re: 2017 Football Recruiting Thread ["N$D Bryant" Edition]

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No and he was also pretty bad this year

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Auburn CBs Carlton Davis and Johnathan Ford have just two-combined 100 yard coverage games against them this year

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Top defensive players:

ED Carl Lawson, 84.5

DI Dontavius Russell, 77.3

DI Marlon Davidson, 75.9

S Tray Matthews, 75

CB Carlton Davis, 66.6

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Johnson and Tyler are locks. Lsu got another linebacker today in Phillips.

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None of the guys other than Octavius could have been a every down back. They had better wrap Pettway up in bubble wrap.

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We will have KJ + Malik Miller

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When Taylor was a high school freshman, he left Duluth High School for a new destination that would provide him with a better chance to shine on the football field. Taylor and his mother wanted to remain in Gwinnett County, which would cost Taylor his sophomore year of eligibility, so the duo had to make a calculated decision.
The search took the Taylors to a notable destination.

“As we brainstormed, we did a lot of research on Derrick Brown. We concluded this guy has the potential to be the No. 1 in the state. We watched his film. We did everything. From that, we said that Lanier is going to be our choice for football,” Taylor’s mother, Akita, told SEC Country. “As long as they see Derrick, they’re going to see you, if you do what you’re supposed to do.”

It turned out to be a wise decision. Brown did, in fact, become the No. 1 player in Georgia. Taylor, too, stepped into his own role as an SEC-caliber football prospect. He grew into his 6-foot-2, 230-pound frame and became a versatile linebacker for Lanier. It thrust him up the national rankings — to where he is now at No. 248 nationally.

Taylor now finds himself in the same position as a season ago. Multiple worthy programs are chasing, but only one can win out. Auburn is firmly in the mix.

Akita Taylor knows it isn’t a coincidence.

“It’s interesting that Derrick Brown brought us to Lanier, so they have a very good relationship together. I guess when you look at it like that, it’s almost like, ‘Well, I came to Lanier because of you, and we had a great relationship, and we gambled. It worked out.’ It’s almost like, ‘Hey, why not do the same thing?'” Akita Taylor said. “I really feel like him and Derrick complement each other.”

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The fact Auburn and LSU both went in-home Wednesday is just another indicator the decision is on the immediate horizon. This decision could really go either way. Recruits often mention listing pros and cons, real or imaginary, that help them narrow down their choices. Taylor’s lists for Auburn vs. LSU would look a little like this:

Auburn pros: Great relationship with Travis Williams. Closest school to home. Friendship with Derrick Brown. Program that Akita Taylor might consider the best among his options. Auburn cons: Loaded linebacker depth chart. Three committed linebackers already in 2017.

LSU pros: One committed linebacker so far in 2017. Early playing time promises. Linebacker development history of Dave Aranda. Perceived coaching stability under first-year head coach Ed Orgeron. LSU cons: Much farther from home. Heavy communication began late in the process.

To decipher the “right” answer from those two is purely subjective.

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It’s always peaks and valleys on the recruiting trail.

The peak will come in less than a week when the Tigers finalize their 2017 class on National Signing Day, bringing 20-plus new members into the Auburn family. Auburn made a few big splashes in recruiting this year: 5-star Calvin Ashley and 4-star Jarrett Stidham. The Tigers have done a tremendous job of finding lower-rated prospects who have emerged through their senior years: Tadarian Moultry, KJ Britt, Chandler Wooten and Malik Willis.

But there, inevitably, have been a few valleys, too. Commitments and de-commitments are the name of the game in college football recruiting. In the 2017 class, the Tigers have three de-commitments.

In a look at what could’ve been, here’s a look at those three decisions and how they affected Auburn’s 2017 recruiting class for better or for worse.

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Auburn loaded up at the wide receiver position in the 2016 recruiting cycle, so the Tigers did not have to put too much of an emphasis on it this time around.

Igbinoghene, a football and track standout at Hewitt-Trussville in Birmingham, is the only receiver committed at this time. He took his official visit to the Plains last weekend and got acquainted with the team's new offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey. He remains solid in his commitment and also spoke highly of receivers coach Kodi Burns.

"The fact that he's coaching me and he's been through it, I just love that and love everything about him so I can't wait to be coached by him," Igbinoghene said.

The 6-foot, 190-pounder posted 1,710 all-purpose yards (751 rushing, 712 receiving) with 18 touchdowns as a senior. Igbinoghene told AL.com last month he feels Auburn will use him in jet sweeps and at inside and outside receiver as Stove did in 2016.

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