War Damn BBQ visit puts AU in mix for Rivals100 DB

AUBURN | When Xavier McKinney de-committed from Alabama on July 14 ending a 10-month allegiance to the Tide, he didn’t consider Auburn an option.

That changed Saturday when McKinney, ranked the No. 5 safety in the 2017 class, visited AU for the Tigers’ War Damn BBQ.

“I had a great time and they really showed me a lot,” McKinney said. “They’re definitely in the picture now.”

McKinney arrived in Auburn on Friday and stayed until Saturday afternoon. It was his first overnight visit to a college campus, and the Tigers made a favorable first impression.

“It was great,” McKinney said. “The people are great. The coaches are great. I like everyone here. Everybody is theirselves and that really stood out to me.”

McKinney spent time with several of Auburn’s coaches, including defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and secondary coach Wesley McGriff. The Tigers have increased their attention in McKinney since he reopened his recruitment.

“Coach McGriff has been coming after me hard,” McKinney said.

The effort is apparently paying off. McKinney already plans to return to Auburn.

“I definitely will be back for a game,” he said. “I will probably be back for the Clemson game (Sept. 3).”

McKinney also plans to visit Georgia, Florida and Clemson, among others, before announcing a commitment in January. He doesn’t currently list any leaders.

“I’m not really singling anybody out right now,” McKinney said. “Every school is in the mix. I’m just trying to see what everyone will provide for me at their schools.”

McKinney, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 185 pounds, is ranked the No. 57 overall player in the 2017 class.