Auburn offers TD

AUBURN, Ala. | Tadarian MoultryClick [rl]Here to view this Link. won't soon forget Tuesday's visit from Auburn assistant coach Rodney GarnerClick [rl]Here to view this Link..

The standout 2017 linebacker from Jackson-Olin in Birmingham, Ala., who goes by "TD", learned of his first big scholarship offer soon after the visit from Garner.

"I just smiled," Moultry said. "I called my momma and she started crying.

"It means a lot because I want to put my family on the map, and my school. I'd be the first person in my family to play ball, put my name on a jersey and do what I love."

Moultry, 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds, has visited Auburn a number of times including five games this fall. His latest trip was to Saturday's Iron Bowl.

"Everybody is friendly and it feels like I'm home when I'm there," he said. "The crowd was wild Saturday. I brought my whole family to the game."

A transfer and off-the-field injury kept Moultry from playing his first high school game until this fall. He lined up at safety for the Mustangs as a junior but will move to Mike linebacker as a senior.

"He's just a very athletic kid, real physical. He's just a specimen and an all-around great person," Jackson-Olin head coach Tim Vakakes said. "He's about 220 pounds and has absolutely no body fat. He's a very explosive kid. He's very physical with his hands and his first initial shock.

"He got better at tackling in open space. That's what we were concerned about his first year playing football. He's just so long and covers so much ground and once he gets ahold of you he doesn't let go because he's so strong. This year we're going to move him down in the box at Mike. We hope to get him up to 235 before the beginning of the season. It's going to be his defense."

Moultry also has an offer from Alabama State and interest from Mississippi State, Alabama, Arizona, Duke, UAB, Memphis and Troy. He lists a current top four of Auburn, Mississippi State, UAB and Duke.

Auburn is the early favorite.

"I feel like if I go there, there's a good chance of me playing," Moultry said. "I'm going to be there."

With more than 14 months before he has to make a decision, Moultry plans to take his time with the recruiting process.

"I'm still young and I still want the experience," he said. "I want to go to Mississippi State games and watch them. By my 12th grade year I'm going to be committed."

Tadarian Moultry junior highlight video