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

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I’ve been asked the question nearly 100 times over the last few weeks – is Derek Stingley Jr. still your No. 1 player in the 2019 class? The simple answer – I don’t know yet. There have been many recent classes where the debate for No. 1 has been a good one, a far cry from the days of Vince Young, Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Terrelle Pryor, Jadeveon Clowney and others, but 2019 seems especially difficult. So who are the candidates for No. 1 overall as we meet in mid-August to re-rank the Rivals100? I’ll break down my thoughts by position.

Quarterback – Unlike last year when our top two players nationally were quarterbacks, I don’t see a No. 1 overall candidate in this class yet. There will be discussions about Auburn commitment Bo Nix and Oklahoma commitment Spencer Rattler earning a fifth star, but even if they do I don’t see them pushing for No. 1.

Running Back – Trey Sanders has distanced himself a bit from the rest of the pack and will be discussed but it’s tough for running backs to be No. 1 overall. Yes Peterson did it as did Bryce Brown and Najee Harris, but is Sanders in that stratosphere of talent? Not sure.

Wide Receiver/Tight End – This is a really good wide receiver class and the debate for No. 1 at the position will be a good one. Oklahoma commitment Theo Wease and Georgia commitment Jadon Haselwood are the two most likely candidates to push for No. 1 overall while I don’t see a tight end coming close as usual.

Offensive Line – Darnell Wright is probably the only candidate here as five-stars Kardell Thomas and Clay Webb have done well but to me haven’t pushed close to the top spot overall. Offensive linemen don’t finish No. 1 historically so it will be interesting to see the thoughts on Wright from the staff.

Defensive Line – Kayvon Thibodeaux is a special talent and No. 1 on another site while Nolan Smith is also No. 1 elsewhere and there are a ton of five-stars along the defensive line. This could be the one position with the most candidates before all is said and done.

Linebacker – There are currently no five-stars at linebacker and even if we added one or two, which to me is unlikely, I don’t see anyone will the full package needed to push to the top.

Defensive Back – Stingley is currently No. 1 and there are other five stars but I think the LSU commitment has the best chance of everyone to remain or stay near No. 1 at least at this stage.

Athlete – Quavaris Crouch was No. 1 at one point and will always be considered it seems and I am really starting to think Bru McCoy will make a strong push before all is said and done.

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4* CB Andrew Booth

Booth is basically down to Auburn and Clemson. Who will land the Rivals100 cornerback and when will he decide? We hear he will be at Clemson later this month and those Tigers held the lead at one time. Auburn has come on strong and those Tigers seem to have a little momentum. This race could end at any time. Booth is not one that releases too much about his recruitment, so he is one to watch extra close in the coming weeks.

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4* DL Travon Walker

Walker is one many felt would be committed by now. Some thought he would commit early in the spring, then maybe early summer, but here we are on the back half of July, and the Rivals100 talent remains uncommitted.

He has never publicly named a list of favorites, but Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia and South Carolina are the main schools in play. He has taken an official visit to South Carolina and the Gamecocks have made a big push over the last couple of months. He grew up a Bulldog fan and he is very close with that entire staff. A school he was once close to committing to is Clemson, so the Tigers are a contender as well. How long will he be uncommitted? It could be a couple of days or a couple of months.

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I am told he finished up all his classwork today. Is waiting for final word. But apparently it all went well. Should have more information maybe as soon as later today.

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OL Warren McClendon, Georgia – Georgia continues to recruit at a ridiculously high level and their offensive line recruiting, including McClendon, has been insane.

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Its a shame they dont have any good running backs to go with them....

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Cord Sandberg will begin his college football career at one of three schools.

The former four-star quarterback, who played six seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system, has narrowed his options to Auburn, LSU and N.C. State and will take an official visit to each in July.

“I have enjoyed conversations with the coaches at all of those schools,” Sandberg said. “I can see myself enjoying going to school for 3-4 years in those towns.”

Sanberg has an offer from Auburn and would go on scholarship in January at both N.C. State and LSU. He’ll take an official visit to N.C. State July 25-26, Auburn July 26-28 and LSU July 28-29.

“Those are the three schools I want to visit,” Sandberg said. “I have definitely enjoyed my conversations with those coaches staffs and I feel good about those situations.”

Sandberg also had offers and interest from UCLA, Florida and UCF, among others. In the end, Sandberg felt his best opportunity was with one of his three finalists.

“Offensively, N.C. State and Auburn are a little more similar as far as the spread (offense), and LSU is maybe working to be more of a spread,” Sandberg said. “I feel comfortable with the conversations I’ve had with all of those guys and what my role would be playing quarterback at all of those schools.”

Sandberg signed with Mississippi State in 2013 out of Manatee in Bradenton, Fla. He was ranked the No. 8 dual-threat quarterback in the class and No. 158 in the Rivals250.

Sandberg plans to make his decision after his visits and enroll at the college of his choice in August. He will have five years to play four.

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