Auburn’s busy week on the recruiting trail should continue tomorrow.
Tomorrow the 2021 recruiting cycle comes to an end. Well sorta... In the world of the transfer portal, there is no end of any cycle. However, starting tomorrow, 2021 prospects who elected not to sign early can put pen to paper and officially sign with their school of choice. And it’s expected to be a busy day for the Tigers.
Auburn Early Enrollees
- 4-star DT Lee Hunter
- 4-star S Ahmari Harvey
- 4-star QB Dematrius Davis
- 3-star TE Landen King
- 3-star OL Garner Langlo
- 3-star CB Kamal Hadden
Auburn Signees
- 4-star DT Marquis Robinson
- 3-star WR Hal Presley
- 3-star DE Tobechi Okoli
- 3-star DT Ian Mathews
- 3-star CB A.D. Diamond
Auburn Commits
- 3-star WR Tar’Varish Dawson
- 3-star OT Colby Smith
- 3-star LB Joko Willis
- STUD Andrew Leota (Northwestern Graduate Transfer)
Auburn Targets
With 15 players in Auburn’s 2021 class already and Oscar Chapman’s scholarship counting against this year’s numbers, Auburn has nine spots left to fill this cycle. It’s unlikely Auburn lands 9 signatures tomorrow as the Tigers will want to keep a couple spots open for transfers this summer. But a good day would mean most of those spots get filled. Here’s a rundown on the names to know heading into NSD.
As always, I give my predictions one of 3 confidence labels: Lock, 50/50, No Idea. This is high brow stuff I am providing you for free.
4-star STUD Dylan Brooks | 6’5” | 250 lbs | Roanoke, AL
Contenders: Auburn, Tennessee
Brooks signed with the Volunteers during the early signing period when Jeremy Pruitt was still head coach. Following Pruitt’s dismissal, Brooks formally requested to be released from his Letter of Intent. Tennessee has yet to make a decision as new head coach Josh Heupel is hoping that once Brooks meets the new defensive staff, he’ll decide to stay. I still think the chances of that happening are unlikely and once UT releases Brooks he’ll be headed to the Plains.
Prediction: Auburn (Lock)
4-star LB Trevin Wallace | 6’2” | 209 lbs | Jesup, GA
Contenders: Auburn, Kentucky, Miami(?), Ole Miss
There was buzz earlier this month that even if Travis Williams was not retained, Auburn had a good shot at landing the nation’s #12 ranked inside linebacker. That buzz died almost immediately when it was learned that T-WILL would not be apart of Bryan Harsin’s staff. Kentucky, who had been hard after Wallace for months now, took full advantage of the opportunity and now look likely to sign the big time playmaker tomorrow. The only possible hiccup would be if Travis Williams tries to lure him down to Coral Gables.
Prediction: Kentucky (Lock)
3-star OT Jordan Moko | 6’5” | 335 lbs | Australia
Contenders: Auburn, LSU, Oregon, Texas A&M
This is probably the most interesting recruitment down the stretch. Moko is the #1 JUCO OT in the 2021 class and has a big time offer list. He named a top 3 of LSU, Oregon and Texas A&M earlier this month but that was before Auburn offered and Will Friend put on the full court press. Now the Tigers are a top contender but no one seems to have a great feel for this race, mostly because it’s hard to get intel from Australia. Moko will announce his commitment on Thursday which is Wednesday in Australia. The Aggies have consistently been considered the team to beat so that’s who I am predicting for now.
Prediction: Texas A&M (No Idea)
3-star CB Dontae Balfour | 6’2” | 170 lbs | Starke, FL
Contenders: Auburn, LSU, North Carolina
Balfour was set to sign with the Tigers in December but Gus Malzahn’s firing changed things. He elected to wait until February to make a decision, which has allowed LSU and UNC to jump into the race. The Tar Heels in particular have become a major factor and likely lead heading into NSD. However, I would have put this 80/20 UNC early last week but now feel it’s more 60/40 Tar Heels. Auburn’s new defensive coordinator Derek Mason and new cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge are pushing hard to convince the Florida native that Auburn is still home. We will see if they can make enough progress over the next 24 hours to push this in Auburn’s favor.
Prediction: North Carolina (50/50)
3-star S Juwan Gaston | 5’11” | 187 lbs | Montgomery, AL
Contenders: Auburn, South Carolina
Gaston was one of the breakout performers at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game earlier this year which kick started his recruitment. The Gamecocks were the leaders up until Auburn offered earlier this month. It’s been a battle down the stretch but things seem to be trending the Tigers way as NSD approaches. Gaston was recently bumped to a 4-star on 247 and is one of the top return men in the 2021 class. Chances are good he will see action early on special teams this fall.
Prediction: Auburn (Lock)
3-star RB Jarquez Hunter | 5’10” | 190 lbs | Philadelphia, MS
Contenders: Auburn, Memphis, Mississippi State
The first offer Carnell Williams gave out after being retained by Bryan Harsin was to Hunter. It didn’t take long for Hunter to name Auburn his leader and it would be a shock if he were to sign anywhere else this week. However, Hunter will not be signing tomorrow. He will be reportedly waiting until Friday to make his decision and officially sign his National Letter of Intent.
Prediction: Auburn (Lock)
3-star S Cayden Bridges | 6’2” | 190 lbs | Magee, MS
Some players always fall through the cracks, even in today’s recruiting obsessed world. That’s even more true given the pandemic related restrictions on this year’s recruiting class. Bridges was almost one of those casualties until new South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack discovered him and offered two weeks ago. Bridges committed not long after and is still publicly a Jags commit but it would be a shocker if he remained so. That’s because both Auburn and Mississippi State have discovered him as well and made the Mississippi native a priority down the stretch. Derek Mason is reportedly VERY high on Bridges and it’s looking likely he will get his guy tomorrow.
Prediction: Auburn (Lock)
War Eagle!
from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2021/2/2/22261466/auburn-football-recruiting-national-signing-day-preview-juwan-gaston-dontae-balfour-jarquez-hunter
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