Boom! Auburn Lands 4-Star Defensive Tackle Coynis Miller!

Boom! Seriously.

Just hours before the Tigers take the field in Baton Rouge, the coaching staff got some huge news. 4* DT Coynis Miller dropped a commitment video with an ending you are going to love:

You could make the case that Miller was Auburn’s top remaining uncommitted defensive target. The Tigers were his second offer and ever since then he’s been a regular visitor to the Plains. When 2017 signee Tadarian Moultry would stop by, Miller was often accompanying him. Auburn really hasn’t pursued that many other defensive tackles all that hard this cycle because this was the guy Rodney Garner wanted to pair with Daquan Newkirk. And he got him.

This is a HUGE victory for the Auburn coaching staff and specifically for Rodney Garner. Auburn beat out Alabama and Florida for the big man’s signature. The Tide have a major need at defensive tackle this cycle and usually when they have a major need and there’s an instate kid that can fill it, they land that commitment. Jalyn Armour-Davis is just a recent example. But that’s not the case for Miller. Relationships proved the difference as Rodney Garner made Miller a priority from day 1 and never wavered. Having Moultry already on campus probably didn’t hurt either and Miller is also close with recent Auburn commit Asa Martin.

For the second time this cycle, the Auburn Tigers beat Alabama out for an instate kid they really wanted. I welcome this new trend.

It’s also big because in the very near future, Auburn is going to need some impact players on the defensive line. Technically, all of Auburn’s defensive line could return in 2018 though I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two declare early. However, after the 2018 season Auburn is going to see a lot of production leave off that front four. Jeff Holland, Dontavius Russell, Paul James and Andrew Williams will all have expired their eligibility and Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe will all be draft eligible. Auburn will need to have the next wave ready to go and Miller is the type of talent that should be able to step right in and provide equal production.

Huge pickup for the Tigers.

Highlights

Scouting Report

The first thing that jumps out about Miller is his athleticism. Defensive tackles aren’t often used as Wildcat QBs but that’s the case for Miller who moves so incredibly well (specifically laterally) that he’s hard to handle coming downhill at the goaline. I mean how can you not love a 6’2” 300 lb kid throwing jump passes for TD?

As a defender, he’s explosive. He’s a bit shorter than lineman Garner typically recruits but has long arms and outstanding power. I love how quickly he can change directions and he fits that multiple mold that Garner loves in his lineman. Auburn could use him as a strongside defensive end or slide him inside to a 3-tech. Heck, he’s powerful enough you could probably play him at the nose some in those 3 down looks. Bottom line, he’s a guy with a large skillset that should let him find a way onto the field early.

The Class

Auburn’s recruiting tends to slow down during the season as the coaching staff focuses on the season at hand and high school players try and do the same. Today proved a pretty awesome exception. With both Miller and Newkirk on board, Auburn has the top two guys they wanted at defensive tackle this class and are probably done at that position. Now Garner can focus on reeling in his top end and Buck targets in 3* Andres Fox, 3* Kayode Oladele and 4* Richard Jibunor. Newkirk/Miller is gonna make a fun combo to watch in the near future.

Miller also gives Auburn two commits ranked in the top 10 in 247Sports Composite Alabama Rankings. The Tigers are also sitting in a good spot with 4* WR Seth Williams and are hard after the top ranked instate prospect, 4* WR Justyn Ross. If Auburn can continue to get it done on the field in 2017, I think the Tigers have a great shot at landing another top 10 recruiting class.

War Eagle Coynis!