Started By
Message
re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:29 am to TigerPaw1
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:29 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
The status of Auburn’s quarterback position
Auburn’s quarterback position has taken a hit throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Tyler Queen transferred. Woody Barrett left. John Franklin III followed Lane Kiffin (as a wide receiver). Sean White was dismissed. When that last piece of news dropped earlier this week, Gatewood caught wind of it quickly. White was someone he spent time with on visits and got to know, so it came as a surprise.
Gatewood offered his well-wishes for White.
“I was just like, ‘Wow.’ He was always such a good dude, a good player. I wish him the best,” Gatewood said.
But for an incoming freshman, that eliminates another possible person standing in Gatewood’s way.
What was once a crowded depth chart — in terms of numbers more than talent — has dwindled to two. And as I pointed out Tuesday, that means something for the state of Auburn quarterback recruiting. Gatewood, on the other hand, says he’s unaffected by it all. He doesn’t know if Auburn’s going to end up with two quarterback in this class, and that isn’t a major concern of his.
White’s dismissal creates much more need for Gatewood on the depth chart immediately, simply for security sake.
Gatewood will approach the situation all the same.
“Honestly it really doesn’t mean that much to me because I’d be working just as hard if it was seven scholarship quarterbacks,” Gatewood said. “It don’t really mean nothing to me. I’m looking to come there and play, but that really has nothing to do with it.”
1
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:30 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
A few other Gatewood-related notes
Gatewood will make his first visit for the 2017 season for the Ole Miss game on Oct. 7.
It will be an unofficial visit, but expect that to be a big recruiting weekend for Auburn since Gatewood has proven to be one of the best recruiters in the Tigers’ 2018 class. He’ll make that visit with one of his Bartram Trail coaches. With Gatewood’s confirmation, I think you can safely assume 4-star wide receiver target Justyn Ross will be in attendance, as well. Gatewood and Ross are close, even though it seems like Ross is leaning toward Clemson.
Gatewood won’t take his official visit, most likely, until December. He’ll enroll at Auburn in January.
He’s still trying to finalize when Auburn coaches will come down to see him play. Gatewood expects it to be Oct. 27 in Gainseville, Fla., based on what he’s talked with Lindsey about, but he said he needs to follow up with Gus Malzahn to confirm that.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:30 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn recruiting mailbag: Can negative fan base reaction have effect on recruiting? (SECCountry)
quote:
Auburn has hit a few bumps in the road this season.
As a result, there are concerns from the fan base about how much it will affect recruiting. On the flip side, a few things have transpired that present opportunity for things to take place through recruiting.
It was another week of strong questions. If you’re reading this, it’s not too late. You can send me your best Auburn recruiting questions on Twitter @benjaminwolk, and I’ll include them in next week’s mailbag.
Here we go.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:31 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
@sherrod4AU: Does a negative fan base calling for a coach’s head affect recruiting? Can we explain to these cut-throat, pessimistic “fans” that they do more harm than good? Recruits have eyes and ears and can see what they say.
I like this question a lot. I’m not sure I have the expertise to answer it as accurately as some of the specific recruiting questions I answer. But I think this is something relevant to every program, at least the ones who have experienced program-wide valleys along the way.
When Auburn lost to Clemson — yes, the defending national champions by a touchdown — a majority of the fan base broke down collectively. That’s what fans do. It was the end of the world. It’s not about the result, or that it was only eight point, I mean, did you see how pitiful it looked? Gus has to go.
As the question points out, recruits are aware of all these types of things. They want to track every fan base they’re considering to know what they’re getting themselves into. When a team loses, recruits monitor the meltdown to see what kind of backlash they should expect to receive once they become a student-athlete.
Sometimes that passion can help. Sometimes that passion can hurt.
But whenever a coach’s job starts being called for in bulk, it can be a hindrance. Recruits worry that a new coach might not be as interested in them as a player, so they start opening other options. There can be warranted concern about a new coach parting ways with a position coach who a recruit may have had his strongest relationship with.
With that said, recruits are informed enough to know when a fan base is overreacting too soon, which is exactly what most of the Auburn fan base has done since losing to Clemson. Tigers’ recruits see that as one loss to a talented team. It can be fixed. As coach-speak as it feels, the team’s goals are intact.
Now, if Auburn was to stumble to finish the end the season, then yes, the fan base’s reaction can affect how recruits perceive a school. But fans are going to be fans. And, good or bad, that’s what makes recruits love the idea of college football.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:32 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Michael T. Scunziano Jr. (Facebook): How does defensive tackle recruiting change with Byron Cowart’s departure?
