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

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Richard Jibunor scheduled OV around Kayode Oladele
AUBURN, Ala. — In his typical selfless style, Richard Jibunor timed his official visit for the greater good of the Auburn recruiting class.

Jibunor could’ve taken an official visit for the Iron Bowl or the weeks that followed, but he waited. He was gauging the recruiting interest of one of his close friends, Kayode Oladele, a fellow native Nigerian who had shown interest in Auburn ever since de-committing from Florida State. When Oladele postponed a few official visit plans, Jibunor remained patient with his own.

Once Oladele set his, Jibunor made sure to be there on his as well, side by side to ensure a commitment.

“It was special. One of the main reasons I came this weekend was because Kayode was taking his official visit this weekend,” Jibunor said. “I knew he had been going places and we had been talking about it for a long time. I kind of planned it around him. Kayode was the main reason why I chose this weekend.”

The two were inseparable this weekend, just as they were during their overnight stays for the Iron Bowl. All the way up until Sunday morning — when Oladele left and announced his commitment — the tandem were constantly together on their official visits.

A few weeks ago, the Sunday after the Iron Bowl, Oladele told SEC Country there was an 80 percent chance he’d eventually commit to the Tigers. Jibunor said, by Saturday night, his confidence had grown to 98 percent.

All that was left was Oladele sealing the deal, which he did.

“I was happy. It has been a work in progress. Today, it turned out to be successful. I’m so hyped up. Him being a Nigerian, too, and coming in the same year and trying to hold each other accountable and just fighting to get better,” Jibunor said. “It has been for a week now that he’s been thinking, but he wasn’t really sure about it. Last night, he was pretty much 98 percent. Today, he just became 100 percent. We’re so excited about it.”

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Coynis Miller still not signing but visited Auburn

Let’s clear one thing up: Coynis Miller visited Auburn, not Tennessee, this past weekend.

The 4-star defensive tackle commit from Birmingham, Ala., was rumored to be a potential official visitor at Tennessee over the weekend. Miller didn’t make the trip to Knoxville, but he still made a visit. He was spotted on Sunday in Auburn after an overnight stay with some of the recruits who were on official visits or set to move in as early enrollees.

Miller won’t use the early signing period, just as he said all along, but there isn’t a big reason to panic about this one yet.

While Auburn would love for Miller to sign early, he’s still likely to take a few visits in January, including to Alabama and Tennessee. The Tigers aren’t concerned about his commitment at this time, nor should they be. He’s rehashed multiple times that he’s committed to Auburn.

It’s possible those January visits never materialize, but if they do, it will all be part of Miller’s original plan that was approved by the Auburn staff.

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As the early signing period approached, other programs continued to recruit 4-star quarterback Joey Gatewood, even though he has been committed to Auburn for 24 months.

Butt according to the standout from St. Johns (Fla.) Bartram Trail, he never wavered.

“There was a lot of schools, but I don’t want to get into that,” Gatewood said. “I’m going to be at Auburn.”

Pretty soon, it will be official.

Gatewood, who officially visited the Tigers this weekend, will sign a Letter of Intent Wednesday.

“I’m not making a big deal. Just going to sign the papers and send it off,” Gatewood said.

He added, “Exciting. It’s all for sure done with. You know, all my schoolwork is done. I’m excited to get here in a couple of weeks.”

An early enrollee, Gatewood hoped to start at Auburn this week. But he won’t have that chance.

“That was the plan, but I have two regular classes at my school and my school doesn’t get out until this upcoming week,” Gatewood said. “I’ll be here Jan. 7, though.”

While at Auburn this weekend, Gatewood spent time with Auburn’s quarterbacks.

“I love them all,” Gatewood said. “I love Malik (Willis) and Jarrett (Stidham). They’re cool.”

Additionally, the visit gave him a chance to bond more with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey.

“It’s grown a lot,” Gatewood said of their relationship. “Coach Lindsey is a great guy and I feel like I trust him with my future.”

When he arrives in January, Gatewood will room with 2018 running back commit Asa Martin, also an early enrollee.

As for the Auburn class?

“We’ve got a couple more surprises coming,” Gatewood said. “I’m excited without a doubt. We’re not done yet.”

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Before Shaun Shivers got his junior season started, he had the goal of rushing for 2,000 yards – or "two bags," as he called it.

The speedy 5-foot-7 Chaminade-Madonna running back and Auburn commit ended up half a bag shy, going for 1,503. He set out to go for it again as a senior, and this time, he got it.

Having already clinched that mark before the Lions’ Class 3A state championship victory over Oxbridge Academy, Shivers finished with 2,241 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns to go back-to-back as Broward 5A-1A Offensive Player of the Year.

"I’ve been striving for that goal since last year," Shivers said. "I just wanted to set a mark for myself and go out with a bang my last year."

The biggest challenge for Shivers was not running well enough in 13 games to reach 2,000 – it was making the most of early carries in games. With Chaminade winning so many contests in blowout fashion, Shivers wouldn’t be used in many second halves.

"Every opportunity I got I had to do what I do best and take advantage of it," he said.

Shivers also took advantage of the opportunity to return to the title game and this time lead the Lions to victory, running for 216 yards against a tough Oxbridge defense to get Chaminade the victory.

Shivers ran for 292 yards and three touchdowns in the regular-season finale against University School, 175 and three touchdowns against Miami Booker T. Washington and 264 and four against Piper in a season of many outstanding performances.

Shivers committed to Auburn during his junior season and has not waivered on that pledge as the Tigers were one of major college football programs that were not deterred by his height in recruiting him.

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