Four-star DT jumps on board
Fresh off one of the most dramatic wins in school history and stealing Rivals250 corner Stephen RobertsClick Here to view this Link. from Alabama, Auburn landed another four-star commitment late Wednesday night.
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Pearl River Community College (Miss.) four-star defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey decommitted from Miami following a Saturday visit to Auburn. On Wednesday, Stuckey notified the Auburn coaching staff he wanted to join the Tigers' surging program.
"I just committed," Stuckey told AuburnSports.com on Wednesday night. "I'm an Auburn Tiger."
Stuckey holds offers from Auburn, Miami, West Virginia, Alabama, Cincinnati, Florida, Nebraska, Texas and more. He's commitment No. 18 in Auburn's Class of 2014.
Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner visited Pearl River on Monday for a follow-up visit. Following that visit, Stuckey thought about it, then called the Auburn coaching staff on Wednesday to commit. Stuckey talked to head coach Gus Malzahn on Wednesday night and made it official.
"They were really happy, they were very excited for me," Stuckey said.
Auburn assistant Dameyune Craig also helped land Stuckey.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Stuckey raved about his unofficial visit to the Plains.
"The visit I took to Auburn on Saturday was the best visit I've ever been on," Stuckey said. "The scenery, the pregame, the fans, the atmosphere -- I liked everything about it. I liked the Tiger Walk, ever since I rolled through the city and entered the stadium, it was amazing.
"The catch was the best part, but probably the postgame speech was the best. Listening to Coach Malzahn talk, being that close to that dude, that was unreal."
Stuckey committed to Florida State in 2012 after garnering offers from Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Florida, Louisville, South Carolina, Texas A&M and more. Stuckey played high school football at Walton County High School in Defuniak Springs, Fla.
Auburn's 10-1 record marks the biggest turnaround in college football this year, following their 3-9 record one season ago. The Tigers are ranked No. 6 in the latest BCS Standings, will host No. 1 Alabama in two weeks with the SEC West title on the line, and Malzahn is the front-runner for National Coach of the Year.
It all factored into Stuckey's decision, but the raucous fanatics inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon may have pushed Stuckey over the edge.
"Auburn is Auburn, they're always going to be a great program," said Stuckey. "The season had an impact, the visit had an impact, but the Auburn fans are unbelievable. It's so cool to be around those fans and listen to them, they're awesome."
Garner and Malzahn talked to Stuckey about their continuing need to find impact defensive tackles. Stuckey believes he fits the mold.
"They told me I fit in perfect because I'm athletic and I can run," he said. "They said I'm a SEC defensive tackle. I like it."
Stuckey will have three years to play two at Auburn. He is scheduled to enroll next spring. Stuckey recorded 19 tackles, three sacks and two tackles for loss during his sophomore season at Pearl River. As a freshman, Stuckey racked up 85 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Auburn has recruited Stuckey since high school and first started talking to Coach Garner earlier this fall.
"He's straight up with you. He tells you how it's going to be and what it's going to be like when I get there," Stuckey said.
Following a commitment and decommitment from Miami, and now a commitment to Auburn, Stuckey's decision appears final.
"I'm not going anywhere anymore, I'm going to Auburn," said Stuckey.
Stuckey plans to officially visit Auburn for the Iron Bowl.
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