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re: 2019 Football Recruiting Thread - Auburn Goes 4/7 & Land Brothers
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:53 pm to RandySavage
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:53 pm to RandySavage
Latest intel on top Louisiana running back target John Emery (SECCountry)
Shoutout to E for the question
quote:
John Emery may be the most important skill player on Auburn’s board.
The 4-star prospect from Destrehan, La., ranks as the No. 5 running back in the country and the No. 72 overall recruit. Emery is one of two running backs Auburn has in the must-land category (Noah Cain is the other). He’s also a top target for LSU, however, and it’s never easy for out-of-state schools to dip into Louisiana and pick out top targets.
Auburn feels like it has a chance with this one.
Emery spent most of his last year visiting LSU on a regular basis without taking trips elsewhere. This spring has been the opposite. He’s focused on out-of-state trips to Auburn and Michigan. The trip to Auburn left a major impression on Emery and his family. He called the Tigers a “top contender” after his most recent visit and that they were “definitely” expected to crack his top list of schools.
Emery will release that top list of schools on Friday. He expects to cut the list to eight teams. I don’t like to use guarantees in recruiting, but it would be stunning if Auburn isn’t in that group given the fact the Tigers were one of his top two or three after his last visit.
From what I’ve been told, one of the main concerns from the Emery family about LSU has been the potential of him being in a multiple running back class. LSU already has one running back committed in 4-star Tyrion Davis. Cain is also near the top of of LSU’s board. So it’s a potential logjam at running back in the 2019 class.
The big thing for Auburn: When will he return to the Tigers?
If he makes it back shortly — Emery called it “right around the corner” — Auburn could soon move into the team-to-beat category.
Shoutout to E for the question
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:55 pm to TigerPaw1
Top Louisiana LB Donte Starks describes strong relationship with Auburn coach Travis Williams (SECCountry)
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Louisiana LB Donte Starks describes bond Auburn coach
Donte Starks’ two spring visits to Auburn have turned the Tigers into a serious contender for the top Louisiana linebacker.
Starks, the 4-star linebacker from Marrero, La., came to the Plains once earlier in the spring for a junior day with his family. He returned for an overnight visit last weekend that included some non-football personal time with Auburn linebacker Deshaun Davis. That experience gave him insight into the life of an Auburn student-athlete.
His return trip to Auburn indicated a serious interest in the out-of-state Tigers. LSU will make a serious push, too, and there’s a strong mutual interest between Starks and that program. But after a few trips to the Plains — and elsewhere — Starks has opened up to the potential of playing outside Louisiana.
“Auburn is a great place,” Starks said. “I’m open about leaving the state. If a program is a better fit for me somewhere else, then yeah, it’s very much possible.”
It still won’t be easy.
Starks has been a regular visitor to LSU in the last few years of his recruitment. There’s a strong relationship with that coaching staff, which shouldn’t be a surprise given Starks’ status as the top linebacker in Louisiana.
He has developed a strong relationship with Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams. That’s giving Auburn the biggest push against LSU and others. Starks changed his Twitter profile picture to a shot of himself with Williams, if you’re into reading too much into that type of thing.
Regardless, it shows the strength of that relationship.
“T-Will played the linebacker position at Auburn, so he can relate to things that we go through with our body and things like that. He’s a great father, coach, husband and person, so it’s always good to be around a person like that,” Starks said. “Our relationship is close as if I’ve been knowing him all my life.”
It isn’t 100 percent confirmed, but Starks is trying to work his schedule out so he can return to the Plains for the spring game on April 7. If that were to happen, it would be a major plus for Auburn.
Starks isn’t in a rush to make a final decision, however.
He plans to cut his list to a top 5 near the end of the summer. Starks plans to take several visits between now and that point, including return trips to Auburn. There are a few programs he’s still building relationships with, and he wants to see where things go with that before narrowing his options down.
Starks said teams are safely in that eventual top 5: Auburn and LSU.
“Currently, it would be LSU and Auburn,” Starks said. “They’re both recruiting me the hardest and both bring different things to the table. I’m still very much opened on my decision, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Auburn will receive one of Starks’ official visits, he told SEC Country.
