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

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Back for another edition of AL.com's All-Access, and the best thing I've got is from a recruiting combine in Atlanta over the weekend.

This was the Opening Regional. We've got plenty of content from the event here, which also includes some from the New Orleans Opening Regional two weekends ago.

Top prospects compete for spots at The Opening Finals in Oregon - the most prestigious high school event in the country for recruits going into their senior seasons. (Some juniors are also invited).

Just some observations to start today's All-Access chats.

** People are saying Pinson Valley QB Bo Nix is the best state QB prospect since Jameis Winston. Nix has a very good arm, has the "it factor" and is athletic. I suspect he'll commit to Auburn maybe sooner than later.

** Loved watching Athens, Ga., standout Richard Jibunor rush off the edge. He's a high Auburn target, though Alabama has offered. He's listed at 6-foot-4 and about 206 pounds, so he looked like a receiver out there. He looked so dominant, but this wasn't a pads event. If he gets an Opening invite, he'll put the pads on up there.

** Harold Joiner and Asa Martin, two in-state running backs, had good performances. Alabama hasn't offered either yet. Could Auburn take both? Hard to tell, though Joiner has the body type to play other skill positions such as receiver or even as an athletic tight end.

** Wanted to see a little more out of Justyn Ross and Seth Williams, but was watching the linemen when they were at their best. Ross got an Opening invite. Williams, who plays at Paul Bryant in Tuscaloosa, says Alabama isn't coming after him hard now. Both are tall, physical receivers.

** Auburn OL commit Jalil Irvin controlled things from his center spot during lineman competitions and deservedly earned a spot in the final five.

** Enjoyed watching two of the state's top junior OL in Clay Webb of Oxford and Pierce Quick of Hewitt-Trussville compete. Webb had a great case to be named to the top five. He's looking like the top prospect in the state in 2019 and there could be a few top 100 prospects nationally. I like Alabama's chances with both right now.

There are more, but I've got to get this thing published before 10 a.m. CT

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Alabama and Auburn are both in pursuit of elite defensive end Brenton Cox, but the Tide and Tigers have some work to do.

During Nike's The Opening Atlanta regional camp last weekend, Cox told AL.com that Georgia and Ohio State are recruiting him harder than any other school.

"I'm just trying to play early," said the 6-foot-4, 247-pounder from Stockbridge, Ga.

Cox is one of the highest-rated recruits in the nation. The 247Sports Composite ranks him as a four-star prospect, the No. 54 overall player and the No. 4 strong-side defensive end. He said he tallied more than 75 tackles last season including 30 sacks.

Aside from Georgia and Ohio State, Cox said Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina are in the mix.

Cox took his first visit to Auburn last week and spent three days on the Plains. He was able to attend spring practice where he caught up with defensive line coach Rodney Garner and his friend, redshirt freshman Antwuan Jackson Jr.

"I'd never been up there, but I know Coach Garner, and he's a real good d-line coach," Cox said. "It was a good thing watching him coach that d-line. I actually know Antwuan Jackson, just seeing him get coached up.

"It was good. Nothing really in Auburn but the team. Everybody talks to each other. You've got good food out there. A place called Halftime I ate at."

Cox is planning a series of visits to see spring games at South Carolina (April 1), Auburn (April 8), Ohio State (April 22) and Georgia (April 22). As for Alabama, he likes the defensive scheme the Crimson Tide run.

"I'd be in a 3-4 defense," he said. "Coach Tosh (Lupoi), he's a real good coach. I actually went to a camp and that's when I got the offer. He taught me some new moves I'll use today, actually... I'm just going to compete."

At The Opening Atlanta, Cox ran the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds, the shuttle in 4.45, he threw the powerball 39.5 feet and had a vertical jump of 28.6 inches.

"I'm definitely fast," he said. "(Coaches like) my speed, length and athleticism."

Auburn currently has one defensive lineman committed to its 2018 recruiting class -- three-star prospect Daquan Newkirk of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Alabama also has one, Jordan Davis of Southward High School in Memphis, Tenn. Both are consensus three-star prospects.

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Priority RB target explains how Auburn can catch up

Auburn’s top running back target is pretty clear.

The Tigers have several they’ll hope to lure in during the 2018 cycle, but 4-star prospect Asa Martin tops them all. The 5-foot-11, 194-pound running back from Decatur, Ala., isn’t just being recruited by Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton. In fact, it’s offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey who has taken on much of that recruitment, which shows Martin’s priority to Auburn.

When he received his Tigers’ offer in February, Martin-to-Auburn seemed like a safe bet. Even Martin thought that was the most likely scenario.

Then he visited Florida a few weeks ago. It was his second time in Gainesville. His first was when he played at IMG Academy as part of its team-wise bus tours. This return gave him a more personal look at the Gators.

They exceeded his expectations to the point he named Florida his outright leader.

