re: Class of 2018 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: So Long Old Friend Edition

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Coynis Miller down to 3 schools, with commitment on the horizon

Coynis Miller has been a top Alabama target for more than a year now, but the Crimson Tide may have some catching up to do in order to land his commitment on Oct. 14.

Miller has said Florida is his No. 1 school since August with Auburn being his No. 2 choice. That leaves Alabama third, if we are to take Miller at his word.

But should we?

The nation’s No. 15 defensive tackle visited Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s game against Fresno State and will return to campus this Saturday for the Tide’s showdown against Ole Miss. That would mean he’s already been to two of the team’s three home games. He’s been to Auburn for the Tigers’ game against Georgia Southern and hasn’t been to Florida this season. It needs to be noted that Miller lives in Birmingham, so it’s obviously easier to travel to Tuscaloosa than it is to Gainesville and a shorter trip from Auburn.

Miller has only been to Gainesville once, but that’s all it took for him to fall in love with Florida. Sometimes in recruiting, one trip is enough for a recruit to choose that school. That could happen here.

One source who recently spoke with Miller told SEC Country that the in-state prospect believes that he’d fit in better at Florida rather than Alabama or Auburn. Another source said he believes it’s 50-50 between Alabama and Florida, which is actually a good thing because, like I said, he’s visiting Tuscaloosa this weekend. You can guarantee that he will have lots of attention from coaches. Miller will be repeatedly told how wanted he is by Alabama and how big of a priority he is when he’s in town on Saturday.

On multiple occasions, Miller has told SEC Country that Alabama is the school recruiting him the hardest via offensive line coach Brent Key, who is his primary recruiter. Miller has been building a relationship with defensive line coach Karl Dunbar as well.

The 6-foot-2, 300-pound prospect hasn’t been in my mock signing class for two months now, and I haven’t heard anything just yet to make me put him in there.

I spoke with SEC Country Auburn recruiting reporter Benjamin Wolk and Florida recruiting reporter Zach Abolverdi to get their takes on why they think Miller will choose the school they cover.

Wolk: “Relationships are everything in recruiting, and at Auburn, Miller has many. It started with the Tigers being the first Power 5 team to offer back in June 2016 when Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner was recruiting now-Tigers defensive lineman T.D. Moultry. As other programs have caught on, Garner and Auburn have always been there. Garner is one of the most proven closers on the recruiting trail and he’s never an easy position coach to turn down — especially for someone like Miller who has been so close to Garner for two full recruiting cycles. On top of that, Miller’s former high school teammate, Moultry, ended up at Auburn. Moultry isn’t the type to tell Miller what’s in his own best interests, but the connection won’t hurt. Neither will the fact Miller’s high school coach, Tim Vakakes — someone Miller respects and trusts dearly — is an Auburn grad. Last but not least, Miller has a long-standing friendship with Auburn running back commit Asa Martin dating back to his time in Decatur, Ala., before moving to Birmingham, and Martin seems to like the Tigers’ chances of landing their top remaining defensive prospect. In the end, Miller’s many connections to Auburn will be too tough to overlook.”

Abolverdi: “The Gators have recently had some success on the recruiting trail in Alabama, signing four prospects from the state in the last two recruiting cycles. A pair of those players, sophomore running back Lamical Perine and freshman receiver Kadarius Toney, have huge roles this season. Their presence and production on the team should help Florida’s chances with Miller, who named Florida his No. 1 school in August after visiting the school for the first time. He sees an opportunity for early playing time with coaches who aren’t afraid to play underclassmen. The Gators are still searching for a defensive tackle in the Class of 2018 and Miller may be their best bet at a quality prospect. Pulling him out of that state won’t be easy with Alabama and Auburn both being finalists, but Florida has a legitimate shot. I don’t think the Gators lead by a large margin, but right now, Miller says they’re the team to beat.”

If Miller chooses Auburn or Florida, the main defensive tackle targets to know are 4-star prospect Bobby Brown and junior college recruit Caleb Tremblay. Alabama also has a commitment from Stephon Wynn, who’s listed as a defensive end but could move inside in college.

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