Started By
Message
re: 2019 Football Recruiting Thread - Auburn Goes 4/7 & Land Brothers
Posted on 4/6/18 at 8:52 pm to TigerPaw1
Posted on 4/6/18 at 8:52 pm to TigerPaw1
Auburn has hopes of landing coveted teammates Owen Pappoe, Wanya Morris (SECCountry)
quote:
Grayson High School (Loganville, Ga.) is loaded with talent. That’s not news. The Rams have double-digit prospects who will have significant roles at the FBS level, and many of them have been highly recruited since their freshman years.
Owen Pappoe and Wanya Morris are No. 1 and No. 2 on that list.
Let’s start with Pappoe.
He’s the top-ranked linebacker in the nation, which makes him a No. 1 target for a lot of schools. Georgia has been the clear favorite since the beginning of his recruitment. That hasn’t stopped programs such as Clemson, LSU, Tennessee, Florida State and Nebraska from making pushes throughout his recruitment.
Auburn is the latest to make a serious attempt at signing Pappoe — and there’s some traction there.
A source close to Pappoe told me earlier this week this is the closest the race ever has been for the star linebacker. He’s been ready to commit to Georgia on multiple occasions, but Auburn is making him think twice. Pappoe said after his first Auburn visit this spring that linebackers coach Travis Williams “had his head spinning.” He then made the Tigers his No. 2 school behind the Bulldogs immediately after his second spring visit.
This is legitimately close.
And that’s a big deal as it pertains to offensive lineman Wanya Morris.
Morris is down to Auburn and Tennessee. The Volunteers have had most of the buzz since Morris made his most recent visit last month. Immediately after that visit, Morris pared his list to the final 2. On the surface, that appears to be a better sign for Tennessee than Auburn.
But the Tigers feel their prioritization of Pappoe and Morris together helps their chances. The two plan to announced their college decisions on the same day. That originally was set for May 5, but it’s more likely to come on April 30 or May 1.
For Auburn, its best chance at one or both players will depend on getting them on campus at the same time at least once in the next month. If that happens, I think the Tigers present a serious threat.
1
Posted on 4/6/18 at 8:55 pm to TigerPaw1
Auburn in on 2 Georgia D-line prospects thanks to 1 coach, possible early playing time (SECCountry)
quote:
Georgia DT captivated by Rodney Garner’s style
Jaelin Humphries made an important position switch this spring.
The 4-star Class of 2019 prospect from Lawrenceville, Ga., had been primarily playing offensive tackle up to that point. That’s how he was listed by most recruiting services, and that’s what many schools were recruiting him to play. He made the shift from offensive tackle to defensive tackle this spring. It has resulted in offers from South Carolina, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Mississippi State and Florida.
Smart move by Humphries.
So far, he’s visited Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Humphries would like to visit a few more this spring — perhaps LSU and Nebraska. Once he gets the next few spring visits out of the way, Humphries will narrow in on his official list of top schools.
Auburn will be among that group when it happens.
“They’re all about neck-and-neck, but a couple are about to start standing out,” Humphries told SEC Country. “Auburn is close to home, and they know how to recruit defensive linemen.”
On Humphries’ lone visit to Auburn, he spent most of his time touring campus with defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
Humphries — like most Auburn defensive line targets — appreciates Garner’s ability to be laid-back off the field and hard-nosed on it. Humphries hopes to make it to the Tigers’ spring practice Thursday or to the spring game this weekend to see Garner interact with players.
Humphries expects he’ll like what he sees.
“Rodney Garner, he knows what he’s doing. They’ve got Derrick Brown, and he’s been having a lot of success there, so that’s another reason I want to keep looking into Auburn,” Humphries said. “Coach Garner, he’s a relaxed guy off the field, but he knows what he’s doing coaching football.”
As of now, however, Humphries said South Carolina is recruiting him hardest. The Gamecocks were the first top-tier program to offer the 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle.
This will likely be a long recruitment, though.
Humphries acknowledge to SEC Country that he felt his stock could rise even further this spring when coaches are able to come to Mountain View (Ga.) practices. He’s still raw as a defensive line talent and thinks his ability to progress this spring and into the fall will make him a more coveted asset by the time he’s ready to commit and sign.
“I’m going to make a decision mid-football season or later. It could go all the way to signing day in February,” Humphries said. “I just want to get better and see it all play out from there.”