Truth be told, not much.
Cowart never had much of a role with Auburn’s defensive line, especially at defensive tackle. Sure, Dontavius Russell can leave after this season, so there is the chance for openings along the defensive line, but I expect Rodney Garner would’ve rather used guys like Nick Coe and Marlon Davidson on the inside when he can, rather than a guy like Cowart.
Auburn wants to bring in three defensive tackles in this class regardless of Cowart’s plans. Coynis Miller, Jalen Cunningham, Andres Fox and Kayode Oladele are names to watch among players who could develop into defensive tackles, but don’t forget about Daquan Newkirk who is already committed.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:32 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
@ThatsMeThatGuy: Will you write an article on how Sean White’s dismissal impacts Auburn quarterback recruiting now?
@BBrannon23: Does this just mean the depth chart is more favorable for Justin Fields?
Ah yes, how’d you know? The question from @ThatsMeThatGuy must mean he can read into the future since he sent that question in before I published this story. OK, maybe his question prompted the story. Either way, take a look at how Auburn’s quarterback recruiting has been affected now that there are only two scholarship guys on roster.
As @BBrannon23 points out, it could have an effect on Justin Fields. With that said, keep in mind that Georgia — the school I have him choosing — also only has two scholarship quarterbacks on its roster and doesn’t have a quarterback in the 2018 class, unlike Auburn.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:33 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Brenda Bunnell Allison (Facebook): Is Joey Gatewood a dual-threat quarterback? Is he what Auburn needs?
There’s no doubt Gatewood is a dual-threat quarterback, one of the most electric at the high school level right now. He runs a legit 4.5 40-yard dash, but he’s also bigger than most high school defensive ends. As an Auburn quarterback commit, you’re going to hear a lot of Cam Newton comparisons over the years. Is that fair? Probably not, but it’s the reality.
Either way, check out some of the stats Gatewood has put up in the early stages of this season. Keep in mind, he has to split possessions at his high school with another quarterback who’s working to get Division I offers, as well.
To answer the second part, is it what Auburn needs? Well, depth would be much appreciated by Gus Malzahn, so yes. I think when Gatewood develops — and it might take a year or two — he’s going to be a problem for SEC defenses with his combination of size and speed. Once his passing ability is caught up, which it will be eventually, there won’t be many people capable of stopping him.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:34 am to TigerPaw1
Tigers contending with No. 1 junior college OT, Badara Traore (247)
quote:
Because Badara Traore took his official visit to Auburn in July and hasn't been back since, might it be a case of out of sight, out of mind?
No, according to the 4-star offensive tackle from ASA College in New York.
"For sure, they're in it," Traore said Tuesday night.
Auburn would like to add one or two tackles to the 2018 recruiting class and Traore appears to be one of the top two targets with Dylan Wonnum of Tucker (Ga.) being the other.
"When I went on my visit down to Auburn, I loved it down there," Traore said. "As I said, I saw myself playing there. Going to school down there. ... They are not out of the picture."
Being a junior college recruit, Traore wants to find a place where he can play early since his time there would be limited. At Auburn, he sees a chance to do that, he said.
"When I was there, I knew that Auburn needed someone like me," Traore said. "Someone to go in and to contribute right away."
The 6-feet-8, 315-pound Traore is the No. 1 junior college offensive tackle in the 247Sports Composite. LSU, Ole Miss and Texas are three other programs he is strongly considering.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 7:36 am to TigerPaw1
KN also had a quick update on 4* WR Tommy Bush. Bush says AU is very much in the race as is Alabama. Apparently he communicates regularly with Kodi Burns and Gus Malzahn. He says he's trying to figure out which offense he fits better in and might take official visits to both AU & Bama. As of now, only has one planned for Nebraska
Posted on 9/21/17 at 8:57 am to TigerPaw1
Thanks for the updates @TigerPaw1 I really enjoy reading these.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 10:02 am to TigerPaw1
Curious, how has the terrible 12 & 13 (maybe it was 11 & 12) recruiting classes played into our troubles the last few years? If any.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 10:10 am to AUCE05
quote:
Curious, how has the terrible 12 & 13 (maybe it was 11 & 12) recruiting classes played into our troubles the last few years?
Not much considering our limiting factor really was a QB. I guess you could claim DE pass rush, which would be a legit criticism though
Posted on 9/21/17 at 10:11 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
4* WR Tommy Bush.
quote:
AU is very much in the race as is Alabama
quote:
He says he's trying to figure out which offense he fits better in
How is this a question for him
Posted on 9/21/17 at 10:40 am to AUtigR24
I think the correct answer here is neither. Both offenses are atrocious right now as far as it concerns wide receivers. He should join everyone else at Clemson.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 11:21 am to ShredSquatch
quote:
Thanks for the updates @TigerPaw1 I really enjoy reading these.
