Who could be next to commit?

[ellitor 33,091]

 

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Who could be next to commit?

By Keith Niebuhr 18 hours ago

Who might be next?

Today, we address that question.

Here's a quick look at who potentially could be next to commit in the 2021 class. ...

-3-star cornerback Kamari Lassiter of Tuscaloosa (Ala.) American Christian: This recruitment looks like it might come down to Auburn and Georgia. A few weeks ago, we heard the Dawgs may lead. But in the past week, there has been more chatter about Auburn -- which is why we put him in our mock class last Thursday. Lassiter originally is from the state of Georgia and that's a plus for the Bulldogs. Also, they have a huge need at corner, But so does Auburn. And, Lassiter has felt at home -- and wanted by the Tigers -- during his trips to Auburn. Georgia Tech is another program to watch but probably is running third. Clemson also recently offered. Lassiter told 247Sports over the weekend a decision should be revealed on or around Aug. 21. His strong relationship with the Auburn staff gives the Tigers a great chance.

-3-stat cornerback Kamal Hadden of Independence (Kan.) Community College: The 6-feet-2, 185-pound Hadden communicates often with Auburn, namely secondary Coach Wesley McGriff. Hadden is the No. 5 junior college cornerback in the country for 247Sports. He had one interception and 21 tackles in 2019. Kentucky, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas Tech and West Virginia are some of the other programs involved. Hadden expects to reveal a list of top schools sometime in the near future and then will have his commitment “right after that.” The Tigers are recruiting him fairly and it's possible he could end up in the class.

-4-star tight end Michael Trigg of Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day: Yes, Auburn already has a tight end committed, but no, it might not be done. A few months ago, we reported the Tigers were interested in adding a second tight end -- if it was someone they thought was elite, dynamic or well, both. Trigg fits into the "take" category because he has a great frame (he's 6-feet-4, 230 pounds), can run and catch the ball and is extremely athletic (he's also a basketball player). And, he really likes Auburn a lot. When asked earlier this summer how often he talks to the Tigers, Trigg replied, "Almost every day or every other day. Coach (Larry) Porter or Coach (Gus) Malzahn. Coach Porter is always telling me to keep working hard. He said he doesn’t want me to rush things. I talk to Coach Malzahn once or twice a week. Usually Face Time. He’s a good person. He’s always asking what I’m doing, what I did today. He is always telling me ways to get better. Always giving me good advice.”

Auburn also has offered Trigg in basketball. LSU, South Carolina and Southern California are a few other schools to watch. Trigg doesn't seem to be in a rush to pick a college, but he has at times been unpredictable so it could possibly happen out of the blue. Auburn is very much in the mix. We're told the staff thinks it has a legitimate chance.

247Sports evaluation: Tight end projection that is more of a big wide receiver in terms of body type and usage in high school. Underdeveloped frame that has a capacity for transformation. Extremely productive pass catcher against shoddy competition. Natural hands catcher. Good body control and ball skills. Easy athlete that can be dangerous after the catch and has played quarterback in a run-heavy role. Isn’t asked to play in-line but has shown some willingness to block in H-back roles and is active on defense. High end basketball player. Evaluation changes if he’s a wide receiver because separation speed isn’t obvious. Very much a hybrid type that may not fit every offense. We view as a future tight end with significant upside in the right system and with development will be a Power Five impact starter and a mid round NFL Draft pick.

-4-star defensive end/buck Jeremiah Williams, Birmingham (Ala.) Ramsay: Williams was expected to announce his commitment in either late July or early August. But now he apparently will delay things and possibly could drag this out for awhile. That said, we wouldn't entirely rule out a summer decision. Right now, this is an Auburn-Florida battle that really could go either way. We continue to hear many in his family would prefer he stay in-state. Could that ultimately be the difference? Perhaps, but the Gators are right there. Of Auburn, he recently told 247Sports, "I have a great relationship with Coach Gus Malzahn. I can call him any time about life. And I’m cool with his players. And I grew up an Auburn fan.” Auburn has worked extremely hard the past few weeks to stop any momentum the Gators had. It seems to have worked. The Tigers appear to feel better about things now than they did a couple weeks ago, but this recruitment isn't over. There is cautious optimism more so than confidence.

