Auburn Football Recruiting: 2020 Offensive Targets

So we’ve talked commits, now it’s time to talk remaining targets. With 18 commitments, Auburn has somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8 spots remaining in the 2020 class. Most of those will go to the defense though Auburn still plans on taking a tight end and could possibly take a 7th offensive lineman if the opportunity arises. Here’s a look at some names to watch in the coming months.

4* WR EJ Williams | 6’3” | 188 lbs | Phenix City, AL

EJ Williams’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/_ejda1/status/1099105786230382592

Despite having 4 wide receivers committed, if Central standout E.J. Williams wanted on board next week, Auburn would absolutely take him. Unfortunately, that seems unlikely at the moment. This time last year, Auburn was the heavy favorite but once that Clemson offer arrived everybody has been chasing Dabo. I think Auburn put up a good fight and probably finish a solid 2nd in this race but 2nd doesn’t mean much in recruiting. Clemson’s loaded WR corps is only going to get better.

4* TE Jeremiah Pegues | 6’2” | 280 lbs | Oxford, MS

The Oxford Eagle: https://www.oxfordeagle.com/2018/10/23/mhaa-releases-2019-21-classifications-chargers-dores-and-blue-devils-stay-put/

There is only one more for sure take in this class and it’s a tight end. The number one name on that board has been and continues to be Mississippi native Jeremiah Pegues. Auburn signed three prospects from the Magnolia State last cycle and are hoping to find more success in 2020.

Pegues is one of the more unique prospects you will see on tape. Listed at 6’2” 280 lbs, he looks like a defensive lineman but the man can move. He’s got soft hands, enough speed to keep you honest and will run your butt over if you get in the way. The Tigers are attempting to consolidate the tight end & H-back positions more moving forward (something we should see with Jay Jay Wilson this year) and Pegues is the type of talent that could perform all those duties at a high level. Auburn is his leader at the moment though they will have to fight off Ole Miss for his signature.

3* TE Eric Shaw | 6’4” | 210 lbs | Notasulga, AL

Eric Shaw’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/treyshaw_3/status/1138184184424488960

Shaw is set to make his decision this afternoon and it’s not looking great for the Tigers. Auburn’s pursuit of Shaw has been hot and cold due to questions about where exactly he would play. Is he a Buck? A linebacker? Maybe a tight end? Possibly a wide receiver?

In the end, it sounds like Auburn settled on tight end at his spot and with Auburn feeling good about their chances of landing Pegues, there really isn’t room for Shaw at the moment. Though you never know, Auburn has pulled some surprises this cycle already, maybe they make a late push for Shaw. As of now, he looks Columbia, SC bound and the Gamecocks are going to get a good one.

3* OT Brenden Coffey | 6’6” | 275 lbs | Paradise, CA

JUCO Football Forer: https://twitter.com/jucofootballace/status/1124865822457987074

At one point, it looked like Coffey was a lock for Auburn’s class. But then Kilian Zierer pulled a stunner and committed to Auburn over UCLA. With Jeremiah Wright’s later commitment, that gave Auburn six OL commits, two from the JUCO ranks. Could Auburn really take 3 JUCO offensive tackles?

Maybe...

As of now, I think the focus for Auburn is to see if they can steal away any top prep talent. But if there are concerns about Austin Troxell’s ability to get healthy or if the staff isn’t blown away by the sophomore tape from Jonathan Buskey or Zierer they may circle back to Coffey. The fact that he’s not already committed to Oregon is very interesting. I don’t see the nation’s #2 JUCO OT landing in this class at the moment but I am not writing him off either.

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The list is pretty short on the offensive side of the ball. Chances are good there are some other names out there that the Tigers are still pursuing but as of now, the focus is on landing Pegues and rounding out the defensive class. Tomorrow, we will take a look at the much lengthier list of remaining defensive targets.

War Eagle!