Posted on 4/6/18 at 8:56 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
Curtis Fann, top DE target, sees early playing potential
Curtis Fann has long been pegged as a South Carolina lean.
The Twin City, Ga., prospect has been an active proponent of the Gamecocks on social media. He’s been to Columbia more than anywhere else as a recruit. But he isn’t closing of the potential of other programs.
Auburn is one of those in the mix for the 4-star defensive lineman who could double as a strongside end or a tackle.
Fann holds the Tigers in high regard. He communicates with two coaches on Auburn’s staff on a fairly regular basis.
“I’ve got a good relationship with the D-line coach, Coach Garner. I’ve got a really good relationship with the defensive coordinator, Coach [Kevin] Steele, too,” Fann said.
If there’s one factor playing in Auburn’s favor, it’s the potential of reps as a freshman.
Fann sees defensive linemen such as Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe as potential early exits for the NFL draft. Even if those guys don’t leave early, though, Garner has still given Fann plenty of confidence that playing time would be a possibility in the 2019 season.
“I know I can play early. Coach G, he always tells me that he plays 10 defensive linemen a game, so I have a chance of playing,” Fann said.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 8:57 pm to TigerPaw1
5-star linebacker, top tackle target make quiet, crucial multi-day visit to Auburn (SECCountry)
quote:
Back-to-back days of Owen Pappoe and Wanya Morris questions prove the growing hopefulness on Auburn’s side of signing the teammates at Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga.
If you missed the Wednesday question of the day, check it out here.
Something big came up shortly after that question published: Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports reported a three-day visit made by 5-star outside linebacker Pappoe and 4-star tackle Morris, which I can confirm. Initially, Morris was planning to make a Sunday-to-Monday visit. Then Pappoe joined him. Then it turned into a three-day occasion.
The importance of this can’t be overstated.
As I wrote earlier in the week, it’d be interesting to check for follow-up visits from one or both. That didn’t take long.
Also as I mentioned in the previous post, I received a call from a source close to Pappoe earlier this week suggesting this was the closest the race has been. It was the first time this source felt there was some legitimacy to the idea of Pappoe choosing a school other than Georgia. Morris has made several kept-quiet trips to the Plains this year. So many that the next one he takes, you’ll need a second hand to count it.
This is huge for Auburn.
In-state Georgia is obviously still a main contender for Pappoe — perhaps the public favorite. Tennessee is a major player for Morris. But at this moment, this is the strongest I’ve ever felt about Auburn landing either prospect, and bringing in both certainly seems more realistic than ever.
One tidbit worth mentioning is Pappoe’s relationship with another Auburn target — Jashawn Sheffield from Frederica Academy in St. Simons Island, Ga., a 4-star athlete on the 247Sports composite — who visited last weekend and called the Tigers his No. 1 school. Sheffield and Pappoe have been close friends since their freshman years of high school, when both prospects’ recruitments took off. It’s not a coincidence that Pappoe made an originally unplanned multi-day visit to the Plains shortly after Sheffield’s first visit and initial interest.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:00 pm to TigerPaw1
5 prospects ranked inside top 50 most likely to commit to Auburn (SECCountry)
quote:
Five top-50 prospects Auburn has best chance to land
Auburn is generating some 5-star buzz.
The Tigers only have two commitments in the 2019 class so far — though both are highly ranked — but they’ve used several midweek visits the last couple of weeks to get in contention for more guys higher up the recruiting boards. The Grayson (Ga.) tandem and the mother of a priority running back target top that list.
Auburn landed one top-50 prospect a year ago from No. 49 overall recruit Joey Gatewood. The Tigers are in the top 2 or 3 schools for several top-50 recruits this cycle.
Here are the five Auburn is most likely to add and where the Tigers stand. This list doesn’t include wide receiver Jadon Haselwood, wide receiver Frank Ladson, tackle Devontae Dobbs, linebacker De’Gabriel Floyd, athlete Mark Antony-Richards, cornerback Andrew Booth and defensive lineman Nathan Pickering. It could include them, but it doesn’t.
That tells you how favorably Auburn sits with the five below.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:00 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
LB Owen Pappoe, No. 7 overall
Owen Pappoe has been linked to Georgia for as long as he’s been recruited, which has been a really, really long time.