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:56 pm to TigerPaw1
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No. 52-ranked 2020 recruit to commit soon … to Auburn?
Kobe Hudson is one of the nation’s best players in the 2020 class.
The rising junior wide receiver from Lagrange, Ga., finished his sophomore season with 45 catches for 896 yards and 12 touchdowns. That’s impressive for anyone, let alone an underclassman. Hudson has earned an early No. 52 overall ranking by 247Sports.
Now Hudson is set to make his college decision.
He will announce his college choice on April 13 at Troup County High School. Two of his high school teammates are already committed to SEC schools. Defensive end Andy Boykin is committed to Auburn. Outside linebacker King Mwikuta is committed to Alabama.
On Hudson’s most recent trip to Auburn, he made it clear the Tigers are prioritizing him.
“They want all of us,” Hudson said. “We tell each other it would be pretty tough [in a good way] if we all came here.”
Auburn is the favorite to land Hudson at this point.
For those that look at 247Sports Crystal Ball picks for confidence, both predictions project Hudson to Auburn. That includes my prediction, which I put in at the beginning of March.
Don't mind me just day dreaming about an offense with Bo Nix at QB, John Emery/Asa Martin rotating at RB with George Pickens, Jashawn Sheffield & Kobe Hudson split out at WR.....
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:57 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
As for Hudson’s teammate committed to Auburn …
Andy Boykin made his pledge to Auburn in the fall.
Since committing, Boykin has been clear he remains firmly a part of the Tigers’ 2020 class. He has taken a few recruiting visits to in-state Georgia. He plans to take more over the next two years. Boykin will likely check out a few other schools in the southeast, too.
But he’s as strongly committed to Auburn as he ever was.
“It’s solid, real solid. I’m just checking around,” Boykin told SEC Country earlier this week. “It’s just to make sure. They tell me just to be smart about what I say and what I do.”
He’ll visit Florida State on April 4. Boykin will be back at Auburn for the spring game three days later.
Boykin competed against several of the nation’s top offensive lineman last weekend at the Atlanta Opening regional. He got some work in at defensive end and defensive tackle against several 2019 offensive linemen. There were several pros and cons to take away for Boykin to further develop his craft.
Watch a few of Boykin’s reps from last weekend below.
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:58 pm to TigerPaw1
Special connection forming between Auburn commits, 7-on-7 teammates Bo Nix, George Pickens (SECCountry)
Do work fellas. Get Haselwood to flip
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Auburn’s only two commitments have polar opposite narratives around their recruitments right now.
Quarterback commit Bo Nix, an Auburn legacy, has been committed to the Tigers since January. He’s not going anywhere. Several programs didn’t actively recruit Nix to begin because they knew he’d land at Auburn. Other schools won’t try to flip Nix from Auburn after his pledge. Nix’s name is all but inked with the Tigers.
Wide receiver commit George Pickens has committed to Auburn last July, but he’s starting to gain more recruiting interest than ever. He’s open to taking visits to other places, as evidenced by the two trips to Georgia so far. Multiple SEC foes will work to flip the rising star at wide receiver.
Nix has a different perspective on his fellow commit. The two have grown close through their Auburn commitments and the spring 7-on-7 circuit.
“Like I say, I’m lucky he was committed before I was, so I didn’t have to recruit him very hard,” Nix said. “He’s a talented receiver, one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’m glad he’s on board with me.”
Much will be made the next few months when Pickens takes visits elsewhere.
His stock will rise rapidly after strong 7-on-7 season and standout Atlanta Opening regional performance. With that rankings bump, there will be growing interest from college. Pickens will likely take more visits to places such as Georgia, LSU and Florida, but he’s adamant his commitment remains “very firm” — as firm as ever, he said.
Pickens is particularly fond of Nix. It’s been his quarterback for the Cam Newton 7-on-7 team they play for together.
The way Pickens talks about that relationship further increases the likelihood of a Nix-to-Pickens future at Auburn.
