re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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Since the last projection of Auburn’s 2018 recruiting class, a few variables have changed.

For starters, Shedrick Jackson and Quindarious Monday committed to Auburn (as accurately pegged in the projection), so you’ll notice asterisks next to their names to designate commits. Conversely, running back Tae Provens surprised with a commitment to LSU after Auburn’s communication died following a near commitment at Big Cat Weekend.

Auburn is up to No. 43 in the 247 composite team rankings, but the Tigers only have eight commits.

Below you’ll see my most recent projection. There are 24 commits in this version, which totals 271.25 composite points. That number would’ve been good for the No. 9 class in 2013, No. 9 in 2014, No. 11 in 2015, No. 11 in 2016 and No. 8 in 2017.

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Running backs (3)

- 4-star Dameon Pierce, Bainbridge (Ga.): Pierce is likely a National Signing Day decision, so some of his choice will come down to who is in the market for a running back at the end of the cycle. There is a chance that ends up being Auburn, especially if the Tigers take two multi-purpose guys like Harold Joiner and Shaun Shivers first.

- 4-star Harold Joiner, Mountain Brook (Ala.): Joiner remains a bit of a mystery, but he confirmed with SEC Country he plans to be at Auburn’s cookout Saturday. If the Tigers make a push, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Joiner commit to Auburn before his senior season starts. It would be a big-time get for Auburn. Joiner’s versatility will be a playmaking asset for anyone who gets him.

- 3-star Shaun Shivers*, Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.): Shivers returns for the cookout Saturday, and there’s no doubt he’ll be one of the lead recruiters. He’s been active in contacting other recruits throughout this cycle. Shivers is all Auburn.

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Defensive line (4)

- 4-star Coynis Miller, Jackson Olin (Ala.): Miller has one visit in between his final decision. The defensive tackle will travel to Gainesville, Fla., this weekend to visit the Gators instead of going to either Alabama or Auburn. I think Miller’s mind is made up. He wants to be a Tiger.

- 4-star Richard Jibunor, Athens Christian (Ga.): Jibunor could be another end-of-summer decision, especially if he surprises with a visit Saturday. Auburn and Tennessee have been the most consistent schools from start to finish, and ultimately his relationships with Travis Williams, Rodney Garner and Prince Tega Wanogho will help aid his Auburn pick.

- 4-star Daquan Newkirk*, Mississippi Gulf Coast: The most intriguing thing to follow with Newkirk is his role on the JUCO fields this fall. It’s been two years since anyone — Auburn coaches included — have been able to witness Newkirk’s ability on the gridiron. Assuming he returns to form, Auburn will be getting an immediate impact player.

- 3-star Andres Fox, Mobile Christian (Ala.): My certainty with my Fox-to-Auburn predictions has diminished some, but I expect to see Fox in the Tigers’ class in the end. He’ll visit Alabama this weekend rather than Auburn, so that’s something to track. But when decision time comes, prospects tend to revert back to their initial feelings. For Fox, that means Auburn.

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He thinks Auburn is going to land the Top 2 WRs in the state and we are going to be empty handed?

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Why certain Auburn targets missed the projection

I released the July version of my Class of 2018 projection Wednesday afternoon.

There weren’t many surprises and alterations from the June edition. But there were a few prospects who made me think. I expect July and August to be big recruiting months for the Tigers. When the summer ends, it’s a possibility to see Auburn with more than 15 commits on its list.

However, when going through the projection, there were a few targets who didn’t make the list despite serious consideration.

Here are the seven most likely to commit to Auburn despite not cracking my projection. Check out the latest on each of those prospects.

- 4-star DL Caleb Tannor, Miller Grove (Ga.): Tannor’s decision will come in the next two weeks. The defensive end from Georgia has cut it to two — Georgia and Auburn. Georgia is the perceived favorite, which is why other defensive linemen made my list over Tannor. But he’ll be at Auburn’s cookout Saturday, and it could be a final opportunity for the Tigers to convince Tannor to join the fold.

- 4-star RB Asa Martin, Austin (Ala.): With Alabama and Florida battling, it’s going to be a challenge for Martin to land in the Auburn class. It’s not out of the question, by any means, but Martin’s strongest relationship is with Florida’s running backs coach. It’s rare to see the No. 1 running back in Alabama choose a school other than Alabama. Plus, Clemson could join the mix. Martin’s last visit to Auburn will likely be Saturday for the cookout, so the Tigers need a home-run visit.

- 4-star OL Trey Hill, Houston County (Ga.): Hill keeps visiting Auburn. It took him four or five visits before receiving an offer, but that didn’t scare the big offensive lineman away. Everyone keeps saying he’s a sure thing for Georgia, and Hill continues to deny it’s so certain. Florida State is a player in this one, too. So despite his constant visits to Auburn, there wasn’t enough evidence to put him in the projection — yet. That could change after this week with a good visit.

- 4-star WR Kearis Jackson, Peach County (Ga.): Jackson will make his final decision Aug. 19, and for the time being, I’d be shocked if he picked anyone other than Georgia. If there were an option other than Georgia, it’d likely be Auburn. Still, the fact Jackson opted not to visit Auburn with Justin Fields is a telling sign of where his heart is, which made it impossible to place the Georgia wide receiver in the Auburn projection.

