Article on Donovan Smith

[bootskii 268]

Saw the article on Donovan Smith on Rivals. Anyone with an account care to give us a brief synopsis please.

[Orange and Blue 17211345162833 0]

I don't have an account either but is amazing the number of good OLs who want to visit Auburn. He has an impressive offer sheet and i can remember not long ago when we struggled to get enough quality OL.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/auburn/football/recruiting/player-Donovan-Smith-106324

[righty1975 0]

I don't ever remember Auburn having so many quality guys visit or list us as a school of interest.  I remember the 08 recruiting class where there were only like 2 guys in the rivals 100 that listed us as a school of interest.

[ausoldiergrad 57]

He wants Auburn to host him on an official visit.  He heard the same good things that Stephon Tuitt did at the recent Top Gun camp, and he has started hearing from us since then.

[auburn4ever 1,266]

We might have had a few quality of guys in 10 years with Tuberville, but nothing like we've been having since Chizik took over.

[righty1975 0]

Yeah- not knocking Tubs. We had some highly ranked classes under him (with a ton of non-quals), but his recruiting seemed to concentrate more in the 200-400 ranked guys. We did not recruit a ton of top 100 guys under him-even though we had some. I have just never seen so many nationally recruited guys show so much interest in our beloved university. It is really nice. Especially at the skill positions.

[AUFan1 0]

I'm pretty stoked. Recruiting wise we are in uncharted waters... We are still getting most of our talent from AL Fl GA and MS, but we have really expanded our recruiting base. I would have never thought a few years ago we would ever be in places like Texas, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, and the Carolinas, and not just for diamonds in the rough either.... We are in on top athletes all over the country.....

Championship football starts with championship recruiting

[augolf1716 22,032]

I'm pretty stoked. Recruiting wise we are in uncharted waters... We are still getting most of our talent from AL Fl GA and MS, but we have really expanded our recruiting base. I would have never thought a few years ago we would ever be in places like Texas, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, and the Carolinas, and not just for diamonds in the rough either.... We are in on top athletes all over the country.....

Championship football starts with championship recruiting

This is so true.

[AUtigers2324 45]

Ben Tate was in the Rivals100 and he's from Maryland. Haha but yea I agree that our national recruiting is serious now.

[AUFan1 0]

Ben Tate was in the Rivals100 and he's from Maryland. Haha but yea I agree that our national recruiting is serious now.

Yeah, I thought about that, but we never really seemed to make it a point to build off of Tate, and really hit that area hard... It's good to see that isn't the case any more

[WiltonTiger 0]

Ben Tate was in the Rivals100 and he's from Maryland. Haha but yea I agree that our national recruiting is serious now.

  It is the truth, it seems Auburn has expanded it's recruiting under Coach Chizik. We have gotten a few guys from other states. They have almost always been 4 or 5 star players. But not that many. Tate, from Maryland, Steven Davis and the Riley OL, both from SC. Travis Williams (wasn't highly ranked) A. Williams, both I think from SC. I can't think of other names although I'm sure there were others. But we're getting players from other parts a lot more now. Maybe its partly because the other part of the countries high school programs are better, and turn out better players now. I don't know. 

[triangletiger 1,599]

Travis Williams was from Columbia, SC.  I believe Antarrious Williams was from Columbus, GA. 

Leon Hart was a 5-star OL from SC; there was another OL from Ohio who was highly-touted.  Unfortunately, neither one of those guys panned out as well as expected.

It seems as though sometimes big-time recruits are so used to be able to dominate on sheer talent at the HS level without really having to work for it that they are unable to make the transition and put in the effort that is needed to actualize their potential.

[bigbird 60,968]

Travis Williams was from Columbia, SC.  I believe Antarrious Williams was from Columbus, GA. 

Leon Hart was a 5-star OL from SC; there was another OL from Ohio who was highly-touted.  Unfortunately, neither one of those guys panned out as well as expected.

It seems as though sometimes big-time recruits are so used to be able to dominate on sheer talent at the HS level without really having to work for it that they are unable to make the transition and put in the effort that is needed to actualize their potential.

Lee Tilly

[triangletiger 1,599]

Travis Williams was from Columbia, SC.  I believe Antarrious Williams was from Columbus, GA. 

Leon Hart was a 5-star OL from SC; there was another OL from Ohio who was highly-touted.  Unfortunately, neither one of those guys panned out as well as expected.

It seems as though sometimes big-time recruits are so used to be able to dominate on sheer talent at the HS level without really having to work for it that they are unable to make the transition and put in the effort that is needed to actualize their potential.

Lee Tilly

Tilley - that's the one.

[DJ_Hatch 0]

Saw the article on Donovan Smith on Rivals. Anyone with an account care to give us a brief synopsis please.

I spoke about this in the "Tuitt thread" below, and I was confused about it originally. That is because in the article done by Rivals after Tuitt's visit to AU, there was a slight "mix-up". Tuitt talked about how he and Ray Drew had become close friends while they have attended multiple camps together. He specifically mentioned the Top Gun OL/DL Camp in Virginia where the two of them met. It was there that Tuitt said that Drew was "one of several top recruits encouraging Tuitt to visit Auburn. Owings Mills (Md.) four-star offensive lineman Donovan Smith was another.

The NEW Rivals article on Donovan Smith claims that Tuitt must've been mistaken when he said that Smith was one of the ones talking up AU to him. Apparently, Smith just THERE with Tuitt, when Drew and the others were saying all the good things about AU and trying to convice them BOTH that they needed to see the Plains for themselves. Now Smith TOO wants to schedule an official visit to the Plains and says that Coach Grimes has been in touch with him A LOT here recently.

Per Rivals: Auburn is coming into the picture now," said Smith, 6-foot-5, 270 pounds. "(Offensive line) Coach Jeff Grimes saw some video of me at the Top Gun camp and sent me a message. He was finding out stuff about me, telling me about Auburn, just getting some basic information.... We're building a good relationship."

Unfortunately, Smith says that he doesn't have time to make any more unofficial visits, since his senior season is about to start, but he says, if things go good, he would DEFINITELY like to take one of his official visits to AU!

"I'm highly interested in Auburn. It's all football. It is the SEC, the greatest conference in college football. I would love to play for a school like that."

Smith has offers from SEVERAL top schools like Virginia, UCLA, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland, Clemson, North Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, but he would REALLY like one from Auburn, and he could get his wish soon enough!

"Everyone else I'm still looking into," he said. "But if things progress with Auburn, of course they would be in there, too."

Donovan Smith - OT  Owings Mills, Maryland (Owings Mills)

Ht: 6-foot-5

Wt: 270 lbs

40: 5.1

Bench:

Squat: 

4* RIVALS, #22 OT, #238 overall, #4 in MD

4* SCOUT, #27 OT

3* ESPN, #24 OT

VIDEO

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5219160

[CRuthven 0]

I'm pretty stoked. Recruiting wise we are in uncharted waters... We are still getting most of our talent from AL Fl GA and MS, but we have really expanded our recruiting base. I would have never thought a few years ago we would ever be in places like Texas, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, and the Carolinas, and not just for diamonds in the rough either.... We are in on top athletes all over the country.....

Championship football starts with championship recruiting

This is so true.

^^^^this^^^^

[aupops2 9]

DJ, saw on rivals where he had narrowed down to 12 offers.  Did we ever offer, and are we one of the twelve?

[wellsheit 0]

seems like an awfully good recruit to not have an offer, esp with the OL class we are building.  We already have too many offers out to OL??

[AUenginerd 16]

We aren't on the list but he says we have been in contact and the list isn't fixed, meaning we could possibly be added. 

[DJ_Hatch 0]

DJ, saw on rivals where he had narrowed down to 12 offers.  Did we ever offer, and are we one of the twelve?

Sorry, pops, I just got in and got this... AUenginerd pretty much covered it! Here's a quote from Smith about his latest cut...

Per Rivals: "The list is subject to change depending on how the season goes and I'm still considering other schools that could join the list," he said. "Miami and Auburn have been in contact with me now and I could add or subtract some schools."

Auburn, literally, JUST started seriously recruiting Smith, and it obviously starts with whether or not he's willing to take a visit to AU. If he does, then I would expect an offer to come during the visit, followed by us supplanting ourselves firmly into his list of "favorites". Another quote from Smith....

[/i]"From here, even if I don't get any more schools I plan to drop down my list to a top five or something in the middle of the season. I'm going to try to take a couple official visits before I cut my list."[/i]

Reading into those quotes, I feel like Smith WANTS an offer from AU and would like to visit. The fact that we are the ONLY SEC school showing him interest at this point is a BIG deal too!

Per Rivals: I'm highly interested in Auburn. It's all football. It is the SEC, the greatest conference in college football. I would love to play for a school like that."

That was an earlier quote from Smith. I suspect he will take an official to AU, fall in love with us, and then commit on the spot!  Just kidding... but seriously, I think that DISTANCE will probably be the ONLY factor here. If Smith doesn't mind coming all the way from Maryland to AU (a la Ben Tate), then we've got a VERY good shot! If he'd rather stay close to home, then one of the schools on his "Top 10 list" will get him. BTW, those schools are Connecticut, Rutgers, Penn State, Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Syracuse, Michigan State, Illinois, UCLA and Pittsburgh.

FWIW, after watching Smith's highlight reel, I think he is VERY talented and athletic for his position and size! He is light-footed and nimble, plus he has a "mean streak" that causes him to always look to put someone on their BACK during a play! And usually that's EXACTLY what happens, when he's out there on the field! I want him! 

[AuburnBasketball 0]

Travis Williams was from Columbia, SC.  I believe Antarrious Williams was from Columbus, GA. 

Leon Hart was a 5-star OL from SC; there was another OL from Ohio who was highly-touted.  Unfortunately, neither one of those guys panned out as well as expected.

It seems as though sometimes big-time recruits are so used to be able to dominate on sheer talent at the HS level without really having to work for it that they are unable to make the transition and put in the effort that is needed to actualize their potential.

Lee Tilly

Tilley - that's the one.

the story on Lee Tilley was that his highlight videos were not actually him it was a teammates of his

[AUBigCat 17]

DJ (or anyone that knows) can a school offer as many official visits as they want or is there a cap per recruiting year?  Just curious.

[DJ_Hatch 0]

DJ (or anyone that knows) can a school offer as many official visits as they want or is there a cap per recruiting year?  Just curious.

Interesting question! I'm actually not sure. I'm pretty sure that there isn't a set number. I know that athletic departments have a budget set aside for "official visits" to be paid out of, and it stands to reason that the bigger the school, the more money they would have to pay for them. All I know for sure is about the players...

From ncaasports.org:

What is the definition of an official visit vs. unofficial visit?

By definition an Official visit is paid for by the college, an unofficial is paid for by the family.  On an official visit, the NCAA allows a school to pay for lodging, transportation, meals, and entertainment.  That includes airfare, rental car, and three meals a day.  Be aware that the school is NOT allowed to pay for your parents.  The school may only pay for expenses related to the student-athlete.  So for example, if you and your parents stay in a hotel the coach is able to pay for it.  If you stay overnight with a member of the team on campus, the coach may not pay for your parents hotel. Official visits cannot be made until the opening day of class senior year.  So, that date will be different depending on your school.  The NCAA allows 5 visits to D1 and D2 schools combined.  You are allowed an unlimited number of unofficial visits to all divisions.  You may only take ONE official visit per institution.  Each official visit may be up to 48 hrs.

Are all D1 & D2 schools able to offer official visits?

No.  Remember that each school differs in policy.  Just because official visits are allowed by the NCAA does not mean each school offers them.  You should always ask the coach.

Can you visit a D3 school officially?

There is a common misconception that D3 schools do not offer official visits because they do not offer athletic scholarships.  That is false!  You are allowed an unlimited number of official visits to NAIA & D3 schools.  Unfortunately, D3 schools tend to have a limited recruiting budget and therefore aren’t usually able to offer paid airfare, hotel, etc…Some D3 schools do not offer official visits at all.  It’s a case by case basis.

What does it mean if the coach doesn’t offer an official during senior year?

As a general rule, you are not likely a top recruit if it’s a D1 or D2 school.  Always ask questions and find out where you are on the recruiting list before visiting a school.  Also ask what the schools policy is on official visits.  Many schools are not fully-funded enough to provide airfare, but will offer to pay for meals and lodging.  If they do, that IS an official visit.  Always clarify with the coach whether it’s an official and unofficial. 

Are student-athletes allowed to tryout or practice with the team?

As an NCAA rule, D1 and D3 schools do not allow tryouts.  On an official or unofficial visit you may participate in workouts that are not organized or observed by coaching staff.  They must not be designed to test your athletic ability though.  D2 schools are allowed to conduct one tryout in the off-season of your sport.

Are there any times when visits are not allowed?

Yes.  There is a Dead Period in which it is not permissible to make in-person recruiting contacts or evaluations on- or off-campus or permit official or unofficial visits.  Dead periods generally fall right before the singing periods.

Read more: College Athletic Recruiting - Official Visits | College Recruiting Blog - Athletic Scholarships Blog | NCSA http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2009/11/04/the-truth-about-official-visits/#ixzz0wkL8wYe4

[aucpe 0]

What does it mean if the coach doesn’t offer an official during senior year?

As a general rule, you are not likely a top recruit if it’s a D1 or D2 school. 

Ouch, that's a little harsh

[aupops2 9]

After seing that on Rivals over the weekend, it just struck me that, with all this attention we've been giving to  RB  prospects (Hart, Blakeley, Coe, Allen),  Defense(Roberson, Wright, Florence, Drew), and ATH(Frost, Bray, etc,.), the OLs have gotten lost in the shuffle.  And that was one of our biggest needs coming into this recruiting year.  We've only signed two (albeit great ones), but we need at least two more, maybe three.  We need to get Donovan on campus, IMO.  I just realized that I left Shon out of the equation, so that means we need at least one more ( Greg Robinson), but I hope we would get another.