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re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:47 am to TigerPaw1
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:47 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
No. 241, Jack West, Saraland
Position: Quarterback
The skinny: West picked Stanford over Alabama last summer, and he competed in the Elite 11 finals before ultimately not getting picked. Last season, as a second-year starter, West threw for 1,225 yards as a junior as the Spartans finished 6-5 season and fell in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs at Park Crossing.
I feel like his stock has fallen some. I thought he would challenge for a 5* but hasn't been overwhelmingly impressive at camps this fall. Still a good QB
1
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:48 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
No. 270, Harold Joiner, Mountain Brook
Position: Running back
The skinny: At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, some college scouts like the idea of Joiner transitioning to a new position in college, but he seems intent on staying at running back. Alabama, Auburn and Southern Cal are among his 30-plus scholarship offers. He rushed for 744 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior and caught nine passes for 180 yards and two scores.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:49 am to TigerPaw1
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Auburn commit Joey Gatewood, QB, No. 81
The 6-foot-5 quarterback from Jacksonville, Fla., is ranked No. 81 nationally in the Scout 300 and has been committed to Auburn since December 2015, but he recently added an offer from Alabama. He played multiple positions as a junior at Bartram Trail High School, but is expected to play exclusively at quarterback this fall.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:49 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Who's out?
Sidney Lanier defensive lineman Alfred Thomas and Myles Mason, a safety who recently transferred from Pleasant Grove to Hewitt-Trussville, were listed last year among the Scout 300 for the Class of 2018 but are no longer ranked. Mason started received SEC scholarship offers during his freshman season at Pleasant Grove, and Thomas has been a sack master for the last two seasons at Sidney Lanier in Montgomery.
My poor boy Alfred
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:49 am to TigerPaw1
quote:If Bama continues to not want him we should be able to get him. But yeah. The passing game has to be there this year for most of our WR recruits.
Would be stunned if we got him. Maybe if Stidham lights things up and AU has WRs showing out while Bama struggles again to throw deep? Not getting hopes up tho
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:51 am to GenesChin
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Describe your "top tier coach" because generally speaking I disagree.
any coach currently at another good P5 school or in the NFL that isn't on the Hot Seat.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:51 am to ellitor
quote:
I've actually thought about that quite a bit. I think the lower value placed on RBs in the NFL Draft the past decade has trickled down to college football. I think if you are in the right system for it, which AU is, you can plug & play a good number of RBs in a recruiting class & they would be very productive.
Oh ya I don't worry too much about RB recruiting for that reason. We have gotten production from a wide range of players. I can't help but imagine tho what a Zamir White or Lorenzo Lingard could do in our system. Jovon showed us in flashes of what could happen as did Dyer.
With that said I am super excited about Devan Barrett. I think he's gonna be a boss down the road for us
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:52 am to TigerPaw1
Why Gus Malzahn isn't concerned about Auburn's lack of commitments on Big Cat Weekend (AL.com)
quote:
Auburn's Big Cat Weekend is one of the program's major recruiting events each summer, and it has been generally successful for the Tigers.
This year's event, which took place last week end, "may have been the best one" yet, according to Auburn coach Gus Malzahn.
"Big Cat was awesome," Malzahn said Thursday before speaking at his Ambush tour event in Alexander City. "After we got done, there's three or four of the coaches that have been through all of them since I've been back as a head coach. I feel like this may have been the best one overall and very successful."
That success isn't measured in commitments, however.
For just the second time since 2010, Big Cat Weekend failed to produce an immediate addition to Auburn's recruiting class. Despite hosting a plethora of top recruits -- including the state's top-rated player, wide receiver Justyn Ross -- none committed to Auburn's coaching staff during the event.
Malzahn wasn't concerned about that.
"It's not really set up for that," Malzahn said. "It's more for relationship building, getting to know each other. The way we left it, we feel great with where we're at with the staff. It'll really pay dividends moving forward."
While the weekend isn't targeted toward landing commitments, the Tigers have found success in that regard over the years on Big Cat Weekend. Last year, Auburn received commitments from now-freshman Malcolm Askew and running back Octavius Matthews, the latter of which eventually decommitted from Auburn. The year before, Auburn received a commitment from five-star offensive lineman Calvin Ashley and receiver Eli Stove.
A handful of other players, including safety Nick Ruffin and the late Jakell Mitchell, also pledged to Auburn during the event in recent years. Since 2010, the only other year the event didn't yield a commitment was in 2014.
Despite not adding a member to Auburn's class -- which currently stands at six players, with only two four-star prospects, and ranks 34th nationally -- Malzahn believes the event has positioned the program well for a potentially big summer on the recruiting front.
"That's the plan," Malzahn said. "I think it could be."