- 4-star LB JJ Peterson, Colquitt County (Ga.): Peterson has the persona of an Alabama linebacker, and he’s also called the Crimson Tide his leader during every interview he’s done. That makes it impossible, at this point, to put the Georgia linebacker in the Auburn class projection.

- 4-star CB Christian Tutt, Thomson (Ga.): Tutt’s recruitment has been a whirlwind, so it’s impossible at this time — by my estimation — to put him in a class projection for any school. But he’s returning to the Plains for the second time in two months for the cookout. Especially with Auburn’s uncertainty at cornerback, Tutt has a high possibility of cracking the projection at some point.

- 3-star safety Joe Foucha, McDonogh 35 (La.): Foucha is the one person on this list who I think wants to be in Auburn’s class, but it might not happen. The Tigers have been more successful at safety than they once projected. They like Kolbi Fuqua and Quindarious Monday. They’re in great shape for Jamien Sherwood. Don’t rule out Foucha in the class with a miss or a de-commitment, but the space appears limited at this time.

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Tennessee vs. Alabama

The two teams battle it out every third Saturday in October and will take that rivalry to the recruiting trail for offensive lineman Jerome Carvin.

Carvin, a native of Memphis, Tenn., rates as a 3-star tackle and the No. 10 best prospect in the state, according to 247Sports.

Carvin released his final 10 schools in June, but Tennessee and Alabama seemed to be the clear favorites.

Tennessee’s coaching staff has built the best relationship with Carvin throughout his recruitment.

“My relationship with the coaches is great,” Carvin said. “I’m close with Coach Jones and [offensive line] Coach [Walt] Wells. I know their commits really well. Cade Mays and Adrian Martinez are really on me hard.”

While Tennessee’s coaches might have the upper hand, Carvin’s “blood brother” Jordan Davis has committed to Alabama.

Davis pushes the message to Carvin every day about joining him with the Crimson Tide.

Tennessee coach Butch Jones communicates with Carvin constantly. Carvin even knew when Jones took a week off for vacation this summer.

Carvin has heard some hot seat talk about Jones, but he doesn’t give much credence to the offseason chatter.

“I have definitely thought about it a few times, but I think Coach Jones is going to be there for a long time,” Carvin said. “I think Tennessee is going to have a great year this year. I’m not really worried about them.”

Carvin will visit make his sixth trip to the Alabama campus this weekend. He and Davis will spend the entire weekend in Tuscaloosa.

The idea of committing has crossed Carvin’s mind.

“If everything goes well, it’s possible, but I’m not sure right now,” Carvin said. “I’m not planning on committing this weekend, but we’ll see.”

Carvin is Tennessee’s No. 1 offensive line target so expect the Vols to continue a heavy pursuit until his commitment.

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Welcome to SEC Country’s daily Roll Tide-ings, a rundown of everything happening in Alabama Crimson Tide recruiting with Chris Kirschner. Today, we talk the latest with the nation’s No. 1 overall player and an Ohio State quarterback commit.

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What’s the deal with Ohio State QB commit Emory Jones?

Emory Jones, a 4-star quarterback from Heard County High School (Franklin, Ga.) took a secret visit to Alabama earlier this week, making it at least the second time he’s been in Tuscaloosa in 2017.

Secret visits from recruits committed elsewhere are always interesting because, well, there’s a reason why you’re hiding the fact that you’re on someone else’s campus. What makes Jones’ visit even more interesting is that he may not have been truthful with Ohio State, the school he’s committed to, about his visit plans.

Still, Jeremy Birmingham, who covers Ohio State recruiting for our sister site Land of 10, said there’s no reason to believe that Jones is seriously considering a flip at this time.

“If the question is if there’s a concern with a possible flip [on Ohio State’s side of things], then the answer is not really,” Birmingham said. “But if there’s a question whether or not [Ohio State is] concerned about visits made that they’re not being told about or being misled, then most certainly.”

If the Buckeyes aren’t concerned with the possibility of losing their anchor then why would Jones make a secret visit to Tuscaloosa and not just be upfront with the team he’s considering?

“I think it’s a matter of a kid who wants to experience some of the things that the recruiting process has to offer,” Birmingham said. “I don’t think he’s genuinely interested in attending another school, though. There are certainly programs out there, Alabama being one of them, that Ohio State isn’t going to be thrilled about him visiting.”

There is reason for optimism in Columbus. Jones will make his third visit to Ohio State since April when he travels there for the Buckeyes’ Friday Night Lights camp this week. That’s a lot of visits for a kid from Georgia. He’ll stay in Ohio until Sunday. This trip will likely squash any doubts Jones may have.

“The Buckeyes clearly want Emory Jones as their quarterback,” Birmingham said. “They’re not recruiting any other quarterbacks and haven’t offered anyone else. They don’t intend to do so, either.”

After Jones visited Tuscaloosa earlier this week, there was some confidence from people inside Alabama’s program that a flip could happen. But, with him making the trip to Ohio State this weekend, the momentum Alabama thought it had will likely be stymied by Sunday night.

We are talking about a kid who is committed to Urban Meyer. You better believe Meyer is going to make sure his star quarterback doesn’t flip to Alabama.

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