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re: 2018 Football Recruiting Thread -- Final OP Update Edition
Posted on 3/5/17 at 5:53 am to TigerPaw1
Posted on 3/5/17 at 5:53 am to TigerPaw1
Top 2018 targets share what stands out about Auburn after second junior day (SECCountry)
quote:
Auburn’s second junior day of the 2018 recruiting cycle is in the books.
The Tigers hosted 30-plus prospects from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 classes. SEC Country spoke with many of Auburn’s top targets after their visits on Saturday. There weren’t any new commitments, though one was close. Auburn sent out an offer to one 2019 cornerback Devin Bush, and a few more could be imminent.
For now, here’s a look at 17 reactions following the star-studded junior day.
3-star RB La’damian Webb, Beauregard (Ala.)
“I like them. I like their playing style. I think I’d be a great fit with them … They said I fit with the offense they run, especially with the new offensive coordinator Chip (Lindsey). They get the ball to people out in space.”
4-star DT Alfred Thomas, Lanier (Ala.)
“Coach (Kevin) Steele, he’s a cool coach. I want him to be my coach because he’s real cool … They’re at the top. They’ve been at the top for some time. I love Auburn. I knew a lot about Auburn already, but I learned they take pride in their defense. I knew them as an offensive-heavy team, but now they’re defensive-heavy.”
4-star QB Joey Gatewood, Bartram Trail (Fla.)
“It’s great. It’s still my school … I feel like it’s still the same. It’s perfect.”
3-star OLB Braelen Oliver, Douglas County (Ga.)
“Auburn was my first school I was introduced to. This was kinda my fist D-I school I’ve been to. Ever since then, I’ve really liked Auburn. When they told me to come up here, I couldn’t hesitate … Really, the staff is great. All the coaches, I can relate. I know a couple of the players. It seems like a place I can be at.”
3-star WDE KJ Stokes, Stanhope Elmore (Ala.)
“They invited me to a lot to games during the season. I love the environment here. I love the football. Just the whole vibe and football vibe from it is great.”
4-star OLB Quay Walker, Crisp County (Ga.)
“I came here, had a great time. It’s a great feeling. It wasn’t too big of a difference than normal. I still learned a lot. It was a great feeling.”
Unranked WR DeLonte Evans, Minor (Ala.)
“The coaches and the way they practice. Coach (Kodi) Burns, I like him as a receiver coach.”
Unranked LB Shaka Heyward, Mill Creek (Ga.)
“When I saw the spring practice, it was fast and fun. It looked like they were having a lot of fun. It’s a place I’d like to come play football. They’re good at football.”
Unranked 2019 CB Devin Bush, Edna Karr (La.)
“I’m really interested in Auburn. It’s a big SEC school. Their defensive backs are real nice. I watched practice today. I’ll consider them.”
Unranked 2019 OLB JD Bertrand, Blessed Trinity (Ga.)
“I came here for camp, and they were interested in talking to me. I’m glad we came to see the school more and talk to coaches. They did a really nice job with the junior day. I’ll definitely be looking into the school. I just want to talk to some of the players and see what the players think.”
3-star OT Kameron Stutts, Brooks School (Ala.)
“They’ve got really good academics, a great football program. They run the same offense we run. It’d be a really easy transition for me, switching over from high school to college playing football. The tutoring stuff and helping us with our academics, they just help you keep up with your academics.”
3-star RB Charles Strong, Union County (Fla.) — FSU commit
“I like Auburn. I’m just going through my visits to see what I like. Talking with Coach Burns on the phone, he was telling me, ‘Our school is the top. If you like it, it’s all yours.’ I like it. I love it.”
3-star DT Timaje Porter, Theodore (Ala.)
“I just wanted to see Coach (Rodney) Garner and talk to him a little more. I wanted to come home again. I really wanted to be here again … There’s nothing more I can see from Auburn. The coaches, the players, the facilities are nice, the dorms are nice. Everything is all right with me.”
Unranked WR Shedrick Jackson, Hoover (Ala.)
“Just building a relationship, seeing the campus again. I love coming up here every time. They just want to see me in person more, see me in action.”
Unranked DT Jalen Cunningham, Saint Clair County (Ala.)