247Sports evaluation: Light edge rusher that needs to add mass at the next level. Has the versatility to line up with a hand down, in a stand up role on the edge or as an off-the-ball linebacker. Extremely patient and instinctive player. Trusts his athleticism. Runs well in space and will strike and accelerate through contact. Comfortable and aware in pass drops. Plays with great timing as a second level pass rusher. Nimble and intuitive in tight areas. Has the want-to and athleticism to fight through blocks to turn the corner as a pass rusher. Great closing speed to the football. There is some frame and body type uncertainty as a line-of-scrimmage defender. Impact Power Five starter that has the ability to be an early round NFL Draft pick.

-5-star cornerback Ga'Quincy McKinstry of Pinson Valley (Ala.): While McKinstry has no set commitment date, there is some chatter it could happen in the near future. He may be tiring of the recruiting process.. With Auburn's great need in the secondary, McKinstry is a big priority. The competition to land him is really stiff. Who is Auburn's biggest threat? That depends on whom you talk to. Some think Alabama. Some think LSU. To us, the first rule to live by with an in-state 5-star is this: Never count out the Tide. McKinstry has a great relationship with the entire Auburn defensive staff, namely Tigers coach Gus Malzahn and secondary coach Wesley McGriff. Also, he remains very close with his former high school teammate, Auburn quarterback Bo Nix. The Tigers want to give him a shot on offense, too -- and that's appealing Feeling comfortable at a school is a big deal to McKinstry and he said recently at Auburn "I feel like they’re all about family. Everything is family oriented." All three schools -- Auburn, Alabama and LSU -- also want him to play hoops. That's where Tigers basketball coach Bruce Pearl potentially could be the X-Factor. Pearl is heavily involved.

247Sports evaluation: Possesses a lean build with good length and stature for a cornerback. Tested as a good athlete prior to his junior season and should continue making progress on that front as he spends more time in the weight room over the next few years. In addition to the football field, shows his athleticism as an above-the-rim basketball player and one of the better hoopers in Alabama. Is an outstanding and productive two-way player on the gridiron, starring as a receiver and corner for Pinson Valley. Has elite ball skills as a corner and would also be a top prospect as a receiver if he wanted. Shows the ability to consistently pluck the ball at his highest point and win in contested situations on both sides of the ball. In addition to high-pointing and out-jumping the competition, also shows the ability to locate and track the ball downfield. Makes difficult plays at a high rate and finds multiple ways to effect the game. Instinctive in coverage and shows the ability to read the quarterback's eyes and break on the ball. Impresses with his competitive nature. Will need to continue honing his coverage technique as a cornerback, which should come once he focuses on the sport and position full time. Projcts as an impact multi-year starter at the Power 5 level with the upside of developing into an early round draft pick.

-5-star linebacker Smael Mondon, Dallas (Ga.) Paulding County: At one time, this looked like a three-horse face between Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee. But it appears as though the Vols have fallen off some and now Mondon is focused on the Tigers and Dawgs -- we believe. While it could go either way, Auburn, led by the efforts of linebackers coach Travis Williams, has to feel like it's in a fairly decent spot. The Crystal Ball loves Georgia, Auburn could surprise people. It's very possible. It's likely Mondon is the Tigers' top linebacker target. He's an absolute no-brainer take. That he has connected so well with Williams and the rest of the Auburn staff on a personal level gives the Tigers a fighting chance. Some close to his recruitment can see him picking Auburn in the end. As for a decision timeframe, Mondon has nothing set at the moment.

247Sports evaluation: Possesses outstanding length for a linebacker. Has some muscle mass without bad weight. Should fill out significantly once he gets in a college strength and conditioning program. Shows his athletic ability playing all over the field for his high school team as a ball carrier on offense and linebacker on defense. Has the speed to outrun defenses for long scores. Has a long stride in the open field and runs very well. Capable of making game-changing plays in all three phases. Athleticism transfers over to defense where he shows high level range in playing sideline-to-sideline and running down plays in pursuit. Looks to be a natural mover in space and makes some plays while dropping into coverage. Will need to continue progressing as a read and react run defender. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power 5 level with the upside of developing into an early round NFL Draft selection.

