Madison County standouts high on Auburn after camp
AUBURN | Tae Provens was in Auburn on Friday for the Tigers’ Rising Juniors Camp, and the first-team All-State running back from Madison County in Gurley, Ala. already has plans to return.
“I’ll be back Saturday for the picnic,” Provens said. “I love it at Auburn. I always have a good time when I visit Auburn.”
Provens worked Friday with Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton. The player and coach have developed a good relationship since the Tigers offered in the spring. The two spent time meeting after the camp.
“Coach Horton is a really good guy,” Provens said. “I love him a lot. He’s a great coach and I love the drills he does.”
Provens lists an early offer from the Tigers, and also one each from USC, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, UAB, Troy and Samford, among others. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards last season as a junior and scored 17 total touchdowns.
Auburn, Tennessee, USC and Oklahoma State make up his early group of top schools.
“I love the family environment at Auburn,” Provens said. “I can be myself. Coach (Gus) Malzahn, we talk all the time. I just love it at Auburn.”
Provens doesn’t plan to make an early decision. He still has visits to take, campuses to see and coaches to meet.
“I’m concentrating on my high school team right now,” he said.
Provens is visiting Alabama on Monday, Tennessee on Thursday, Auburn on Saturday and Oklahoma State on July 30.
Provens’ teammate at Madison County, linebacker Matthew Flint, also visited Auburn for the Rising Juniors Camp.
Flint, who stands six feet tall and weighs 205 pounds, tested well and was a standout in 1-on-1s. He showed Auburn that it wasn’t wrong in offering a scholarship in the spring.
“I ran a 4.5 in the 40, jumped a 35-inch vertical and did 9’1” on the broad jump,” Flint said.
Flint worked with linebackers coach Travis Williams during the camp.
“I love Coach T-Will,” Flint said. “He’s a great coach. I love how he’s down there with you on the field, moving around with you and also his tempo.”
Flint met with Williams after the camp and discussed the Tigers’ plans for him should he sign with Auburn.
“They want to play me like a nickel-backer, where I come down like an outside linebacker,” Flint said.
Flint doesn’t list any early leaders, but has several reasons why he’s interested in Auburn.
“I feel like everybody is a family and connected together,” Flint said. “I really love that about them and the coaches really care about you and ask about you. They know your name as soon as you walk in the building.”
Flint also has early offers from UAB and Troy, and interest from several schools, including Alabama and Tennessee.
