2025 Recruiting Thread

[TigerPAC 967]

3 hours ago, AUpreacherman22 said:

Commitments from Henderson and Longstreet should boost the confidence around here a little bit!

From his own thread, sounds like don’t hold ur breath on Henderson

[Zeek 16,660]

On 9/18/2023 at 1:45 PM, Zeek said:

Updated April 9th, 2024

Quarterback (Need 1 HS and 1 Transfer)

• 5* Julian Lewis - USC commit
• 4* Husan Longstreet - Texas A&M leads according to the RPM
• 4* Deuce Knight - Notre Dame commit
• 4* KJ Lacey - Texas commit

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Longstreet is priority #1 and Auburn has done a great job getting him on campus twice (all the way from California no less) in two weeks. If Auburn were to miss here then it's likely we kick the tires on the other three listed above.

4* Antwann Hill from Warner Robins, GA is another guy I could see Auburn making a push for should things head south with Longstreet.

I listed a need for 1 HS and 1 Transfer because it's likely Geriner leaves this year and Thorne will be out of eligibility.

For what it's worth, I think that Longstreet commits to Auburn somewhat soon.

Running Back (Need 2)

• 4* Akylin Dear - Ole Miss commit
• 4* Bo Jackson - Ohio State leads according to the RPM
• 4* Ousmane Kromah - FSU leads according to the RPM
• 4* Anthony Rogers - Alabama commit
• 4* Alvin Henderson - Miami leads based on my intel
• 3* Shekai Mills-Knight - Ole Miss leads according to the RPM
• NR Malakhi Lewis - FSU leads according to the RPM

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Auburn is sort of stuck here until Alvin Henderson publicly defects to Miami. They will fight that battle up until the last minute but we're not going to over spend on a 1A running back. A few of the others have visited but haven't yet been the recipients of a big push by Auburn.

Jarquez Hunter and Brian Battie will be gone after this season though. There is a possibility (depending on how Cobb and Alston perform) that Auburn might go fishing in the portal going into the 2025-26 season. If not they will need to take two from the high school ranks and currently don't lead for one.

This is a position group I am tracking closely now that Cadillac is gone.

Wide Receiver (Need 3-5)

• 5* Caleb Cunningham - Mississippi State leads according to the RPM
• 4* Travis Smith - Georgia leads according to the RPM
• 4* Cortez Mills - Miami leads according to the RPM
• 4* Marcus Harris - Texas leads according to the RPM
• 4* Phillip Bell - USC leads according to the RPM
• 4* Chris Lawson - USC leads according to the RPM
• 4* Radarious Jackson - Ole Miss leads according to the RPM
• 4* Girard Pringle - Miami commit
• 4* CJ Wiley - Georgia leads according to the RPM
• 4* Thomas Blackshear - Georgia leads according to the RPM
• 3* Dillon Alfred - Missouri leads according to the RPM
• 3* Kamare Williams - Miami leads according to the RPM
• 3* Zadian Gentry - SMU leads according to the RPM
• 3* Tyler Williams - UCF leads according to the RPM
• 3* Daylyn Upshaw - Auburn leads according to the RPM
• 3* Tristan Norman - Vandy leads leads according to the RPM
• NR Branden Hoch - Auburn leads according to the RPM

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Spoiler

You might be thinking to yourself "dang Zeek this is a long list" and you would be 100% correct. I expect 3 receivers to transfer out soon, we have a few that will exhaust eligibility this year, and while talented the current group is very young and will need depth. I wonder if following up last years receiver haul will be tough; players will know that finding time on the field with Coleman, Perry, and the other freshmen this year could be tough.

Cunningham feels like a hard pull and a long shot at this point. Seems like he might want to stay in his home state.

After that I am really not sure where Auburn stands with a few of these kids. This is not a position I am super concerned about with Nix as our OC and our previous year in recruiting the position. We will get more talent here for sure. It's a strong recruiting class for this position.

Tight End (Need 2)

• 4* Ethan Barbour - Georgia commit
• 4* Nick Townsend - Alabama leads according to the RPM
• 4* Emaree Winston - Texas commit
• 4* Chase Loftin - Nebraska leads according to the RPM
• 4* Logan Brooking - Clemson commit
• 3* Aj Ia - Auburn leads according to the RPM
• 3* Hollis Davidson - Auburn commit
• 3* Ryan Ghea - Auburn commit

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We have a lot of seniors that are out of eligibility here. If Micah Riley doesn't see the field much he might look for other opportunities but I don't know if he could just be waiting his turn.

