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

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As part of Rivals.com Quarterback Week we take a look at the SEC and rank the quarterback talent during the Rivals.com era, from 2002-present.

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There is no position more important than quarterback and it's never too early to take a look at the up-and-coming stars at the position. Get a jump start on your friends and familiarize yourself with these five underclassmen quarterbacks before they are household names.

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Class of 2020 QB Drew Pyne

Current offers: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and many others.

Why watch: Before Pyne started a high school game, he was wowing coaches at college campus across the country. He isn't the tallest quarterback but there is no doubting his arm talent. Pyne may play against subpar competition in Connecticut, but his family has connections to major college programs across the country. The Pyne family was the first family to have three generations play in the NFL and his father, George Pyne, is a former President of IMG Sports and Entertainment as well as the former COO of NASCAR.

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Ranking the uncommitted prospect in projection

My offensive Class of 2018 projection was released Monday.

Of the 11 prospects in the prediction, five of them — Joey Gatewood, Shaun Shivers, Shedrick Jackson, Kameron Stutts and Jalil Irvin — are already committed to the Tigers. That means six of the prospects in the class still have decisions to make. As anyone who follows recruiting closely knows, those decision can change by the minute in recruiting.

In other words: While I’m confident with the six I put in there, it’s certainly possible to have a stronger feeling about some than others. From No. 6 to No. 1, here’s where I rank how strongly I felt about each uncommitted prospect landing at Auburn, with No. 1 being the most confident.

No. 6: Tank Jenkins
No. 5: Justyn Ross
No. 4: Michael Parker
No. 3: Dylan Wonnum
No. 2: Seth Williams
No. 1: Matthew Hill

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- Still a tossup for 4* RB Asa Martin. KN says AU's confidence has grown in recent weeks, a big reason being Martin's relationship with Chip Lindsey. However, Bama also still feels good. KN says he has even heard AU might have the lead. As it stands now though, it's not clear either way so KN will stick with his original CB pick until he hears something more solid

- Apparently right now is the best AU has felt about landing 4* WR Seth Williams. Jason Caldwell told KN early in the recruiting cycle that Williams struck him as an AU kid. Williams and his family are really close with AU's staff specifically Kodi Burns. Williams is expected to be at AU's opener. However, you can never count out Bama especially given he's in their backyard but as of today AU is looking really good for Williams

- KN had a quick nugget on 4* DT Coynis Miller. Says his best source still believes AU is the leader but far from a lock. UF has made this a real battle and Bama is always a threat. No timetable on commitment

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Defensive line (5)

Caleb Johnson, Coynis Miller, Richard Jibunor, Daquan Newkirk, Andres Fox

Auburn’s defensive line coach Rodney Garner has a best-case scenario outlook on defensive line recruiting. His wish list is laid out. I don’t expect him to reach the six he wants, but I do expect him to land five.

In the above list there are three who I’d describe as a “high level of confidence” — Newkirk, who is already on board, Miller and Jibunor, who aren’t on board yet, but I think it will happen. Miller’s wait might be longer than previously expected. Once Jibunor can take some visits at the end of the month, his decision will likely be finalized.

The new name included is Johnson, who has flown under the radar by recruiting services despite having serious interest from Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and LSU. I don’t have much intel on Johnson yet, but his addition to the list had more to do with him fitting the profile of a prospect Garner hinted Auburn was close to landing. Expect more information on Johnson by the end of the week.

Fox rounds out the list, fitting into Garner’s strongside end he’d like in the class. There was a point in time when Fox-to-Auburn seemed like a guarantee, but that has dropped off as Alabama, LSU and Stanford have all climbed into contention. If he doesn’t have a decision in the next two weeks, this one could last a while.

If Fox weren’t to make it into the class, Kayode Oladele would be the most likely backup option to point to for now.

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DL: Davin Cotton, Nelson Jenkins, Dare Rosenthal, Jarell Cherry, Travez Moore, Dantrieze Scott, Andres Fox, Ja’Quon Griffin

Analysis: Orgeron helped assemble an array of defensive line pieces that could fit either a three- or four-man front. Cotton, Jenkins, Griffin, Cherry and Moore were early additions to the class and have remained solid in their commitments. Rosenthal and Scott popped during the June linemen camp, providing the Tigers with a presence in the middle and another edge rusher. LSU aims to add one more piece here, whether it’s another interior tackle or edge rusher. Fox has a private leader and is a candidate to pop prior to his senior season. There’s a sense that LSU has recruited him the hardest and it’s the Tigers’ race to lose.

Additionally, the departure of Georgia natives Adam Anderson and Jamarcus Chatman has not yet led to Griffin to follow suit. That’s one potential item worth monitoring because it would open up another scholarship in the 2018 class.

Confidence Level: 80 percent

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