Auburn coaches visit top TE target

Tyneil Hopper is a high priority for Auburn in the 2018 class, and the Tigers are making sure the tight end from Roswell, Ga., is aware.

Larry Porter, Auburn’s tight ends coach, and area recruit Rodney Garner both visited Roswell this week.

“Coach Garner was at practice this week and Coach Porter also came to a practice,” Hopper said. “They really want me at Auburn.”

Hopper is considering it. The No. 9 tight end visited Auburn twice in the spring and plans a third trip in the summer and/or fall.

“I am planning on going back to Auburn,” Hopper said. “I’m not sure when, but I’ll be back. It most likely will be in the summer. If not the summer, I’ll definitely be back for a game in the fall.”

Hopper has a long-standing relationship with Porter. It’s one of the reasons Hopper has interest in Auburn. Porter, who is in his first year at Auburn, helped recruit and sign Hopper’s brother, Tyrone Hopper, while at North Carolina.

“I’ve known Coach Porter for a while,” Hopper said. “We have a really good relationship. He has been recruiting me hard since he got to Auburn.”

So has Hopper’s former high school quarterback, Malik Willis, who signed with Auburn in February. Hopper caught 18 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns last year from Willis. The two could reunite in college.

Hopper doesn’t list any favorites, but expects Auburn to be among them when he does.

“I’ll start breaking stuff down after spring and seeing where I fit best,” Hopper said. “I’m not sure when I’ll have a top group, but Auburn is definitely a school that I like.”

Hopper has visits scheduled to Pitt and West Virginia in June.

“I’m not sure after those two,” Hopper said. “Those are just the ones that I’m sure of right now.”

Rivals ranks Hopper, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 220 pounds, the No. 21 player in Georgia and No. 221 in the Rivals250.

“Maybe at the end of the summer I’ll have a decision, but I’m not in a hurry,” Hopper said. “I want to take my time and make the best decision for me.”