“It was way more than I thought it was going to be,” Martin said. “It went really well. I got to spend a lot of time with the coaches. I got to spend time with the players. I just like the family atmosphere down there. … They just told me to come join the family. They tell me I’m their guy, so just whenever I’m ready, let them know.”

That news may be cause for concern for the Tigers.

Auburn’s home-state pull — Alabama hasn’t been recruiting Martin since Mel Tucker was there — seemed like the biggest advantage any program had. Martin conceded that, heading into the Florida visit, that probably was the case. But the relationships he was able to develop over the weekend with Florida coach Jim McElwain and running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider changed the game.

Martin lists Auburn and Michigan in a two-way tie for second place and calls both programs “not too far” behind his leader.

Auburn remains in Martin’s good graces.

He spoke with Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton following his Florida visit. Asked if Auburn seemed like he was feeling the pressure, Martin smiled, laughed and said that the Tigers shouldn’t even if they do. Martin doesn’t plan on making his decision in the immediate future, and Auburn does have one key edge over Florida.

“Auburn has been the home-state,” Martin said. “It’s Alabama. It’s in-state. They want help getting the program back up. I wouldn’t say they’re worrying too much. It’s home-state Alabama, so anything can happen.”

Martin will return to Auburn for A-Day on April 8. He wants to make it to Michigan for a spring practice, if possible.

These visits will help Martin continue to gauge his comfort levels at other schools. But Martin isn’t in a rush to pick a program. The 4-star running back prospect referenced past decision he’s made that will influence how he handles his recruitment going forward. Martin previously chose to attend IMG Academy before returning to Decatur because of homesickness.

He doesn’t want to make any snap decisions this time around.

“They all just need to keep doing the same thing. It’s about me feeling comfortable. That’s a big part of that. I’ve got to be comfortable wherever I go,” Martin said. “I made a couple decisions I didn’t really like. I made them too fast, so I’ve got to be comfortable wherever I go.”

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2017 RB signee still has academic work to do

It’s in the thick of the 2018 recruiting cycle so 2017 updates might be more of a team-side deal. With that said, Auburn’s assistant coach media day Tuesday shed some light on the status of Auburn 2017 signee Alaric Williams.

The running back from Gadsden, Ala., stayed in touch with SEC Country to give ACT updates during his recruitment, and he felt like he was near where he wanted to be.

On Tuesday, running backs coach Tim Horton confirmed that Williams “still has some academic things to work out,” but he remains hopeful the the 4-star running back will find his way to campus by the fall.

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At 28 years old, Kodi Burns is younger than the average college football coach.

Burns has made a fast rise up the coaching ranks since finishing up his Auburn playing career in 2010. Since 2012, Burns has taken the fast track from Arkansas State grad assistant to Auburn wide receivers coach. He’s one of only five position coaches across the SEC under 30 years old, which should be applauded, not criticized.

That’s not always the case.

In his first recruiting cycle as receivers coach, Auburn hauled in two wide receivers — Noah Igbinoghene and JaTarvious Whitlow. Both are impressive talents, but their recruiting rankings didn’t make Tigers’ fans celebrate the way they would’ve with potential additions like Henry Ruggs or Nico Collins.

Burns has heard the critics. He’s ready to quiet them during the 2018 recruiting cycle.

“I think that obviously the year before we signed a big-time class with Nate Craig, Kyle Davis, Eli Stove, Marquis McClain. So really the urgency of a recruiting class that year wasn’t that high per se as it will be this year because you’ve always got to have some separation in there,” Burns said. “But I’m pleased with the type of men that we got and the type of players that we got.”

He knows the 2018 class will be a big one for the receiver position. He knows he will be judged on his performance in this cycle. That drives him.

But Burns doesn’t feel pressure to succeed on the recruiting trail because he knows the groundwork he set for the 2018 class when he started the job. The Tigers have a long list of high-priority receiver targets — Justyn Ross, Seth Williams, Matthew Hill, Jacob Copeland, Kearis Jackson and Marquez Ezzard, to name a few — who all are high on Auburn.

That’s Burns, the recruiter, in action.

His work isn’t complete. There aren’t any commitments yet, though there certainly are a few on the verge. And that’s where most of the criticism comes in. The “outside world,” as Burns referred to it, doesn’t have any hard proof of what he can do as a recruiter yet, so he knows the onus is on him to show it.

Burns finds solace knowing that, just because he’s newer to an SEC position coach role, he has found recruiting gems at all of his previous stops — including his time as an Auburn grad assistant in 2013.

“Obviously what a lot of people don’t realize is that even as a graduate assistant you do recruit — you just don’t go on the road and recruit. So I’ve been doing this now about six years and I’ve been a part of a lot of recruiting classes,” Burns said. “But it’s always good to go off on your own, get your own room and actually sign some guys, which I’ve done for now three years.”

