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

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Cal grad transfer recap

SEC Country’s Justin Ferguson penned an official visit recap Sunday on Cal graduate transfer Aaron Cochran. It’s a fascinating interview.

Cochran goes in depth on his purpose to transfer from a program he loves dearly. The 6-foot-8, 350-pound offensive lineman started 16 games for Cal, so he immediately brings Power 5 experience and knowledge to any program. The other schools besides Auburn in contention are Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

The two obvious questions: 1) Why Auburn? 2) Will he play?

To answer the first, Cochran has Alabama connections from his youth in Birmingham. He still has family in the state.

The second question is tougher to discern. Auburn has depth at the position, but there never is too much depth on an offensive line. Cochran mentioned discussion of a circulation on the offensive line, but he made one thing very clear.

“(Auburn would) probably try to move some guys around that they think could be better at other positions,” Cochran said. “Give them a little bit more flexibility across the line, some time for some younger people to develop and just have an impact right away.

“As a graduate transfer, I’ve only got six months. If I come in for six months and don’t get to play, then it was a waste.”

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Coynis Miller has been to Auburn more than any other program.

Yet, until Tuesday, the top defensive tackle target had never consumed a Tigers’ practice. That was something Miller — already high on Auburn — wanted to see to help re-affirm any positive feelings he had about the Tigers.

Miller, joined by Auburn signee and high school teammate Tadarian Moultry, arrived at Auburn on Sunday night and will leave early Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, he took in his first Auburn practice.

“I really wanted to see them practice. This is my first one, and I liked it. The players really got after it, and the coaches were really getting after them,” Miller told SEC Country.

Miller was impressed by the work of versatile defensive lineman Derrick Brown who he has spent time with during his three-day trip. Miller, now at 6-foot-3 and 297 pounds, sees a little bit of himself in Brown when it comes to strength and athleticism.

What struck Miller most during Auburn’s practice, however, was what sticks out to most defensive linemen at their first practice: Rodney Garner’s tenacity.

“Coach G, he’s a great coach. He’ll push you hard and make sure you do everything right. I liked seeing that,” Miller said. “It’s good. It pushes players to be better. He’d push me to where I want to be, and that’d be really good for me.”

When Miller leaves Auburn on Wednesday, he’ll return to Birmingham before making a Thursday trip to Tuscaloosa to take in his first Alabama practice, as well. Unlike the Auburn visit, Miller will only be in Tuscaloosa for the day.

Those two schools — with the efforts of DL coaches Rodney Garner and Brent Key — have been at the forefront of the in-state lineman’s recruitment. They will both undoubtedly be in it until the end, which will likely be after Miller’s senior season at Jackson-Olin.

“Auburn’s just recruiting me hard. They want me to be a player here. I’m trying to find out if this is where I want to be. Coach Garner and I talk a good bit,” Miller said. “Alabama really wants me. They’re showing high interest. Coach Key, if he’s not calling, he’s texting me every day. We have a great relationship.”

That Auburn-Alabama battle is an everyday experience in the Miller household.

Miller grew up a Crimson Tide fan, though he insists that will have “absolutely nothing” to do with his ultimate decision. His father is also an Alabama fan. As for mom, she roots for the Tigers.

Miller joked that she’s the one that usually makes the big decisions around the house, but this one is on Miller’s shoulders.

“Mom usually does, but this one’s on me,” Miller said with a laugh.

Despite the noticeable in-state pull for Alabama’s No. 8 overall prospect, it’s not just an Iron Bowl recruiting contest.

Miller’s high school coach Tim Vakakes said in the fall that, unlike with Moultry, out-of-state programs feel like they have a legitimate chance with Miller. The defensive line prospect said as much Tuesday, mentioning LSU, Clemson, Ole Miss and Florida as non-Alabama schools that stick out to him.

“It’s a big chance I could go out of state. It’s about where I fit,” Miller said.

Miller recently went to Baton Rouge for a visit and was quite impressed. He plans to make it to Clemson soon and Florida — for the first time — over the summer.

As for a decision, it’ll come after his senior season, but he’ll start to narrow in on official top schools a little before that.

“I’ll probably narrow it down, if not before the season, during it,” Miller said.

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4* WR Trevion Burks


Warren, Ark. wide receiver Treylon Burks is another skill position player to watch early on with great size and the ability to dominate physically.

