re: 2019 Football Recruiting Thread - Auburn Goes 4/7 & Land Brothers

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It's official.

The schedule for the GEICO ESPN High School Kickoff was officially announced late Tuesday, with the doubleheader at the Hoover Met involving Hoover, Pinson Valley, Hewitt-Trussville and Cedar Grove (Ga.) officially set to be televised on ESPN on Saturday, Aug. 25.

"We are pumped," Hoover athletic director Andy Urban said in an email to AL.com. "This will be a great display of the talent in Alabama high School football! We are thankful to continue our relationship with ESPN. The opportunity to play on ESPN is great for our school and community.

"This is another display of the City of Hoover and Hoover City Schools. We set the standard in our state and cannot wait to see the communities show up and show out for AHSAA football."

The official announcement means reigning Class 6A champ Pinson Valley and two-time defending 7A champ Hoover will meet in the doubleheader opener at 11 a.m., followed by Hewitt-Trussville and Cedar Grove (Ga.) at 2:30 p.m.

"I've always heard Hoover and how good Hoover is and how Hoover is the dominant school in the state," Pinson Valley quarterback and Auburn commit Bo Nix said. "It's always been, 'I wonder if I'll ever get to play Hoover?' Now, it's going to be my senior year on ESPN, it's going to be just like I've always imagined."

Hoover won its second straight 7A title by beating McGill-Toolen 48-20 in the 2017 title game, giving the Bucs four state championships in the last five seasons. Pinson Valley finished last season 15-0 and beat Wetumpka 31-10 in the 6A title game.

The doubleheader will feature a bevy of major college prospects, including more than a half-dozen future Iron Bowl participation.

Nix leads Pinson Valley, while Hoover has Alabama kicker commit Will Reichard and Auburn receiver commit George Pickens.

Hewitt-Trussville is led by three Alabama commitments -- quarterback Paul Tyson, five-star lineman Pierce Quick and 2020 reciever Dazalin Worsham -- and Cedar Grove (Ga.) has five-star receiver Jadon Haselwood, the Peach State's No. 1 prospect according to 247sports who has already committed to Georgia, and Rashad Cheney, a defensive lineman who has committed to Alabama.

Hewitt-Trussville receiver Ja'Varrius Johnson also recently committed to Auburn

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Could Auburn's 2019 recruiting class be the best of Gus Malzahn's tenure? He certainly thinks so.

The Tigers are currently ranked only 21st in the 2019 class rankings by the 247Sports Composite. The commitment list includes one five-star recruit and three four-star players. But Malzahn expects a jump in the standings once the signing periods are completed in December and February.

Malzahn was in Huntsville on Tuesday night for an "Ambush" tour stop at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. When asked about which position groups he and his staff were focusing on, Malzahn answered by looking at the class as a whole.

"I don't think there's one group that really stands out," he said. "This will have a chance to be our best class, at least since I've been here, the way it's setting up right now and the response that we're getting. We're going to have a chance to finish strong. That's what's exciting. I think a lot of recruits and their families see the future of Auburn football, so it's a real exciting time."

Auburn's 2018 class was ranked No. 12 by the 247Sports Composite, marking the first time that a Malzahn group fell outside the top 10 since he was hired in December 2012. His highest composite ranking was sixth in 2014.

"Our philosophy is a little bit different than some of these schools that will just take commitments, then have decommitments a month later," he said. "We develop long-term, true relationships, so we're a little more patient than most. We think we're in a great spot to finish."

Among the four-star players Auburn are in the mix for are Buford (Ga.) running back Derrian Brown, Louisville (Miss.) defensive end Charles Moore and receivers Zion Puckett (Spalding, Ga.), Dannis Jackson (Sumrall, Miss.) John Dunmore (Chaminade-Madonna, Fla.), Jalen Curry (St. Piux X, Texas) and Demariyon Houston (Millwood, Okla.). Puckett was among the key recruits who attended the 10th Big Cat Weekend earlier this month.

"Big Cat was a huge success," Malzahn said. "This was one of the best ones we've ever had. Great response. We had a great group of guests with families. That will really help us later on as far as how we finish this class."

Auburn has enjoyed recent success recruiting north Alabama. Malzahn touched on several recent signees from the Tennessee Valley.

Freshman running back Asa Martin (Austin): "I thought Asa had a very solid spring. Asa's got a very good skill set; he's a tough guy. He likes to do the little things. He's in that mix for playing time next year."