The baffling thing about Burns’ recruiting criticism: Much of it suggests it’s because he’s too young to succeed, which is somewhat backwards logic — at least if you take recruits’ opinions into account.

Burns is able to connect with 18-year-old prospects in a way that most older position coaches are less capable of doing. He has experienced the Auburn lifestyle as a wide receiver. Only seven seasons ago, he was playing in a national championship game. Recruits identify with that, and Burns uses it to his advantage on the recruiting trail.

“I just think that really being able to relate to these guys is the positive. Being a younger guy that gets it, that’s not that far removed. That understands that hey, I know what you’re going through I know what you’re feeling,” Burns said. “Just the relationship aspect that I can relate to them on a different level than most guys can, I think is a really positive thing.”

Want proof of that strengthened relationship? Just ask Auburn’s top wide receiver targets.

That’s what SEC Country did last Sunday at the Nike Opening camp in Atlanta. Five of Auburn’s most high-profile wide receiver targets were asked their opinion on Burns’ youth and how it affects their impression of Auburn.

Predictably, they all issued 5-star reviews.

4-star WR Seth Williams, Paul W. Bryant (Ala.)

“We’re real good. We talk and text every chance we get. He talks with my dad and mom all the time, too. He’s cool. He understands where you’re coming from. I mean, he just played in the national championship against Oregon, so he’s real cool and understands you. He’s young like you. He came through Auburn. He knows it.”

4-star WR Justyn Ross, Central (Ala.)

“We’re very close. We talk almost every day. Not just football, but life. Since he’s younger, I connect with him a lot more because he understands everything that’s going on with me in my life. That’s a big thing.”

4-star WR Jacob Copeland, Escambia (Fla.)

“It’s always good talking with Coach Burns. He’s a cool dude, man. He speaks it real to me, how everything would be set up if I were to come to Auburn. Him being a young guy, it’s easier to relate to, and that makes all the difference.”

4-star WR Matthew Hill, Brookwood (Ga.)

“He’s a young guy. He just left the NCAA football-wise, playing at the next level, so he knows what he’s talking about. He gets it from my perspective. It helps because I like to have a good relationship with the coach. Because he’s younger, I know it can definitely be a stronger relationship.”

4-star WR Kearis Jackson, Peach County (Ga.)

“It’s like a big brother-little brother thing because he’s so young. He treats me like I’m his younger brother, and he’s always giving me good advice. It’s easier to identify with. You get some real-deal things about recruiting because — him actually going to Auburn recently, winning a national championship, that means a lot. It helps show me how things are actually going to be in college.”

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Two standout visitors set to attend Saturday scrimmage

One weekend sits between Auburn and its A-Day spring game.

The Tigers won’t settle on the recruiting trail in that time, however. Auburn will participate in its second spring scrimmage on Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Like last weekend, the Tigers will host some of their top targets inside the stadium for unofficial visits.

At least two key offensive targets will be there: Richard Gouraige and Tyneil Hopper.

Gouraige might be Auburn’s top offensive line target in the 2018 class. The 6-foot-5, 271-pound offensive tackle is ranked No. 6 at the position in the 2018 class. He’s listed as the 61st overall prospect in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. Florida, Clemson and North Carolina are the other schools considered to be heavily in the mix for Gouraige.

Auburn offered Gouraige last February.

Hopper will make his second visit to Auburn since Larry Porter took over as tight ends coach. He was the first prospect invited on campus by Porter when the new tight ends coach made the move from North Carolina to Auburn. Hopper attended Auburn on Porter’s first official day on the job. Hopper’s brother plays at North Carolina, which is where his relationship with Porter originally formed.

That’s not Hopper’s only connection to Auburn. He goes to Roswell High (Ga.), the same HS program as Auburn early enrollee QB Malik Willis. Willis and Hopper played together last season.

Hopper is ranked the No. 12 tight end in the nation.

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As Auburn searches for its quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class, there’s an obvious starting point: Bo Nix.

A 6-foot-2, 195-pound quarterback who will play at Pinson Valley this fall, Nix was on Auburn’s radar well before the Tigers offered him last June. Nix grew up an Auburn fan because, well, he was raised in an Auburn-only household. His father, Patrick, played quarterback at Auburn when Terry Bowden, Tommy Bowden and Jimbo Fisher were all on staff together. He finished his Auburn career as the program’s most efficient passer.

Now it’s Bo’s turn.

Nix’s Auburn upbringing causes him to wish Auburn well on Saturdays, but since his recruiting process hit, it’s forced him to take a different approach to his fandom.

“I’m an Auburn fan. I like when they win because my whole family are Auburn people. That’s how I was born and raised. But it’s definitely not going to play a factor in my college decision,” Nix told SEC Country. “It might play a little bit because I grew up being an Auburn fan. But, at the end of the day, it’s all going to come down to my decision of where I want to go. He has nothing really to do with it. He just wants me to go and be comfortable wherever I want to go.”