“They just tell me how much they love me at the defensive line position. I came for the spring practice. I loved it, the intensity and everything. It was the first practice in pads, so it was great.”
4-star OL Jalil Irvin, Stephenson (Ala.)
“It basically just reaffirmed everything I already knew about Auburn … They’re definitely at the top for me. As for right now, they’re at the top for me. I’m close to a decision. I’m ready to get this over with.”
3-star OLB Richard Jibunor, Athens Christian (Ga.)
“It went awesome. I liked what I saw today. The players were competing. That’s why I came for the first day of practice in pads, to see what they’ve got going on this season. I wanted to see how the players would come back this season. It was awesome. So much emotion is going into practice and the players aren’t even playing in a game. That shows the players are really ready for the new season. I was very proud talking to the coaches and everything they told me. I saw it with my eyes and believe it.”
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Posted on 3/5/17 at 5:54 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn came '99.9 percent close' to landing Jalil Irvin's commitment (AL.com)
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Jalil Irvin almost made his college football commitment while visiting Auburn Saturday, but ultimately decided to hold off.
"I did," said the four-star offensive lineman. "I was about 99.9 percent close, but that one point got them. I'm going to be coming back real soon. I'm about to get this over with so it'll be real fun."
Irvin plays at Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., where Auburn recruited 2017 safety signee Carlito Gonzalez. Irvin hears from the Tigers every day and said the "family vibe" on campus has the Tigers in front.
"It was good," Irvin said. "It basically just reaffirmed everything I already knew about Auburn... I had real fun. They're definitely at the top for me as for right now."
"Everybody knows each other and I like that... It's a different feeling here from other college for me."
During his visit Irvin watched some of Auburn's third spring practice. He is also getting closer with Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand, who is recruiting him as a guard or center but believes he has the athleticism to play tackle as well.
"Coach Hand was with me the entire day," Irvin said. "I feel like our relationship got even closer with him hanging out with my mom the entire time. Talking not just about football, but life in general. I had fun with it. It was real cool."
The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder is the nation's No. 18 offensive guard in the 247Sports Composite. He didn't give a definitive timetable for a decision, but it could be right around the corner. Michigan is a major factor, but Irvin said he doesn't know what the Wolverines or other programs can do to knock Auburn off the top of his list.
"I'm close," he said. "I'm ready to get this over with. I'm really close."
Posted on 3/5/17 at 5:56 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn making moves for Florida State running back commit Charles Strong (AL.com)
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Even though Charles Strong has been committed to Florida State for more than a year, he's keeping an open mind when it comes to his recruitment.
The three-star running back from Lake Butler, Fla., decided to take his first visit to Auburn this weekend and came away impressed.
"I'm really interested in Auburn," Strong said Saturday. "I like Auburn. I'm looking into all my schools. Some people don't want me to look into a lot of schools, some people want me to stay with Florida State. At the end of the day it's up to me, so I'm pretty much going to (take) my visits and see how they turn out."
Strong (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) is ranked as the nation's No. 30 running back in the 247Sports Composite. He committed to the Seminoles in February 2016.
A recent conversation with his primary recruiter at Auburn, receivers coach Kodi Burns, convinced him to check out the Plains.
"He was sitting there telling me, 'Our school's the top," Strong said. "'We've got a good school... Just come over. If you like it, it's all yours. Whatever you feel what you want to do.' If I don't he'll keep recruiting me, but I like it. I love it."
Strong's interest in Auburn was first sparked when Tre Mason was carrying the rock on the Plains.
"I used to watch (Mason) when he was at Auburn," Strong said. "Watching his first touchdown pretty much blew my mind... The plays that we run, it's the same thing Auburn runs. I feel like I can get into the playbook fast."
During his visit Strong saw some of Auburn's third spring practice and spent a lot of time talking to running backs coach Tim Horton. The Tigers signed two running backs in the 2017 recruiting class -- Alaric Williams and Devan Barrett. All purpose-back Shaun Shivers is currently committed to Auburn's 2018 recruiting class.
"It was fun," Strong said of his conversations with Horton. "He's a good coach. He puts it to you straight forward. He told me when I come up here during the summer to work out he told me he was going to pretty much coach me like he would if I was committed or if I was playing here.