Posted on 9/21/17 at 11:22 am to AUCE05
quote:
Curious, how has the terrible 12 & 13 (maybe it was 11 & 12) recruiting classes played into our troubles the last few years? If any.
QB has been the problem more than anything else. I do think it has taken time to build up true depth on the defense but at end of day not having an answer at QB has hurt us the most
Posted on 9/21/17 at 11:23 am to AUtigR24
quote:
How is this a question for him
No idea why any WR would play in either team's offense right now. At least at Bama you know you are gonna win a bunch. If I was a top WR I am looking at the Pac 12 and Big 12 where I know I will get fed the ball every game
Posted on 9/21/17 at 11:25 am to TigerPaw1
Just saw on Rant that Brandon Martin apparently broke the jaw of Arkansas starting RB. He was committed to AU briefly before decommitting and AU later backed off completely.
Dodged a bullet on that one for sure
Dodged a bullet on that one for sure
Posted on 9/21/17 at 1:32 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
Brandon Martin
That was a weird recruitment
Posted on 9/22/17 at 7:33 am to AUtigR24
Quindarious Monday still ‘real solid’ to Auburn, but Clemson is ‘coming real hard’ (SECCountry)
quote:
ATLANTA — On Thursday morning, Quindarious “Smoke” Monday made it official: He’s an Under Armour All-American.
The 4-star safety from Carver High in Atlanta stood before classmates, family and coaches to accept the high honor as the second person in his high school’s history to make the star-studded All-American game. Monday was the life of the party, as he usually is, with seemingly every classmate in the school trying to take a photo with him at his ceremony.
It was a similar scene to some of the top college programs in the nation, as they try to pry Monday away from Auburn’s grasp.
Monday committed to Auburn in July, somewhat surprisingly. He was slated to visit Clemson 10 day after his Auburn visit, and it was Clemson that most — Monday included — believed he’d choose. But he left the Plains as an Auburn commit, and everyone else has been playing catch-up since.
“It’s still solid, real solid,” Monday said.
But that won’t stop Clemson — and to a lesser extent Georgia — from trying to flip him. And, at the very least, Monday is listening to the Clemson sales pitch intently.
Clemson stayed on Monday immediately after his Auburn commitment and managed to get him on campus for a late-summer visit. Monday hasn’t been able to take any college trips since the season started because his high school team plays so many games on Saturdays.
But Monday said he’s likely to visit all three of those schools above — Auburn, Clemson and Georgia. For Auburn, Clemson is the team to be weary of.
“Oh yeah. Clemson’s still hard on me. They’re hard on me, haven’t stopped,” Monday said. “After I committed the were like, ‘We’re still going to be on you hard. It’s just a verbal commit, so we’re still going to be on you hard.'”
So obviously, when Auburn and Clemson faced off Week 2, Monday’s eyes were firmly on the TV screen. He didn’t miss a single snap, he said. He was dialed in.
Many Auburn fans will make the assumption that’s bad news for them. That’s not necessarily the case. As a defensive player, Monday was blown away by the defensive and secondary play of both teams, which only further validated why Auburn and Clemson rose to the top for him.
“Both of the defenses were, oh man. I mean, I’m a defensive player, so I got to watch. Them are two really good teams,” Monday said. “It’s no easy decision, but I’m just going to have to make whatever decision is best for me and my family. Right now, that’s Auburn.”
That last tidbit will be music to Gus Malzahn’s ears.
Malzahn took a more involved role than normal to Monday’s recruitment, especially the family visit Monday took when he committed. He hasn’t backed off since that day. In fact, when Monday has his weekly phone call with Auburn, it’s almost always with Malzahn.
They spoke last week prior to Auburn’s and Monday’s games. Malzahn praised Monday’s early-season performances and said he’d be attending a Carver game soon.
“I actually talked with coach Gus last week. We were talking about how the games have been going, how the season’s going,” Monday said. “He said he’s going to try to come see a game and see how his star is looking. He said I’ve been looking good, so I want to put a show on for him.”
Monday hasn’t set any visits officially, though he plans to make it to Auburn in the “next couple of weeks,” which he said will likely be for the Mississippi State game or Ole Miss game. He wants to take his official visit for the Iron Bowl, but that hasn’t been finalized yet.
Check out SEC Country later for more from Monday’s ceremony.
Page 327 of 549
Latest Auburn News
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News