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

quote:

---

4-star WR Justyn Ross, Phenix City, Ala.

2 catches for 62 yards and a touchdown
2 punt returns for 90 yards
58-yard receiving touchdown
62-0 win vs. Fairfield (Ala.)

---

quote:

---

4-star RB Harold Joiner, Birmingham, Ala.

12 carries for 101 yards and 4 touchdowns
Touchdown runs: 1 yard, 3 yards, 10 yards and 22 yards
41-0 win vs. Helena (Ala.)

---

quote:

---

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn hosted an impressive list of recruits Saturday, especially considering the Week 1 opponent (Georgia Southern) and several other high-profile matchups across the southeast. The Tigers put on an equally impressive showing on the field during its defensive-dominant 41-7 victory in the opener.

Most of the recruits who were expected to attend the game showed up. The only big-time 2018 prospect who couldn’t make it was 4-star wide receiver Seth Williams, but don’t read too much into that. He was planning to come with his coaches and teammates, but the trip ended up getting called off.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the recruiting side of the game Saturday:

---

quote:

---

4-star DL Richard Jibunor

- Richard Jibunor said something pretty funny when he met reporters Saturday night. How was the visit? “I can’t wait,” he said. Can’t wait for what? He quickly caught himself and said “can’t wait to be back.” I’ll let you interpret that interaction for yourselves.
- He spent much of the pregame as a front-and-center recruit near warmups. -
Jibunor chatted with Rodney Garner and Garner’s entire family near the end zone. Jibunor’s smile is a contagious one, and it was in full effect Saturday night.
- Jibunor stayed overnight and will be on campus until Sunday evening. He is spending most of his time with starting left tackle Prince Tega Wanogho. Jibunor joked with me at halftime that he was looking for reasons to make fun of Wanogho in his first game, but he was having trouble finding them.
- Don’t underestimate the power of Wanogho in this one. Even if Wanogho were to leave early in Jibunor’s career, he will play a vital role in Jibunor’s decision. The two go back to their childhood in Nigeria. They play pick-up soccer together whenever they get the chance. Jibunor spends almost all of his time on Auburn’s campus with Wanogho. The fact he’s the new starting left tackle shows Jibunor that the dream is possible at Auburn.
- Jibunor will still take that Florida visit on Sept. 16 when the Gators play Tennessee. He’ll also be in Atlanta Monday when Tennessee takes on Georgia Tech.
- Still, Jibunor made it seem like the Tigers are the clear team to beat. He even went so far as to say, “I think Auburn’s been in the lead for a long time.” My guess is Tennessee makes it a competitive No. 2 and Florida finished No. 3. -
Jibunor is Auburn’s to lose, and that’s a big deal.

---

quote:

---

4-star OL Trey Hill

- Hill was one of the first prospects on the field before the game and one of the last ones to leave after it. It’s a huge deal for Auburn to get this guy on campus Week 1 instead of Georgia or Alabama-FSU.
- Why did he come to Auburn instead of other options? He’s been to Georgia a lot for games, and he hasn’t gotten to experience the Auburn game atmosphere as much. Hill raved about it.
- He spent a good bit of time before the game with both Gus Malzahn and Herb Hand. They’ve made it clear to him he’s the top offensive line option left in the Tigers’ arsenal. They want him badly.
- Hill doesn’t reveal much when he talks to reporters, but when asked where Auburn fits into the equation: “They’re up there.”
- He will take all five official visits, but Auburn won’t be one. That’s because he knows he can make that drive for a visit at any time. All he has confirmed so far is Southern Cal. He hasn’t decided on the other four OVs, but it’ll likely be long-distance locations.

---

quote:

---

3-star 2019 CB Jalen Alexander

- For starters, Alexander was proudly wearing his Grayson national championship ring from a year ago. Those things are pretty sweet. Grayson is a factory.
- Alexander is one of Auburn’s top defensive back targets in the 2019 class. Don’t look too much into his measurements (5-foot-11 and 165 pounds) right now because he has a good frame to build on. He reminds me a lot of Jalyn Armour-Davis in that regard.
- Of the programs who have offered — Auburn, South Carolina, Louisville, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and others — Auburn and South Carolina are standing out.
- He has a close relationship with Travis Williams and is starting to get to know Greg Brown on a much more personal level.
- Alexander doesn’t have a timetable set for his decision, but Auburn is in a great place for now.
- Ohio State and Clemson are the two schools he talks with regularly and wants to wait on offers from before he goes about his complete decision-making process.

---