Sophomore defensive back Jordyn Peters (Muscle Shoals): "I think Jordyn has a great skill set. He's a fine young man. He got quality experience and played a lot in some big games and made some big plays in some big games, so that will definitely help him. He was a little banged up in the spring, but the fact that he hung in there and got reps, I know that coach (Kevin) Steele and the defensive staff feels very good about where he's at going into his sophomore year."

Sophomore running back Malik Miller and redshirt freshman offensive tackle Austin Troxell (Madison Academy): "Both of those guys had solid springs. Austin, coming off that knee injury in high school, he really finished camp very strong. He's got a great skill set. Malik battled a little bit of a knee injury, but he's a veteran guy who we having coming back and we know what we have with him."

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AUBURN | Jalen “Boobie” Curry had taken an unofficial visit to Auburn, but it didn’t measure up to his official visit.

Curry, a Rivals100 wide receiver from St. Pius X in Houston, Texas, was in Auburn Monday-Wednesday for a 48-hour official visit.

“The visit was truly amazing, 10 times better than when we first came, and the first time we came I thought it was amazing,” Curry said. “The atmosphere, the tradition, it's just amazing. It feels like home."

Curry, who is ranked the No. 7 overall player in Texas and No. 3 wide receiver, met with several coaches during his visit. The list included wide receivers coach Kodi Burns, offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, coach Gus Malzahn and even men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl.

Meeting the coaches was one of the reasons Curry’s visit went better than the first.

"I met the basketball head coach and he's outstanding,” Curry said. “Seeing the business school was amazing. It opened my eyes really. I got to hang out with a lot of players and coaches, and it made me feel comfortable."

Curry learned more about the Tigers’ offense, which has thrown the ball more under Lindsey. He also likes the prospect of having Rivals100 quarterback Bo Nix throwing the ball in the future.

"Really, they've been successful for many years,” Curry said. “They're always competing for national championships and the family atmosphere is just amazing.

“And knowing they're going to put the ball in the wide receivers hands to make plays is a big deal. Then they have Bo Nix, one of the best quarterbacks in the country, coming in. You always want a great quarterback throwing you the ball, so I know I'll have a good quarterback throwing me the ball."

Relationships also will play a big part in Curry’s decision. That’s big for Auburn, which possesses Burns. Auburn/Burns was the first school to offer Curry, doing so when he was just a freshman.

“Me and (Burns) have a good relationship,” Curry said. “Ever since I first came he has been straight up with me 100 percent. Even after I whipped him in 2K (NBA video game) when I first came here, he still decided to offer me. I will always remember that how he offered me as a freshman. He believed in me first.”

Another asset in Auburn’s corner is Texas native Kam Martin. Curry and Martin, a junior from Port Arthur, have developed a bond and spent time together during the visit.

“Kam is a great kid,” Curry said. “Auburn has a great kid. He will have a breakout year this year. He’s just a cool dude. He told me why he chose Auburn out of all the schools. He’s just an amazing kid. It’s always great getting info from him.”

Curry plans to return to Auburn before making his decision. He’s taken an official visit to Tennessee and is also considering visits to LSU and Florida State.

“I’ll be back maybe for a game or event or something like that,” Curry said. “(Auburn) is definitely one of the schools on top of my list. They are one of my top schools. They have been with me 100 percent throughout the whole process.”

Curry isn’t opposed to leaving the state of Texas for college. He might even prefer it.

“I really don’t have too much interest in the Texas schools,” Curry said. “Most people are scared to get out of state to be great and be different, but I’m not.”

Curry’s father, Will Curry, isn’t opposed to it, either. Auburn is a real possibility.

“He wants to win a national championship and no team in Texas is going to win a national championship anytime soon,” Will Curry said. “This wasn’t a token visit. Auburn has a real chance of him committing.”

Rivals ranks Curry, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 190 pounds, the No. 72 overall player and No. 11 wide receiver in the 2019 class.

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Derrian Brown with an outside shot at Antony-Richards. Wish we could get Cain but it seems unlikely.

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I'm a huge fan on Curry FWIW. Obviously Haselwood is the top dude but I would hope we take Curry in a heartbeat. Interestingly a lot of current players were tweeting at him after his visit this past week. Don't often see that....

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as of now things look good. His parents love AU. (I'm not saying he will sign with AU. Just we are leading as of now)

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That would be a stunner. Everything I've seen is UF is the team to beat

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