AUC Recruiting Chat (8/17/20 Chat Added)

[McLoofus 35,182]

3 hours ago, ellitor said:

Recruiting is a constant game of chicken. If you offer Orr now and take him, you may not get one of the big fish the fans on this board desperately want. But if you wait on those guys, you could miss there -- and miss out on Orr.

People act like it's an obvious move to offer him now. The Auburn staff knows more than most of us -- not just in terms of a player's talent but what's going on behind the scenes. If they haven't offered, they probably have their reasons.

Love this. A lot of conversation back and forth about this very thing every cycle. 

It's only when you are way behind on a particular position group year after year that you have to question whether or not the staff has good reasons...

[AuburnNTexas 7,134]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

Love this. A lot of conversation back and forth about this very thing every cycle. 

It's only when you are way behind on a particular position group year after year that you have to question whether or not the staff has good reasons...

On the whole Auburn does a solid job of this with exception of O-Line. I know Mikey will jump in and bring up LB's but looking at what we have now I don't think that is valid anymore. Since we need 4-6 O-Line every year I have always felt we should lock in one solid OT every year that staff likes but who is not considered elite but staff believes can develop into an SEC tackle in 2-3 years while still going after the elites. That way worse case we get one kid Staff likes and can develop every year instead of having the drought we have seen at OT in the recpast. 

There is always a risk of slow playing a talented kid hoping for an elite kid. It is especially tough at OT where there are so few Elites and so many recruiting for those elites.

[Sizzle 3,909]

Hopefully we don’t slow play Orr too long. He’s a good looking tackle and he’s been playing football only for a couple years if I’m not mistaken 

[GwillMac6 20,664]

2 hours ago, AuburnNTexas said:

On the whole Auburn does a solid job of this with exception of O-Line. I know Mikey will jump in and bring up LB's but looking at what we have now I don't think that is valid anymore. Since we need 4-6 O-Line every year I have always felt we should lock in one solid OT every year that staff likes but who is not considered elite but staff believes can develop into an SEC tackle in 2-3 years while still going after the elites. That way worse case we get one kid Staff likes and can develop every year instead of having the drought we have seen at OT in the recpast. 

There is always a risk of slow playing a talented kid hoping for an elite kid. It is especially tough at OT where there are so few Elites and so many recruiting for those elites.

I swear if Mike trys to say we don't do a good job of recruiting and developing LBers still..... That is our best position group going in to next season!!! The combo of Steele and Muhhhhhh dude T WILL has completely re energized and flipped the narrative of what the prevailing opinion was during the chiz and early Malzahn years. We have recruited and developed really well there the past few years with the superstar tandem of Steele and T Will!!!! Woooooo!!!! LFG!!!! We haven't had this good of LB play as a unit since well when TWill was a player for tubs!! Haha.

[Mikey 16,566]

9 hours ago, AuburnNTexas said:

On the whole Auburn does a solid job of this with exception of O-Line. I know Mikey will jump in and bring up LB's but looking at what we have now I don't think that is valid anymore.

You are correct. After going roughly ten years without a 1st team all-SEC LB, Muschamp's one big LB class turned that around. You haven't heard me comment on LB's much recently, except to say we better keep bringing in enough talent to maintain.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

10 hours ago, Mikey said:

You are correct. After going roughly ten years without a 1st team all-SEC LB, Muschamp's one big LB class turned that around. You haven't heard me comment on LB's much recently, except to say we better keep bringing in enough talent to maintain.

Pappoe was all SEC freshman wasn’t he?

[Sizzle 3,909]

10 minutes ago, ClaytonAU said:

Pappoe was all SEC freshman wasn’t he?

No. Bama LB’s took up 2 spots on the freshman LB list

[ellitor 33,080]

51 minutes ago, ClaytonAU said:

Pappoe was all SEC freshman wasn’t he?

No & it's been in various articles that OP will play with a chip on his shoulders because of it.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

1 hour ago, ellitor said:

No & it's been in various articles that OP will play with a chip on his shoulders because of it.