-4-star cornerback Nyland Green, Covington (Ga.) Newton: When might this coveted recruit make a commit decision? ”Probably like midseason sometime will be best for me,” Green said in June. Right now, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee are three teams to watch. But there is some chatter about LSU -- and Clemson, the one-time favorite, is working hard to get back in it. Auburn has worked this recruitment well, but with Georgia having missed on two big corner targets, the Dawgs now are pushing really hard. For Auburn, much of the staff is involved, notably Malzahn, McGriff and Porter. Auburn's big need at corner and Green's relationships with the coaches are factors here. The Tigers have a shot, but our confidence level in Auburn isn't as high as it was a month ago.

247Sports evaluation: Has excellent stature and length for the position. Owns a lean build with room to fill out. Long-limbed with large hands. Is a bouncy athlete capable of making some above the rim dunks on the basketball court. Productive on both sides of the ball, playing receiver and corner. Shows high-level ball skills with the ability to track and high-point in contested situations. Can pluck the ball off the ground and come down with diving catches. Also works as a safety some for his high school team, showing range playing in cover two. Physical at the line of scrimmage and can use his length to disrupt wide receivers' releases. Shows fluidity in man coverage and can flip his hips and stay attached downfield. Will need to continue honing his cover technique and getting stronger but shows a promising skill set as a big outside cover corner. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power Five level with the upside of developing into an early round NFL Draft pick.

-3-star receiver Hal Presley, Arlington (Texas) Mansfield Summit: Another non-slam dunk, but a player we're tracking. The speedy 3-star receiver committed to the Baylor Bears on May 16 -- just nine days after Auburn offered. But the Tigers never went away and have really given Presley something about which to think in recent weeks. There are some who think the Tigers have a legitimate shot here. If he were to de-commit from Baylor, look out for Auburn, which is gaining some real traction in Texas. In a recent interview, Presley told us he's also hearing a lot from Southern California. Last season, he caught 45 passes for 874 yards and eight touchdowns. The year before, he averaged 17 yards per catch.

-4-star safety Ahmari Harvey of Tallahassee (Fla.) FSU: For awhile, the talk was as though Harvey was just about a lock to the home-town 'Noles, but he told us in July that Auburn was recruiting him harder than anyone. The Crystal Ball had been a 50-50 split between Florida and Florida State, but with Auburn surging in this recruitment the Tigers got their first pick last week. We think it'll come down to Auburn and FSU -- and there now is some chatter Harvey may want to leave home. Harvey is a 5-feet-10.5, 171-pound defender who could play safety or corner. That versatility is huge. Tigers assistant Al Pogue is his area recruiter and is said to be working this one very hard. Auburn is trending in the right direction.

247Sports evaluation:: Not the biggest defensive back. Should be able to pack on muscle once in college. A natural playmaker with great ball skills. Uses superb leaping ability to his advantage. Not afraid to lower his head and strike a ball carrier in run support. Can work the slot and play man courage, but looks more relaxed when lined up over the top. Will need to get faster at the next level as he will no longer be the best athlete on the field. Likely a multi-year starter for a Power 5 program with the upside there to develop into an NFL Draft pick.

 

 

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Hope our next commit or commits will be Johnson, Johnson Jr, Trigg or Green.

[ArgoEagle 1,775]

1 hour ago, auburn4ever said:

Hope our next commit or commits will be Johnson, Johnson Jr, Trigg or Green.

@auburn4ever Trigg not happening. We've already moved him to Rivals.

[AuburnTiger4Life 2,225]

1 hour ago, auburn4ever said:

Hope our next commit or commits will be Johnson, Johnson Jr, Trigg or Green.

I think it’ll be Harvey or Lassiter. Can’t rule out kool aid or MJJ either. 

[ellitor 33,091]

5 minutes ago, AuburnTiger4Life said:

I think it’ll be Harvey or Lassiter. Can’t rule out kool aid or MJJ either. 

MJJ is planning to wait a while. Told 247 the other day he wants to see if there are formal visits.