“We play on the same 7-on-7 team, so every other weekend, I see him. We’re really getting closer. We’re basically on the same team. The chemistry is really going to be there when we get to Auburn,” Pickens said. “We’re really good friends. We really have a good connection when he’s throwing it and I’m catching it. We have great timing and chemistry, and it’s only going to get better from here.”
Last weekend, Pickens and Nix spent virtually the entire weekend together. The tandem combined for a 7-on-7 tournament championship on Saturday. They turned around 24 hours later with standout Atlanta Opening performances. Nix won quarterback MVP. Pickens made more head-turning plays than any other receiver in attendance.
Pickens loves the connection he has with Nix. Now he wants to grow the 2019 class. It’s a conversation the two have regularly.
“We always talk about trying to get the guys we hang with the most, like [Georgia wide receiver commit] Jadon [Haselwood], people on our 7-on-7 team or people in our state to come to Auburn,” Pickens said. “That’s really what we’re talking about, just trying to get more people to come in.”
It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the class picks up some steam.
“Huge momentum coming. With us really being the top players in the state at our positions, it’s important,” Nix said. “I’m glad George is already on board. We have to both keep our eyes out for guys we want and hope they want to join us.”
Do work fellas. Get Haselwood to flip
Posted on 3/30/18 at 7:59 pm to TigerPaw1
Top OL target Keiondre Jones reveals 2 factors playing in Auburn’s favor (SECCountry)
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Top guard names 2 factors playing in Auburn’s favor
Of all the linemen the Tigers are recruiting, nobody has been to Auburn as much as Keiondre Jones.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound guard from Hogansville, Ga., was the most regular underclassman visitor for games last fall. Since the spring began, Jones has been to the Plains three times, including a back-to-back weekend visits earlier this month. Jones knows Auburn well — and vice versa.
When it comes to decision time, that familiarity with and proximity to Auburn will be the most influential factor for the Tigers.
“Being 45 minutes away from my house,” Jones said. “It’s hard to beat that.”
A few programs will try.
Clemson, South Carolina and Mississippi State are the three programs other than Auburn recruiting him the hardest, he said. Jones will visit South Carolina this weekend. He’ll head to Mississippi State on April 20 for his first official visit. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see Jones on the Plains for the April 7 spring game, though he hasn’t lined it up on his calendar yet.
Auburn’s closeness to home plays a key role for Jones.
So does his newfound relationship with offensive line coach J.B. Grimes.
“I like Coach Grimes. I like Coach Grimes a lot. He just got there, so I’ve gotten to see what he’s like as a coach and a person,” Jones said. “I really like him a lot. He’s more of a technician than a yeller. Maybe he’ll get onto you when he needs to, but he’s a teacher kind of guy. He said he likes the type of player I am because I’m a versatile guard or center. He thinks I’d fit in pretty well.”
This post was edited on 3/30/18 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:01 pm to TigerPaw1
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Auburn coaches had words of wisdom for 5-star LB
I gave the full Auburn-side update on Nakobe Dean earlier this week.
There are about 10 perspectives to give based on his high priority mutual interest in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, LSU, Stanford and others. The two in-state schools are often believed to be sneaky favorites because of the state’s typical ability to hold its top talent within its borders. There’s enough talent — and enough vulnerability with Mississippi State and Ole Miss — that all these top programs are going to try.
It has increased the difficulty of decisions for the cycle’s Mississippi prospects such as Dean.
In fact, Dean offered an anecdote from earlier in the spring when one coach gave him advice that stuck with him. Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele had words of wisdom for Dean that he’s leaning on heavily as he makes his decisions.
“I feel like most schools I go to feel like Ole Miss and Mississippi State are the teams to beat because a whole bunch of Mississippi kids stay in state. There is pressure, but it’s my decision,” Dean said. “One thing I like is when I went to Auburn, Coach [Kevin] Steele told me that this is the one time in life where I can be selfish. It’s going to be whatever is best for me.”
Steele has a reputation of quotable commentary.
That carries over to recruiting — and a 5-star linebacker has taken notice.
This post was edited on 3/30/18 at 8:03 pm
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:03 pm to TigerPaw1
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Top in-state cornerback names schools prioritizing him
Christian Williams ranks as the No. 1 cornerback in Alabama.