Man maybe I should pay more attention 

[AuburnTiger4Life 2,225]

2 hours ago, Sizzle said:

No. Bama LB’s took up 2 spots on the freshman LB list

Our LBs >>>>> Bamas LBs in my biased opinion 

[Sizzle 3,909]

27 minutes ago, AuburnTiger4Life said:

Our LBs >>>>> Bamas LBs in my biased opinion 

I think the same too. But I can’t lie Dylan Moses is the real deal over there 

[ArgoEagle 1,771]

2 hours ago, ellitor said:

No & it's been in various articles that OP will play with a chip on his shoulders because of it.

Woohoo!!!!! I hope he's really angry; especially at Bama!!!!!

[AuburnTiger4Life 2,225]

26 minutes ago, Sizzle said:

I think the same too. But I can’t lie Dylan Moses is the real deal over there 

I’d still take KJ and Owen over him 

[AuburnTiger4Life 2,225]

While we’re on linebackers 

[McLoofus 35,182]

Yeah. Definitely the rare year where our total combination of talent and experience is better than theirs, but there was a time we couldn't have imagined that happening at all as long as Gus and saban were both coaching. How far we've come.

 

[Mikey 16,566]

13 hours ago, ClaytonAU said:

Pappoe was all SEC freshman wasn’t he?

Unless you are in an alternate universe, Pappoe and a couple of AU all-SEC linebackers came AFTER the class I referenced: "After going roughly ten years without a 1st team all-SEC LB, Muschamp's one big LB class turned that around."  That class was 2015 on this planet.

[ClaytonAU 4,606]

1 hour ago, Mikey said:

Unless you are in an alternate universe, Pappoe and a couple of AU all-SEC linebackers came AFTER the class I referenced: "After going roughly ten years without a 1st team all-SEC LB, Muschamp's one big LB class turned that around."  That class was 2015 on this planet.

Dude, I misinterpreted your post. There is no reason to be a complete jerk. Grow up.

[ellitor 33,080]

8 hours ago, ClaytonAU said:

There is no reason to be a complete jerk.

Clayton, just...

[Mikey 16,566]

22 hours ago, ClaytonAU said:

Dude, I misinterpreted your post. There is no reason to be a complete jerk. Grow up.

So, what about those times when you have been a complete jerk? I'm not any sort of biblical scholar, but "reap what you sow" comes to mind.

[Rednilla 5,383]

On 6/29/2020 at 2:10 PM, AuburnNTexas said:

Since we need 4-6 O-Line every year I have always felt we should lock in one solid OT every year that staff likes but who is not considered elite but staff believes can develop into an SEC tackle in 2-3 years while still going after the elites. That way worse case we get one kid Staff likes and can develop every year instead of having the drought we have seen at OT in the recpast. 

There is always a risk of slow playing a talented kid hoping for an elite kid. It is especially tough at OT where there are so few Elites and so many recruiting for those elites.

With three potential tackle prospects already in the class, including a four star in Caleb Johnson, I think we can afford to slow play Orr a little bit. I mean, to be completely honest, at this point, I would be more than satisfied if we took him and one more interior OL and called it a day, because that would give us at least three 4 stars at a place where we DESPERATELY need depth. But I understand the logic behind going after one elite prospect when we already have four solid ones locked up and not many more spots left.

[ellitor 33,080]

 

Quote

 

Auburn football recruiting chat recap 7/20/20

ByKeith Niebuhr Jul 20, 1:21 PM

Q: Who would you guess might be next to commit?

A: Maybe a punter for 2020. We're still waiting on that.

But I guess you mean 2021.

And well, I don"t know. Obviously, it sounds like 4-star defensive end/buck Jeremiah Williams of Birmingham (Ala.) Ramsay will have a decision soon. And much of the chatter is about Auburn and Florida. Williams grew up a Tigers fan, has visited Auburn multiple times and is very close with the staff -- namely head coach Gus Malzahn. But Florida has made it interesting and we know the Gators think they have a real shot here.

For now, though, I'm leaning Auburn here.

Maybe, just maybe another one to possibly watch is Baylor receiver commit Hal Presley of Texas.

I'm hearing the Tigers are working him extremely hard so I'm curious to see if he sticks with his Bears pledge. Should that dissolve, look out for Auburn.

So those seem like two to watch for sure. But as you know, things change daily.

As for the punter ... Jason and I both hear news could come sooner rather than later.

