Auburn football’s recruiting footprint traditionally has included the states of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. And, why not? After all, those states have been very good to the Tigers.

But during the winter, Auburn Undercover heard from multiple sources the Tigers planned to go heavy in Texas. In the 2021 recruiting cycle and beyond. Thus far, that's certainly been the case.

For the 2021 class, 25 prospects in Texas claim Auburn offers. That already is the second highest total during Auburn coach Gus Malzahn’s tenure and it’s only Feb. 24. Digging deeper, that number represents 14.8 percent of all 2021 known Auburn offers — by far the highest percentage since the 2014 class — Malzahn’s first full cycle at Auburn.

It makes sense for the Tigers to prioritize Texas and here are a few reasons why …

-Deep talent pool: In 2020, there were 55 247Sports Composite 4-stars or greater from Texas expected to sign with Power 5 schools as of Feb. 12. The number of players ranked within the 247Sports Composite Top 150: 25. In sum, there is quality — and quantity — in Texas.

-Need at key positions: Two spots Texas produces a lot of talent are quarterback and offensive line. For 2021, the Tigers have huge needs at quarterback and offensive tackle — two of the most important positions on the field. College programs are more likely to leave their usual recruiting footprint for the positions with the most importance. With those spots, you go where you need to. A few years ago, we saw Auburn go into Texas to land transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham. In the 2020 class, the Tigers took two junior college tackles in California.

-Texas ties: New offensive coordinator Chad Morris has deep ties to this sate. Not only was he head coach at Arkansas, which recruits Texas heavily, but before that he was at SMU. And don’t forget, before Morris got to the college game, he cut his teeth as a legendary high school coach in Texas. Having connections to the high school coaches in that state is significant. Malzahn, being an Arkansas native and one-time high school coaching great, also is well-respected there.

-No fence around Texas: From the 2020 class, 12 of the top 25 recruits in Texas will sign with out-of-state programs. That shows us this: 1. If you give those prospects a good reason to leave, many will consider it; 2. There’s so much talent in Texas, it can’t and never will all end up at Texas or Texas A&M.

During Malzahn’s time at Auburn, the Tigers signed more Texas products in the 2020 class (three) than they did in all of his other classes combined (two).

The first two Texans to land at Auburn under Malzahn— running back Kam Martin and Stidham — both signed with Baylor. Stidham played for the Bears in 2015 but left the program after coach Art Briles was fired. Martin signed with Baylor in 2017, but was released from his Letter of Intent after the Briles was dismissed.

For 2020, secondary coach Wesley McGriff was the lead recruiter for 4-star safety signee Chris Thompson Jr. Meanwhile, former cornerbacks coach Marcus Woodson helped Auburn land 4-star corner Marco Domio.

Late in the cycle, we started to see Morris’ influence in Texas. While assistant Larry Porter already had a strong relationship with 4-star tight end Brandon Frazier, a former Arkansas commit, it was Morris’ close ties to him and his track record of throwing to the tight end that helped bring that one home.

Another new addition to the Auburn staff also has ties to Texas. That’s senior offensive analyst Will Bryant. The Dallas native, who played at Texas Tech, joined SMU as a volunteer assistant in 2015 when Morris was Mustangs coach and was promoted to graduate assistant. He was hired as an analyst at Arkansas in 2018.

"I love Coach Bryant and his personality and how he is always so hyped about everything and I can’t wait to be around him every day," Frazier told Auburn Undercover.

Here’s a closer look at the numbers …

AUBURN OFFERS IN TEXAS

2021: 25 (third most among all states); 14.8% of Auburn’s total offers

2020: 27 (third most); 10.2% of Auburn offers

2019: 16 (fifth most); 6.8% of Auburn offers

2018: 20 (fourth most); 9.3% of Auburn offers

2017: 25 (fourth most); 10.5% of Auburn offers

2016: 16 (third most); 7.9% of Auburn offers

2015: 13 (third most); 6.9% of Auburn offers

2014: 7 (sixth most); 4% of Auburn offers

2014: 7 (sixth most); 4% of Auburn offers

 

SIGNEES FROM TEXAS

2020: 3

2019: 0

2018: 0

2017: 1

2016: 1

2015: 0

2014: 0

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Five-star offensive tackle Tommy Brockermeyer, the No. 1 recruit in Texas for 2021, will officially visit Auburn on June 2. 

You can find a list of the top 2021 recruits in Texas HERE.