Auburn football recruiting: Tigers hope to land Derrick Green

The Auburn coaching staff has been busy on the recruiting trail this week. With only two weeks until National Signing Day, setting up visits for these last two weekends is of extreme importance.

Before finalizing a deal to join the Dallas Cowboys, Rich Bisaccia was on the road Wednesday visiting five-star running back Derrick Green. Basaccia then joined coach Gus Malzahn and visited three-star running back Peyton Barber, an Ole Miss commit, on Thursday. Malzahn also plans to meet with three-star cornerback commit Kamryn Melton Friday, after visiting Jason Smith on Wednesday.

According to Auburn Undercover, assistant coach Melvin Smith was supposed to meet with five-star Toney Conner and five-start defensive lineman Chris Jones Thursday. The Tigers are trying to get Connor in for a visit Feb. 1, but Auburn still has a lot of work to do to get him in. Auburn also met with five-star defensive lineman Carl Lawson on Thursday. Despite being tired of the recruiting process, Lawson is still committed and plans to visit the final weekend. Rodney Garner also visited three-star JUCO linebacker Kenny Flowers on Tuesday. Flowers took his official visit last weekend and placed Auburn in the lead.

Auburn will have six visitors this weekend and two more stopping by on Sunday. One visiting recruit is committed to Auburn, two are committed to other schools, and two are still deciding.

Three-star Athlete Nick Marshall from Rochelle, Ga., committed to Auburn Jan. 14. The 6'2, 205-pound dual-threat quarterback originally signed with Georgia in 2011 as a defensive back. According to Georgiadogs.com, He played in all 13 games for the Bulldogs but was dismissed for “violation of team rules." Marshall then enrolled at Garden City Community College, where he moved to quarterback and racked up 2,837 yards and 18 touchdowns passing plus 949 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. It is unclear where exactly Auburn would want him to play, but whether it is quarterback or defensive back, he will be a nice addition.

Four-star wide receiver Derrick Griffin from Rosenberg, Texas, is currently committed to Texas A&M. At 6'7, 210 pounds, Griffin is the No. 7 receiver in the nation and is showing a lot of interest in Auburn. However, Griffin is having trouble with his grades and is unlikely to qualify. Griffin played along with Jeremy Johnson in the Army All-American game and has kept in touch since then.

Three-star offensive lineman Wilson Bell is currently committed to Central Florida. Wilson, from Eight Mile, Ala, is 6'4, 296 pounds and will play guard. According to Auburn Undercover, was ready to sign with UCF after never being offered by any big name schools, but now that he has offers from FSU, Ole Miss and Auburn, which came on Monday, his commitment doesn't look as strong as it once did. Wilson is thrilled to have in-state offer, and grew up a fan of the Tigers. Bell played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic and could have a decision as early as next week.

Three-star inside linebacker Jonathan Walton is deciding between Auburn, South Carolina and Tennessee. After having already been on four official visits, Auburn will be his last. At 6'1 and 227 pounds, Walton was a star running back and linebacker in high school. Auburn would like to have him play H-back in Malzahn's offense but says he could play on either side of the ball. Walton was a former Penn State commit, but he has USC at No. 1 after last weekend's visit.

According to Auburn Undercover, three-star cornerback Marcus Davis from American Heritage in Delray Beach, Fla., is being recruited to Auburn as a slot receiver. Listed at 5'10 and 165 pounds, Davis played quarterback in high school and racked up 1,653 yards and 21 touchdowns. He is also teammate of Greg Bryant, the Notre Dame commit, who Auburn is extremely interested in. Both Auburn and Davis are trying to get Bryant down this weekend, but it seems unlikely this will happen. But if it does, it will definitely help Auburn's chances with Bryant. The Tigers are going to wait to see how things work out with some other prospects before they offer Davis.

One of the last-minute recruits to visit the Plains this weekend is four-star running back Johnathan Ford. The 5'11, 190-pound back from New Hope, Ala., has been committed to Vanderbilt since last April. Auburn has had growing interest in Ford and his recruitment has picked up with the Tigers' new staff. Ford rushed for 1,669 yards and 27 touchdowns in his senior season.

According to Bryan Mathews at Auburn Undercover, Auburn has offered three-star safety Mackenro Alexander. Mackenro is the brother of five-star corner back Mackensie Alexander. Both are scheduled to visit Rutgers and Auburn this weekend, and if they both show up, the Tigers have a legitimate chance to bring both in. Auburn is one of a few schools to offer both, and they could sign together.

Derrick Green is expected to decide between Auburn, Michigan and Tennessee this weekend. Green is a five-star running back from Richmond, Va., and is the No. 4 back in the country. Green's decision could go any way, but Michigan seems to be the school to beat. He plans to announce tomorrow at 3 p.m. CT.