Two are already committed but I could see a transfer being brought in as well. I listed some of the other high school guys because I think this is a spot where we could theoretically process someone.

Barbour and Townsend are guys that I would keep pushing for and if they say yes you make room.

Offensive Line (5-6 HS)

• 5* David Sanders - Georgia leads according to the RPM
• 5* Ty Haywood - Oklahoma leads according to the RPM
• 5* Andrew Babalola - Kansas State leads according to the RPM
• 5* Josh Petty - Clemson leads according to the RPM
• 5* Michael Fasusi - Texas leads according to the RPM
• 4* Solomon Thomas - FSU commit
• 4* Broderick Shull - Auburn leads according to the RPM
• 4* Juan Gaston - Georgia leads according to the RPM
• 4* Tavaris Dice - Auburn commit
• 4* Carde Smith - Auburn leads according to the RPM
• 3* Mal Waldrep - Clemson leads according to the RPM
• 3* Tai Buster - Auburn commit
• 3* Spencer Dowland - Auburn commit

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I am a fan of filling each spot each cycle (LT, LG, C, RG, RT) and any additional when possible. This is a position I would love to see Auburn build through the high school ranks and continually develop in a consitent strength program. Auburn already has three on board that they like a lot. Shull and Smith are two more targets that might close out the high school portion of this class.

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I will add defense later

Updated but I need to add defense when I have more time.

[AUght2win 6,859]

So have the aspirations of this class being historic just evaporated? A lot of people on the board have been saying to expect a Top 5 class in 2025. Is that still possible? Seems like we aren’t winning or leading battles for the big dogs.

[AUpreacherman22 3,888]

Thanks @Zeek!

 

[ellitor 33,114]

On 4/9/2024 at 4:39 PM, AUght2win said:

So have the aspirations of this class being historic just evaporated? A lot of people on the board have been saying to expect a Top 5 class in 2025. Is that still possible? Seems like we aren’t winning or leading battles for the big dogs.

@AUght2win Bird is the only 1 note worthy I've seen predict it. I'm in wait & see mode.

[Auburn93 557]

On 4/9/2024 at 3:39 PM, AUght2win said:

So have the aspirations of this class being historic just evaporated? A lot of people on the board have been saying to expect a Top 5 class in 2025. Is that still possible? Seems like we aren’t winning or leading battles for the big dogs.

Smurphy on the Rant sees a top 5, and he is connected. 

[AuburnNTexas 7,169]

From what I can see so far we are looking at our best o-line class in a long time. A very good d-line including edge, a very good db class. Questions remain on QB, WR, RB, and maybe LB. Lots of time to work on the areas that are iffy so far. Pick up  a top QB and I think other skill positions will fall into place. I think we also need to see improvement on the field. It is hard to sell the future without seeing any improvement.

Edited April 13 by AuburnNTexas

[Zeek 16,660]

On 4/9/2024 at 4:39 PM, AUght2win said:

So have the aspirations of this class being historic just evaporated? A lot of people on the board have been saying to expect a Top 5 class in 2025. Is that still possible? Seems like we aren’t winning or leading battles for the big dogs.

At this time I think top 5 would be hard because of two factors.

1. That is always hard to do
2. Our staff genuinely has a different evaluation of several players than the recruiting sites. We have a different opinion on some OL and the RBs.

Me personally, it's a little underwhelming compared to what I had hoped but it's also on pace to be a solid class.

 

[Zeek 16,660]

Updated.
I expect Henderson to Penn State and Husan to Texas A&M

Will need to reshuffle the deck at QB and RB

[AUpreacherman22 3,888]

22 minutes ago, Zeek said:

Updated.
I expect Henderson to Penn State and Husan to Texas A&M

Will need to reshuffle the deck at QB and RB

Either way, you pretty much have to keep shuffling until signing day.   And then re-recruit your entire roster every year.   Being a college football coach right now seems more like a headache than actually enjoying football.  (It’s a big reason why little nicky left, so there’s a positive spin to it.)

[Zeek 16,660]

7 minutes ago, AUpreacherman22 said:

Either way, you pretty much have to keep shuffling until signing day.   And then re-recruit your entire roster every year.   Being a college football coach right now seems more like a headache than actually enjoying football.  (It’s a big reason why little nicky left, so there’s a positive spin to it.)

It won't be long (if not already) that teams don't have a whole staff of portal employees like they have a recruiting division. Some of the head coaches have expressed pleasure in the talent they get but none have seemed happy about the added time and frustration it adds. 

One would hope it eventually settles to a more manageable level.

