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

Auburn, South Carolina 'battling' for four-star linebacker Channing Tindall (AL.com)

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Auburn and South Carolina are neck-and-neck for four-star linebacker Channing Tindall.

A native of Columbia, Tindall has the in-state Gamecocks as his No. 1 team. But the Spring Valley High product has a close connection with Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams, who still holds records at the high school.

"But not for long," Tindall said. "He has 23 tackles in a game; I came close last year with 23, but this year it's time to break it."

For now, South Carolina remains ahead of Auburn for Tindall, who compared how close the schools are to a "one-second win in a track event," and he plans to commit early in the college season.

"They're battling," Tindall said. "They're battling real close right now."

He said Auburn has the edge on "defensive scheme and better relationship with coaches" whereas South Carolina coach Will Muschamp is a plus for the Gamecocks as well as proximity to home.

Tindall, who also came to Auburn's junior day, said he and Williams talk weekly and his trip to Auburn for Big Cat Weekend was more about developing relationships with the rest of the staff.

"I got a better experience this visit," Tindall said. "We didn't talk a lot about football because it was a fun day, Big Cat day, but my favorite part was getting know all the coaches. ... To me, stepping in from senior year out to college it like your first step because you're kind of still like a child living with your parents, it's like you're stepping into manhood.

"Coach T-Will being someone I know from Columbia, is kind of like another father figure on your shoulders so you're not in there by yourself."

Tindall is also considering Florida and Georgia, where he plans to visit soon, and will visit Notre Dame before taking part in the Rivals Five-Star Challenge in Indianapolis next weekend.

He wouldn't say what Auburn could do in the next few months to move ahead of USC.

"We'll see," Tindall said. "That's up for them to decide. I can't really get into all of that."

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In-state RB, Auburn target Tae Provens sets commitment date (AL.com)

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Madison County 2018 running back Tae Provens plans to commit before the season begins

The three-star recruit tweeted today that he will choose from his top five on Aug. 11 at 8 p.m. Provens narrowed his choices to Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina and Louisville on Friday.

Provens has said in past interviews that Tennessee was his leader. He attended Auburn's Big Cat Weekend on Saturday. Provens grew up an Auburn fan and the Tigers were his second offer in May 2016.

The 247Sports Composite rates Provens as the No. 44 athlete in the country and the No. 20 recruit in Alabama.

Provens (5-foot-11, 190-pounds) ran for 1,264 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 games last season.

Madison County kicks off its season Sept. 1 vs. Etowah.

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My guess is he picks Tennessee. He wants to go to AU but only as a RB and sounds like we want him as a WR or DB. I am ok with passing since we have Shivers though I kinda like the CB idea just not sure he can be convinced

Auburn tied atop Mobile Christian DE Andres Fox's list, but with which school? (AL.com)

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Auburn is tied atop the list for Mobile Christian defensive end Andres Fox, but he's not ready to say who the Tigers are tied with just yet.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Fox (first named pronounced An-Dray-us) visited Auburn on Saturday for Big Cat Weekend. His final three are Auburn, Alabama and LSU - with Auburn tied on the top with one of the two.

"(Auburn) showed that they really want me," Fox said. "I told two other schools that I want to visit them first."

He said Saturday that he didn't plan to visit Alabama this week for its camp, but rather on June 17 so he can work with linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi. That's the day of a lineman camp at Alabama.

Fox said that LSU continues to recruit him the hardest.

Fox is a three-star recruit on the 247Sports composite.

Some highlights and notes on Fox following Saturday's trip to Auburn

- He's up to 240 pounds thanks to gains in the weight room, having gained 10 since late March. Coaches rave about his potential if he can add the weight to his 6-foot-5 frame.
- He didn't participate in the pie-eating contest at Big Cat, just the watermelon eating one.
- The best part of the event for him? Watching offensive line coach Herb Hand freestyle.
- Auburn is recruiting Fox at the defensive end/BUCK position. That's where Carl Lawson succeeded and turned into an NFL Draft pick.
- A commitment could come in August before his senior season begins. Fox and Mobile Christian finished as Class 3A runners up last season.
- Auburn showed him "how they really care about their players."

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Auburn 'exceeded' expectations for four-star Texas receiver Tommy Bush (AL.com)

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Tommy Bush wasn't entirely sure what Auburn's coaching staff was like before visiting the Plains, but after Big Cat Weekend the four-star receiver left impressed.

"They exceeded (expectations)," Bush said. "I didn't really know the coaches like that so I wasn't really expecting them to be such high-energy, but when I came here I see they have another side of them. ... (Coach Gus Malzahn) was very good. You don't expect him to be that kind of nice person so it was good to meet him in person too."