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:53 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn legacy Shedrick Jackson ‘pretty close’ to decision after most recent Auburn visit (SECCountry)
quote:
Shedrick Jackson’s decision is ‘pretty close’
AUBURN, Ala. — There isn’t much more for Shedrick Jackson to see.
The Auburn legacy — yes, the nephew of Bo Jackson — has attended Auburn games since his childhood and understandably grew up in a pro-Auburn environment. He’s been recruited by Auburn, too, so he knows about as much about Auburn as a high school prospect can know about a school.
Still, he feels like every trip to the Plains reveals something new about a program he could potentially commit to in the near future.
“I learn something new every time. Not always something about the school or the campus but maybe the coaches or the players. More about what the experience would be like if I came here,” Jackson said. “This most recent time, it was probably just meeting new guys. Some from around the country. Some I’ve played against. It’s great mingling with everybody.”
The common question to Jackson when he left Big Cat Weekend: Did you commit?
The answer, obviously, was no. But he paused briefly when asked whether he’d thought about it. He ultimately went with no to that question as well, but it gave a little insight into where the Hoover (Ala.) receiver may be leaning.
While he once said he’d wait to commit, the 3-star receiver has drastically altered his timeline.
“I’m pretty close. It’ll probably end up being a couple weeks between now and when I commit,” Jackson said.
There’s not much more for Auburn to do with Jackson.
All signs point to him choosing Auburn over Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Missouri and Memphis. He’s a legacy. The Tigers have need at wide receiver and they’re more than willing to take his commitment if he’s ready.
“I feel like I’ve seen a lot. I feel like I’ve seen enough. I just have to get back in the mode of summer workouts, focusing on that first then focusing on recruitment,” Jackson said. “A lot of stuff I did [at Big Cat], I’ve done before. It was good. A lot of great vibes. I talked to the coaches also. It was great times.”
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:55 am to ellitor
quote:
MOST DISAPPOINTING:
Honorable Mention: Shaun Shivers wasn’t quite as sudden and fast as I expected and I was surprised he didn’t run away with the Fastest On The Field award.
Gus sure can scout talent.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:56 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
What to do at running back after Master Teague
Master Teague confirmed what many expected when he received his Ohio State offer on Friday — that he’d commit to the Buckeyes.
The decision spurned three SEC programs, including Auburn, which were originally listed in his top 3. Now, all three programs must turn to other options at the running back position in the 2018 class. Teague was a major miss. He’s only listed as a 3-star prospect, but that’s an egregious under-ranking (plus, it’ll go up now that he’s an OSU commit).
Still, Auburn has plenty of options at running back. Shaun Shivers is already committed and Auburn will likely take one or two more in the 2018 class. Let’s take a look at those available options with some follow-up commentary on what I think could happen, what I think should happen and what I think will happen.
4-star RB Asa Martin, Austin (Ala.)
4-star RB Dameon Pierce, Bainbridge (Ga.)
4-star ATH Harold Joiner, Mountain Brook (Ala.)
3-star ATH Tae Provens, Madison Co. (Ala.)
Other names could emerge, but those are the ones Auburn has shown reciprocated interest in this spring.
If we miss on all of those guys or let's say only get someone like Provens, I wouldn't be stunned if we looked JUCO. Not sure whose out there but staff has shown that they aren't scared to go down that route.
Also the 2019 RB class is absolutely loaded. Seriously the state of GA has some big time talent. Also I am a big fan of John Emery in LA tho he will probably go to LSU. Needless to say if AU doesn't hit on top guys this go around maybe a strong year on field + Pettway 1st-3rd rd pick helps us load up in 2019
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:57 am to CaptainBrannigan
quote:Yup. Proved that when he pushed hard & wanted JF3 as a Juco QB over Jerod Evans.
Gus sure can scout talent.
This post was edited on 6/12/17 at 12:07 pm
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:57 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
What I think could happen: Well, a wide variety of things. Auburn will hang onto Shivers, no matter what, and the Tigers think that he has some serious upside as a regular-down running back despite his 5-foot-7 frame. Auburn could take one or two other running backs in this class. If the Tigers were to only take one, they’d want it to be Martin. Pierce is probably the only back they’d want as the exclusive other take in the class. But Martin, realistically, has as much of a chance of landing at Florida and Alabama as Auburn. Pierce’s recruitment brakes have been pumped by a few schools, so Auburn’s consistency there might be beneficial. Auburn could rev up efforts on Joiner — who favors LSU — as a pure running back rather than the receiver/RB option the Tigers have offered so far. They might also, once and for all, do everything it takes to get Provens in the class, a prospect they’ve slowly played with so many other running back options out there.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:58 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
What I think should happen: In a perfect world, Auburn should take three running back prospects in this class, including Shivers. The Tigers have been recruiting Martin as their No. 1 guy throughout the whole spring. They leveled up with Florida before Alabama offered. Auburn should stake its claim to the top running back in the state despite Alabama’s late push. The Tigers should also treat Joiner as a true running back prospect rather than the multiple-position option they’ve presented. As long as he doesn’t grow more, Joiner sees himself as a running back, and Auburn should let him do that. It’d probably be enough to secure him in the class over LSU.