"He told me he loves big backs. If he's going to coach me to the fullest and make me the best (I can be) and get me to the next level, I'll come here. But I don't know yet."
Members of Auburn's coaching staff will visit Strong in May, and he intends to camp at Auburn over the summer.
While Strong doesn't know what it will take to break his commitment to Florida State, he said "it's possible." Former FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who is currently competing with at the NFL Combine, gave Strong a few words of advice regarding his recruitment.
"Dalvin Cook sat there and told me personally, he told me, 'You know you're probably one of the top running backs in the nation," Strong said. "'Stay with it. Florida State's always got you, but go where it fits for you.'"
Posted on 3/5/17 at 3:06 pm to TigerPaw1
Jason Caldwell? @ITATJason
Former 5-star and Texas Tech transfer @breidenfehoko4 "speechless" following Auburn visit
Posted on 3/5/17 at 5:37 pm to jangalang
Graduate transfer Defensive Tackle Breiden Fehoko article
This post was edited on 3/5/17 at 5:41 pm
Posted on 3/6/17 at 4:23 am to PrisonMike
Auburn making moves for Florida State running back commit Charles Strong (AL.com)
quote:
Even though Charles Strong has been committed to Florida State for more than a year, he's keeping an open mind when it comes to his recruitment.
The three-star running back from Lake Butler, Fla., decided to take his first visit to Auburn this weekend and came away impressed.
"I'm really interested in Auburn," Strong said Saturday. "I like Auburn. I'm looking into all my schools. Some people don't want me to look into a lot of schools, some people want me to stay with Florida State. At the end of the day it's up to me, so I'm pretty much going to (take) my visits and see how they turn out."
Strong (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) is ranked as the nation's No. 30 running back in the 247Sports Composite. He committed to the Seminoles in February 2016.
A recent conversation with his primary recruiter at Auburn, receivers coach Kodi Burns, convinced him to check out the Plains.
"He was sitting there telling me, 'Our school's the top," Strong said. "'We've got a good school... Just come over. If you like it, it's all yours. Whatever you feel what you want to do.' If I don't he'll keep recruiting me, but I like it. I love it."
Strong's interest in Auburn was first sparked when Tre Mason was carrying the rock on the Plains.
"I used to watch (Mason) when he was at Auburn," Strong said. "Watching his first touchdown pretty much blew my mind... The plays that we run, it's the same thing Auburn runs. I feel like I can get into the playbook fast."
During his visit Strong saw some of Auburn's third spring practice and spent a lot of time talking to running backs coach Tim Horton. The Tigers signed two running backs in the 2017 recruiting class -- Alaric Williams and Devan Barrett. All purpose-back Shaun Shivers is currently committed to Auburn's 2018 recruiting class.
"It was fun," Strong said of his conversations with Horton. "He's a good coach. He puts it to you straight forward. He told me when I come up here during the summer to work out he told me he was going to pretty much coach me like he would if I was committed or if I was playing here.
"He told me he loves big backs. If he's going to coach me to the fullest and make me the best (I can be) and get me to the next level, I'll come here. But I don't know yet."
Members of Auburn's coaching staff will visit Strong in May, and he intends to camp at Auburn over the summer.
While Strong doesn't know what it will take to break his commitment to Florida State, he said "it's possible." Former FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who is currently competing with at the NFL Combine, gave Strong a few words of advice regarding his recruitment.
"Dalvin Cook sat there and told me personally, he told me, 'You know you're probably one of the top running backs in the nation," Strong said. "'Stay with it. Florida State's always got you, but go where it fits for you.'"
Posted on 3/6/17 at 4:24 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn offer has New Orleans cornerback Devin Bush 'amped up' (AL.com)
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Cornerback Devin Bush took his first visit to Auburn over the weekend and left the Plains with an offer.
"It was a real blessing," said the 2019 prospect at Edna Karr in New Orleans, La. "I was real amped up. I had to call and tell my mom. She was real happy about it. My friends were real happy about it. It was all good.
"Their dorms are nice. I really like their weight room, the locker room. It's a nice place. It's a beauty."