Big Cat Weekend was the first chance for Bush and his parents to interact with the coaching staff after Auburn first made contact after The Opening in February and receivers coach Kodi Burns visited Bush's practice at Samuel Clemens High School in Shertz, Texas.

It's readily apparent what Auburn sees in the 6-foot-4, 191-pound wide out, who fits the mold of Sammie Coates, Tony Stevens and other tall wide outs the Tigers have turned to at split end over the years.

The visit to Auburn was part of a week-plus long tour of the region for the Bush family, who went to Georgia on Friday and planned visits elsewhere in the SEC and Florida State before returning to Texas.

"It's a great experience, it's nice," Bush said. "I really need to pay attention to these schools and figure out what's unique about them and what separates them. ... Of course education, but most of them, they're going to have a good education.

"My parents are a big part in this deal. I got to make sure they're comfortable with me either leaving the state or staying in-state. They're important in this decision. I feel like it's home to me, if I feel like I have a great fit after talking to coaches about how they're going to use me and I feel like that's the right decision, then that's it."

Bush thinks he'll make another visit to Auburn and is not locked in to going to college in Texas. Moving has been a regular part of his life as his father, a graduate of Troy, and is a retired master sergeant in the Air Force and the Bush family has lived in Alaska, Kansas, Florida, Germany and Texas.

Bush joked he considers himself from the U.S. rather than a specific state.

"It's nice to kind of have that background," he said. "I've been traveling pretty much every three years, I travel to a new place so it's no problem. ... It is a possibility that I can (go to college outside of Texas). I don't have no problem leaving the state."

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Why recent visits to Auburn and Alabama have more meaning for elite WR Justyn Ross (AL.com)

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The recruiting process has reached the next level for Central-Phenix City receiver Justyn Ross, the state's top recruit.

The 6-foot-4 Ross is ranked No. 27 nationally and is the highest-ranked four-star recruit in the composite rankings.

Ross has offers from all over the country. Many think it will come down to Alabama and Auburn, but he raved about his visit to Clemson this spring and also wants to visit Ohio State and Florida, among others.

But now his mother, Charay Franklin, is back in Phenix City after a tour of duty with the U.S. National Guard. With Franklin returning to the states, her comfort level with the schools will help him narrow down his list possibly to a top five before the season.

She's been able to join Ross on trips over the past few days to Tuscaloosa and Auburn.

"When she first got back, she said her phone started blowing up from all the coaches when they knew she was back," Ross said Saturday after Auburn's Big Cat Weekend festivities.

Ross and his mother recently had a Skype call with Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

"It was good because she finally got a chance to actually talk to him (Saban on skype)," Ross said. "It's always a great talk with Coach Saban."

He said highlights of the Big Cat Weekend included watching the recruits during a pie-eating contest, which Auburn offensive line commit Kam Stutts won.

"It was real nice to get her here for a visit," Ross said. "I have a real good relationship with pretty much all the coaching staff and it's right up the road (from Phenix City."

He did say he spoke with Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, but not much about recruiting.

Ross is likely to make his decision after the season.

Two former teammates are now Iron Bowl rivals. Defensive back John Broussard is heading into his second season at Auburn.

"He doesn't recruit me as hard as others do, but I know he wants me to come up there," Ross said.

Linebacker Markail Benton just arrived in Tuscaloosa.

"He just got up there last week and he's been texting me about it," Ross said.

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Eufaula defensive tackle Ka'Darian Hill committed to Ole Miss on Monday, he announced on his Twitter page.

Hill is a three-star recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings.

The 6-foot-1, 278-pound Hill reports 16 offers per his 247Sports page, including Auburn, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Memphis, Southern Miss, Florida Atlantic and Georgia State.

Eufaula coach Bryan Moore told AL.com earlier this year that it's looking good for Hill to be a December graduate.

"He's a freak in the weight room, works out all the time after school every day and in our workout block, almost too much really," Moore said. "We kind of have to run him out of the weight room. He's just a grinder. He's a kid that you don't get many of, I know that. He'll be one of very few in my career that I'll have like him. He's just very uncommon and old-school in his work ethic."

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He has an AU offer but not sure how hard we are pursuing. FWIW I am ok with him leaving the state. He's solid but I think we can find better

Watch Auburn commit Kameron Stutts dominate pie-eating contest at Big Cat Weekend (AL.com)

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Kameron Stutts took his seat and took one for the team.

It was a pie-eating contest, a staple at Auburn's Big Cat Weekend. The offensive lineman from Brooks High School in Killen, who committed to the Tigers at the A-Day game on April 8, knew his mission.

"Banana cream pie," the 6-foot-4, 325-pound Stutts said. "I'm not even a big fan of bananas, but I had to do what I had to do for the team."

