Auburn will make cut for 4-star defensive end

AUBURN | Guy Thomas didn’t expect Auburn’s Senior Camp to be easy, and he was right.

“It went great,” Thomas said. “But it was hard, very hard.”

Thomas, a four-star weakside defensive end recruit from Booker T. Washington in Miami, worked with Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner during Saturday’s camp. Despite being one of Garner’s top targets in the 2017 class, Thomas didn’t receive special treatment. Quite the opposite, but Thomas didn’t mind.

“He trains the best and wants me to be the best,” Thomas said. “I guess he's just looking out for me. I appreciate it because I need a coach that is going to push me to the next level.”

Thomas’ day didn’t solely consist of working with Garner. Thomas took advantage of his first visit to Auburn, touring the campus and facilities and meeting with the coaches.

“Auburn is a wonderful place,” Thomas said. “I went to the dorms, the locker rooms and I could see the field and it’s crazy.”

Thomas met with Garner, coach Gus Malzahn, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and secondary coach/area recruiter Wesley McGriff.

“I think the coaching stood out,” Thomas said. “The coaching was something else, next level. Coach McGriff is a good coach. He's a cool, funny guy. He knows how to talk to you and communicate with the Miami players.

“I would love to have a good relationship with him because Auburn is a place I would like to play.”

Thomas has the opportunity. Auburn extended an offer in the spring and is one of more than two dozen schools to have done so. Thomas has yet to narrow his list, but Auburn is assured a spot when he does.

“I think they already made it,” Thomas said. “They're going to make the top five, top three.”

Thomas, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 205 pounds, isn’t in a rush to name a top group. He doesn’t intend to make a commitment until Signing Day.

AuburnSports.com senior editor Bryan Matthews contributed to this report.