Auburn has had difficulty recruiting players out of Louisiana in recent years -- Greg Robinson was the last player in the Pelican State to sign with the Tigers in 2011.
Bush's only other offer is from Nicholls State. The 6-foot, 180-pounder said Auburn getting in the game early is "very important" to him.
"It was real big," he said. "It really showed that people really watch you. My talent didn't go to waste. There's always somebody looking.
"I'm really interested in Auburn, this is a big SEC school. Their defensive backs are real nice, I watched them practice today. It's real nice. I consider them in my top 10."
New Auburn defensive backs coach Greg Brown, who was hired in January to replace Wesley McGriff, extended the offer to Bush Saturday.
"Coach Brown, he's a good guy," Bush said. "He sat me down for a little bit and talked to me. I really liked it. I plan on coming back soon."
Bush's next visit will be to Florida. He is also hoping schools like Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M extend offers.
"That would be a good blessing to get them looking at me," he said
Posted on 3/6/17 at 4:25 am to TigerPaw1
Texas Tech transfer Breiden Fehoko 'speechless' after Auburn visit, report says (AL.com)
quote:
Breiden Fehoko is on the search for a new school, and Auburn is in the mix.
After starting on the Texas Tech defensive line for two seasons, Fehoko announced his plans to transfer Jan. 19.
Over the weekend, Fehoko was in Auburn for his first official visit.
"I really was speechless," Fehoko said, according to 247Sports. "I really enjoyed everybody.
"First and foremost, I enjoyed the hospitality. Second, I really enjoyed how everybody was really transparent and just real honest about seeing me play here and how they can better my skill set and how they develop me as a football player. ... I asked a dozen questions, and coach (Rodney) Garner having the track record he has makes it a lot easier."
Auburn will have to beat out several schools for Fehoko's commitment. He plans to take official visits to Georgia, Louisivlle, LSU and Ole Miss before making a decision next month.
"Being this is my first visit, sets the bar really high for other schools," he said. "This time around, it's a business decision. Auburn really answered a lot of my questions, so I'm intrigued to see how my next few visits go to compare to how Auburn did."
In two seasons with the Red Raiders, the 6-foot-3, 287-pound Fehoko started all 25 games and posted 38 tackles including 7.5 for loss and two sacks with one interception. He will sit out the 2017 season due to the NCAA transfer policy and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
At Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, Fehoko was ranked as a four-star prospect and the nation's No. 50 overall recruit in the 2015 recruiting class by the 247Sports Composite.
Auburn, which began spring practice last week, is looking to replace Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson on the defensive line. The Tigers signed three defensive linemen in the 2017 recruiting cycle (Markaviest Bryant, Tyrone Truesdell and Alec Jackson) and currently have none committed to its 2018 class.
Posted on 3/6/17 at 4:27 am to TigerPaw1
Recruiting notes: Offensive stars at adidas 7v7 National Championship (Rivals)
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Four-star tight end Brevin Jordan is planning to visit Michigan and Miami in the coming weeks, but first is another trip to UCLA to meet with the coaching staff again.
The Las Vegas Bishop Gorman standout said he had a great trip there recently and wants to get back again to meet more with the coaches. It’s no secret the Bruins are high on his list.
“I visited already and it felt like home,” Jordan said. “I just want to see the second vibe I get just being around them again.”
Rated as the third-best tight end in the 2018 class, Jordan is expected to visit Ann Arbor with four-star QB teammate Dorian Thompson-Robinson and will probably go to Miami with family.
Auburn and Cal are his newest offers, and Jordan said more visits could happen soon.
Posted on 3/6/17 at 4:31 am to TigerPaw1
VISITOR LIST: Junior Day II (Rivals)
Link has long list of players
quote:
Auburn is holding its second Junior Day for the 2018 class.
Around 35 recruits are in Auburn today, including quarterback commitment Joey Gatewood, five-star receiver Justyn Ross and Class of 2019 quarterback Bo Nix.
The second Junior Day on Saturday will be much like the first, which was held Jan. 28. The recruits arrived in Auburn Saturday morning, met with coaches and academic advisors and attended the Tigers' first practice in pads.
