AU commits racking up wins
Auburn is on track to sign another top flight recruiting class for 2011, as the Tigers look to enter December with 13 commitments.
Of those 13 commitments, 11 commits led their teams to their respective state playoffs, seven have led their teams into state semifinal action this Friday night, while the eighth commit is heading into quarterfinal play.
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There are six Auburn commitments from the state of Alabama that have their team one win away from playing in the state championship game. Those six are Sweet Water linebacker Chris Landrum, Leroy wide receiver Sammie Coates, Leeds deensive back Jonathan Rose, Spanish Fort center Reese Dismukes, Davidson defensive tackle Jabrian Niles, and Hoover wide receiver Jaylon Denson.
Two out of state commitments also have their teams still in the hunt for a state title, as Tucker (Ga.) linebacker Justin Garrett is one win from a state title appearance, and Shiloh Christian (Ark.) quarterback Kiehl Frazier is two wins from the title game.
It takes more than talent to lead your team to a state title, and for a majority of Auburn commitments, their leadership roles have helped guide their team to where they are now.
"Having that winning experience will only help our performance when we get to Auburn," Frazier said. "The freshman don't expect there to be a drop off next year. They expect to come in and perform, and a lot of that is due to their winning mentality."
Frazier and his Shiloh team are the No. 1 team in Class 4A in Arkansas, and will play in the quarterfinals this Friday night.
The Rivals100 prospect will take his leadership into the Auburn program next year, a leadership style that does not require much talking, but where actions truly speak louder than words.
"When something needs to be said, I will step up and say it," Frazier said.
The benefit of having a core group of players coming into the program that have an expectation of winning is something that Frazier sees as an asset in the future.
"If somebody is having an off day, there are people that are used to winning that will know when to step up and what to say in that situation."
Dismukes and his Spanish Fort squad are in the semifinals of the Alabama state playoffs, and are one win away from playing for a state title in Class 5A.
The four-star center prospect from Mobile has been an active recruiter on Auburn's behalf this fall, and knows what type of winning personalities and players are coming to Auburn next year.
"Nobody likes to lose," Dismukes said. "All of us are used to being in top programs where you are expected to win in big games and big atmospheres, that will help us out a lot when we go to Auburn."
If everything goes according to plan for the Auburn commits, there will be a Tiger pledge playing in five of the six Alabama high school state title games in Jordan-Hare Stadium next week.
"That would be sweet," Dismukes said about the possible reunion of Tiger commits.
Auburn's eight commitments that are still alive in the state playoffs have led their teams to a combined 94-8 record.
Three Auburn commits, Rose, Denson, and Garrett, have yet to see their team lose a game this season. The three pledges are a combined 38-0 in 2010.
Three more Auburn commitments guided their teams to the playoffs, but have already been eliminated. Gadsden City (Ala.) linebacker Anthony Swain, Pope (Ga.) offensive guard Thomas O'Reilly, and North Gwinnett (Ga.) athlete C.J. Uzomah all led their teams to the playoffs in 2010.
Sweet Water (Ala.), Leroy (Ala.), Leeds (Ala.), Spanish Fort (Ala.), Davidson (Ala.) Hoover (Ala.), and Tucker (Ga.) will all be playing for a bid in their respective state title games, while Frazier and Shiloh Christian (Ark.) will be playing in quarterfinal action this Friday night.