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

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KN always says follow the visits - if this axiom is true (which I believe it is) then Fields's visits should definitely be concerning.

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COTTONDALE, Ala., -- Could 4-star receiver Seth Williams of Bryant High, who grew up in the shadows of the Crimson Tide, envision himself playing for Auburn?

"Yeah, I could," Williams said. "It's not really hard to picture myself (there). Wherever I fit in, I'll play."

Auburn is one program that stands out to the 6-feet-3, 212-pound Williams, the No. 30 receiver in the 247Sports Composite. Alabama and Ole Miss are two others.

Williams plans to attend Saturday's Auburn-Georgia Southern game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

He estimated he has visted the Tigers "five, six times."

Auburn has had success with big-bodied receivers before and Williams tracked the careers of former Tigers Sammie Coates and Duke Williams. He said his game compares more to the latter.

"(Auburn) showed me some film on (Williams)," he said. "I really like him and how he played and how he compares to myself."

Williams said he thinks Auburn is primed to pass more under new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, but noted, "The run game always gets the receivers going. No matter where you go, they are going to run the ball."

According to Williams, Auburn has recruited him the hardest.

"They're just always there," Williams said. "When I come there, they make me feel like I'm at home. They're always texting me, letting me know what's up. They aren't going to lie to me or nothing like that."

With Alabama, what stands out?

"The process," Williams said. "How it's been going on for so long and how they've managed to win over and over again."

As for Ole Miss, according to Williams he has never before visited the Rebels but plans to do so in the fall. They will get an official visit.

With Ole Miss, Williams one thing sticks out.

"Their offense -- they throw the ball a lot," Williams said. "It's a receivers dream."

You can listen to our entire interview with Williams by hitting play above.

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ith Ole Miss, Williams one thing sticks out.

"Their offense -- they throw the ball a lot," Williams said. "It's a receivers dream."

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The fate of the tight end position

One of the most befuddling positions for Auburn — both on the roster and on the recruiting trail — is tight end.

How will offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey utilize the position? Can Jalen Harris be the guy? Why is Sal Cannella viewed more as a wide receiver? Where was John Samuel Shenker in the two-deep depth chart? What kind of prospect will the Tigers look for going forward?

These are all questions that are likely to be answered early in the 2017 season. And several recruits will have their eyes set on those results. For now, there are four tight ends who are firmly on Auburn’s recruiting radar in the 2018 class — though expect the list to grow if the position is utilized effectively this season.

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Nic McTear, 3 stars, Heritage (Frisco, Texas): McTear told SEC Country in March that he was “eventually going to make my way over there,” referring to an Auburn visit. To my knowledge, that hasn’t yet happened, but I still expect it to. When McTear initially staged the Auburn visit plan, he was still committed to Oklahoma State. He backed off that pledge in July after a spring and summer of offers from Miami, Auburn, TCU and LSU. As of last week, McTear said he hears from Porter “a lot.” This one isn’t too much to look into until a visit takes place, but if/when it does, McTear becomes a prospect to seriously follow. He’s 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds … you don’t want to get in his way (check the tape). Assuming the visit happens, Auburn is more in play here than people may think. He lived in the Hoover, Ala., area until he was 12 years old and has a strong familiarity with the Tigers’ history.

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Luke Ford, 4 stars, Carterville (Ill.): Ford is probably No. 1 on Auburn’s wish list, but for now, I believe he’s probably the least likely of the group to join the Tigers. His decision will be greatly influenced by quarterback and No. 1 overall recruit Justin Fields, and the Tigers appear to be trailing Georgia and Florida State there. Even if Ford didn’t follow Fields, Auburn would still be chasing in-state rival Alabama. As Ford told SEC Country earlier this week, “it’s a pretty good chance” he’ll visit the Plains again before making a decision. The last time he visited, he received a personal campus tour from head coach Gus Malzahn, which he said left as big of an impression on him as any other moment from any visit this summer.

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