Much was made in 2015 about Auburn’s poor quarterback play. The season ended without a clear starter. And Auburn fans are still waiting to find out who will be the signal caller in 2016. The success of whoever wins the job will be determined not only by individual performance but in large part to the offensive line he has in front of him.
Every serious fan knows that in football everything begins up front. The front five is the foundation for the entire offense. With the loss of veterans Shon Coleman and Avery Young to the NFL draft, the Tigers will have to retool under new line coach Herb Hand
Hand mixed and matched his unit in the spring and it now looks like the starters will be Austin Golson at left tackle, senior Alex Kozan at guard, senior Devonte Danzy at center, junior Braden Smith at right guard, and senior Robert Leff at right tackle.
This group has the potential to be special. Kozan, Smith, and Golson names are already starting to appear on pre season All-SEC teams.
So 2016 talent may be there but offensive lineman has to be a priority for the 2017 recruiting class. The good news is Hand has a reputation for being an excellent recruiter who’s outgoing personality clicks with young people.
After J.B.Grimes left for Cincinnati, some wondered if the nation’s No.4 prospect and Auburn commit, Calvin Ashely, would stay in the foal. It’s fairly common for recruits who commit as juniors, to back off their senior year. That didn’t happen with Ashley.
At this year’s Big Cat Weekend the 5-star O-lineman told reporters, “Coach Hand is one of the best coaches I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to get here so he can coach me, develop me. It’s just great knowing that I’m going to be one of his players. It’s just awesome.”
It was that kind of sentiment that helped the offensive line coach land 6′,8″ 4-star offensive tackle Prince Sammons in February, just 3 weeks after being hire at Auburn.
Last Saturday, Hand scored again when the No.2 recruit in Alabama and the nation’s 13th rated lineman, Austin Troxell from Madison Academy gave his commitment to the Tigers. His pledge his big. The 6’7, 275 pounder chose Auburn over Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and others.
Before Hand became his recruiter, the 4-star prospect seemed to waiver at times. Now he says he doesn’t plan on visiting any other schools.
Auburn needs to sign three to four more offensive linemen next year. Five or six would be even better. The Tigers have made a great start on fulfilling those needs with Ashley and Troxell.
To be a contender in the SEC, you must have a strong offensive line. And that begins with strong recruiting. The kind of recruiting that Herb Hand brings to the table.
The post Herb Hand Continues to Show He’s a Strong Recruiter appeared first on Track 'Em Tigers, Auburn's oldest and most read independent blog.
from Track 'Em Tigers, Auburn's oldest and most read independent blog http://bit.ly/28N7FhQ
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment