re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition

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AUBURN, Ala. — Trey Hill has been to Auburn as much as anywhere else.

His visit on Thursday made it “six or seven times,” according to the 4-star offensive lineman. Before he received an Auburn offer, Hill had visited the Plains at least four times, which is a telling sign of his interest in the Tigers. Hill claims to have a completely open recruitment, but he continues to be linked more to Georgia, Florida State and Clemson than other programs.

In Hill’s mind, however, Auburn’s chance is as high as any.

“Oh yeah. They’re in it a lot. I’ve been talking to Auburn. That was probably my first visit when I started getting recruited. I was here four or five times before I even got the offer,” Hill said. “It’s just the family here. Everything is like family. It’s a great coaching staff. I think they can get me to where I need to be in life.”

Speaking of family, Hill’s entire one joined him on the visit.

He’d made the trip with his dad before. This time around, his dad, mom, brother and sister all made it to Auburn for the visit. Most of his time was spent with offensive line coach Herb Hand who has recruited Hill for two years, touring the campus and facilities.

“I just brought my family up here just to let them see the facilities. I’ve been up here six or seven times, so I was basically just letting them see the place, let them get a feel for it,” Hill said. “They like the place. They got a good vibe from it. They like the atmosphere.”

Auburn is recruiting Hill has a guard or center, much like most of the programs involved. Hill doesn’t have a preference other than he wants “the quickest way to the field,” he said. He spoke with Hand and Gus Malzahn about Auburn’s depth chart and talked some scheme.

The Tigers’ message is clear — and has stayed consistent.

“They’re just recruiting me hard, like always. They’ve never given up on me,” Hill said. “It’s the same thing. I’m a top priority here on the O-line. They really want me. I’ve been up here, and they’ve never switched up. We’ve got a good relationship. I’ve been talking to (Hand) for like two years. We just sat down and talked ball and Xs and Os.

Hill plans to make a late December commitment.

Between now and then, he expects to make it to Auburn on more than one occasion. Hill hasn’t set official visit plans yet, but he will likely attend multiple games at Jordan-Hare Stadium this fall. He talks with Hand as much as any other position coach, also including Georgia’s Sam Pittman and USC’s Neil Callaway in that closest-relationship group.

Auburn’s success in the 2017 season will be something the 6-foot-4, 330-pound lineman tracks.

“Wins and losses, it’s going to matter in some aspect. You want to go to a winning team where they’re going to do good stuff,” Hill said.

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Brother of former target makes second visit

AUBURN, Ala. —Technically, it was Mark Richards’ second Auburn visit.

The 2019 athlete’s first trip came Nov. 27, 2015, when he joined his brother Ahmmon Richards — now a standout wide receiver at Miami — on his Auburn official visit. Nearly two years later, it’s time for the younger Richards to focus on his recruitment.

He visited Auburn with his mother Thursday afternoon. The school that came in second place for his brother made a major impression on him.

“That’s really why I came back because I wanted to see what the coaches had to tell me personally. They were recruiting my brother. They weren’t recruiting me. So I wanted to really give them a chance and see what they had to say,” Richards said. “I kinda knew what I was going to see, but I came back to see what the coaching staff had to tell me, kinda just experience the area.”

Richards’ position is unclear.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect from West Palm Beach, Fla., plays offense and defense in high school. He was greeted for his visit by Auburn defensive backs coach Greg Brown, so that may give an idea of how the Tigers project him. But Richards spoke with Brown and briefly with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and coach Gus Malzahn.

“He left [my position] open for me. He wanted to see where I felt most comfortable. I talked to coach and he said really where my heart is, that’s where I can come play,” Richards said. “I’m not really sure on that one. I can answer that my senior year.”

Returning to Auburn gave Richards an opportunity to reminisce on his brother’s recruitment. In the younger Richards’ mind, Auburn finished second to Miami. Because of that, many people at Wellington (Fla.) expect Richards to follow a similar path to his brother.

He isn’t ruling that out, but he wants to make sure to see everything before making a decision.

“A lot of kids at my school think I’m going to go there. But really, my recruitment is open. Every school has an opportunity. I don’t care what record, what ranking,” Richards said.

So far, the 4-star athlete has offers from Miami, Auburn, Georgia, Louisville, Florida and Ohio State. He took visits to Auburn and Georgia this week and didn’t hesitate when asked whether he’ll attend any games at Jordan-Hare Stadium this fall: “Of course. Definitely,” he said.

He plans to be back for the Iron Bowl, but it’s possible Richards comes to multiple games this fall.

“It’s beautiful. It’s really nice here. It’s peaceful. I talked to the coaching staff. They told me really good things about what I wanted to know,” Richards said. “I just want to see them be successful really. Success is everything. Once again, it was really what I expected, the atmosphere around the place. It was really nice here.”

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and the wife of his high school coach, Rush Propst

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Man are those Keith's predictions?

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KN says Juanyeh Thomas might be camping at AU today. Maybe we work him out at CB & take his commitment for that spot. I personally really want him in the class. Good combination of size and speed

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This doesn't really make much sense. We are moving on because he didn't commit to us last Sunday, but he is about to commit to Louisville this weekend????

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2019 WR George Pickens just committed to Auburn.

Any insight into his recruitment and/or abilities?

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