Started By
Message
re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition
Posted on 6/20/17 at 3:18 pm to TigerPaw1
Posted on 6/20/17 at 3:18 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
‘You must be crazy’
Again, pieces are missing. Leonard can’t remember how he started playing football or who persuaded him to give it a shot once he arrived at Oxbridge Academy.
And he didn’t fall as hard for the gridiron as he did for the hardwood — at least not at first. But Leonard clearly recalls his coach’s reaction when he tried to quit football his freshman year.
“My coach pulled me into his office one day and said, ‘If you’re thinking about quitting football, you must be crazy,'” Leonard said. “I still remember that.”
He hated the contact and didn’t see the same potential others did, but Leonard kept putting on his helmet.
That’s when Angela Koch and her family took Leonard to an Auburn-LSU game — another life-changing experience.
“I’d never been exposed or been able to go to a game like that,” Leonard said. “After that Auburn was always the dream school. I remember I was excited, but never showed it. I was overwhelmed by everything around me. Ninety-thousand fans.
“I used to think what if I was playing on a team and running out of that tunnel?”
That seemed more like a fantasy than a realistic goal. At that point Leonard hadn’t been recruited by many schools. So when coaches from Temple, South Alabama and Florida Atlantic came calling, Leonard, also older than most in his class, felt he should jump at early offers.
Brendan Kent, who was Oxbridge’s defensive coordinator and took over as the head football coach going into Leonard’s sophomore year, saw all kinds of potential.
“He was big, he was long he could run, he was physical. Really instinctual,” Kent said. “You could tell he played basketball because when you’re on the football field he sees things so well. A lot of times basketball guys see things so well.”
First Leonard committed to FAU in December of 2015. It seemed as though the minute he committed, more coaches started to see what Kent had.
A Michigan State coach visited Leonard at Oxbridge. Wisconsin offered. Kentucky offered — as did other SEC schools. With scholarship offers from Arkansas, Mississippi State, Tennessee and others, Leonard felt an internal need to attend a school with a strong academic reputation.
The more schools surfaced, the more Leonard impressed Kent.
“A lot of times when you see basketball players on a football field they’re not very physical,” Kent said. “He’s physical. He’s smart, but the one thing is physicality at that position and I think that surprised me coming off the basketball court onto the football field.”
Still not fully convinced of his football ability, Leonard felt playing time in the SEC was a reach. That and a desire to “be done” with the recruiting process made Leonard want to commit to North Carolina.
After that, then-Auburn secondary coach Wesley McGriff, started coming after Leonard. He re-evaluated his decision, de-committed from UNC and committed to Auburn in December 2016.
Less than 100 hours later, McGriff announced he was leaving Auburn to become the defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. Even with the coach leaving who he’d bonded with most with and adored, Leonard stayed “all in” on being a Tiger.
When Gus Malzahn added Greg Brown as Auburn defensive backs coach to replace McGriff in January, Leonard made an instant connection with his new coach.
Brown traveled to meet Leonard in Florida and right away, the detail-oriented veteran — Brown coached three players who earned the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back — and the soon-to-be rookie seeking ways to improve, looked like a perfect pair.
“We’ve stayed on the phone for like, hours talking about coverages,” Leonard said. “Talking about man coverages, zone coverages. He’s very detailed with his stuff, and I like that. It rubs off on us.”
1
Posted on 6/20/17 at 3:20 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
Playing for the past, present and future
As he prepared to travel to the Plains at the end of May, Leonard hardly could believe where his journey has taken him.
Despite getting a late start on the football field, Leonard ended up being a 3-star prospect in a short time. He snagged 10 career interceptions and totaled 57 tackles for Oxbridge Academy. Leonard was ranked a top 50 defensive back by ESPN and the No. 111 defensive back, according to the 247 Sports composite. He experienced situations that he feels will help him make an impact at Auburn.
“I feel like I’m a lot more mature,” Leonard said. “I’m obviously older than most of the guys that signed with me. I’m 20 years old. I’ve been through coaching changes, I’ve been through playing in front of a lot of people. I’ve had my ups and downs in my game. I’ve been through injuries. So I just felt like I’ve kind of been through it all and am ready for it. I’ve been practicing, I’ve been working out, I’ve gotten faster. And my body has started to mature more.”
And that’s just the football side of things. His life experience?
“That’s my foundation,” Leonard said.
The heartache still exists. Leonard admits “there’s nights where I just cry, even now.” As he prepared for his high school graduation Leonard knew it would be an emotional goodbye to the diverse academy that opened his eyes as well as his families. Occasionally he reflected back on friends from his childhood and the different paths everyone took.
Leonard’s list of goals go farther than the football field. He wants to be able to set himself up for career success so he can return to West Palm Beach with a purpose.