[GwillMac6 20,700]

5 hours ago, Auburn93 said:

Smurphy on the Rant sees a top 5, and he is connected. 

lol no he’s not. He certainly pretends like he is. All he does is take info from pay sites and pass it on as his own.

[CR 2,446]

2 hours ago, Zeek said:

Updated.
I expect Henderson to Penn State and Husan to Texas A&M

Will need to reshuffle the deck at QB and RB

The AU ON3 guys say Auburn coaches are convinced theyll land one of Longstreet, JuJu Lewis or KJ Lacey. We shall see.

[Mikey 16,711]

2 hours ago, AUpreacherman22 said:

Being a college football coach right now seems more like a headache than actually enjoying football.  

The same can be said of being a fan. Big difference is that a fan can walk away, say nuts to it and take up fishing. The coaches have to make a living at it.

[GwillMac6 20,700]

1 minute ago, Mikey said:

The same can be said of being a fan. Big difference is that a fan can walk away, say nuts to it and take up fishing. The coaches have to make a living at it.

See ya ✌️ mike! I wish I could say it’s been a lot of fun with ya…. But it just really hasn’t! 😂😂

 

[gr82be 14,456]

13 minutes ago, GwillMac6 said:

See ya ✌️ mike! I wish I could say it’s been a lot of fun with ya…. But it just really hasn’t! 😂😂

 

Wow, being the GIF guru that you are you sure missed a golden opportunity. 😁

That being said, Mikey didn’t say he was walking off into the sunset. 

 

[HAPvsOA 289]

5 hours ago, Zeek said:

Updated.
I expect Henderson to Penn State and Husan to Texas A&M

Will need to reshuffle the deck at QB and RB

Not that bummed about Henderson and we'll see if that one sticks.

But would definitely be bummed about losing out on Longstreet. Getting a top QB in this class in the near term seems like it would help the coaches with building out the rest of the class. Sure, White Walker looks the part, but it seems imperative these days to get a decent QB in every class.  And it appears that we've put most of our eggs in Longstreet and others committed elsewhere. 

[cbo 7,903]

2 hours ago, HAPvsOA said:

Not that bummed about Henderson and we'll see if that one sticks.

But would definitely be bummed about losing out on Longstreet. Getting a top QB in this class in the near term seems like it would help the coaches with building out the rest of the class. Sure, White Walker looks the part, but it seems imperative these days to get a decent QB in every class.  And it appears that we've put most of our eggs in Longstreet and others committed elsewhere. 

Exactly how I feel, word for word. 

We may still get Henderson but we can live without him anyway. Only thing that bothers me is the amount of time spent recruiting, as he was a top target. 

QB is becoming a concern. I was getting excited about Longstreet. Now it looks like we will miss on our top 3 targets. 

[Zeek 16,660]

12 hours ago, HAPvsOA said:

Not that bummed about Henderson and we'll see if that one sticks.

 

He is currently burning bridges on X. I am more than over him and his recruitment to be blunt. Running backs are honestly a dime a dozen, especially with our track record at the position.

[abw0004 10,134]

2 hours ago, Zeek said:

He is currently burning bridges on X.

How so?  I am not on Twitter so I have no idea.

[Sizzle 3,920]

 

[Mikey 16,711]

13 hours ago, Sizzle said:

So his next stop will be his 3rd school? Sounds to me like he needs to suck it up and actually do something himself. A friend of mine once said after her third marriage failed: "After so many failures you have to consider the idea the the problem might be you, yourself".

 

[Tigger1985 812]

Meh on Henderson. 1A running back isn’t against top competition like a 6-7A guy.

[TAYLORKEETON 800]

4 hours ago, Tigger1985 said:

Meh on Henderson. 1A running back isn’t against top competition like a 6-7A guy.

Been thinking this, glad somebody said it. Kid is playing 1A Bama ball. I’ve coached at the 4A/5A level. MAJOR difference between 1A & 4-7A in the state. 

[mustache eagle 2,412]

2 hours ago, TAYLORKEETON said:

Been thinking this, glad somebody said it. Kid is playing 1A Bama ball. I’ve coached at the 4A/5A level. MAJOR difference between 1A & 4-7A in the state. 

I heard a recruiting guy critique his game a couple months ago and I don’t recall what was said.  But it seemed like a reasonable observation at the time and really made me wonder why we were pursuing him at all, other than an in state kid with star value.  I loathe the game playing by recruits and this really felt like that.  Maybe I’m wrong
 

The Mississippi kid was the one I was hoping we’d pull through with - as far as highly ranked - dear?  That ship may have sailed