Right now, Nix feels pretty comfortable everywhere because, quite honestly, everyone wants him.

Auburn and others want Nix

Despite just finishing his sophomore season, Nix is one of the most sought-after quarterback prospects in the nation. In the past month, Nix added offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia and most recently LSU.

Everyone is a contender right now.

“I’m just laid back right now, just looking at all the options and seeing which coaching staff, which campus, all those kinds of things, just seeing what I like and what I don’t like. Then I’m going from there,” Nix said. “All the major teams that have offered me are all up there because of how good they are because of the product of the type of player you’ll be when you leave and the type of college it is itself.”

Not laid-back, however, are the college coaches chasing Nix.

He hears from most of them on a daily or every-other-day basis. The attention revved up recently, as Nix is coming off standout sophomore season at Scottsboro High in Alabama. Nix finished his 10th-grade year with 1,737 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and 1,300 yards rushing with 20 touchdowns. That’s dual-threat production at its finest.

Nix stands out

Before composite rankings come out, 247Sports has Nix listed as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation in 2019. Nix’s stock will only continue to rise. Last weekend, at the Nike Opening regional in Atlanta, he became the first underclassman to be named quarterback MVP of an Opening regional, beating out prospects like Ohio State commit Emory Jones.

“I was surprised a little bit, but when he said first underclassman, that’s what I work for, so I guess I wasn’t really too shocked about it,” Nix said. “I actually didn’t even know they had MVP for the lower class, so I was just out here being myself and doing my thing, and it somehow paid off … I had some good receivers to go to, so that always helps.”

Nix doesn’t plan on making a decision anytime soon.

He’s eating up the recruiting process, but not in the look-at-me way. Nix enjoys taking college visits, especially for practices, to all the programs he’s interested in, so he can see how different coaches and quarterbacks operate at the next level. He absorbs every detail he can.

For that reason alone, Nix wants to take a casual approach to his recruitment in order to find the coaches he connects with most.

“I enjoy going to watch practice and watch other teams and watch other quarterbacks. I learn a lot from those things. Visiting all these college, I keep learning,” Nix said. “Definitely the coaching staff, what kind of coaches I’m going to be around, how they’re going to train me, how they’re going to make me better and the kind of person I’m going to be when I leave that campus. That’s how I’ll decide.”

Auburn hopes the strongest connection is with Chip Lindsey and Tim Horton — the two Auburn coaches recruiting him.

Nix said he already likes the vibe he’s gotten from those two, and he expects that bond to build more as time progresses. He also respects the fact those two coaches, in particular, haven’t made him feel pressure to end up at Auburn simply because he’s a legacy. Lindsey and Horton have made it clear they want him at Auburn, but they want him to be patient to make the best personal choice.

Tigers on top

All of that said, Auburn is still perceived as a clear favorite for Nix. There are nine Crystal Ball selections for Nix right now, and 100 percent of them favor Auburn.

It’s not a guarantee, by any means, but the Tigers are sitting pretty.

“Auburn has always been a choice, and I’m sure they’re going to be a choice until the end,” Nix said, “but I’ve got to look at all the other places because another college out there might fit me better.”

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Wide receivers Dominick Blaylock and Maurice Goolsby are two completely different wide receivers for 2019, but each brings so much to the table.

Blaylock, from Marietta (Ga.) Walton is a shifty slot receiver with speed to burn with offers from everyone and boasts a top five of Georgia, Clemson, Auburn, Ohio State and UCLA.

“Blaylock is a smooth athlete who plays the wide receiver position with grace. It never looks like he is working hard because it is so natural and easy to him,” said Rivals.com Southeast Recruiting Analyst Chad Simmons. “He is very smooth in and out of his breaks, he is great at setting defensive backs up on moves and he is mature as a player for his age. He is likely going to be a slot on the next level, but he can work the outside as well.”

Meanwhile, Gooslby is a tall, angular wide receiver with the frame of a tight end. The Florida Gators currently lead over offers from Florida State, North Carolina and others.

“Goolsby has incredible size and has been a recruiting commodity for a full year already,” said Rivals.com Florida Recruiting Analyst Rob Cassidy. “He’s the rare blend of size and speed that translates well for wide receivers.”

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SOUTH

Top Newcomer: Channing Tindall

Tindall is an athletic specimen who is new to the Scout 300. He was the top overall tester at The Opening Atlanta on Sunday with a 125.25 Nike+ Football Rating. He spends time at defensive end and linebacker on tape, but when standing up he closes on the football in a flash and has the power to finish off plays. He has also been a hot recruit recently picking up offers from schools like LSU, Notre Dame, Florida and Georgia. He has an extremely high upside.

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