No. 7 OT takes 3-day visit to Auburn

Richard Gouraige spent three days in Auburn, but it wasn’t enough for the standout from Cambridge in Tampa, Fla.

Gouraige, who is ranked the No. 7 offensive tackle in the 2018 class, already plans to return.

“I love it here,” Gouraige said. “It felt like home. I’m hoping (to return) next week.”

Gouraige arrived in Auburn on Thursday and stayed until Saturday. The visit went better than he expected.

“It exceeded expectations,” Gouraige said. “I wasn’t expecting this type of visit, bonding with the players.”

And the coaches, including coach Gus Malzahn, with whom Gouraige spoke on Friday.

“We talked for over an hour one-on-one,” Gouraige said. “He said to just keep working hard and that ‘we really need you here. You can change the program.' “

Gouraige also met extensively with offensive line coach Herb Hand throughout the extended visit.

“(Coach Hand) is a great guy,” Gouraige said. “He teaches their players. He was telling me he’s going to coach you hard, but he’s going to love you harder.”

Auburn has offered Gouraige, as have Florida, LSU, North Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State, among others. Gouraige doesn’t list any favorites, but said Auburn, Clemson, Florida, LSU and North Carolina currently stand out.

“(Auburn) is up there,” Gouraige said. “I fit in (the offense). It’s fast tempo. It can correlate with my high school. It helps a lot with my athleticism, too.”

Gouraige, who is 6-foot-5 and weighs 250 pounds, is ranked No. 78 in the Rivals100 and the No. 24 recruit from Florida.