Loyalty part of Gonzalez' game
AUBURN | Loyalty means a lot to Carlito Gonzalez, and he’s proud to admit it.
“I’ve always been loyal,” Gonzalez said. “Since I've been young, even when my friends got me in trouble.”
Don’t take his word for it, though. Look at his actions.
Gonzalez, a safety from Stephenson High in Stone Mountain, Ga., committed to Auburn in August 2015 when Will Muschamp was defensive coordinator and Travaris Robinson defensive backs coach. After Muschamp and Robinson both left for South Carolina after the ’15 season, Gonzalez remained loyal to Auburn. After Wesley McGriff left Auburn for Ole Miss after the ’16 season, Gonzalez remained loyal to Auburn.
“It's just loyalty and it pays off in the end,” Gonzalez said.
The end of his roller coaster recruitment will be next Wednesday when Gonzalez signs a National Letter of Intent with the Tigers. His 17-month commitment will be over.
“I'm very excited,” Gonzalez said. “We're just a couple of days away.”
Gonzalez developed relationships with Robinson and McGriff before the former SEC defensive backs coaches became SEC defensive coordinators. Gonzalez has worked quickly to do the same with Greg Brown, Auburn’s replacement for McGriff. So far, so good.
“We’re already clicking,” Gonzalez said. “He's a very nice person, a very down-to-earth guy and he's cool all the time. I feel like it's going to be great.”
Gonzalez first met Brown, the veteran defensive backs coach, during an in-home visit in early January. The player and coach spent more time together during Gonzalez’ official visit to Auburn (Jan. 20-22).
“It’s always good sitting down with Coach Brown,” Gonzalez said. “He’s got so many years of experience, so I’m just learning stuff and I’m not even here, yet.”
Gonzalez also spent time during the visit with other coaches and recruits. The two-night visit reassured him of his decision to remain loyal to Auburn.
“It's just a family atmosphere,” Gonzalez said. “I just love everything about it. It's beautiful here (at Auburn) all the time, even when it's raining. I'm already clicking with my teammates, it's tradition, it's everything. God watches over this place. He's been watching over me along with it.”
Gonzalez, who is six feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, recorded 74 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, three interceptions, six pass break-ups and three forced fumbles as a senior. He also recovered a fumble and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown and returned a blocked field goal 95 yards for a score.
“I’m going to learn from (starting safety) Tray Matthews and the other two safeties that are here,” Gonzalez said. “I feel like I’m going to come in and play as a freshman and make an impact and just learn and grow.”
And continue to be loyal. It’s who he is.