If the rankings don’t prove Williams status among cornerback elite, the colleges actively pursuing him will. The 6-foot-1, 177-pound cornerback from Daphne, Ala., has taken several college visits throughout the spring. He’s also picked up recent offers from Florida, Oregon and Nebraska.
But the three schools recruiting him hardest?
Those are the big guns.
“The hardest would be LSU, Auburn and Alabama,” Williams told SEC Country.
Williams recently took a visit to Baton Rouge. Since that trip, Williams said LSU is recruiting him the hardest out of the three, though it’s a close competition. He hasn’t been to Auburn since his weekend visit two months ago.
The message from the Auburn staff hasn’t altered since then, however.
“They said I could come in and start,” Williams said.
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:04 pm to TigerPaw1
Why priority running back target John Emery has Auburn in his top 8 (SECCountry)
quote:
John Emery sits atop Auburn’s running back interests in the 2019 class.
He hinted on his most recent visit to the Plains that the Tigers were a “top contender.” Emery confirmed it on Friday when he released his top 8 list he’ll focus on throughout the summer months. In no particular order, the Destrehan (La.) running back has Auburn, LSU, Florida, Michigan, Georgia, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Southern Cal among his favorites.
“This is really the final eight,” Emery told SEC Country. “There were other schools I had interest in and some schools the vibe wasn’t there for me. These top eight schools — I have a great relationship with the coaches and I could see myself there for the next three or four years. As time passed, more schools will be eliminated.”
By the end of summer, Emery plans to cut it from eight to three.
When he does, Auburn will have a few factors playing in its favor. There’s often a debate among college football fans about the title holder of “DBU,” “WRU,” “LBU” and so on. The “RBU” debate is one of the more passionate versions of that conversation.
Emery gave the label to the Tigers.
“Auburn is ‘RBU.’ The last five years, they’ve had the top rushers in the NCAA,” Emery said. “Right now, they have three running backs in the league. The offense they run is similar to the one I have in high school [at Destrehan]. I can see myself at Auburn. It’s a very productive school.”
Emery’s father played running back at Tennessee during his college days, though that’s not why the Volunteers are in his top 8. His father’s football and recruiting experience will, however, assist Emery through his decision. It’s why he has tried to balance visiting in-state LSU, as well as several out-of-state schools this spring to see the full spectrum of his options.
Auburn has been a beneficiary of that search.
Emery visited Auburn earlier this spring, with little knowledge about the program, and left quite impressed.
“When I went out there, they let me know the real. I can see myself there. Auburn is doing big things. A lot of running backs that left Auburn have been very successful. They’ve had success the past year. They’re a great program and how they know how to utilize their running backs,” Emery said. “They gave me the real. If the running backs want to run the rock 30 times a game, they let them. They don’t intend on doing that. They look at less carries because of the future and that’s what I like.”
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:05 pm to TigerPaw1
Coastal Georgia athlete Jashawn Sheffield places Auburn on top after first visit (SECCountry)
quote:
AUBURN, Ala. — As far as first impressions go, Auburn couldn’t have left a much better one on Jashawn Sheffield.
The 4-star athlete from Frederica Academy (Ga.) ranks as the nation’s No. 101 overall prospects. He’s been heavily recruited throughout his process by Tennessee, South Carolina, Miami and Florida State. Sheffield’s two-day, mid-week visit with high school teammate Jaylin Simpson (more on Simpson shortly) gave him his first on-campus look into the Auburn program.
By the time he left, the Tigers had made their case.
“Right now, visiting Auburn, seeing this, it’s totally different than any other college I’ve ever been. Auburn is No. 1. Just talking to the coaches, 1-on-1 time with them, it wasn’t football all the time. They were talking about after college,” Sheffield said. “It’s great. I love the coaches. I got to spend 1-on-1 time with them. I got to meet the players, see how the coaches coach. They coach their players up very well. They work hard here.”
Sheffield has played multiple positions for his high school — wide receiver, running back, returner and defensive back.
Auburn has recruited him at two positions, and he’s open to either.
