Auburn Football Recruiting: Catching Up on a Busy Week in Recruiting

I am still slowly working my way through a 2019 class preview but that doesn’t mean things have been quiet on the trail. By my count, Auburn handed out at least twelve offers this week. They also hosted two important 2019 targets this past weekend, another big one Wednesday and at least one major prospect is planning to take a trip this weekend. Recruiting never stops.

Calvin Anderson Update

While most of the focus has obviously transitioned to the 2019 recruiting class, the Tigers are still hoping to add one big piece to the 2018 roster. Rice graduate transfer Calvin Anderson visited the Plains two weekends ago and seemed to come away impressed with what the Tigers have to offer. However, that ended up not being his final official visit. The Sooners were able to convince the big man to come to Norman, OK this past weekend before making his final decision.

I think the Sooners are a major threat in this race and that was a big win for that staff to get Anderson to visit. Now the waiting game begins. Anderson plans to announce his decision no later than March 25th but it could come anytime before then.

While I do honestly believe Auburn could pull this thing off, I am just not sure anyone is getting him away from Texas. And if someone does, I think it’s more likely that team is Oklahoma than Auburn. But J.B. Grimes, Chip Lindsey and Gus Malzahn have made Anderson a major priority and you can’t rule out the appeal of playing in the SEC. I don’t think Anderson is a must add for Auburn but it sure wouldn’t hurt having the former Rice Owl protecting Stidham’s blind side in 2018.

Recent Visitor Updates

While Auburn hasn’t had any big Junior Days since February 3rd, the Tigers have hosted a some important prospects in recent days starting with 4* DE Justin Eboigbe and 3* DE Colby Wooden last weekend. Eboigbe is one of my favorite DL prospects in this class. He reminds me a lot of Nick Coe coming out of high school as he’s a very versatile prospect who could line up almost anywhere up front. He told AuburnSports.com’s Jeffrey Lee he had a good visit and specifically pointed out time spent with defensive line coach Rodney Garner as a positive.

Eboigbe met with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner. The two had developed a bond that they were able to strengthen during the visit.

“Coach Garner has stayed in contact with me, and I spent a lot of time with him during my visit,” Eboigbe said. “He’s real cool, a laid-back person who is going to push you. I like that he talks more about academics than stuff on the field.”

Wooden is another versatile lineman to track this class. More than likely he is a strong side defensive end prospect for the Tigers but I could see him lining up at the Buck as well. Not much information has come out on his visit but he’s a guy to keep an eye on this next cycle. While his rating doesn’t blow anyone away his offer list is incredibly impressive with teams like Auburn, Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee and many other all vying for his signature.

On Wednesday, Auburn hosted one of their top defensive targets in 4* S Jaylen McCollough for a midweek visit. Considering the early consensus is Alabama is the team to beat for the #75 overall prospect, I don’t think it was a coincidence that Auburn had him on campus to witness the Iron Bowl trophy presentation. I am sure watching that beatdown on the hardwood in that atmosphere didn’t hurt either.

McCollough told SECCountry’s Benjamin Wolk after his visit that he had a great time and that the Tigers are very much a factor in his recruitment. In fact, Auburn is one of only two schools right now guaranteed to get an official visit.

With a early-fall decision in mind, the new official visit window would allow pivotal spring official visits. McCollough said he hasn’t concentrated on those spring or summer visit plans, but he said he expects to take a few in the spring and the remainder in the fall.

Auburn made a strong early claim for one of those five official visits.

“Auburn will be an official visit,” McCollough said. “I know as of right now Auburn and Ohio State. Those are two for sure and probably sometime down the road I’ll think of three other schools for official visits.”

I am a big fan of McCollough’s skillset though considering his current rating and offer list, that’s not the boldest of statements. He’s at his best in run support playing close to the line of scrimmage and is a tremendous overall athlete. It’s not a surprise he’s near the top of most every major college’s wishlist. The fact Auburn has already locked down one of his official visits is big.

Finally, this weekend a major target at a major position of need is expected on campus. 4* OT Wanya Morris announced on Twitter last night he plans to journey to the Plains this weekend.

I highlighted Morris earlier this week in my offensive tackle preview for the 2019 class. The Tigers probably have some work to do in this recruitment to catch the Dawgs but they are very much a threat to land the big man out of Loganville, GA. He’s a part of that loaded Grayson squad so don’t be surprised if a few more top targets join him on his visit. There’s absolutely zero doubt Morris is high on Auburn’s board and it will be interesting to see if the Tigers can make a move this weekend.

Offers

Auburn’s coaching staff has been busy this week doling out offers to 2019, 2020 and yes even a 2021 prospect. Here’s a quick look at who all picked up an offer from the Tigers recently.