The day's events will conclude at 2:30 p.m. CT with a trip to Auburn Arena for the Tigers' basketball game against Missouri.
Link has long list of players
Posted on 3/6/17 at 4:33 am to TigerPaw1
Four-star OL 'really close' to decision (Rivals)
quote:
A decision from Jalil Irvin could be coming soon.
The four-star offensive lineman from Stephenson in Stone Mountain, Ga., visited Auburn Saturday for a Junior Day.
“I’m ready to get this over with. I’m really close,” Irvin said.
In fact, Irvin nearly gave Auburn’s coaches a commitment during his visit.
“I was about 99.9 percent close but that one point got them,” he said. “I’m gonna be coming back, though, real soon. I’m about to get this over with so it’s going to be real fun.”
Irvin, 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, lists Auburn as his leader. He has more than 20 offers including Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Missouri, Ole Miss and North Carolina.
Irvin said it’s Auburn’s family atmosphere that stands out from the other schools.
“I walked in for spring practice and Antwuan (Jackson) from Cedar Grove walked up to me, K.J. (Britt) walked up to me, T-Will walked up to me. It's just a family vibe,” Irvin said. “Everybody knows each other. I like that. It's like a different feeling from here to other colleges for me.”
Irvin said he and his mom spent most of the day with Auburn offensive line coach Herb Hand.
“I feel like we got even closer with him hanging out with my mom the whole time, not just talking about football but life in general. I had fun with it. It was real cool,” Irvin said.
“He loves to cook. He told us a story today about how he loves to cook and bring everybody over to his house to meet his kids, meet the family. His daughter goes here too so it's like a real family vibe. It's more than football for him. It was just a great thing.”
As for Irvin’s mom, it sounds like Hand won her over too.
“I think she’s AU,” Irvin said.
Irvin is ranked the nation’s No. 7 offensive guard by Rivals. Auburn is recruiting him to play guard or center.
“(Hand) said he sees my body type as a guard or center, but with my athleticism I could probably play tackle too. He’s going to bring me in as probably a guard or center,” Irvin said.
Posted on 3/6/17 at 9:02 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
Bush's only other offer is from Nicholls State. The 6-foot, 180-pounder said Auburn getting in the game early is "very important" to him.
quote:
"I'm really interested in Auburn, this is a big SEC school. Their defensive backs are real nice, I watched them practice today. It's real nice. I consider them in my top 10."
ummmmmm
This post was edited on 3/6/17 at 9:04 am
Posted on 3/6/17 at 9:47 am to MrAUTigers
quote:
Bush's only other offer is from Nicholls State.
quote:
I consider them in my top 10."
He probably doesn't understand the difference between teams showing him interest and real committable offers
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:34 am to AUtigR24
Quarterback Joey Gatewood: Auburn's 'still my school' (AL.com)
quote:
Auburn commit Joey Gatewood was on campus over the weekend for what he called an "important visit."
It was the first time the 2018 quarterback prospect had a chance to spend a full day with new Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.
"It went good," Gatewood said Saturday. "Always great to be back. (Lindsey's) a great guy. It was really nice spending the day with him.
"We bonded... My mom loves him. He's a really nice person. Can't wait to get to know him even more."
The 6-foot-4, 232-pounder from Jacksonville, Fla., is ranked as the nation's No. 3 athlete in the 247Sports Composite. He committed to Auburn in December 2015.
Gatewood developed a strong relationship with former Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who left for Connecticut in January. Since that time, other schools like Georgia, Oregon and Texas have increased their pursuit of Gatewood.
"(Auburn's) still my school," he said. "I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision. It's coming up to an end because I expect to graduate early. I'm giving (other schools) a shot, but I'm pretty sure Auburn's locked down."
Gatewood liked what he saw from Lindsey as he coached individual drills during Auburn's spring practice on Saturday, the first in pads for the Tigers. He still feels like a "perfect" fit at Auburn.
"I think what Lindsey likes about me is I can do both," he said. "I can throw it and I can run it. He likes the fact that I can throw it and have a big arm."
Not only has Gatewood stuck with his decision, he's becoming a big recruiter for the Tigers. He speaks "weekly" with Justyn Ross of Phenix City and Jacob Copeland of Pensacola, Fla. Both are four-star receivers.