The 5-star prospect and No. 1 overall linebacker in the 2019 class has even made his public interest in the Bulldogs quite clear. As of his March visit, Auburn had worked its way into that No. 2 spot for Pappoe. The gap between Georgia and Auburn is now even smaller — arguably nonexistent.
Pappoe made a multiple-day visit earlier this week. Word coming out of the visit suggests the Tigers have positioned themselves right alongside the Bulldogs for the top spot. Pappoe’s commitment date is set a month from now, so these next 30 days will carry a lot of weight for Pappoe.
His relationship with Georgia athlete Jashawn Sheffield, who recently called Auburn his top school, will have a key role.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:00 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
OL Clay Webb, No. 11 overall
Here’s another one that public perception will tell you has already made up his mind.
Alabama has been the favorite since Clay Webb came onto the season.
It makes sense why. He’s the top-ranked prospect in Alabama, and the Crimson Tide have had a lot of historical success landing a commitment from those. He’s close friends with Alabama offensive line commit Pierce Quick, and the two have expressed interest in playing together. And most of all, Webb grew up a Crimson Tide supporter, which has to have some effect on a college decision.
It’s interesting to note Webb’s willingness to wait out his decision.
Webb wants to be patient with his choice, perhaps until December after his senior season. That timeline would indicate the 5-star offensive lineman isn’t anywhere close to set on his college destination. He wants to take several visits to LSU, Tennessee and Georgia, as well as the in-state schools before committing.
Of that group, Auburn is by far the most likely to pick Webb away from Alabama. His relationships with quarterback commit Bo Nix and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey will go a long way to winning that in-state recruiting battle.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:01 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
LB Nakobe Dean, No. 24 overall
Nakobe Dean called Auburn the school that most surprised him during his spring visit tour.
The 5-star linebacker from Mississippi was the first of the Mississippi contingent to visit the Plains this spring. That visit set off a domino effect that included Pickering, Brandon Turnage, Jaren Handy, Charles Moore and several others. Dean hasn’t returned since, but that’s soon to change.
He planned to visit two weekends ago on his way to the Atlanta Opening regional. Dean had to adjust his plans. He’s trying to make it to the Plains for the spring game this weekend, but if not, he expects to be back before the month ends.
Auburn is one of many schools competing for Dean. Many see Alabama as the most likely to grab Dean’s commitment. But the Tigers have been in this since the beginning, and they aren’t going anywhere.
We can't seem to get him back on campus which is why I don't really think we are a major threat right now. Until he visits again seems like a pipe dream. Have more confidence for Donte Starks than Dean right now
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:02 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
RB Noah Cain, No. 32 overall
It’s been mentioned many times before that Auburn wants at least either Noah Cain or John Emery.
Both have given the Tigers positive vibes this spring.
Cain took a trip for a junior day at the beginning of the spring. He was joined by his father and a few of his IMG Academy (Fla.) teammates. He praised Auburn after his first visit and made several comments about his strengthening bond with quarterback commit Nix. Those are promising signs, but Cain had offered similar positive signals to places such as Texas, Ohio State and LSU.
An intriguing tidbit emerged earlier this week, however.
Cain told SEC Country that his mother would make a solo visit to the Plains this week. She was on campus Thursday to meet with coaches and check out practice. That has to be a good sign for Auburn.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:02 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
OL Wanya Morris, No. 41 overall
Many Auburn fans might make the argument that Wanya Morris is more important to the Tigers’ future than Pappoe.
Auburn’s mentality: Why not both?
Morris and Pappoe visited earlier this week for an extended stay. It’s the second time in a month the two have made a multiple-day trip to an SEC school. They went to Tennessee earlier this spring. Morris quickly released his top 2 of Auburn and Tennessee, leading many to believe the Volunteers were the favorite.
Upon Morris’ return trip to Auburn — with Pappoe alongside him — the Tigers have now emerged as the most likely landing spot for the Grayson (Ga.) High School tackle.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:03 pm to TigerPaw1
A-Day recruiting list offers its own star power after week of key Auburn visitors (SECCountry)
quote:
AUBURN, Ala. — The biggest football event of the spring always has recruiting implications.
Auburn’s spring game will take place on Saturday. It generally brings some recruiting momentum along with it. Last year, the Tigers snagged two commitment at A-Day — from offensive lineman Kam Stutts and athlete Kolbi Fuqua. Those were Auburn’s third and fourth commitments of the 2018 cycle.
