Hard Hitting 4-Star Linebacker Zakoby McClain Is Officially An Auburn Tiger

It wasn’t the smoothest of roads that brought 4* LB Zakoby McClain to the Plains but I don’t think either side will complain about the results. Over the summer, the outstanding linebacker out of Valdosta, GA looked like a lock to Auburn. But both sides seem to drift apart as the months wore on and McClain was still uncommitted. At one point, it even looked like McClain was about to commit to LSU despite never visiting Baton Rouge. But it never happened and in November things picked back up between Auburn and McClain culminating in a commitment shortly after the Iron Bowl. Today, he signed with Auburn.

This was a kid Travis Williams always wanted and when you turn on his film you can see why. He’s fast, violent and always looking to take someone’s head off. He did this all despite being undersized at 6’0” 200 lbs. But if there’s any coach in the country not worried about size it’s Travis Williams. Instead of seeing a smaller linebacker, he saw a kid fully capable of playing with the big boys in the SEC.

Apparently, this isn’t a new thing for McClain. I stumbled onto this Youtube video of the 4* taking a kid’s head off in the 8th grade.

Whew....

McClain won’t make it to campus until the summer but having this kid on board is big for the Tigers. I suspect he will start out at the strongside linebacker position currently manned by two of Auburn’s fastest backers in Darrell Williams and Montavius Atkinson. But don’t be shocked if he gets some reps at middle linebacker as well. He will need to bulk up some but it’s clear he’s got the mentality and physicality to find his way onto the field quickly. Don’t be shocked if makes some waves next season destroying returners in the kick return game.

War Eagle Zakoby!