Many recruits in attendance at the social recruit filled with highly-regarded recruits said one of the highlights was Stutts' performance in the pie-eating contest.

"I (finished) it in plenty of time," Stutts said. "Everybody else was halfway done. We have some video evidence of other coaches taking half the (other contestants') pie and throwing it."

Stutts said he spent time with uncommitted recruits Asa Martin, a running back from Austin and Justyn Ross, a receiver from Central-Phenix City.

The best part for him was just having fun and talking to everyone. Being one of the few Auburn commits there, he put his recruiter hat on.

"Most other colleges you go and they don't do nothing like this," Stutts said. "This a really unique thing and it's really fun and family-based. That's something I noticed about Auburn and one of the reasons that I made my commitment, is the family-based atmosphere and everything. It's just a nice place to be."

Stutts also relished his future position coach, Herb Hand, outlasting linebackers coach Travis Williams in the freestyle rap battle.

"I think coach Hand killed it," he said.

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Top Georgia receiver Matthew Hill has strong comfort level at Auburn (AL.com)

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Four-star receiver Matthew Hill is wanting to make a summer commitment, and Auburn has plenty of momentum.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Hill, from Brookwood High in Snellville, Ga., has a top five of Auburn, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina and Florida.

Of those, he said Saturday after Big Cat Weekend that Auburn, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida are coming after him the hardest.

"I'm very comfortable at Auburn," said Hill, the nation's No. 149 recruit in the 247Sports composite. "I grew up an Auburn fan, so I've been comfortable since I was a little kid.

"Auburn's always been up there at the top, one, two or three. I've known Auburn, it's like home. Auburn's a leader just because I grew up an Auburn fan, so by default."

Hill said Saturday's visit to Auburn "definitely brought me closer to making a decision."

He hung out with the other receivers there, including Central-Phenix City's Justyn Ross and Norcross, Ga., standout Kyler McMichael. Hill is also close with offensive line target Trey Hill of Warner Robins, Ga.

Hill could even play safety at the next level, and says college coaches say his versatility, character and athletic abilities stick out from the pack.

Hill said he hasn't made a commitment yet because he wants to check out a couple more schools this summer. He said he'll visit Alabama at some point, but not this week for camp.

"They're coming after me pretty hard just like Auburn and every other school," Hill said.

Florida and South Carolina could also get visits.

"Those are the only schools I'm really considering because they are coming after me pretty hard," Hill said.

Hill said he'll narrow things down to a top three soon and plans to make a commitment this summer.

As a junior, Hill had 41 catches for 849 yards and nine touchdowns along with 625 rushing yards on 98 carries and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Hill had 24 tackles, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and a score.

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Longtime commit Daquan Newkirk has 'refreshing' return trip to Auburn (AL.com)

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Daquan Newkirk's first visit back to Auburn in more than a year was a memorable one.

Newkirk committed to Auburn in June 2015, but did not qualify out of high school in Orlando, Fla. He went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College last year, but redshirted.

He and Auburn remained committed to each other. Newkirk will graduate from junior college in December, enroll at Auburn in January and be a sophomore defensive lineman in 2018.

Newkirk made a multi-day trip to Auburn, leaving June 5. He was there for Big Cat Weekend on Sunday.

"It was great," Newkirk said. "I got to meet new people. They guys are here right now, I don't know too many of them. I can say (it's) refreshing. I haven't been here in forever. It feels like forever. Fifteen months is a long time. It's great to be here."

Newkirk is now up to 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, some 30-plus pounds heavier than in high school. He's expected to make an immediate impact on the defensive line next season, inside or on the edge. Newkirk is a four-star recruit ranked as the No. 4 junior college player in the country per 247Sports.

"Same thing because I'm still versatile," Newkirk said of his plans to play end. "I still have my speed. I'm just bigger."

He said South Carolina and Florida Atlantic are among schools still recruiting him, but their efforts haven't intensified.

"They're low key with it, but they know how committed I am with Auburn," Newkirk said.

Newkirk is 100 percent committed to Auburn, he said, and doesn't plan on visiting any other schools.

"Everything that comes from here is just love," he said.

Newkirk was wearing a cast on his right hand after suffering a finger injury during spring practice. He expects to have that off in three weeks.

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I'm no insider, in fact it has been awhile since I have even posted on here, but I wanted to tell you guys about a conversation I had last week. I ran into a guy at a seafood restaurant last week and we started talking about football (because of my AU hat) and he was telling me he was taking his godson to Auburn for bigcat weekend. He said he went to Mobile Christian. He also said he was trying t get him to go to bama, but that he kid loves Auburn and especially CGM. He aid that he would be surprised if he ended up anywhere else but Auburn. I ope he is right.