Sheffield has been in contact with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns who said the Tigers would “get (him) the ball a lot.” But he’s developed a strong relationship with Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele who took over the coastal Georgia territory after former offensive line coach Herb Hand’s departure in January.
The relationship with Steele is by design. Auburn likes Sheffield at safety, as well. Sheffield appreciates the message on that front, too.
“Then they like me at safety. They think I could make a lot of money at safety,” Sheffield said. “I really don’t care, as long as I get to play football. I’d play either one.”
Sheffield hasn’t planned a return trip to the Plains, but one will take place.
He was close to making a college decision last fall, but backed off amid a few coaching changes. Now he plans to take his time with his commitment — though he admits this week’s Auburn pitch will be tough to top — likely waiting until after his senior season to finalize a decision.
His first trip to Auburn changed his whole perspective.
“I listen to all coaches, but they were telling me some honest stuff like, ‘Every coach is going to tell you something you want to hear, but I’m not here to do that. This is a business. I want you here very badly. We’ll worry about you after football.’ I know there’s a lot of coaches that say that, but they’re sincere. You can tell it’s serious here,” Sheffield said. “The atmosphere is just totally different than any place I’ve ever been.”
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:06 pm to TigerPaw1
Auburn visit ‘changes a lot about recruiting’ for standout defensive back Jaylin Simpson (SECCountry)
quote:
AUBURN, Ala. — Jaylin Simpson only needed one trip to Auburn to boost the Tigers up his list of favorites.
The standout defensive back from Frederica Academy (Ga.) visited the Plains from Thursday to Friday. He was joined by his high school teammate Jashawn Sheffield who called the Tigers his No. 1 after the visit. Simpson isn’t listing any leaders right now, but Auburn certainly rose up his interest list following the initial trip.
“This trip changes a lot about recruiting for me. I haven’t ever been to Auburn or anything. It definitely changed my mind about a lot of stuff,” Simpson said. “No leaders, but this is my first time coming here. I will say they have jumped somewhere up in the top 3. I don’t really have a specific group or order, but they’re up there.”
Auburn, South Carolina, Miami, Georgia, Clemson and Ohio State are the main programs battling it out for Simpson. Most schools have told him cornerback or safety.
During his Auburn visit, Simpson spoke primarily with safeties coach Greg Brown and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. He also spent some time with wide receivers coach Kodi Burns. The interactions with Brown and Steele indicate the Tigers’ interest in Simpson at safety, though Simpson said they told him they like his ability to play cornerback, too.
Those conversations with coaches are what stood out to Simpson on the visit.
“It was just the things that the coaches said. It was just — the stuff they said has been different than what everyone else is saying. I just feel like they’re more real,” Simpson said. “They talk about the real stuff, what they want from me in the future. It just sounds about right for me. They just don’t want me to make a decision that I don’t want to make, not force anything. They just told me they really want me, and they’ve got a plan for me and Jashawn.”
Simpson isn’t in a rush to decide his college destination.
The six schools listed previously are the programs most involved in his recruitment right now. He wants to make return trips to as many of those as possible before making a decision. Once he does that, he could commit in short order or he could wait it out until National Signing Day.
It’ll depend heavily on how he feels on those follow-up visits.
“I’m going to try to go to all of them. I’m definitely going to try to come back here as soon as I can,” Simpson said. “If I go to all of them, and I’m still not sure, I’m just going to wait it out until National Signing Day. If something stands out, I’ll just do it right there.”
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:14 pm to TigerPaw1
Four-Star Teammates Have Eye-Opening Visit To Auburn (Scout)
Sheffield already seeing championships
quote:
Four-star prospects and teammates at Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island in Georgia, athletes Jashawn Sheffield and Jaylin Simpson took a two-day visit to check out the Auburn Tigers this week and both left with Coach Gus Malzahn’s program making a big move up their recruiting boards.
“I saw a lot,” Sheffield said of Auburn. “Very different stuff than I have seen at any other campus. I got one-on-one time with every coach that is here. I talked to Kodi (Burns) a lot, Coach Gus. I love all these guys. They really told me some honest stuff.
