2022 Recruits to Watch

[Zeek 16,578]

I know the main recruiting thread is a little bogged down right now so here is an update on the players I have recently seen mentioned or discussed in terms of interest/Auburn pursuing. While I don't know every single player we are targeting it has become clear the following are priorities at least to some extent.

• 4* IOL Antavious Woody - committed to FSU
• 4* OT Malik Agbo - from Washington will be officially visiting
• 3* OT Eston Harris Jr. - released a top 2 of Florida and Auburn... I don't think Florida is in it all that much
• 3* C Drew Bobo - can play all 5 positions down to UGA/AU with AU having the crystal ball edge
• NR CB Keionte Scott - JUCO player from Snow College out in California
• 4* WR Darrius Clemons - dragging it out more than I expected but I still very comfortable here
• 4* WR Antonio Williams - SCar and Ole Miss are also factors
• JUCO S - Juwon Gaston
• JUCO OT - Tyrone Webber - moved his commitment date back which is good for us but we need to get him on campus
• 4* CB - Austin Ausberry - LSU legacy but is OV'ing Auburn and our staff feels he's more open than others think
• 4* OT - Riley Quick - Bama Baseball commit
• 4* DL - Zane Durant - Penn State commit
• 3* WR Kaleb Webb - ECU commit
• 4* LB Robert Woodyard - Bama commit

Edited September 22, 2021 by Zeek
Added Drew Bobo

[Mikey 16,540]

29 minutes ago, Zeek said:

I know the main recruiting thread is a little bogged down right now so here is an update on the players I have recently seen mentioned or discussed in terms of interest/Auburn pursuing. While I don't know every single player we are targeting it has become clear the following are priorities at least to some extent.

• 4* IOL Antavious Woody - committed to FSU
• 4* OT Malik Agbo - from Washington will be officially visiting
• 3* OT Eston Harris Jr. - released a top 2 of Florida and Auburn... I don't think Florida is in it all that much
• NR CB Keionte Scott - JUCO player from Snow College out in California
• 4* WR Darrius Clemons - dragging it out more than I expected but I still very comfortable here
• 4* WR Antonio Williams - SCar and Ole Miss are also factors
• JUCO S - Juwon Gaston
• JUCO OT - Tyrone Webber - moved his commitment date back which is good for us but we need to get him on campus
• 4* CB - Austin Ausberry - LSU legacy but is OV'ing Auburn and our staff feels he's more open than others think
• 4* OT - Riley Quick - Bama Baseball commit
• 4* DL - Zane Durant - Penn State commit
• 3* WR Kaleb Webb - ECU commit
• 4* LB Robert Woodyard - Bama commit

Good information, thanks. There are a lot of flips on that list. While flips happen, it's not normally a high percentage deal. I think we're all pinning our recruiting hopes on this team winning some big games. If that doesn't happen we could be in trouble.

[Paladin 3,305]

1 hour ago, Zeek said:

I know the main recruiting thread is a little bogged down right now so here is an update on the players I have recently seen mentioned or discussed in terms of interest/Auburn pursuing. While I don't know every single player we are targeting it has become clear the following are priorities at least to some extent.

• 4* IOL Antavious Woody - committed to FSU
• 4* OT Malik Agbo - from Washington will be officially visiting
• 3* OT Eston Harris Jr. - released a top 2 of Florida and Auburn... I don't think Florida is in it all that much
• NR CB Keionte Scott - JUCO player from Snow College out in California
• 4* WR Darrius Clemons - dragging it out more than I expected but I still very comfortable here
• 4* WR Antonio Williams - SCar and Ole Miss are also factors
• JUCO S - Juwon Gaston
• JUCO OT - Tyrone Webber - moved his commitment date back which is good for us but we need to get him on campus
• 4* CB - Austin Ausberry - LSU legacy but is OV'ing Auburn and our staff feels he's more open than others think
• 4* OT - Riley Quick - Bama Baseball commit
• 4* DL - Zane Durant - Penn State commit
• 3* WR Kaleb Webb - ECU commit
• 4* LB Robert Woodyard - Bama commit

Is Drew Bobo not a priority? I have read he can play multiple positions on the o-line.

[Zeek 16,578]

8 minutes ago, Paladin said:

Is Drew Bobo not a priority? I have read he can play multiple positions on the o-line.

Doh. Forgot one.

[au302 2,669]

If we can get 3-4 out of Woody, Harris, Bobo, Weber, and Agbo that would be a good start for OL. The only concern I'd have is if any of them could start immediately. Maybe also grab a transfer OT or two that potentially could

[Zeek 16,578]

6 hours ago, au302 said:

If we can get 3-4 out of Woody, Harris, Bobo, Weber, and Agbo that would be a good start for OL. The only concern I'd have is if any of them could start immediately. Maybe also grab a transfer OT or two that potentially could

Harris and Bobo sound good. The others idk we're likely behind.