Ross was also on Auburn's campus over the weekend after Gatewood asked him to meet him on the Plains.
"I'm going to make that my wide receiver," Gatewood said. "Him and Jacob Copeland... It's good because (Copeland) needs to get behind Auburn."
Gatewood plans to return to Auburn for the A-Day game April 9. He is one of three players committed to Auburn's 2018 recruiting class, the others being all-purpose back Shaun Shivers and defensive end Daquan Newkirk.
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:36 am to TigerPaw1
Auburn LB target Quay Walker impressed by Tigers, wants to play with Markaviest Bryant (SECCountry)
quote:
When Markaviest Bryant signed with Auburn in February, the attention of college staffs across the country quickly turned to 2018 prospect Quay Walker.
Walker has been a hot recruit since his sophomore season, and it has picked up rapidly from there. The 4-star outside linebacker from Crisp County is close friends with Bryant, his high school teammate, and the two have been regular attendees on the Plains together.
That trend continued this weekend when Walker attended Auburn’s junior day. He was joined by Bryant and their high school coach Shelton Felton.
His first time back on campus since Bryant’s signing, Walker is beginning to show some favoritism toward the Tigers.
“At the end of the day, I’m going to go where I think it’s the best fit for me. At the same time, it kinda played a big role where Markaviest went,” Walker said. “Y’all know I want to play with him.”
Walker offers a slightly different skill set than Bryant.
Bryant is a pure pass rusher who will slip nicely into Auburn’s Buck pass rusher role. Walker can do some of that, but he’s also able to drop back in coverage and fill running lanes when asked. Walker joked that, despite Bryant’s higher ranking, he actually can do more on a football field than his friend and teammate.
He attended the Tigers’ practice Saturday, which gave him a chance to watch linebacker Tre’ Williams and see how Auburn might use Walker in the future.
“The linebackers are very physical. I like that,” Walker said. “Everybody just has a great energy. I’d like to be a part of that.”
Walker has been coming to Auburn since his sophomore season when he attended his first-ever college game when the Tigers played Georgia. Walker has enjoyed his time on campus ever since, even pitching the university to Bryant when Bryant had his eyes on other programs. Walker, in a sense, pre-recruited Bryant, who is now returning the favor.
“Ever since my name got out there, Markaviest and I started talking about playing together,” Walker said. “When we used to come up here for games, I used to always tell him about Auburn. Then, when I was telling him that, his feeling wasn’t the same as they are right now,” Walker said. “Auburn was the first college football game I’ve ever been to or campus I’ve ever been around.”
That long-standing relationship will help as Walker attempts to narrow in on a decision before the end of his senior football season at Crisp County.
Walker has named Georgia, Auburn and Florida as leaders during is recruitment, but said at this time all the schools are even. He said the Gators are making the biggest effort to gain his services. But Walker knows he still has a lot left to see from the main schools he’s considering, which include LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, Oregon and Auburn.
Walker said he’ll “definitely be back” on the Plains soon. He expects to make trips to most of the other nearby programs, as well.
Auburn has set the tone.
“It wasn’t too big of a difference from normal. I still learned a lot. It’s a great feeling. I’ll be back,” Walker said. “I haven’t quite gotten that home feeling yet. That’s what I’m really looking for before I make my big decision.”
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:38 am to TigerPaw1
Sounds like Auburn QB commit Joey Gatewood hit it off with OC Chip Lindsey during daylong visit (SECCountry)
quote:
All eyes were on Joey Gatewood.
Sure, there were more than 30 other of Auburn’s top targets on campus Saturday for junior day, but Gatewood — the staple of the Tigers’ 2018 commits so far — made the trip to Auburn for his first daylong visit with new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey. So he became the center of attention for the offensive staff.
Gatewood’s rich relationship with former offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has been well-documented. The 4-star quarterback wants to develop a similar bond with Lindsey.
Step one went as well as imaginable.
“This was an important visit. It was really nice spending the day with him. We bonded,” Gatewood said. “It’s coming along. He’s a great dude. My mom loves him. He’s a really nice person. He’s a good guy. I can’t wait to get to know him even more.”
