Jamie's Mailbag: Tigers Prowling

[AUSportTalk 4]

Prowling Tigers

Do you really think this Auburn stunt with the limo will help them in recruiting?

-- Mel from Birmingham, Ala.

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For the past two recruiting seasons, Alabama has flat-out dominated in-state recruiting. To be honest with you, that's saying it kindly. To put things in perspective, Auburn did not sign one top-10 player from its home state in the 2008 and 2009 classes. Not one. That's not good, especially considering the talent the state has produced in this time frame.

Now there is a new regime for the Tigers. Gene Chizik has assembled a very good coaching staff, especially when it comes to recruiting. Even with the short recruiting window for its first class, Auburn closed very well. But the Tigers did this with out-of-state recruits like running back Dontae Aycock and wide receiver DeAngelo Benton.

Priority No. 1 in recruiting for Chizik and company is they have to do much better in the state of Alabama. Nick Saban and the Tide have a stranglehold on the state, and the Tigers have to do something to shake the trees and stir the pot.

So they brainstormed and came up with something outside the box. This week they sent seven Auburn coaches on the road to recruit. The difference here is that they all shared a limo and traveled the state of Alabama. They are visiting high schools, coaches and recruits. They are calling it the Tiger Prowl.

Their plan is to hit 30 high schools during the week. They have traveled all over the state, starting in Mobile, and they will finish up in Birmingham today. Auburn coaches Trooper Taylor and Curtis Luper thought of the idea. While they were together at Oklahoma State they did this for one day. Coincidently, the Cowboys got a few commitments from their limo trip in the Sooner State with this last class.

How well-received has the Tiger Prowl been so far?

At a stop in Greenville, Ala., the principal, superintendent and high school coach met all seven coaches at the front of the school. It's been a big success so far and they are certainly getting a ton of attention.

And that's the key – attention. Auburn wants to ride this wave of recruiting momentum for as long as it can. Perception is big in recruiting and this "stunt" was a good idea by Taylor and Luper. Think about it this way for a second; the SEC is so brutal in recruiting. Any little edge you can gain will help.

Now we will have to wait and see if the Tigers get any commitments from their Tiger Prowl.

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Man oh man. You gotta love the stuff this staff is coming up with. 

[ausbest14 0]

If you get a chance to hear Coach Luper's interview that was on Jox, The Roundtable, today, please check it out...Very good as well as entertaining.

[AUSportTalk 4]

COACH LUPER INTERVIEW ON JOX

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Wonder if slimebaum has had any of our coaches that show talking about Tiger Prowl.

[AuburnSoldier 117]

Coach Loop is AUsome!  I'm so glad the Tiger Prowl has been a success.  Finebaum was bashing it on day 1, but I'd like to hear what he has to say now.   

[AURandy1345162767 14]

Trooper Taylor was on Finebaum this afternoon, and he was great. Looper was on the Roundtable earlier today and he was great. I'm getting fired up about this staff. I thought both of these guys handled themselves very well and are going to be great representatives of Auburn University.

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Anyone have a link? I'd like to hear what he said.