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

Just getting him prepared for the carrousel

In-state running back Asa Martin receives Auburn offer he’s ‘been waiting for’ (SECCountry)

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Auburn immediately enters the equation for Martin, though he said all programs that have offered remain on equal footing.

“No leaders right now. Not yet. I’m just really enjoying the process,” Martin said.

That hasn’t stopped Martin from assessing why Auburn seems like the right fit.

Martin’s communications with Auburn picked up upon Chip Lindsey’s hire as offensive coordinator. Lindsey is a big reason Martin made the trip for the January junior day. Lindsey told Martin that he sat down with Gus Malzahn last week to evaluate Martin’s film. They both liked what they saw, which led to the offer.

Martin has always had a high opinion of Auburn. His appreciation has grown as Lindsey, Horton, Hand and Malzahn have told him how the “new” offense might match his skill set better than before.

“They’re doing a couple new things on offense this year to get the running backs’ hands in the passing game a little more. I really like that,” Martin said. “I’ve got real good hands out of the backfield. That’s something I pride myself on.”

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SEC schools have offered Lee-Huntsville DE Malik Langham; are Alabama, Auburn next? (AL.com)

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Alabama and Auburn have not offered yet, Crowson said, but "they are probably recruiting him the heaviest."

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn has visited Lee within the past two months, along with assistants Tim Horton and Rodney Garner. Alabama defensive line coach Karl Dunbar has also been a visitor to the school.

"Auburn had a coach on campus five or six times back when they could come visit (during the contact period)," Crowson said. "Either Malik or myself, we hear from Alabama once a week."

Langham will visit Georgia this weekend for a Junior Day and Alabama on Feb. 24.

"That's what I tell these coaches when they offer, let's get this guy to campus, put your eyes on him and he's going to fill the part," Crowson said.

He visited Auburn for a Junior Day last month.

"I'm hearing from Auburn," Langham said. "They said they want to see me keep progressing on my game. It was a very good visit down there, a family atmosphere with all the coaches and staff."

Langham has no favorites and is considering all schools who show interest. He has a 3.8 grade point average, and also stands out on the basketball court.

More offers will come on the gridiron, and Alabama and Auburn may jump in the mix after they get a better look, given that Langham still has just one year of major playing time at the high school level.

"From what I'm gathering from the coaches, it's a need thing," Crowson said. "They're going to make sure that the defensive linemen that they offer are the real deal. The offer, if it comes, may come into his senior year after they get more game film on him."

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A rare good article on AL.com. FWIW I am no scout but I REALLY like this kid's film. I wouldn't be shocked if he ended up a top 10 player in the state by season end

So Tubs is now writing for 247. I can't wait to hear his takes during the season

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Just getting him prepared for the carrousel

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Told you guys we would be happy about Willis. I have watched him a few times and his high school coach, who is now at Buford, is one of my best friends

Willis is smart, coachable and very athletic.

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Willis is smart, coachable and very athletic.

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I live in Milton, less than 10 minutes from Roswell HS, and the Roswell folks talked about this dude like he was Mike Vick. Judging by the videos, I'd say a Nick Marshall-like skillset is a pretty accurate description.

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I'm a fan.

Good size and intriguing skill set. Putting in extra work with a private QB coach sends a great message.

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yea, he was very excited when Lashlee tweeted him and eventually gave him an offer. He was extremely excited to come to Auburn. Winning already..

WTF hires a lefty QB coach?

Tight end Tyneil Hopper becomes top priority on Larry Porter’s first day on job (SECCountry)

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TE from Georgia becomes top priority

Larry Porter’s first official day on the job as Auburn’s tight ends/H-back coach and recruiting coordinator showed he’s eager to start landing prospects in the #T18GERPROWL recruiting class.

In fact, Porter didn’t even wait until his official Monday start date to begin his recruiting endeavors for the Tigers. Once Auburn announced the hire, Porter picked up the phone and began to narrow in on prospects he knew from North Carolina that overlapped with recruits already on Auburn’s radar.

One of his first calls: 4-star TE Tyneil Hopper from Roswell, Ga.

“He reached out to my parents that he’d be coming to Auburn,” Hopper told SEC Country. “He wanted me to come up for a visit. We decided to come up here (Monday).”

Hopper received his Auburn offer on Jan. 27, the same day Alabama offered.

Both schools in the Iron Bowl rivalry were a little late to the game, though Hopper’s recruitment has flown relatively under the radar for someone as versatile as he is at 6-foot-2 and 226 pounds. Kentucky offered in 2015. Louisville and North Carolina offered at the beginning of 2016.

That North Carolina connection should be an interesting one to Auburn fans.

Porter came from the Tar Heels, which is where Hopper’s relationship originally formed with the new tight ends coach. But this isn’t the first Hopper that Porter has recruited.

“I met coach Porter at North Carolina because my brother is actually a linebacker at North Carolina right now. I knew him since he was at North Carolina when I was a freshman, so we just decided to come up here,” Porter said following the visit with his parents. “We knew we were probably going to be alone. It’s a great place to be.”

Not a coincidence: Both of Hopper’s two 247Sports Crystal Ball forecasts go in North Carolina’s direction. That’s part older brother and part Porter.

With Porter’s job change, it elevates Auburn. The Tigers already sat in solid position. Hopper’s original Auburn relationship ran through Scott Fountain, who Hopper said he has remained in contact with over the past couple days.

But, for Hopper specifically, Auburn couldn’t have made a bigger splash hire than Porter.

“Auburn was already a great program. They’re already an elite program. But I believe Coach Porter is going to help them become elite tight ends. He’ll fit in perfectly,” Hopper said. “He’s a really honest person. He’s not going to lie to you. If he wants you, he wants you. Coaching-wise, he knows everything that needs to be known to be a good coach.”

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Willis didn’t pitch Hopper aside from telling him how glad he is to have ended up at Auburn.

“Malik, he enrolled early. He’s loving it. He told me it’s a great place to be,” Hopper said. “He also said he’s coming for that starting spot. I’m rooting for him. I want to see him playing on Saturdays … Either way, I look forward to being up here with him again.”

Roswell is a talent-rich high school, however, so Willis isn’t Hopper’s only former teammate who is recruiting him.

Wide receiver Corey Reed signed with Louisville. Safety Xavier McKinney enrolled early at Alabama. Several other teammates from programs who haven’t offered are already semi-recruiting Hopper in case those offers eventually come.

Willis will be a big asset for Hopper, but he said it was his former teammate on Auburn’s biggest rival that is on him the most.

“Xavier is for ‘Bama. He’s a cool dude. He’s really funny. He wants me to come up there with him, too,” Hopper said.

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Auburn offer was one Austin four-star RB Asa Martin had been waiting for (AL.com)

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Right before Asa Martin went to basketball practice on Monday for Austin High School in Decatur, he got a Twitter direct message from Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton.

It said to call him when he got finished with practice. The message was a game-changer.

"I called him and we talked for a little bit and he said he wanted to offer me a scholarship," said Martin, a 6-foot, 193-pound running back. "I was really excited about it. This is the one I've been waiting for."

Martin, a four-star recruit, now has 17 offers. The list includes the likes of Baylor, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State and Oregon. More are likely to come.

"It's an offer I'm really excited about and really interested in, but I'm not settled on anybody," Martin said. "No leaders or anything like that."

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