Yet again, the Tigers enter the spring game with two commitment. There isn’t as much a sense of urgency to land immediate commitments as there was last year. A seven-year contract for the head coach will do that. It has allowed Auburn to stay patient in the 2019 class and shoot for its top-of-the-board targets before taking commitments from some of the lower-ranked prospects it has interest in.
Because of the willing patience, A-Day won’t have as big of a scheduled crowd as it has in the past. Some of that has to do with stadium construction affecting game day logistics. Some of it is expected weather. Some of it is because Auburn has capitalized on personalized, mid-week visits over big recruiting weekends this spring.
Just this week, the Tigers have hosted defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, defensive lineman Colby Wooden, linebacker Owen Pappoe, offensive tackle Wanya Morris, wide receiver Ramel Keyon and potentially a few other unreported visits. Auburn has made an effort to prioritize these 1-on-1 type of visits, and it’s paying off with a few top targets.
The Tigers will still host several noteworthy prospects this weekend for the spring game. SEC Country will bring you recruiting coverage throughout the weekend. Here are the recruits known to be on the docket for Auburn.
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:04 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
Class of 2019 targets
4-star S Trikweze Bridges, Lanett, Ala.
4-star DE Curtis Fann, Stillmore, Ga.
4-star DE Derrick McLendon, Tucker, Ga.
4-star CB Marcus Banks, Houston, Texas
4-star OLB Derick Hall, Gulfport, Miss.
4-star RB Derrian Brown, Buford, Ga.
3-star QB Peter Parrish, Phenix City, Ala.
3-star S Ray Thornton, Phenix City, Ala.
3-star CB Raydarious Jones, Horn Lake, Miss.
3-star S Aaron Beasley, Franklin, Ga.
3-star TE Jamin Graham, Etowah, Ga.
3-star DE Colby Wooden, Lawrenceville, Ga.
3-star RB Jamontez Woods, Gadsden, Ala.
Unranked TE Jeremiah Johnson, Homerville, Ga.
Here are my three big things to takeaway from this:
One, there’s a huge emphasis of defensive linemen and defensive backs. Fann, McLendon, Hall and Wooden are among the 10 defensive linemen Auburn wants most in this class. Banks, Jones and Beasley are near the top of the defensive back board. I’ve also been told the Tigers like Brown at running back and safety, so there’s some defensive back interest there, too. Bridges is one of the higher-rated prospects visiting, but Auburn hasn’t offered yet. That could easily change this weekend.
Two, here’s a little more clarity to the tight end situation. Jackson Lowe is committed. Sean Brown and Luke Deal are far from certainties. Tyler Fromm will be patient with his decision. Thus, Auburn will host two more tight ends this weekend. Graham has visited once already this spring for a junior day, but he hasn’t been offered. He’s listed at defensive end, but Auburn is evaluating as a tight end. This is the first mention of Johnson, a 6-foot-7 tight end from Clinch County (Ga.). With that frame, an offer should certainly be something to watch
Three, the long-distance visit from Banks is an important one. He hasn’t been to the Plains yet, but he’s one of the most coveted cornerbacks on Auburn’s board. This will be a big visit to encourage a return trip in the summer or fall. The Tigers can’t afford to let this opportunity go to waste.
Keep an eye on Hall as well. KN seems to really like AU's chances with him
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:05 pm to TigerPaw1
quote:
Class of 2020 and 2021 targets
4-star WR Kobe Hudson, Lagrange, Ga.
4-star DT Jayson Jones, Calera, Ala.
4-star RB JoQuavious Marks, Atlanta, Ga.
3-star LB Quandarrius Robinson, Birmingham, Ala.
Unranked WR Eddie Williams, Phenix City, Ala.
Unranked LB Sergio Allen, Fort Valley, Ga.
Unranked DE Andy Boykin, Lagrange, Ga.
2021 Unranked WR Julian Nixon, Roswell, Ga.
2021 4-star OT Bryn Tucker, Knoxville, Tenn.
2021 unranked OT Terrance Ferguson, Fort Valley, Ga.
Worth noting: Hudson makes his college announcement in a week. Auburn has been a heavy favorite since the beginning of the process, and this weekend visit only reinforces that belief.
