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

quote:

---

3* DT LeDarrius Cox

This has been a tough one to gauge. Dating back to the summer, Auburn was the team to beat even though he remained committed to Tennessee. Cox changed his tune during the fall and winter, though, specifically telling AuburnSports.com in December that he would sign with the Volunteers and had little doubt in his mind about that. But he still had an official visit planned to Auburn and took it. He hasn't said much publicly since that trip, but the Tigers feel good about where they stand with Cox. Assuming Auburn pushes for Cox the way it seems, I expect Cox to flip to the home-state school.

Prediction: Auburn

Biggest threat: Tennessee

---

quote:

---

4* RB Jamious Griffin

Griffin's recruitment has taken off in the last month the way it should for the few years prior. One of the state of Georgia's most productive running backs in history has officially stepped off his long-time N.C. State commitment. This has opened the door for Auburn and Georgia Tech who have been seen as the favorite. Griffin has also opened up his recruitment to other programs, which included an official visit to Louisville and an upcoming trip to Florida State. I think this could go a variety of different ways — especially if Auburn were to miss on Mark-Antony Richards — but the late addition and visit to Florida State makes me think the Seminoles will make a successful final push despite some of Griffin's family connections to Georgia Tech.

Prediction: Florida State

Next in line: Georgia Tech

---

quote:

---

3* OT Ira Henry

Much like with Bell, Henry has a two-team decision to make between Auburn and Florida State. Both of those players were in Tallahassee over the weekend and were actually communicating via Twitter about wanting to play together. I believe they will end up in the same destination. Henry called Auburn his leader after his trip to the Plains. He has since said it's a close battle between the two. Gus Malzahn plans to go see Henry at the end of this week, and I think his last-minute in-home will do the trick to shore up the only pure offensive tackle for the Tigers in this class. This is a gotta-have-it signing for the Tigers, in my opinion.

Prediction: Auburn

Biggest threat: Florida State

---

quote:

---

3* QB John Rhys Plumlee

This recruitment has turned in several different ways throughout the process. Initially, the only school who really recruited Plumlee exclusively as a quarterback was Georgia. That's what landed him in the Bulldogs' class to begin with. Then Georgia changed its offer before the early signing period and gave him a blueshirt option. Plumlee decided to check a few other things out, just in case. That has included trips to Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Florida State. The main difference: all of these schools have changed their pitch to quarterback, and Georgia has stayed true to its blueshirt plan. That makes Georgia an unlikely landing spot at this point. Auburn has recruited Plumlee, but the two in-state schools seem to be making stronger pushes.

Prediction: Mississippi State

Next in line: Ole Miss

---

quote:

---

4* RB Mark-Antony Richards

Here's another one near the top of the must-win list. Richards has been an Auburn target for as long as he's been a high school football player. That separates the Tigers in a big way. Still, Florida and Georgia — more than Miami, really — have given Richards something serious to think about in the final days leading up to his National Signing Day decision. Auburn has been and continues to be the team to beat in this recruitment, however, and it's difficult to envision that changing in a week given the diligence Richards and his family have taken throughout this recruitment. Gus Malzahn and Cadillac Williams plan to see Richards on Wednesday, and that should be the final check mark that wins out for the Tigers.

Prediction: Auburn

Biggest threat: Florida

---

quote:

---

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: That would bring Auburn to 24 signees, assuming all my predictions happen. My sourcing tells me Auburn thinks it will take 26 during this cycle. That number, however, includes any grad transfers the Tigers may take. Throw in La'Michael Pettway who took an official visit last weekend, and that's 25. If the Tigers try to go grad transfer quarterback or offensive lineman, that gets it to 26. So it's possible Auburn wants to leave a couple spots available after National Signing Day to allow a late addition. With that said, Auburn wouldn't turn away Robinson or Hampton or Griffin if they wanted in. This is all part of the decision making and numbers crunch leading up to National Signing Day.

---

quote:

---

Gus did his in-home with Asaboro. They’re expecting to hear soon if he will OV. Staff feels like he will sign if he visits

---