“Maybe one day I’ll be able to go back to where I’m from and talk to young kids who are dealing with the same things that I had to deal with,” Leonard said. “And have the ability athletically to make it out, to try to guide them down the right path. Hopefully that day will come.”
And as much as Leonard will be playing for his new teammates and coaches — his Auburn family — this fall, he’ll keep reflecting on his past. When he steps on the football field in Jordan-Hare Stadium he’ll be playing for those in his life and those who have touched it.
“But then I think about the big picture and you just have to play for those people. you can never forget about them and you can never forget about where you come from, but there is a better place. That’s Auburn. I can’t wait to get there. It’s been a very long time coming.”
Posted on 6/20/17 at 3:24 pm to TigerPaw1
Auburn wants to 'out-recruit' its 2017 linebacker class in 2018 (AL.com)
quote:
In Travis Williams' first year at Auburn, he helped turn a group of relative unknowns at linebacker into one of the Tigers' strengths. The Auburn linebackers coach also helped sign an impressive class of three linebackers that included four-star prospects K.J. Britt and T.D. Moultry, as well as three-star linebacker Chandler Wooten.
Williams, however, doesn't have time to assess his body of work in Year 1 as an assistant coach. He's already looking toward 2018 -- both on the field and on the recruiting trail.
"This thing is funny, because nobody really cares about last year," Williams said in March. "Really, nobody cares about the last recruiting class. What are you doing this year? Everybody has short-term memory, and you could become a bad coach overnight. You got to stay humble and keep working and don't feed into bad or good."
Williams understands Auburn has to get better -- at linebacker and on defense collectively -- and build upon the success of 2017. While he's excited about the group he will have on the field this fall, he also wants to outperform his 2017 success in recruiting as Auburn looks to sign another solid linebacker class. The Tigers are hoping to sign three more linebackers with their 2018 class.
"We've got to out-recruit the ones we did last year," Williams said. "That's every year. We have to get better."
Auburn does not have a linebacker committed to its 2018 class currently, with just six players overall committed to the program. That's not to say the Tigers' prospects are limited at the position, though.
Auburn is in the mix for a quartet of out-of-state four-star linebackers, including top target Michael Harris.
Harris is a 6-foot-2, 213-pound linebacker out of Tucker, Ga. He's rated as the nation's No. 11 inside linebacker, according to the 247Sports Composite, and Auburn is among his top choices; he also visited campus during Big Cat Weekend earlier this month. The biggest hurdle for the Tigers is Ohio State, which is favored to land a commitment from Harris.
He visited Ohio State's campus this past weekend, but left without announcing a commitment, which should bode well for Auburn.
The Tigers are also in the mix for four-star linebacker J.J. Peterson out of Colquitt County in Georgia. Peterson is the nation's No. 2 outside linebacker, and while Alabama is the favorite to land his commitment, the Tigers were his No. 2 choice as recently as Big Cat Weekend. Auburn will have a lot of work to do to keep the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder from its in-state rival, however.
Another linebacker the Tigers have an outside shot at is four-star prospect Channing Tindall out of Columbia, S.C. The Gamecocks are the favorite for the hometown product, who is rated as the nation's No. 8 outside linebacker, but Auburn isn't far behind. His relationship with Williams--who attended the same high school, Spring Valley, and still owns school records there -- certainly helps in Auburn's favor. Tindall visited campus for Big Cat Weekend, and he said the Tigers have an edge over the Gamecocks when it comes to scheme and relationships with the coaching staff.
Perhaps the linebacker most likely to join Auburn's 2018 class is four-star outside linebacker Zakoby McClain out of Valdosta, Ga. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is rated as the nation's 14th-best player at his position, and he is high on Auburn, though LSU is closing in.
Other options include four-star prospect Richard Jibunor, though he projects as a Buck defensive end at Auburn, as well as three-star Maplesville prospect Nathaniel Watson, who could project at tight end or defensive end in college.
"We're going to try to get the best kids that fit Auburn," Williams said. "First, you've got to have a good skill set, but you've got to be good people. We've got a good room. I don't want anything to mess up what we have going. We have good kids that love football, so I'm not just going to get anybody. I've got to get a guy that fits our room and fits our coaching. That's what you're looking for."
Posted on 6/20/17 at 3:31 pm to TigerPaw1
Man, I had no idea any of that happened with Leonard.
Posted on 6/20/17 at 4:02 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:He will OV AU July 14th per JLee FWIW.
OT Badara Traore
Posted on 6/20/17 at 4:04 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:Gonna be hard to do when the plan is to only take 2 LBs in this class.
Auburn wants to 'out-recruit' its 2017 linebacker class in 2018 (AL.com)
Posted on 6/20/17 at 5:20 pm to ellitor
quote:We are stacked at LB right now imo
Gonna be hard to do when the plan is to only take 2 LBs in this class.
