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

Posted on 7/21/17 at 4:19 pm to TigerPaw1

Posted by TigerPaw1

Chattanooga, TN

Member since Apr 2011

16979 posts

Posted on 7/21/17 at 4:19 pm to TigerPaw1

BREAKING: George Pickens becomes Auburn’s first commitment in 2019 class (SECCountry)

quote:
AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn scored its first commitment in the 2019 class from Hoover (Ala.) wide receiver George Pickens.

The 6-foot-5, 195-pound receiver has been a regular visitor on the Plains throughout the spring and summer. On Friday, he returned for a day-long visit and — as he expected to do when he arrived — told the Tigers’ coaching staff he wished to commit to the Tigers.

“They were very happy. Coach (Gus) Malzahn was like, ‘Are you serious?'” Pickens said. “I’m very glad that I just committed to Auburn. Auburn is a great campus. I feel really good about the school I chose. I feel very comfortable around here.”

Pickens plays for the same high school as Shedrick Jackson who committed to the 2018 class earlier this summer.

But Pickens’ familiarity with the Tigers goes deeper than that. His older brother, Chris Humes, played at Arkansas State and crossed paths with Malzahn during his one season as head coach. Pickens didn’t need to see anymore to confirm his commitment.

“I know literally everybody. I know everybody,” Pickens said. “I felt very comfortable with it. I came down here multiple times and felt great about the school. That’s what made me really commit. I love Auburn. It’s great, great people. It’s great, great facilities. Everybody around is really, really nice.”

Pickens marks Auburn’s first commitment in the 2019 class. He’s ranked the No. 19 wide receiver and the No. 107 overall prospect by the 247Sports composite.

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Posted by TigerPaw1

Chattanooga, TN

Member since Apr 2011

16979 posts

Posted on 7/21/17 at 4:23 pm to TigerPaw1

Hoover 4-star WR commits to AU (Rivals)

quote:
AUBURN | Auburn has received its first commitment for the 2019 class, and it’s a big one.

Hoover four-star wide receiver George Pickens, one of the top juniors in the South, informed Auburn on Friday of his intention to sign with the Tigers in 2019.

“I had a feeling coming down here that I would commit,” Pickens said. “I knew two weeks ago when I came here for camp that I wanted to commit, but I really wasn’t feeling it that day.”

But Friday?

“I was,” Pickens said. “Definitely. I was ready to commit.”

Pickens informed Gus Malzahn, Chip Lindsey and Kodi Burns after spending the day in Auburn on a visit. The coaches were taken aback by Pickens’ announcement.

“Coach Malzahn was shocked,” Pickens said. “I kind of surprised him when I said it, but he was very happy.”

So was Burns, Auburn’s wide receivers coach and Pickens’ primary recruiter. Burns played a major role in Pickens’ decision.

“Coach Burns is a very nice dude,” Pickens said. “He’s young, so he understands where the young players are coming from. He’s real cool and that made it easier on me.”

As did the family atmosphere at Auburn.

“They really take pride in family, and that’s exactly what they are,” Pickens said. “They made me feel at home more than any other college.”

Auburn now has a commitment from two Hoover wide receivers: Pickens and senior Shedrick Jackson. Pickens is looking forward to playing together again with Jackson in college.

“Shedrick didn’t know I was going to commit,” Pickens said. “But he’ll probably be happy.”

Pickens chose Auburn over several other offers, including Mississippi State.

“I have two more years, but I feel like Auburn is the right school for me,” Pickens said. “It would take a lot to change my mind.”

Pickens, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 200 pounds, is the second member of his family to be recruited by Malzahn. His older brother, Chris Humes, was recruited to Arkansas State when Malzahn was head coach. Humes signed and played at ASU and now plays for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.