[tigerman1186 537]

We need some defensive lineman to go with our current group...

[AUwent 3,747]

21 hours ago, Mikey said:

Good information, thanks. There are a lot of flips on that list. While flips happen, it's not normally a high percentage deal. I think we're all pinning our recruiting hopes on this team winning some big games. If that doesn't happen we could be in trouble.

Exactly. Putting a “tough, competitive” product on the field needs to be enough. Right now I’m thinking we go 5-7 this year and next so we can’t be depending on wins before 2023. I would love to be proven wrong! But that’s the thing—I need proof.

Edited September 23, 2021 by AUwent

[Mikey 16,540]

1 hour ago, AUwent said:

Exactly. Putting a “tough, competitive” product on the field needs to be enough. Right now I’m thinking we go 5-7 this year and next so we can’t be depending on wins before 2023. I would love to be proven wrong! But that’s the thing—I need proof.

I'm expecting this year's team to be better than last year. Last season, with all games being SEC games, we were 6-4. This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Any improvement at all puts us at 9-3. Worse than 9-3 is a step backwards. Let's hope we don't go backwards.....That pass defense though......

[AUwent 3,747]

6 minutes ago, Mikey said:

I'm expecting this year's team to be better than last year. Last season, with all games being SEC games, we were 6-4. This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Any improvement at all puts us at 9-3. Worse than 9-3 is a step backwards. Let's hope we don't go backwards.....That pass defense though......

At 9-3 I’ll be ecstatic.

[tinman 305]

20 minutes ago, Mikey said:

I'm expecting this year's team to be better than last year. Last season, with all games being SEC games, we were 6-4. This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Any improvement at all puts us at 9-3. Worse than 9-3 is a step backwards. Let's hope we don't go backwards.....That pass defense though......

Ya think Lane Kiffin is licking his chops after last week's performance?  Probably thinks they can throw for 600 yards.

[Mikey 16,540]

2 minutes ago, tinman said:

Ya think Lane Kiffin is licking his chops after last week's performance?  Probably thinks they can throw for 600 yards.

That's possible, even probable. However, my pre-season prediction did not include losing to teams we beat last year. If we take a step backwards in the won/loss department I'll be disappointed.

[Zeek 16,578]

12 hours ago, tigerman1186 said:

We need some defensive lineman to go with our current group...

Staff is working on a few but they just backed off Quentel Jones and it feels like Khurtiss Perry is playing games.

[AUwent 3,747]

How high would Clemons, Bobo and Harris get us in the rankings?

[steeleagle 2,945]

8 hours ago, Mikey said:

I'm expecting this year's team to be better than last year. Last season, with all games being SEC games, we were 6-4. This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Any improvement at all puts us at 9-3. Worse than 9-3 is a step backwards. Let's hope we don't go backwards.....That pass defense though......

Well, if 6-5 was last year, how can anything less than 9-3 a step backwards?

If we go 7-5, it is a 1/2 step forward, 8-4, is  1 or may 2 steps step forward....

[Hank2020 3,190]

8 hours ago, Mikey said:

I'm expecting this year's team to be better than last year. Last season, with all games being SEC games, we were 6-4. This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Any improvement at all puts us at 9-3. Worse than 9-3 is a step backwards. Let's hope we don't go backwards.....That pass defense though......

If we don’t win 9 games it may be backwards from a result standpoint, not at all backward in the program though.

[au302 2,669]

9 hours ago, Mikey said:

I'm expecting this year's team to be better than last year. Last season, with all games being SEC games, we were 6-4. This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Any improvement at all puts us at 9-3. Worse than 9-3 is a step backwards. Let's hope we don't go backwards.....That pass defense though......

Makes zero sense. 6-5 with a loss to SCAR and you're arguing if we go 8-4 it's a step backwards? I know you're a huge fan, and we should all have high standards, but seems to me like that's setting up Harsin for failure right out the gates. Especially considering that we are severely lacking at several positions, most notably receiver and pass rushers. O-line too but they were fine the other night. I say let's hold Harsin accountable while giving him a fair shake. Like he said, we can have it right or we can have it now. We have had several coaches start off hot only to crash and burn miserably. Maybe building a strong foundation won't be such an awful thing

[AUwent 3,747]

1 hour ago, au302 said:

Makes zero sense. 6-5 with a loss to SCAR and you're arguing if we go 8-4 it's a step backwards? I know you're a huge fan, and we should all have high standards, but seems to me like that's setting up Harsin for failure right out the gates. Especially considering that we are severely lacking at several positions, most notably receiver and pass rushers. O-line too but they were fine the other night. I say let's hold Harsin accountable while giving him a fair shake. Like he said, we can have it right or we can have it now. We have had several coaches start off hot only to crash and burn miserably. Maybe building a strong foundation won't be such an awful thing

I am not as optimistic as him but last year would've been an 8-5 season with the cupcake games we missed (assuming the loss to USCe gets replaced with a loss to UNC).

