Auburn Football Recruiting Update: 24 July 2015

Auburn's 2016 recruiting class is currently at 11 players, is ranked 22nd in the nation, and is 7th in the SEC. If you're thinking "22nd is way too low for Auburn, what's go on!?!?!?" then please step back from the cliff's edge and realize Auburn is still going after a ton of other high ranking targets who will push things to the last moments. Auburn will at least double the number of people in the class before it's all over. Many of the schools ahead of Auburn already have at or above 20 players in their 2016 class.

It's been an interesting cycle so far. The Tigers began with 5* WR Nate Craig-Myers committing in early 2014. He recently decommitted, though the Tigers are still in it. Auburn also picked up and then lost two defensive line prospects. One committed to Alabama. The other is still greatly considering Auburn.

The 2016 Class Right Now

Just who is in the class? Here is a handy embed from the folks at 247Sports, complete with their 247Sports Composite star ratings:

That's a pretty good list of 11 guys, right there. Eli Stove is a quality wide receiver, Woody Barrett fits Malzahn's offense to perfection, and the defensive back commits are tremendous players at positions of great need. Jamarcus King may be the key cog, as the Tigers will be losing a lot of DB depth following the 2015 season.

Stephen Davis, Jr is an interesting story. He recently stated that he's "70% committed" and is a bit worried about the number of defensive backs Auburn signed in the 2015 cycle. If there's a danger of a decommitment on that list now, I would say it's Davis, Jr.

For the rest, Landon Rice is a steal as a composite three star. Auburn needs tight-ends, and Rice is one of the best. Malik Miller is listed as the nation's top fullback, but the Tigers are recruiting him as a running back. I've read stories from folks who claim he was the better back on his high school team last year. Perhaps you've heard of the other back: new Tiger Kerryon Johnson.

Possible Near Future Additions

While Miller is locked in for Auburn, the Tigers would still love to sign 4* running back Elijah Holyfield. He announced via his Twitter account that he will be making his destination known on September 4th at his high school. Holyfield is, of course, the son of the Real Deal. His brother, Evander, Jr, was a walk-on for the Tigers under Tommy Tuberville.

Big Recruiting Weekend

With fall camp starting August 3rd for the Tigers (yep, a week from Monday), this is the last big recruiting/camp weekend before the coaches get into the swing of practices, again. So, there are a ton of 2016, 17, and even 18 prospects on Auburn's campus right now. For a real-time look in front of pay-walls on the events, take a look at this thread by Keith Niebuhr for AuburnUndercover.

If you want to know just how big of a recruiting weekend it is for the Tigers, here's a list of the visitors Niebuhr says will be in town:

Auburn Commitments:

-4* WR Eli Stove, Niceville (Fla.) 
-4* QB Woody Barrett, Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange
-4* CB John Broussard, Phenix City (Ala.) Central
-4* S/LB Stephen Davis Jr., Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork
-4* OL Brodarious Hamm, Griffin (Ga.) Spalding
-3* LB Tre Threat, Spanish Fort (Ala.)
-5* 2017 OT Calvin Ashley, Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips

Auburn Targets:

-5* DE Marlon Davidson, Greenville (Ala.)
-4* OL Landon Dickerson, Hudson (N.C.) South Caldwell
-4* TE Landon Rice, Calhoun (Ga) -- Commit
-4* LB Devin Bush Jr., Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan -- (MOST LIKELY COMING)
-3* LB Elysee Mbem-Bosse, Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove
-5* 2017 LB Markail Benton, Phenix City (Ala.) Central
-5* 2017 DB Deangelo Gibbs, Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge
-4* 2017 OT Austin Troxell, Madison Academy (Ala.)
-4* 2017 RB Alaric Williams, Gadsden (Ala.) Southside
-4* 2017 QB Lowell Narcisse, St. James (La.)
-4* 2017 OL Netori Johnson, Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove (Alabama commit)
-4* 2017 QB Jake Bentley, Opelika (Ala.)
-4* 2017 DB Tre Shaw, Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove
-3* 2017 QB Jelani Woods, Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove
-2017 OT Justin Shaffer, Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove
-2018 offered QB Joey Gatewood, Jacksonville Barrtram Trail

Those are just the people for the weekend. You'll have to click on the thread I linked above if you want the visitors who have already visited this week and camped. Keith is excellent about providing running updates (with pictures) that provide insight into who the Auburn coaches are focusing on, so I highly recommend checking that thread throughout the weekend.

Last second edit: Just as this was getting ready to publish, Keith tweeted a link that another major 5* DT will be in Auburn this weekend.

Beyond 2016?

The Tigers got their 2017 class off to a big start with the commitment of 5* Offensive Tackle Calvin Ashley shortly after Big Cat Weekend. They could pick up another big addition with 4* QB Lowell Narcisse expected to announce his decision on Monday. Narcisse is in Auburn this weekend (though reports are he's visiting LSU and Alabama throughuot the trip). The 247Sports Crystal Ball, which is usually very accurate, is currently at 64% in Auburn's favor for Narcisse.

I caution you about getting too excited for those guys just yet, though. Florida State really expected to snag Ashley, and there's a lot of time before the 2017 signing day. We know the Craig-Myers story well, and there is plenty of time for players to change their minds.

How do you feel about Auburn's current recruiting situation? Let us know in the comments, below!