Actually pretty impressive list for 2020 guys. Nixon is a 6'4" WR that already has some big offers including one from AU
This post was edited on 4/6/18 at 9:08 pm
Posted on 4/6/18 at 9:08 pm to TigerPaw1
Over 20 recruits visiting Auburn for A-Day (AL.com)
quote:
Auburn will have 24 recruits visiting for A-Day, including 13 2019 prospects.
Of those prospects in the next recruiting cycle, six are rated as 4-star recruits in the 247Sports Composite, five are in-state and five are from Georgia, while two are from Mississippi and one is from Texas.
There are nine 2020 prospects, including Auburn commit Andy Boykin, visiting the Plains and two 2021 players as well.
2019 recruits visiting (listed alphabetically with star rating if available):
Marcus Banks, 4-star cornerback from Dekany (Houston, Texas)
Aaron Beasley, 3-star safety from Heard County, Ga.
Trikweze Bridges, 4-star safety from Lannett
Derrian Brown, 4-star running back from Buford, Ga.
Curtis Fann, 4-star weakside defensive end from Emanuel County Institute (Twin City, Ga.)
Jamin Graham, 3-star weakside defensive end from Etowah
Derick Hall, 4-star outside linebacker from Gulfport, Miss.
Raydarious Jones, 3-star dual-threat quarterback from Horn Lake, Miss.
Derrick McLendon, 4-star weakside defensive end from Tucker, Ga.
Peter Parrish, 3-star dual-threat quarterback from Central Phenix City
Ray Thornton, 3-star safety from Central Phenix City
Colby Wooden, 3-star strongside defensive end from Archer (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
Jamontez Woods, running back Gadsden City
2020 recruits visiting (listed alphabetically):
Sergio Allen, 2020 linebacker from Peach County, Ga.
Andy Boykin, 2020 strongside defensive end from Troup County, Ga., Auburn commit
Kobe Hudson, 2020 wide receiver from Troup County, Ga.
Jeremiah Johnson, 2020 Tight end/wide receiver
Jayson Jones, 2020 defensive tackle from Calera
JoQuavious Marks, 2020 running back from Carver Atlanta
Quandarrius Robinson, 2020 outside linebacker from Jackson-Olin
Bryn Tucker, 2020 offensive tackle from Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tenn.)
Eddie Williams, 2020 wide receiver from Central Phenix City
2021 recruits visitings (listed alphabetically):
Terrance Ferguson, 2021 offensive tackle Peach County, Ga.
Julian Nixon, 2021 wide receiver from Centennial (Roswell, Ga.)
Posted on 4/7/18 at 7:27 am to ThaiTiger24
quote:Funny but not my style. I never say it's so & and month. I see people say that too much & it annoys me. I will say something like it's early or we have a long way to go. As it applies to this class I do like where things are trending w/ some prospects but like many will point out we still have to land them.
IN before Ellitor responds by saying "relax, it's only April 6"
Posted on 4/7/18 at 1:44 pm to ellitor
Just saw where Rusty of UGA 247 believes it's now 50/50 for Pappoe 
Edit: Also believes Morris is leaning AU right now which is helping AU with Pappoe. Says there's been a big swing in Pappoe's recruitment towards AU in recent weeks
Edit: Also believes Morris is leaning AU right now which is helping AU with Pappoe. Says there's been a big swing in Pappoe's recruitment towards AU in recent weeks
This post was edited on 4/7/18 at 1:46 pm
Posted on 4/7/18 at 2:07 pm to TigerPaw1
Just got another CB for Pappoe this one from TEX insider EJ Holland
Hoping to see one of those UGA insiders at least go to foggy before I get my hopes too high
Hoping to see one of those UGA insiders at least go to foggy before I get my hopes too high
Posted on 4/7/18 at 2:20 pm to TigerPaw1
KN says AU has offered Grayson 3* C Jakai Clark
Posted on 4/7/18 at 2:39 pm to TigerPaw1
Oh boy. KN just flipped CB to AU for Pappoe and says Clark is on commit watch. Clark's best friend? Wanya Morris
This post was edited on 4/7/18 at 2:40 pm
Posted on 4/7/18 at 5:04 pm to TigerPaw1
Don't play with my heart like that.
Page 64 of 497
Latest Auburn News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News