Dream becomes reality for Peters; DB commits to AU

Defensive back Jordyn Peters’ dream has become a reality. The lifelong Auburn fan will be a Tiger.

Peters, from Muscle Shoals, Ala., informed Auburn’s coaching staff on Sunday that he intends to sign with the Tigers in February.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Peters said. “It was great to hear their reactions and how they felt when I told them. They were real pumped up about it.”

So was Peters, and he still is.

Peters grew up wanting to play for Auburn. His bedroom’s decor was orange and blue. Auburn paraphernalia covered the walls.

“I had Auburn stuff everywhere,” Peters said.

There was a time, however, and not long ago, when Auburn wasn’t an option. Peters received several early scholarship offers, but not one from Auburn. He was ready to trim his list in July, ready to narrow his focus, and do so without Auburn being a part of it.

“I was looking at the other schools, trying to narrow it down with the offers I did have,” Peters said.

But Herb Hand intervened. Auburn’s offensive line coach, who recruits the Muscle Shoals area, asked Peters to attend camp. Auburn defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff had a request that Hand relayed to Peters.

“Coach Hand told me Coach McGriff wanted to see me in camp and work with me,” Peters said. “I knew I had to make it happen. I had to go down there and perform well.”

Peters did. He attended Auburn’s camp on July 16 and was the top defensive back in attendance. Peters ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, had a 40-inch vertical leap and was a standout in 1-on-1 drills.

Peters left Auburn after the camp with an offer, as well as a new outlook on his recruitment.

“When Auburn offered, everything changed,” Peters said. “I thought about committing then, but I wanted to make sure it was the right fit.”

Peters returned to Auburn the following week for the Tigers’ “War Damn BBQ.” He developed a relationship with McGriff and a high comfort level with the other coaches and the campus.

“I knew when I was down there that Auburn is the place,” Peters said. “I had that gut feeling that it is where I am supposed to be.”

Peters is Auburn’s 13th commitment in the 2017 class and third defensive back. Auburn also has commitments from safety Carlito Gonzalez and cornerback Malcolm Askew.

“Me and Malcolm have been in contact a couple of times since I got the offer,” Peters said. “He’s been on me, trying to get me to join him, and I did.”

Peters, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 185 pounds, expects to play safety at Auburn, but has the versatility to play cornerback.

Peters chose Auburn over his two others finalists, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech. He also had offers from Georgia Tech, Michigan, Mississippi State, Missouri, Louisville, Minnesota, Duke and Wake Forest, among others.