“They said if I come there and do the right things they’ll get me where I want to go. I believe them because they got on the board and wrote some stuff down and showed me some education stuff. They weren’t strictly talking about football. They were talking about after football.
“I had a lot of questions and they answered them. It’s just a great place. I’m not going to even lie. I love Auburn right now. They are number one right now...there’s just something totally different about Auburn with the atmosphere and everything.”
At 6-0, 165, Simpson is expected to play cornerback on the next level. Getting to know the coaches as well on his visit, he said Auburn is definitely a school he wants to learn more about in the future.
“The visit was a lot different from the other ones,” Simpson said. “A lot of stuff stood out such as academics, sports, all that. I just had a good time and I’ll definitely be back again.
“Without a doubt it will be an official visit,” he added. “Just from being there today it’s a lot better than some I have been to. I don’t have an official group, but they definitely jumped way up there.”
Also looking at Miami, Georgia, Florida State, Ohio State and Clemson, Simpson said the Auburn coaches focused on him playing outside at cornerback, one of the biggest need areas for Auburn in 2019.
“They are telling me I’m the perfect fit for their defense and what they do and how they run things,” Simpson said. “Mainly they want me to play cornerback after watching my film. They feel like that’s the best fit for me.”
A player that could play wide receiver or safety on the next level, the 6-1, 178 Sheffield has long been considered a lock to Florida State, but that’s not the case at the moment following his first look at Auburn. Now it’s Tennessee, South Carolina and Miami in the picture and they’re playing catch-up.
“When I went to Florida State last Tuesday, it’s kind of different from when Jimbo was there,” Sheffield said. “I really liked it a lot when Jimbo was there, but seeing the new staff I didn’t even get to talk to Coach (Willie) Taggart because he was in meetings. That knocked them down a little bit. I really haven’t been talking to people from Florida State like I used to.”
Watching Auburn practice and sitting in with meetings as well to learn more about the Tigers on the field, Sheffield said he sees big things on the horizon and he wouldn’t mind being part of it.
“It’s a great school,” Sheffield said. “I’m going to come in and work very hard. I see a natty (national championship) here in a few years.
“This really narrowed it down a lot. The next school will have to do a lot to compete with Auburn.”
Neither player will graduate in December and both want to have a decision sometime during their senior season. Both are planning to take official visits to Auburn.
Sheffield already seeing championships
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:15 pm to TigerPaw1
3* TE Tyler Fromm visited Friday & apparently went well cuz KN CB'd him to AU
He also flipped CB on Sean Brown from AU to Tennessee... How bout we let them have the 2 TEs & we take Wanya Morris
He also flipped CB on Sean Brown from AU to Tennessee... How bout we let them have the 2 TEs & we take Wanya Morris
Posted on 3/30/18 at 8:17 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
Not a ton of guys expected ... but you just never know who will show.
The big ones:
OL William Putnam, Tampa Plant
2020 DL Myles Murphy, Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove
DB, Cordale Flott, Saraland (Ala.)
Possibly Bama DB commit Brandon Turnage of Mississippi.
Not sure if no. 1 Buck target Derrick Hall of Mississippi will make it.
I'm sure there are guys coming that I don't know about. Happens every day.
-- KN
Hopefully the Mississippi boys make it to campus. Hall especially
Posted on 3/30/18 at 9:08 pm to TigerPaw1
Nevermind. Read article wrong.
This post was edited on 3/30/18 at 9:12 pm
Posted on 3/30/18 at 9:26 pm to ellitor
Are we not in it at all for Diabate?
Posted on 3/30/18 at 10:24 pm to RandySavage
quote:Nope. Haven't even offered him. Not sure if it's because he has little to no interest in AU, if T-Will & Steele have other guys higher on the board, or a combination of both
Are we not in it at all for Diabate?
Posted on 3/31/18 at 6:57 pm to RandySavage
KN seems to think Sheffield will end up a safety fwiw
Posted on 4/2/18 at 5:04 pm to TigerPaw1
KN posted some stuff today and Marcello posted some VIP stuff about the scrimmage I believe... So basically I'm just here for the TigerPaw updates.
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