Posted on 6/20/17 at 7:30 pm to ChexMix
quote:Since we only use 2 LBs on most plays I agree.
We are stacked at LB right now imo
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:25 am to ellitor
4* CB Kyler McMichael is making a surprise commitment Friday. No one seems to know where. Clemson 247 ppl say that he sent a mass text to top 6 teams and no one has heard anything further. I think Clemson is probably the choice tho
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:33 am to TigerPaw1
Key Dawgs' target set to announce commitment (247)
quote:
One of Georgia's top targets is set to decide. Per his coach, four-star cornerback Kyler McMichael (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian) will announce his commitment on Friday.
McMichael is coming off a trip to Tennessee over the weekend, and previously narrowed down his choices to Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and Tennessee. The 6-foot, 195-pound prospect visited Georgia on back-to-back trips earlier this month and is considered one of the Bulldogs' top targets at cornerback. Auburn and Clemson also got McMichael on campus in June.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:35 am to TigerPaw1
Who could be next to commit? (247)
Maybe one day someone from this list will actually commit
quote:
The Auburn Tigers have six commitments and the No. 49 class ranking at the moment.
No new pledges have come in more than two months, but that dry spell should be about to end.
Based on the latest intel, there are somewhere around 17-18 spots remaining in the 2018 Auburn recruiting class -- although that number will be fluid right up until the very end.
The bottom line: There is much work ahead to fill the class between now and National Signing Day.
Today, we ask the question on everyone's mind: Who could be next to commit?
Here are the most likely candidates.
Maybe one day someone from this list will actually commit
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:36 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Shedrick Jackson, WR: Auburn offered the 3-star receiver this spring, and he continues to rise on the Tigers' board. After a strong camp outing last weekend at Auburn it has become clear he's a major priority for that program. The Tigers are the team to beat and it would not be a shock to see Jackson land on the Auburn commit list by end of the month.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:36 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Matthew Hill, WR: Auburn is the favorite here, with South Carolina also in the mix. Hill is a top-100 national recruit in the 247Sports rankings -- and we think he's likely to join the class before the summer ends. Hill is one of the fastest recruits in Georgia and has been a top Auburn target for nearly a year.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:37 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Andres Fox, DE: Fox visited Auburn for four days last week and afterward said a commitment decision would come in the next couple of weeks. It's between Auburn, LSU and Alabama with Auburn and LSU being his co-leaders at this time. The LSU threat is real and that program is starting to like its chances more and more largely because of Fox's relationship with coach Ed Orgeron. Auburn's recruitment is being led by linebackers coach Travis Williams (his area recruiter), though defensive line coach Rodney Garner and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele also have been extremely active. It's a coin toss right now. Some at Auburn feel good. Others are cautiously optimistic.
FYI it appears Bama is making him a priority. They invited him to championship cookout which is their big VIP event. Also Fox told Bama 247 they have upped their recruitment of him
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:37 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Michael Harris, LB: This recruitment has gotten a little strange. For awhile, it was all Ohio State. But Harris visited the Buckeyes over the weekend and didn't -- as some thought he might -- leave committed. Is he being slow-played by the Buckeyes? Does he simply want to see more? At this point, nobody knows, but Harris has pointed to a mid-summer decision for awhile. Auburn and Georgia also are threats. If Harris does in fact intend to have a decision soon, the Tigers have a chance to gain a commitment from a major priority.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:38 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Caleb Tannor, DE/Buck: Tannor has a top five of Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee. At this time, it feels like Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee stand out. He has visited the Bulldogs more than anyone with Auburn or Tennessee next. Tannor have visited Auburn four times this year -- all since March. He's very comfortable at Auburn and is close with the staff. We have yet to make a Crystal Ball prediction, however, because this one seems close. Tannor told AuburnUndercover last week he hopes to have a decision in July.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:38 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Juanyeh Thomas, CB: Thomas, a 3-star defensive back from Florida, has a top three of Auburn, Florida and Georgia Tech -- but we know the Tigers are recruiting him hardest (his words). He has visited Auburn twice this summer already and could return in July. Thomas plans to announce in August and right now Auburn is trending big.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:38 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Tae Provens, ATH: Provens has set a commitment date for Aug. 11. There are unknowns: Is Provens, who sees himself as a running back, okay with being recruited as an "athlete," and is he is a take for the Tigers. According to our intel, it's no sure thing he lands in the class. A lot may depend on how badly Auburn wants him as his commitment date nears.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:41 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn plans to sign at least 3 defensive backs with 2018 recruiting class (AL.com)
quote:
For the fourth straight season under Gus Malzahn, Auburn has a new defensive backs coach on the staff. This time, it's journeyman Greg Brown, who joined the program back in January.