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by AUwent

[Mikey 16,540]

5 hours ago, steeleagle said:

Well, if 6-5 was last year, how can anything less than 9-3 a step backwards?

If we go 7-5, it is a 1/2 step forward, 8-4, is  1 or may 2 steps step forward....

 

4 hours ago, au302 said:

Makes zero sense. 6-5 with a loss to SCAR and you're arguing if we go 8-4 it's a step backwards?

Bowl games cannot be included in predictions, simply because the opponent, if any, is unknown ahead of the season.

Last season, with 10 big games AU was 6-4, 60% winning percentage.

This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Anything less than six wins in the big games is a step backward. (Yes, 5-4 is a step backwards from 6-4) So to not step backwards, AU needs to be 6-3 in the big games this season. Throw in the three gimmes and we are at 9-3. Anything less than 9-3 is a step backwards.

[au302 2,669]

24 minutes ago, Mikey said:

 

Bowl games cannot be included in predictions, simply because the opponent, if any, is unknown ahead of the season.

Last season, with 10 big games AU was 6-4, 60% winning percentage.

This season has three gimme games and nine big games. Anything less than six wins in the big games is a step backward. (Yes, 5-4 is a step backwards from 6-4) So to not step backwards, AU needs to be 6-3 in the big games this season. Throw in the three gimmes and we are at 9-3. Anything less than 9-3 is a step backwards.

So if we do take a step backwards, are you going to be calling for a coaching change? As history shows, the last time we converted from Gus's system to a pro style system, it led to probably the worst AU season in history, resulting in the firing of a coach two years removed from a title. Thus, I find it almost impossible to expect a first year head coach who also has opposite philosophies to seamlessly hit the ground running with personnel that is not a fit for his system. I am not blindly defending him. I just think that if we are being realistic, he needs a few years to build the foundation. If come year 3 and we are still failing, I will gladly call for the u-haul as loudly as the next guy. Until then, I will continue to monitor how the players look fundamentally, mentally, and physically while expecting us to slowly improve and win some football games. However, like any transition, I also expect that we'll have some set backs and probably lose a few

[bigbird 60,359]

11 hours ago, au302 said:

seems to me like that's setting up Harsin for failure right out the gates.

That's the point

[Gowebb11 9,298]

Steps backwards: from a Natty to 3-9 two years later, and from a 12-2 start to perennial 4 and 5 loss seasons. I would rather Harsin start off doing less, while building a winning culture of sustained success. I believe that is what he’s doing. We have to think big picture and long term this time. 

[augolf1716 21,091]

38 minutes ago, bigbird said:

That's the point

Exactly...... 

[gr82be 14,401]

21 hours ago, tinman said:

Ya think Lane Kiffin is licking his chops after last week's performance?  Probably thinks they can throw for 600 yards.

 

21 hours ago, Mikey said:

That's possible, even probable. However, my pre-season prediction did not include losing to teams we beat last year. If we take a step backwards in the won/loss department I'll be disappointed.

I don't get your logic Mikey. Ole Miss already has a year under their belt with Kiffin and yet they aren't supposed to improve, but Auburn is with a first year coach? That makes zero sense. Basically Harsin sat down at the table after Gus told the dealer he was good and now Harsin has to play the cards he was dealt. Between reading what we've read and seeing what we've seen of Harsin up to this point, I think it's safe to say that Harsin has higher expectations than a solid season for Auburn in the future. If going 7-5 or 8-4 this year is a step back for you then I don't think you're being realistic. If Gus was still here I think we can safely say that 9-3 would have been a lofty goal for us this season so why set that as a floor for Harsin? 

 

[Mikey 16,540]

58 minutes ago, gr82be said:

 

I don't get your logic Mikey. Ole Miss already has a year under their belt with Kiffin and yet they aren't supposed to improve, but Auburn is with a first year coach? That makes zero sense. Basically Harsin sat down at the table after Gus told the dealer he was good and now Harsin has to play the cards he was dealt. Between reading what we've read and seeing what we've seen of Harsin up to this point, I think it's safe to say that Harsin has higher expectations than a solid season for Auburn in the future. If going 7-5 or 8-4 this year is a step back for you then I don't think you're being realistic. If Gus was still here I think we can safely say that 9-3 would have been a lofty goal for us this season so why set that as a floor for Harsin? 

 

Take the 7-5 or 8-4. Now subtract the three gimme games that we didn't play last year. That gives us 4-5 or 5-5. Yes, that's a step backwards from last year.

I understand that there was a coaching change. I also understand that a lot of the pieces for success are in place. With the exception of WR, Harsin inherited a veteran team. The dissension in the coaching ranks that we had last year should be gone and that counts for something. I didn't expect miracles but I did hope for/expect some modest improvement and at the very least not do worse.

I would have hoped for/expected 9-3 or better from the previous staff, for the same reasons. Throw out the gimme games and the resulting 6-3 is only marginally better than last year's 6-4.