Big Cat was 'priority' for No. 3 athlete

AUBURN | Rivals100 athlete Kyler McMichael was not going to miss Auburn’s Big Cat last Saturday.

“I made it a priority to get back for Big Cat,” McMichael said.

And he’s glad he did.

“I loved it,” McMichael said. “I was able to talk to the head coach and get an idea of what he saw me and how he could use me. That was great. He thinks I’m a great player, and talked to my family about how we do things. He asked me what I was looking to get out of a school.”

McMichael, who is from GAC in Norcross, Ga., learned during his talks with the coaches that he could project on either side of the ball at Auburn. Last season as a junior, McMichael rushed for 1,493 yards and 16 touchdowns, and had 14 receptions for 214 yards and a score. He previously had been recruited by Auburn to play defensive back,

“I was able to speak with them about playing offense as well,” McMichael said. “I loved everything they had to say. They said something about playing me at either slot or running back, and I loved that.”

McMichael made the trip to Auburn with his parents and sister. He and his family spoke to Gus Malzahn, and spent a lot of time with defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and defensive backs coach Greg Brown.

“My family had a great time,” McMichael said. “(Steele and Brown) are great guys. They are very sincere. I love everything they have to say.”

McMichael left the visit with high interest in Auburn, as well as plans to return in July for a fourth visit.

“Auburn is definitely a top school,” McMichael said. “they are very sincere and a Christian-based school. They have a spiritual environment and it’s not too far from home. The campus is beautiful. I’m definitely going to make it a priority to get back up here as much as possible. I’ll probably hold off a little bit and get back and spend the night, get a better idea.”

McMichael said Auburn, Clemson, Florida State and Alabama are recruiting him more than others. He initially planned to make a commitment in the summer, but now will hold off until the fall. He next has a visit scheduled to Alabama for June 17.

Rivals ranks McMichael the No. 3 athlete in the 2018 class, No. 72 in the Rivals100 and No. 10 player in Georgia.