2020 4* RB Tank Bigsby commits to Auburn over South Carolina, Georgia, and LSU

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HOGANSVILLE, GEORGIA -- When going into battle in the rugged Southeastern Conference, it probably doesn't hurt to have a tank on your side.
In 2020, Auburn will have just that.

Tank Bigsby, an elite running back from Callaway High and one of the most coveted offensive recruits in the country, committed to the Tigers on Friday over Georgia, LSU and South Carolina for what has to be considered one of the biggest verbals of the Gus Malzahn era as Auburn coach. The 6-feet, 210-pound Bigsby is the No. 31 overall recruit and No. 7 running back nationally in the industry generated 247Sports Composite. Additionally, he checks in as the No. 4 recruit in talent-rich Georgia.

Bigsby becomes the 18th commitment in the 2020 Auburn class, which jumped six spots to No. 6 in the 247Sports team rankings with his commitment. His pledge is the icing on the proverbial cake for the Tigers' sensational summer of recruiting. The morning of June 1, Auburn had just six commitments and the No. 29 class ranking.

"This is one of my favorite players in the country, one of the most complete running backs in America,” 247Sports Director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong said. “(He) rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior with most of that damage coming in the state playoffs. He’s a hard runner, can make people miss between the tackles and he’s a guy that can go the distance."

As a junior, Bigsby ...
-Was the Class AA Georgia Player of the Year by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
-Was a Class AA All-State selection by theAtlanta-Journal Constitution.
-Was the Region 5-AA Player of the Year by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
-Rushed for 700 yards in the Class AA playoffs.
-Finished the season with 2,221 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 238 carries. He added 217 receiving yards on 14 catches.
Bigsby becomes the second player at Callaway on the Auburn 2020 commit list, joining 3-star offensive guard Tate Johnson, who committed to the Tigers in June. A former Callaway teammate, offensive guard Keiondre Jones, is a freshman at Auburn.

After his most recent visit to Auburn, Bigsby had this to say about the trip: “It was good. I liked the same things, the atmosphere and the school.”
He also spoke about his bond with Auburn running backs coach Cadillac Williams, himself a former star running back for the Tigers.

“(Williams) is a good person,” Bigsby said. “He’s cool and a good coach. He sees a lot in me that he sees in himself.”
In late June, Bigsby told 247Sports an August decision was likely. But just last month, he said it might not come until December, when he is expected to gradute early from high school. Then, he had another change of plans and scheduled his announcement for Friday.

Auburn offered Bigsby a scholarship more than two years ago --  April 02, 2017 to be exact. To many colleges, it was clear even before he had played a down in his sophomore season that he was bound to be a major college recruit.

Bigsby's offer list is about as impressive as you'll find. In addition to his finalists, he has them from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Southern California and many more.
South Carolina was among the first to offer and the Gamecocks worked hard to land him.

Bigsby visited them at least a couple times last year and several times earlier in 2019. At one point this spring, it appeared as though he was South Carolina bound and that it could happen any day. 

But Auburn gained some momentum earlier this summer, when Bigsby took an official visit to the school June 7 and returned there three more times that month. After a monthlong NCAA dead period ended in late July, Bigsby again visited Auburn even though it was reported elsewhere Georgia expected him on campus.

When Auburn hired Cadillac Williams as running backs coach earlier this year, that at first seemed to hurt the Tigers' chances because the two sides had no relationship. But as time went on, Williams kept working on him. Meanwhile, he also got to know Bigsby's mom well.

Those bonds were big in this recruitment.
With Auburn, comfort and proximity to home were big things working in its favor. It should be noted Tigers coach Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham and area recruiter Rodney Garner also played significant roles in this recruitment.

Here is 247Sports' evaluation of Bigsby:
"Possesses a thick and muscled build. Already has significant bulk in his lower body. At 206 pounds in the summer prior to his senior season, Bigsby won’t need to add any weight until he gets to the college level. Tests as a very good, but not great athlete for the position. Has improved his top-end speed between his sophomore and junior years. Has been very productive as a runner playing in the lowest public classification in the state of Georgia, averaging more than 9 yards per carry. Plays with good vision and does a nice job picking his way through the line to get to the second level. Has quick feet and is capable of making subtle cuts to set up defenders. Shows the ability to break down linebackers and defensive backs in space. Has solid top-end speed but lacks an elite top gear heading into his senior season. Can get caught dancing, causing him to lose his balance at times. Bigsby projects as a multi-year contributor and potential feature running back at the Power 5 level with the upside of developing into an NFL Draft pick."

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