4* DE Brandon Smith | 6’5” | 215 lbs | Mineral, VA

Smith’s highlight tape is borderline NSFW due to the graphic nature of how this kid plays. He’s ranked the #35 overall prospect but chances are high this kid ends up being a 5*. He’s fast, violent, athletic and downright scary on the defensive side of the ball. My guess is Auburn is recruiting him at the Buck spot but not sure how in this race the Tigers really are at the moment.

4* WR Jake Smith | 6’1” | 189 lbs | Scottsdale, AZ

Man this guy is an offensive weapon. You can line him up pretty much anywhere in the offense and he can make plays. He’s one of the quickest kids I have seen on tape this year and brings a skillset that Malzahn loves to use in his offense. Arizona isn’t exactly a hotbed for AU recruiting but maybe Chip Lindsey can use connections built while OC at Arizona State to make Auburn a contender in his Smith’s recruitment.

4* WR Dylan Wright | 6’3” | 192 lbs | Mesquite, TX

Wright is the king of 50/50 jumpballs. He understands how to use his great length and size to catch the ball in traffic but also has the speed to take the top off a defense. TCU has the early lead according to 247’s Crystal Ball but keep an eye on Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas as well.

4* RB Deondrick Glass | 5’11” | 190 lbs | Katy, TX

Auburn’s hunt for a feature back in the 2019 class has taken them to one of the premier high school programs in the state of Texas. Glass is powerful back who does not fear contact and fits the mold of that bell cow Gus Malzahn loves to use. He’s put together back to back 1,500+ yds and 25+ TD seasons and is emerging as one of the top backs in this class.

3* ATH Travis Jay | 6’2” | 170 lbs | Madison, FL

This kid is woefully underrated. While listed as an athlete, his future is most likely in the secondary. He plays a lot of corner for his high school team but given his frame he could also slide over to safety if needed. Florida State appears to have the early edge but a TON of schools have jumped into the race in recent weeks so there’s a very good chance that changes down the road.

3* TE TE Sean Brown | 6’5” | 230 lbs | Rome, GA

There’s a very good chance Brown is the next prospect to join Auburn’s 2019 class. A few weeks ago in my 2019 class preview of tight ends, I mentioned Brown as someone that was very much on Auburn’s radar and would probably receive an offer in the spring or summer. Well the Auburn coaching staff decided to not wait that long and offered the talented tight end prospect out of Georgia this week. He’s been blowing up recently on the trail receiving offers from Tennessee, Kentucky, and Maryland all in the past few days. He’s very high on the Tigers and should be back on campus soon. I would not be surprised to see him pull the trigger in the near future.

3* S Kyle Hamilton | 6’3” | 188 lbs | Atlanta, GA

Things are happening fast for this Atlanta native. This week he has received offers from Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee and a handful of others. That would be the definition of blowing up on the recruiting trail. Hamilton is a big kid at 6’3” but he’s got a whole lot of speed and can make some spectacular plays on the ball in the air. In some ways he reminds me of recent Auburn signee Quindarious “Smoke” Monday but maybe with a little more muscle on his frame already.

ATH Aaron Beasley | 6’0” | 190 lbs | Franklin, GA

Beasley doesn’t yet hold a composite rating but 247 has him as the #29 S in the 2019 class. He’s another kid who has had a busy week picking up offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee, and whole lot more. This young man is a thumper in the secondary but could also play running back at the next level. For Auburn, I think his best fit might be at nickel where he could help set the edge against the run but has the quickness to be effective in coverage as well.

S Cornelius Nunn Jr | 6’0” | 170 lbs | Miami, FL

Speed is what jumps out when watching this kid’s tape. Nunn can cover a lot of ground in a hurry and seems to always be around the football. He will need to put some more weight on that frame but he’s a fun kid to watch. Nunn could honestly play anywhere in the secondary at the next level.

2020 OT Paris Johnson Jr | 6’7” | 275 lbs | Cincinnati, OH

Auburn joined 26 other major programs in offering one of the top overall prospects in the 2020 class. His only tape is of his freshman year but considering he’s only a sophomore in high school right now and holds offers from the likes of Auburn, Georgia, Michigan State, Ohio State and an absurd number of others, it’s safe to bet he will be one of the elite players in next year’s class.

2020 QB Jack Miller | 6’4” | 210 lbs | Scottsdale, AZ

Auburn already has their QB for the 2019 class on board so the Tigers’ coaching staff is looking ahead to the future. Miller is a big kid at 6’4” 210 lbs with an accurate arm and the ability to make plays with his feet. Ohio State appears to be his early leader but the 2020 signing day is a long way away.

2021 OT Micah Morris | 6’5” | 270 lbs | Kingsland, GA

Yes this kid just finished his first year of high school football. Yes it’s ridiculous to even be talking about a kid that is three years away from signing. Yes also he’s that good that programs from all over the country are already recruiting him. Morris holds offers from Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio State and South Carolina. Recruiting starts early people.

War Eagle!