Q: Where do you think Kool-Aid (5-star defensive back Ga'Quincy McKinstry) projects best at, CB, WR or PG?

A: Safety.

My personal opinion -- and others I know unconnected to Auburn agree -- is that his skill set probably is best suited for safety. He's a very smooth, very athletic player. But is he fast enough to play corner at 5-feet-11.5? He might be. I would put nothing past this guy.

Nothing.

But I think with his size, his speed makes him more of a natural at safety. I think he'd be a great ball-hawking defender back there playing the field, playing things in front of him. I think he would just crush it back there.

But again, that's just my opinion. Couldn't tell you what the colleges think.

Q: Give me a big time OL that Auburn still has a better than good shot at.

A: They seem to really love this Diego Pounds kid out of Raleigh, N.C. Big young guy -- 6-feet-6, 305 pounds. Three-star ranking, but Auburn has given him a high grade from what I'm told. A very high grade. So when you say "big-time" do you want me to go by rankings, which Auburn could care less about, or by their own evals?

On rankings, the Tigers absolutely think they have a shot with 5-star Amarius Mims of Georgia.

On the flip side, It's hard to see Georgia getting beat on him after having lost another in-state offensive line target (Terrence Ferguson) to Alabama. You know the Dawgs are going to go all out on Mims. Still, he continues to communicate with Auburn and give off good vibes.

Another guy we've written about in the past is 4-star guard Dietrick Pennington of Tennessee. Auburn is very high on him, too. At one point, some thought the Vols could be tough to beat there. But he recently named a top five and didn't include them. He has some major players after him. For now, his recruitment seems to be fairly wide open.

Q: Out of Kool-aid, 4-star corner Nyland Green, and 5-star linebacker Smale Mondon who do you like our chances with the best, I understand it all is just a educated guess just wondering?

A: All three play it close to the vest, but I'll guess 4-star corner Nyland Green, followed closely by 5-star linebacker Smael Mondon and 5-star defensive back/receiver Ga'Quincy McKinstry third.

Q: For 2022, who would be your pick for the best suited QB for Auburn?

A: Five-star recruit Quinn Ewers of Texas is the best-suited quarterback for any team not running the triple option -- not just Auburn. He's an unreal prospect according to, well, everyone. Would have to think he's at the top of Auburn's wish list.

The Tigers also love Ty Simpson of Tennessee. If you can't land Ewers, I think Auburn would be plenty happy to get Simpson. Strong arm. Mobile. Coaches son. I keep hearing Auburn offensive coordinator Chad Morris loves his game.

After that, MJ Morris of Georgia and Tanner Bailey certainly are guys to watch. Both should be fine college quarterbacks.

The 2022 quarterback class is extremely strong. Lot of good ones out there.

Q: How do you see the OL going from this point? How many? Aside from an elite tackle, are we finished there?

A: 1. Yeah, hard to know. I Just mentioned some guys to watch. My best guess is Diego Pounds and Rod Orr (of Gadsden City, Ala.) might be the two most likely to join the class. Agains, that's my best GUESS. Auburn really wanted to do an in-person evaluation with Orr this spring or summer. That's the holdup there -- but an offer may come any way.

2. Best guess: six total.

3. I think Auburn wants one more tackle whether that person is "elite" or not. You can always cross-train him. A tackle now doesn't have to be a tackle in three years.

Q: Have you heard how the Zoom recruiting calls between players and coaches are structured? It sounds like they typically go over pretty well with the recruits?

A: I haven't asked.

If I had to guess, most schools probably are doing the same things.

The feedback from recruits I've talked to with regards to Auburn calls has been positive. It sounds like the Tigers are doing a good job explaining how they plan to use these recruits in their offensive/defensive schemes. That has been mentioned mutliple times.

Q: Keith -- do you have any feel for just how much the basketball angle is affecting McKinstry's decision? 25%, 10%, 1%, etc? He might get the least playing time with us but would probably be on the best team. Any other insights in that regard are welcomed as well. Appreciate all you do.

A: All three of his top schools are recruiting him in that sport -- so it's hard to know. And all three are recruiting relatively well in hoops.

Not much intel on that front.

