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

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Three-star receiver Kolbi Fuqua of Cordova (Ala.) recently named Auburn his leader.

On Saturday, he committed to the Tigers at the tail end of his A-Day visit.

This was the second commit of the day for Auburn, as Fuqua joined offensive guard Kameron Stutts. Stutts committed just before the start of the A-Day game.

Auburn now has six total commits for the 2018 class.

The 6-feet-1, 210-pound Fuqua is the No. 17 recruit for the 247Sports Composite in the state of Alabama. He is rated as an athlete, but said the Tigers will have him start at receiver. He's also a standout safety in high school.

"I love the family down here," Fuqua said. "I love the way the coaches treat me. And the players."

This was Fuqua's second visit to Auburn this year.

"I love the surroundings," he said. "It reminds me of home. I kind of knew awhile back. I just wanted to make up my mind."

Auburn began the day at No. 20 in the 247Sports recruiting team rankings. With the two commitments Saturday, the Tigers moved all the way up to No. 13.

AuburnUndercover.com put in a Crystal Ball for Fuqua to Auburn on March 24.

Fuqua not only has good size but speed (average 40-yard dash time of 4.61 seconds) and athleticism (32-inch vertical, scored 10.9 points a game in basketball).

Auburn's message during this recruitment: "We're a family -- we take care of our own," Fuqua said.

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Kolbi Fuqua confirmed what he has known for a while: He wants to be an Auburn Tiger.

The 3-star athlete, who Auburn projects as a wide receiver, returned to campus for the school’s A-Day game. Fuqua had listed Auburn as his leader for a few weeks, and on Saturday, he decided to make the decision public.

He committed to Auburn.

“I committed today. … I just loved the family down here. I love the way the coaches treat the players. I love the surroundings. It reminds me of home,” Fuqua said. “I didn’t know when I first came here, but like I said, I’d kinda known all along. Shoot, it was about 30 minutes ago to be honest. … I knew a while back, but I just wanted to make up my mind.”

Herb Hand was Fuqua’s area recruiter, but he has grown close with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, as well. When he went into the coaches’ offices shortly before leaving campus, he let them know he’d made up his mind. He didn’t want to wait any longer.

Their reaction was as expected.

“They loved it. They were excited,” Fuqua said. “They just always say that we’re family, that they take care of their own.”

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound receiver didn’t need much convincing, but the spring game told him everything he needed to know.

Fuqua took in the contest and enjoyed what most of the Tigers’ fan base did. He liked the new-look Chip Lindsey offense that spread the ball downfield more. Fuqua also noted that Jarrett Stidham changed the way he viewed the wide receiver position at Auburn.

“I like the new offense that coach Lindsey put in and stuff. I liked. He passed the ball a lot. That’s something I really enjoy,” Fuqua said. “I loved the new quarterback. He can throw.”

Auburn beat out Florida State and Mississippi State for Fuqua.

He was Auburn’s second commitment on the day, joining offensive lineman Kameron Stutts. With both commitments, Auburn now has six players committed in the 2018 class — Fuqua, Stutts, Joey Gatewood, Shaun Shivers, Jalil Irvin and Daquan Newkirk.

The Tigers moved up to No. 13 in the 247Sports composite team rankings, which is third in the SEC.

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3-star athlete Kolbi Fuqua decided to commit made his to Auburn right before he left campus Saturday. He’s liked Auburn for a while, but two key things stood out: Chip Lindsey’s offense and Jarrett Stidham’s arm. Fuqua has been recruited by schools as a safety and a wide receiver, but the Tigers want him at receiver.

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