On the recruiting trail, that means yet another new position coach trying to court defensive backs for the Tigers.
With the addition of Brown, who helped shore up the 2017 class in the weeks leading up to signing day, Auburn will look to add at least three defensive backs to the fold with its 2018 recruiting class. Brown is no stranger to recruiting, and after nearly four decades in the coaching ranks, he understands how to sell recruits on his program.
"Everybody's got something to sell," Brown said in March. "As far as myself, players, their attraction toward myself as a recruiter would be, 'You know what, this guy has been there at these places, especially in the NFL, then maybe he's got something that I can take from him and learn.' You try to sell whatever you've got."
Along with his wealth of knowledge coaching defensive backs, a selling point for Brown this recruiting cycle is sure to be an opportunity to see the field early -- especially for prospective safeties. Auburn loses its top three safeties -- Tray Matthews, Stephen Roberts and Nick Ruffin -- after this season and will have only two true safeties, 2017 signees Carlito Gonzalez and Jordyn Peters, as well as a nickelback Daniel Thomas on scholarship for 2018.
Obviously, safety is a priority for Auburn this recruiting cycle.
The Tigers do not officially have any safeties committed to the 2018 class, though three-star athlete Kolbi Fuqua likely projects as a safety at the next level. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder out of Cordova has said Auburn likes him at receiver, and that's where he plans to start -- but a move to the defensive side is a distinct possibility.
Auburn remains in the mix for a handful of key safety prospects this cycle, with four-star recruit Quindarious Monday among the team's top targets. The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder out of Atlanta's Carver High is rated as the No. 10 athlete in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite, and he has a penchant for being a "brutal hitter" in the defensive backfield. While Auburn appears to lead for Monday, Clemson and several other schools are in the mix.
Other safety targets for the Tigers include three-star prospects Jamien Sherwood and Joseph Foucha. Sherwood, out of Jensen Beach, Fla., visited Auburn for Big Cat Weekend earlier this month, and the nation's No. 31 safety said he could see himself signing with the Tigers. Foucha, a product of New Orleans, is the nation's No. 30 overall safety, and he visited Auburn last month and recently declared that both Auburn and Alabama would "for sure" be among his top five finalists.
As far as cornerbacks go, Auburn will return more depth there than at safety in 2018, so the position isn't as high of a priority. Auburn's top targets at the position are four-star prospects Kyler McMichael and Jalyn Armour-Davis, three-star prospect Juanyeh Thomas and unrated defensive back Charles McClelland, who has received offers from Auburn and LSU in the last three weeks. All three targets were on campus at the start of the month for Big Cat Weekend.
McMichael, the nation's No. 13 cornerback recruit, was making his third visit to the Plains when he arrived for Big Cat Weekend. The 6-foot, 196-pounder out of Norcross, Ga., left impressed and has the Tigers among his leaders -- which also include Alabama, Clemson and Florida State. Both Auburn and Clemson have approached McMichael about possibly seeing time on offense as well.
Armour-Davis, from St. Paul's in Mobile, is the nation's No. 15 cornerback and the No. 3 player in the state of Alabama. Auburn is a finalist for Armour-Davis, who was reportedly on campus last weekend for an unofficial visit, but Alabama is the favorite for the 6-foot, 160-pounder.
Thomas is a former high school teammate of current Auburn receiver Eli Stove, and the Niceville, Fla., product is rated as the No. 146 cornerback in the 2018 class. The 6-foot-2, 204-pounder returned to campus last week for a camp, and Auburn is the favorite for his services. He plans to make a commitment in August between Auburn, Florida and Georgia Tech.
McClelland was under the radar until his recent offers from Auburn and LSU. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder out of Homerville, Ga., played running back and safety as a junior, but Auburn sees him as a cornerback at the next level. He will likely wait until after his senior season to make a decision, but Auburn is currently the favorite to land him.
"Everybody looks for guys that are big, fast, strong, can run, tackle and make plays," Brown said. "You're looking for guys who are productive, you turn on film and you want to see people that are productive, especially if they can be productive on both sides of the ball if their high school system allows them to play both ways and if it allows to play in the return game.
"You're looking for clues like, can this guy run an angle? Does he have vision, does he have ball skills? Does he have toughness? You're always looking for the complete package."
It's Brown's hope that, among this group of defensive backs, he'll find a few that fit the description for Auburn's 2018 class.
Posted on 6/21/17 at 8:44 am to TigerPaw1
quote:It's rare that a high level 4 star announces a commit date 2 days away and no crystal ball picks roll in. And rare there are only 3 picks overall.
4* CB Kyler McMichael is making a surprise commitment Friday. No one seems to know where. Clemson 247 ppl say that he sent a mass text to top 6 teams and no one has heard anything further. I think Clemson is probably the choice tho
Page 180 of 549
Latest Auburn News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News