I think the bigger factor as far as Auburn is concerned is that basically the entire football staff is now involved with the Tigers telling him he'd be an athlete -- and they want him used on both sides of the ball. We hear that has his attention. He is said to be intrigued by that possibility.

Q: Keith, who are our top 3 DT’s and top 3 DE/Buck targets?

A: The need may be for only one more tackle in the class.

Obviously, Marquis Robinson of Milton (Fla.) is one to watch. At last check, the Tigers were in a fairly good spot.

Marlin Dean of Georgia, who de-committed from the Bulldogs this weekend, could be re-targeted. I think Auburn kind of moved on after he committed, but that perhaps could change now.

At the buck, it's the same guys we've been talking about really -- Jeremiah Williams is really the top one. Then, you have Vols commit Dylan Brooks. I confirmed today that, yes, Auburn continues to heavily recruit him.

In Florida, the Tigers haven't given up on LSU commit Keanu Koht.

Then there's Jimmori Robinson of Monroe College (N.Y.). If Auburn pushes, they'll likely get him.

Q: Got 2 questions here.

1. I know it is very early but with Auburn in it for many top 100 prospects do you see Auburn landing a top 6-8 class. Again I know way too early to tell, I was just curious where you think they may finish.

2. How many of these players do you think Auburn has signed by February, Mondon, Kool-Aid, Green, Williams, Harvey, Brooks, and Trigg. I know these are very tough predictions and I am definitely not holding you to these just seeing how you feel as of today! Thanks.

A:

1. Really thibnk top 8 will be very hard to reach. Probably will need two 5-stars if I had to guess. Best guess: 12-14 finish.
Start landing some big guys again and maybe I'll adjust that. In fact, I probably would. But with only 10 commits and the very real possibility of there being no more visits this year, the Tigers have some work to do. Also, Auburn may sign only 22 or 23 guys.

But ... when you're Auburn, things tend to change in a hurry. We all know that. As of today, 12-14 is my guess. Next week, it may be entirely different.

2. I'll say three or four. Just a guess. There's a reason those guys aren't committed yet.

Q: Where are you leaning on these recruits? Nyland Green, Mondon, Kool-aid, Jeremiah Williams, Amarius Mims, Emmanuel Henderson?

A: Cornerback Nyland Green: Auburn or Clemson, with Georgia third ... but not out of it at all. Tennessee is a dark horse.

Linebacker Smael Mondon: I actually think Auburn has a real shot here.

Cornerback Ga'Quincy McKinstry: Best guess is this order: Alabama, Auburn and LSU. But I wouldn't rule out any of the three.

Defensive end Jeremiah Williams: Auburn or Florida. Slight edge Tigers.

Offensive tackle Amarius Mims: Georgia, then Auburn.

2022 running back Emmanuel Henderson: Auburn-Alabama battle. Maybe a slight Tigers edge right now but it will be a tight one.

Q: Which Auburn commit in your opinion is the most underrated?

A: Probably J'Marion Gooch. Massive offensive tackle with a really big upside. Sleeper of the class for sure.

 

 

[AuburnNTexas 7,134]

I like Gooch being the sleeper as OT is as all have stated is our biggest need. Which this class seems to be addressing. We really need a couple of the JC OT's to step up this year so all the incoming OT's have a chance to learn and improve for a year before being thrown into the fire.

[ellitor 33,080]

22 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:

We really need a couple of the JC OT's to step up this year so all the incoming OT's have a chance to learn and improve for a year before being thrown into the fire.

And/or Bro-Hamm & Austin Troxell.

[Rednilla 5,383]

51 minutes ago, ellitor said:

And/or Bro-Hamm & Austin Troxell.

Wasn't Hamm a guard at one point? I saw mention of him being in the battles for a tackle position, but I had him being an interior lineman in my head. He certainly has the size to play tackle, I just thought I remembered him being more suited to guard..

[ellitor 33,080]

20 minutes ago, Rednilla said:

Wasn't Hamm a guard at one point? I saw mention of him being in the battles for a tackle position, but I had him being an interior lineman in my head. He certainly has the size to play tackle, I just thought I remembered him being more suited to guard..

@Rednilla Was originally a Guard but talk all offseason has been he's likely the best OL on roster period & most are seeing him as a RT this season. I've posted this info a number of times in various threads the past few months.