Gatewood has become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail since Lashlee’s departure.
Several Power 5 programs saw the OC exit as an opportunity to pull away the third-ranked athlete in the nation from Auburn. Texas and Oregon have revved up recruiting efforts. Georgia has made its presence felt as the Bulldogs search for their dual-threat quarterback.
Auburn has made it tough for other schools to gain much of an edge. The Saturday visit to the Plains helped solidify that.
“It’s great. It’s still my school … I feel like I fit the same. It’s still the same. It’s perfect,” Gatewood said. “I want to make sure I’m making the right decision because I’m coming up to an end. I expect to graduate early. I’m pretty sure Auburn’s locked down.”
Gatewood brings a versatile skill set to the recruiting class.
He has no problems throwing the deep ball. He was agile enough to finish in the top eight of the Under Armour iLLSPEED competition in Orlando, which is typically reserved for wide receivers and cornerbacks. For his high school team — because fellow Bartram Trail (Fla.) quarterback Riley Smith is so talented — Gatewood offers his abilities at other positions.
The Tigers still remain fully confident in Gatewood’s talent as a signal-caller.
“I think what (Chip Lindsey) likes about me is that I can do both. I can throw it and can run it,” Gatewood said. “He likes the fact I can throw it. I have a big arm.”
Gatewood wasn’t able to make this most recent trip an overnight one.
He plans to return for the A-Day game on April 8. The star quarterback commit hopes to make a full weekend out of that visit, which might be all he needs to confirm once and for all that the Tigers are the right destination point for him.
He’s relatively certain of that, so Gatewood has started to search for his future wide receivers. At the Under Armour camp, Gatewood mentioned IMG Academy wide receiver Joshua Moore as a favorite target of his.
Central (Ala.) receiver Justyn Ross and Pensacola (Fla.) receiver Jacob Copeland have jumped to the top of Gatewood’s wish list.
“I’m the one that texted Justyn Ross to meet me up here,” Gatewood said. “I’m going to make that my receiver. Him and Jacob Copeland. We need them to get behind Auburn.”
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:40 am to TigerPaw1
SEC Breakdown: Top commits, top targets, commit predictions (Rivals)
quote:
7. Auburn
Commits: 2
Most notable: QB Joey Gatewood
Top target: DB Jaylin Armour-Davis
Next likely to commit: OL Jalil Irvin
Auburn is looking to land some of the best in-state, then hit Florida and Georgia hard in 2018. The Tigers have two commits at this point, both from the Sunshine State and they will add more. Keep an eye on Auburn inside the state of Georgia this cycle. Gus Malzahn's program is in a good spot for numerous Peach State prospects early.
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:44 am to TigerPaw1
Early offers are a surprise to 2019 RB Ronald Thompkins (Rivals)
quote:
One is Auburn.
"I have been over to Auburn a few times and I like it over there. I have been there for a game and I really like how the eagle flies around the stadium before the game. I like that they play in the SEC, their offense scores a lot of points and it is a school I will get back to."
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:45 am to TigerPaw1
Scout Provides the Names of Five Underclassmen That Really Proved Their Worth at the Under Armour All-America Camp in Miami
quote:
Dontae Lucas, 2019 OL, Miami Senior High
Well-proportioned and barrel chested as an interior offensive line talent, Lucas showcased a great punch early in reps to kick off the one-on-one portion of the camp.
He worked outside at times and looked a tad out of position, overextending on one rep in particular, but excelled thereafter. Florida, Miami and Auburn are already on board with the junior-to-be.
Posted on 3/7/17 at 5:48 am to TigerPaw1
New D-end target emerges (247)
quote:
A new defensive end target has emerged for Auburn.
The Tigers on Monday evening offered 3-star recruit Kingsley Enagbare of Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter. He visited Auburn on Saturday.
The 6-feet-4, 235-pound Enagbare is the No. 26 weak-side end nationally in the industry generated 247Sports Composite. His stock, however, is soaring of late.
Georgia, North Carolina and West Virginia all have offered in the past two weeks.
All told, Enagbare claims 15 offers.
Defensive line coach Rodney Garner and the Tigers hope to sign one or two pass rushers in the 2018 class.
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