passes for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. With teams looking for players who can stretch the field on the outside and excel catching one-on-one balls, Capers is the prototype wide receiver for the way the game is played now and should have an opportunity to get on the field early. Signee Spotlight Brenden Coffey—At nearly 6-7 and checking in at 280 poundsCoffey is an athletic offensive tackle prospect who never gives up on a play. With the ability to get to the second level in the run game, Coffey has the look of a player who could line up on either side in Auburn’s offense and be a great fit with what Gus Malzahn wants to do on offense. With the Tigers looking to improve the running game heading into the 2020 season, Coffey is a player who could really help the physicality of the line if he can pick up the offense quickly enough when he arrives following the spring semester. Signee Spotlight JJ Evans—One of the most productive wide receivers in Alabama the last two years, the 6-2, 185 Evans is a physical player who can go up and get the ball in traffic and makes the tough catches look routine. As a senior he caught 38 passes for 617 yards and seven touchdowns and for his last two seasons he amassed 122 receptions for 2,300 yards and 25 touchdowns. A prospect who spent his entire summer prior to his senior season playing quarterback for the Bulldogs, Evans is a team player who should be a good fit in Auburn’s system as part of a strong wide receiver group in the 2020 class. Signee Spotlight Romello Height—A commitment to the Miami Hurricanes since July, Height was at Auburn for both the Georgia and Alabama games and was back on campus last weekend for an official visit. That was enough to sway the 6-5, 220 pass rusher from Dublin, Georgia to sign with Gus Malzahn’s program. Long and athletic with very good closing speed, Height will need to get bigger and stronger when he gets on the Plains. Already with good hands, Height’s ability to bend and turn the corner off the edge makes him a good fit at the buck linebacker spot in Kevin Steele’s defense. Signee Spotlight Eric Reed—One of the top defensive backs in the country, the 6-1, 197-pounder was once committed to the Ole Miss Rebels, but on signing day he chose the Auburn Tigers over Georgia to give Kevin Steele a huge safety duo in the 2020 class alongside Chris Thompson Jr. From Calvary Baptist in Shreveport, Louisiana, Reed is athletic enough and has the speed to line up at cornerback as well on the next level, but is probably a better fit for the nickel position if it’s not safety. With teams spreading the field and putting three and four wide receivers in formations, Reed’s versatility will be huge for Auburn’s defenses moving forward because of his ability to line up in coverage and also provide run support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbird 60,512 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Great write up. Thanks, E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auctoritas 2,828 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 My God, the next few years are going to be special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Quote Reminiscent of former Auburn offensive lineman Reese Dismukes because of his mindset on the field Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUMASTERS 555 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 Riley has a skill set that has the look of a young Karlos Dansby. If he can come close to the production that Dansby showed on the Plains then Riley will be one of the best players in this class. YES PLEASE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValleyTiger 2,894 Posted December 20, 2019 Share Posted December 20, 2019 I see a couple of dudes who are going to be hot takes in the 2020 AUF Man Crush sweepstakes..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDUBB4AU 5,112 Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 Tennison could be a Jabril Peppers type player Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auburn Kev 1,653 Posted December 21, 2019 Share Posted December 21, 2019 23 minutes ago, JDUBB4AU said: Tennison could be a Jabril Peppers type player I was thinking Bob Sanders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle-1 3,821 Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 I'll be real surprised if Steiner doesn't play early. Possible #2 MLB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerpro2a 5,650 Posted February 11, 2020 Share Posted February 11, 2020 20 hours ago, Eagle-1 said: I'll be real surprised if Steiner doesn't play early. Possible #2 MLB. Steiner is a freak and I think he will see PT if nothing else in Special teams this year....but there are a couple really really good guys in front of him regsrdless of which LB he plays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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