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

quote:

---

Safety calls Auburn the leader after recent visit

AUBURN, Ala. — Joe Foucha’s second visit to Auburn served a much different purpose than the first.

The 3-star safety from New Orleans made a trip to the Plains a month ago simply to see if he felt comfortable at Auburn. Foucha had grown up a self-proclaimed fan of the Tigers and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, but he’d never actually been on campus. It passed the litmus test on the first go-around.

His second visit went even further to separate Auburn from his lengthy list of suitors.

“I would say Auburn’s leading right now out of my top 15, and I do see Auburn being in my top-2 or top-3. I’m not sure yet who with, but they’ll definitely be in my top-2 or top-3,” Foucha said. “It’s basically a school I’ve been looking at since I was young. They showed me more than football. It’s on my mind.”

As Foucha referenced above, he’s trimmed his top schools to 15. That list includes Auburn, TCU, Kansas, Oregon, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Arizona State, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas-San Antonio and Texas A&M.

He wants to narrow that to at least five before it gets into the heat of summer, so that he has a chance to visit his top options. Auburn will definitely be in there. The other schools to keep an eye on are Alabama and Florida State. Foucha attended Alabama’s camp shortly after Big Cat Weekend, and his priority with the Crimson Tide will be monitored.

There’s no worries about whether he feels wanted at Auburn.

“Coach (Greg) Brown, he’s a good man. Ever since we first started talking, we haven’t stopped. Sometimes I send him stuff. Sometimes he sends me stuff. Coach T-Will (Travis Williams), he’s a real energetic guy. I love that. It makes me perform well. Energy brings a lot to the table. Coach (Kodi) Burns,” Foucha said. “Those two coaches show a lot of love, more than football. It’s big.”

Foucha isn’t in a huge rush to decide, but he also isn’t ruling out any timetable — long or short.

Auburn has an outstanding chance to land the McDonogh (La.) 35 safety regardless. One of the biggest things that stood out about his Big Cat Weekend visit was that Foucha exchanged phone numbers with a few other secondary prospects who attended the big recruiting event.

“Actually, it’s a few safeties [recruits] I knew. We collabed a while back, and it’s a cornerback, too. Us three guys [Foucha, Jamien Sherwood and Juanyeh Thomas] will be keeping in touch a lot,” Foucha said.

They were three crucial defensive back visitors for Big Cat Weekend. All three exchanged numbers and intend to stay in touch about recruiting. That’s a major positive, especially since all three are top priorities for the Tigers.

Foucha felt like he was able to form memorable bonds with coaches, players and prospects alike, which sets Auburn apart from other visits.

“It’s a traditional school I like. It’s a school I’ve been looking at for a while. Me coming up here and seeing it, it’s changed my thoughts even more, put it up even higher. The coaches, the head coach, he’s a good guy. He’s a caring guy. I met his wife. She cares. It’s more than football. It’s like a family here,” Foucha said. “I’ll be back up here a lot. This is my second time coming. I’ll probably come again. Things are high for Auburn.”

---