I would love for this to happen. Martin/Joiner/Shivers RB class would be legit
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:58 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
What I think will happen: Alabama tends to get the No. 1 running back in the state when the Crimson Tide chase that prospect. That appears to be the trend again in 2018 despite Auburn’s more long-standing relationship with Martin. Ultimately, I expect Martin to choose Alabama. That’s when I think Auburn makes its final push for Pierce, who hasn’t been heavily recruited by any of the schools he still considers in contention. The Tigers will take Pierce, but they’ll want one more. I think that ends up coming in the form of Provens — a sneaky talented prospect — who is set to decide on Aug. 11. There’s no doubt in my mind if Auburn makes a serious push for Provens as a running back, that he’ll choose the Tigers.
I can live with Pierce/Provens/Shivers
Posted on 6/12/17 at 11:59 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Adding to Gus Malzahn’s comments on Big Cat, camps
As SEC Country’s Justin Ferguson wrote, Gus Malzahn had two major points to make about recruiting when he spoke to reporters in Lake Martin, Ala.
1. Big Cat Weekend was a resounding success — maybe more than ever — despite leaving the event with zero Class of 2018 commitments.
2. Satellite camps are slightly overrated, especially the ones closest to Auburn, because the Tigers’ staff values getting prospects on campus rather than seeing them at off-campus sites.
As for Part 1, I can see how some pessimists will view his stance on Big Cat Weekend as phony. It’s not. It could be viewed as Malzahn blowing smoke to cover up a commitment-less event — something quite rare in its youthful history — but what the Auburn coach is saying is quite true. At this version more than ever, Auburn hosted prospects who have a well over 50 percent chance of playing for the Tigers.
There were plenty of prospects at the event who have legitimate chances of landing in Auburn’s Class of 2018: Jalil Irvin, Kameron Stutts, Kolbi Fuqua, Daquan Newkirk, Matthew Hill, Jackson, Juanyeh Thomas, Joe Foucha, Martin, Provens, Justyn Ross, Jamien Sherwood, Kyler McMichael, Michael Harris, Coynis Miller and Andres Fox.
Don’t take the zero commitments as a knock against the event. Its long-term-relationship building will prove to be useful in the near future.
As for the satellite camps, that’s not to say Auburn will never participate in them. A majority of staff members attended one in Memphis on Sunday, which allowed them an opportunity to spread the Auburn brand to that portion of Tennessee, as well as scout potential future prospects in the Memphis area. There were a pair of coaches who traveled to central Florida last week for a camp.
But Malzahn’s point was that, for the most part, these satellite camps improperly utilize Auburn’s time and resources. Most of the satellite camps take place in the Tigers’ pipeline. They know the talent in those areas well, and likewise, the prospects are familiar with Auburn.
If Auburn can get prospects anywhere close to campus, its coaches would much rather the prospects make the extra drive to the Plains to get the full effect.
It reminds me of something linebackers coach Travis Williams said earlier this spring about the Tigers’ attempts to get anyone and everyone on campus because they feel the Auburn environment is a game-changer.
“That’s why we always say, ‘Just get them on campus.’ It’s a special place. Everybody is happy here, enjoys being here. Everybody is always smiling. Why is everybody so happy? What’s going on? It’s just a special place. If you get a kid on campus, you have a chance. You’ll at least be in the conversation. You’ll have to mess it up to not be in the conversation because it is a special place,” Williams said. “We want to embrace everyone that comes through here. It’s just a different place because — and you hear it all the time — Auburn is different. But you have to be here and go and sit down with the coaches to know this is different. This is different. That’s why we always try to get guys on campus.”
Posted on 6/12/17 at 12:00 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:I'd be ok taking Ladamian Webb at that point. Even though he is short he has the physique & a physical running style that can be productive for us.
If we miss on all of those guys or let's say only get someone like Provens, I wouldn't be stunned if we looked JUCO. Not sure whose out there but staff has shown that they aren't scared to go down that route.
Posted on 6/12/17 at 12:00 pm to TigerPaw1
Will do my best to update OP this week with new screenshots and such. Also need to update that visitor list with BCW people. Will probably do that sometime later this week
Posted on 6/12/17 at 12:01 pm to ellitor
quote:
I'd be ok taking Ladamian Webb at that point. Even though he is short he has the physique & a physical running style that can be productive for us.
I want to take Webb just to watch the melt on this board over two sub 5'10" backs
Posted on 6/12/17 at 12:02 pm to TigerPaw1
Mike Dyer was like 5'8"
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