“Burks is a physical football player. He is tough to slow down off the line of scrimmage due to his size and he is a wide receiver with the ability to break tackles and get up the field after the catch,” Simmons said. “He has shown the ability to run away from defenders or catch the short pass or fight for the ball in coverage. Burks has the size, hands and playmaking ability schools covet. Arkansas and Auburn are two big early offers but plenty more will be arriving.”

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4* WR Jalen Curry

Stafford, Texas, is well-represented early with wide receiver Jalen Curry and his tall, angular frame earning early four-star distinction. Curry is not only being recruited heavily in Big 12 country but the SEC and ACC are also taking early notice.

“Curry is one of the most physically well-put together receivers in Texas in his class,” Rivals.com Texas Recruiting Analyst Nick Krueger said. “He's an explosive and strong runner that attacks the ball when he catches it.”

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4* OT Devontae Dobbs, 4* C Clay Webb

Two big offensive linemen also highlight this group with Belleville, Mich. offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs and Oxford, Ala. center Clay Webb.

“Early in his prep career Dobbs looked more like a defensive end than an offensive tackle physically, even though he was dominating upperclassmen in off-season events as an offensive lineman,” said Rivals.com Midwest Recruiting Analyst Josh Helmholdt. “In the last few months, Dobbs has filled out his frame while still maintaining the plus-athleticism that has earned him 20 offers including Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU and others.”

As for Webb, it’s not often we talk about a center this early in the process but his Underclassmen Challenge performance this past summer and excellent sophomore year put him squarely on the map.

“Webb is just nasty. He loves to drives his man off the ball and put his man in the dirt. He has moved around the offensive line, but on the next level, he will be a guard or center. He has that flat-back in his stance and he plays with good leverage and strength,” said Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Chad Simmons. “He fires off the ball with great hips and when he locks his hands in, it is over. Webb is an intense competitor who loves to fight in the trenches.”

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It is scary to think 2019 LaGrange (Ga.) Troup County defensive end King Mwikuta has two years of high school left to play. The 6-4, 225-pound Mwikuta actually lined up at linebacker for most of the day and looked very comfortable. He reacted quickly and changed directions fluidly. Mwikuta was very physical and showed great athleticism. The Troup County standout was also great in pursuit and closed quickly on the ball. Many in the SEC are after his verbal commitment.

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Pinson (Ala.) Pinson Valley quarterback Bo Nix rose above all other quarterbacks in attendance to take home positional MVP honors and Scout was in agreement. His mechanics, footwork and accuracy were very impressive. Regardless if he was in the pocket or on the move, Nix made all the throws. The Auburn legacy holds an offer from the Tigers, as well as Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia and Ohio State among others.

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Last year at The Opening Atlanta, Clay Webb was the surprise of the event. Much was expected a year later and the Oxford (Ala.) High School star did not disappoint. An early four-star prospect and among the best in the state of Alabama, he looked like one of the top trench talents regardless of class or position considering he worked at all five offensive line spots. Webb showcases his wrestling background with his patience, hand placement and ability to defeat counter moves all on a strong base. The sophomore is well put together without much bad weight relative to his position. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State and others have offered early on.

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The Opening Atlanta Regional held Sunday north of Atlanta showcased some of the top football prospects in the 2018, 2019 and 2020 classes not only in the south -- but the entire country.

It featured heavily offered and highly touted recruits at every postion.

One of them, offensive guard Jalil Irvin, is an Auburn commit. Many more are Tiger targets.

While it's great to watch these recruits compete in position drills and one-on-ones, it's also good to learn their measurements and testing numbers, which we will present in this article.

Of note, prospects had the option to scratch in any test.

Also, by and large, 40-yard dash times were slower at this event, perhaps the result of a slick field.

Without further ado, here are some noteworthy results of Tiger commits, Tiger targets and potential targets ....

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WR Justyn Ross, Phenix City (Ala.) Central

HEIGHT: 6-4

WEIGHT: 197

40: 4.87

SHUTTLE: 4.80

POWERBALL: 34 feet

VERTICAL: 27.3

NOTE: Competed with sore hamstring.

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RB Harold Joiner, Birmingham (Ala.) Mountain Brook

HEIGHT: 6-4

WEIGHT: 218

40: 4.76

SHUTTLE: 4.25

POWERBALL: 42 feet

VERTICAL: 37.9

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