Big Time Recruiting: Visitors List Updates

[toddc 13,194]

Weekend in review: Notes and quotes from final summer official visits

8 hours ago

The summer official visit season wrapped up this weekend before entering a dead period, and Auburn hosted four official visitors to close things out. Two being 5-star in-state targets out of Montgomery. Now college football recruiting goes into a dead period until the last weekend of July when Auburn is set to hold Big Cat Weekend.

A quick note and quote on the official visitors from this past weekend:

Qua Russaw

*** 5-star edge, No. 27 overall in 247Sports Composite, No. 4 edge

*** Montgomery, Alabama

NOTE: Looking for immediate help at the edge position, Auburn has been a constant in Qua Russaw's recruitment and hosted him on plenty of visits. The latest was an official visit this weekend. He was in with teammate and fellow 5-star James Smith, with them saying they plan to be a package and attend the same college. Auburn's immediate need at edge, coaching staff and home feel has kept the Tigers in it against the likes of Alabama and Georgia, a big season could ultimately help them land the two 5-stars.

QUOTE: "It’s just something about the coaches. My granddad, he was a big Auburn fan, I’ve been an Auburn fan. Right down the street, it’s home."

FULL STORY

James Smith

*** 5-star DL, No. 13 overall in 247Sports Composite, No. 2 DL

*** Montgomery, Alabama

NOTE: Rated even higher in the 247Sports Composite than Russaw, Smith is the highest-rated player in the state and an elite defensive lineman. At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Smith is a true defensive tackle that can command and win double teams on the inside. After one year at IMG Academy he's gone back to Carver in Montgomery and will play alongside Russaw. Smith, like Russaw, has been to Auburn quite a few times and will be back again this fall.

QUOTE: “It’s just Auburn; it’s just a good environment."

FULL STORY

Phil Picciotti

*** 3-star LB, No. 446 in 247Sports Composite, No. 40 LB

*** Perkasie, Pennsylvania

NOTE: A true mike linebacker that can hold down the second level of the defense, Auburn hosted Phil Picciotti on his first-ever visit to the Plains this weekend. He left with an even stronger impression of Auburn and linebacker coach Christian Robinson. He's set to commit in July, and it'll be tough for Auburn to beat out Oklahoma, though this weekend was a strong start towards trying to land him.

QUOTE: “The things that they’re preaching here, I like their mindest they have. Obviously, champions live here, so like the future, we’ll see what happens, we’ll see if they can get some wins in.”

FULL STORY

Cedrick Hawkins

*** 4-star safety, No. 211 in 247Sports Composite, No. 14 safety

*** Titusville, Florida

NOTE: Committed to Ohio State since Jan. 1, Auburn hosted Cedrick Hawkins on his first visit since committing to the Buckeyes to start the year. Auburn is recruiting him as a cornerback and looking to flip him, but there's a lot of work to be done there.

1COMMENTS

QUOTE: “Nah. I’m all State. Pretty much all Ohio State.”

[toddc 13,194]

Official visits wrap: Vol. 1

It's officially a dead period for recruiting.

Beginning June 27 and lasting until July 24, coaches are prohibited from making in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations, according to NCAA regulations. Any visits — official or unofficial — are also prohibited.

That means it's a wrap on official visits until likely August, with the only free weekend in July being filled on the calendar as Big Cat Weekend.

Auburn had over 25 of its top targets take official visits from the end of May through June, making serious headway with some.

Here's how it went with each recruit, in the order they visited.

Keldric Faulk is one of Auburn's top targets at edge.

, 4-star OT (May 20-22)

Auburn was the first official visit for Stroh, but it comes as no surprise that the Texas native decided to stay in the Lone Star State. Stroh committed to Texas June 26.

6'7" | 345 lbs | OG | 2023

, 4-star OG (May 27-29)

McElderry has been a Georgia commit since last November, but doesn't plan on shutting down his recruitment until the end of summer. The Tigers are pushing hard to flip him.

Everything was a "10" for him during his visit to Auburn and with Georgia getting a new offensive line coach, there's reason to believe McElderry may not end up playing for the Dawgs.

6'4" | 325 lbs | OG | 2023

, 4-star LB (June 3-5)

Ausberry is the younger brother of current Auburn player Austin Ausberry, but that doesn't mean he's a lock for the Tigers' 2023 class.

There's no guaranteed package deal and Jaiden wants to be regarded as his own player; Auburn understands that and made an emphasis on that during the official visit.

It put the Tigers in a "real good spot," following the trip, but a final decision won't come until December.

6'2" | 210 lbs | OLB | 2023

University Laboratory School

, 4-star DT (June 3-5)

Auburn impressed Jarrett when he visited in the first weekend of June. He spent time with one of his good friends and incoming freshman Enyce Sledge, who's been pushing for Jarrett to join him at Auburn ever since Sledge committed to the Tigers.

After his visit, Jarrett said that if he were to drop a top two, Auburn "would be in it." That being said, he soon dropped his top three schools and a commitment date for July 19. It's between Auburn, Georgia and North Carolina.

6'6" | 340 lbs | DT | 2023

, 4-star QB (June 3-5)

Glenn described his official visit to Auburn as "literally perfect." He studied film with head coach Bryan Harsin and offensive coordinator Eric Kiseau, giving him a look at Auburn's offense if Glenn were to commit.

The Tigers have talked with Glenn for years and were once considered the front runners to land him, but it's come under question in recent weeks.

Glenn earned an invite to the Elite 11 finals and consequently, saw several schools make a strong final push. TCU, Florida State, Mississippi State and Ohio State have been thrown in the mix.

He's set to commit in either late June or early July.

6'2" | 190 lbs | PRO QB | 2023

Lausanne Collegiate School

, 3-star OT (June 3-5)

After his visit to Auburn, the Tigers led for Geffrard. Several hours after his official visit to Arkansas a few weeks later, he was a Razorback. Geffrard committed to Arkansas June 20.

6'6" | 355 lbs | OT | 2023

, 4-star ATH (June 10-12)

Jackson is a fan of cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge and has been recruited by him for a long time. He's got family ties to Auburn, as his cousin is former Tiger T'Sharvan Bell, who is continuously in Jackson's ear about Auburn.

The Florida native took official visits to Penn State and Tennessee in the weeks following his visit to Auburn and a commitment is tentatively scheduled for October 22.

6'1" | 173 lbs | ATH | 2023

, 4-star OT (June 10-12)

Auburn jumped up on the current Georgia commit's list following his official visit, giving him "something to think about."

His best relationship on the coaching staff is the man himself, head coach Bryan Harsin, which means a lot to Hughley. Especially since Hughley's high on Auburn's list and Harsin has not been shy about that to him.

He still feels as if his commitment to Georgia is sound, but Auburn will keep pushing for him. Hughley is tentatively returning to Auburn for Big Cat Weekend at the end of July and won't make his final decision until closer to signing day.

6'7" | 290 lbs | OT | 2023

, 4-star TE (June 10-12)

Thurman is a dual-sport athlete looking for a chance to play both football and basketball at a school. It was a surprise to Thurman when head basketball coach Bruce Pearl made an appearance during his official visit — certainly a strong card to play for Auburn.

While Thurman does not have the AU basketball offer, he's one of Harsin's top targets at tight end. Brad Bedell has been recruiting him as a dual-threat tight end, doing both blocking and receiving.

Auburn left a good impression on him, Thurman said after the visit that the Tigers are among his top three schools. Alabama, Michigan State and Ohio State are other schools in the mix.

6'6" | 225 lbs | TE | 2023

, 4-star DE (June 10-12)

Perhaps Auburn's most important visitor, Faulk is someone the Tigers want to land badly. He's one of the best edge rushers in the nation and said his visit to Auburn was a "10 out of 10."

The edge position is one of Auburn's biggest needs in this class and could result in early playing time for Faulk if he were to commit. Playing time is important to Faulk, but it's not the deciding factor in his commitment.

Faulk will make his decision the morning of July 5, between Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Florida.

6'5" | 255 lbs | WDE | 2023

, 4-star DE (June 10-12)

Bain is another high target at the edge position and his relationship with Roc Bellantoni is tight-knit. He was impressed with the coaching philosophy from not just Bellantoni during his visit, but also Harsin.

Harsin has the mindset that "only leads to greatness," according to Bain, which is something that makes Auburn an attractive school to him. Of course, the chance for early playing time and learning under Bellantoni doesn't hurt.

A commitment won't happen until the fall, closer to December, after Bain's returned for a game. Alabama and Oklahoma are also considered major contenders.

6'3" | 253 lbs | SDE | 2023

, 3-star LB (June 10-12)

Allen wasn't ready to reveal his favorite after his official visit, but it was known 10 days later when he committed to Georgia. Allen committed to Georgia June 20.

6'1" | 220 lbs | ILB | 2023

, 3-star DE (June 10-12)

One of several targets from Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, Ga., Horton enjoyed the family atmosphere on his visit. He met with defensive line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh, who discussed how he wants to use Horton, which is anywhere on the line.

Terrance Love, who is Horton's teammate and already a member of Auburn's 2023 class, is constantly letting him know that Horton's next move should be a commitment to the Tigers.

Other schools drawing the most interest are Tennessee, North Carolina and UCF, but a date for a decision has not been decided.

6'5" | 270 lbs | SDE | 2023

, 3-star OG (June 10-12)

Chester first met offensive line coach Will Friend at an Auburn camp last summer and the two have stayed in contact since. He took his official visit to Auburn and after, it's "one of a few schools" that Chester really likes.

He can play anywhere along the offensive line and will make a decision after his senior season.

6'5" | 305 lbs | OG | 2023

Eagle's Landing Christian