Recap: The past 10, again
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AUBURN | The past 10 days produced a smorgasbord of recruiting news for Auburn. There were news, notes, a commitment and quotes.
It all was a lot to take in.
It started last Saturday when Auburn played its annual A-Day game. Among the 62,000-plus in attendance were several of Auburn's top targets from both the 2016 and 2017 classes, as well as a pair of Rivals150 basketball recruits.
There were three 2016 Rivals100 recruits, including the No. 2 overall player, Greenville (Ala.) five-star defensive end Marlon Davidson, and Niceville (Fla.) four-star Elijah Stove, who is ranked the No. 4 receiver.
The 2016 class also was represented by three recruits from the Rivals250, two of whom are top targets at their positions - quarterback Jawon Pass running back Elijah Holyfield. Two in-state four-stars, Spanish Fort linebacker Tre Threat and Madison Academy running back Malik Miller, also were there. Threat committed during his visit and announced it publicly five days later.
The group of recruits from the 2017 class featured seven Rivals100 to Watch players, four of whom are from Alabama: Southside-Gadsden running back Alaric Williams, Clay-Chalkville receiver Nico Collins, Central-Phenix City linebacker Markail Benton and Buckhorn (New Market) linebacker Will Ignont. It also included Opelika four-star quarterback Jake Bentley, four-star defensive tackle MJ Webb, four-star linebacker Jaden Hunter and four-star offensive tackle D'Antne Demery.
The football program received a public commitment from Threat the week following A-Day, and the basketball team secured an official visit from Tyler Harris. The fifth-year transfer from Providence scheduled a visit for May 1-3.
A lot happened in the past 10 days, and it all is worth a second look.
A-DAY VISITORS
2015 SIGNEES
2015 WALK-ONS
(NR) CB Craig Williams, St. Augustine, Fla.
(NR) WR/DB Griffin King, Atlanta, Ga.
2016 RECRUITS
* Committed after A-Day on Thursday, April 23.
2017 RECRUITS
2016 HOOPS RECRUITS
RE-QUOTEWORTHY
2016 RECRUITS
"I loved watching (Will Muschamp). It was his first game back at Auburn and he was pumped up. He was really into the game. I liked watching him because he was instructing his players, he was in their face if he needed to be in their face, and I was watching him thinking, 'man, this is the type of coach that everybody should want to play for.'"
"Auburn is a top school. They are a top school definitely. I'm looking at the schools that need me the most. I don't have a leader, but Georgia, Auburn and Ohio State are my top schools. I don't think I'll wait until Signing Day (to commit). I'll most likely make my decision in the fall."
"I thought about committing to Auburn (during A-Day visit), but it will definitely be soon. I've always liked Auburn and my trip was great. It's great every time I visit Auburn, and if a place is great every time, then it basically is the place that fits you. Auburn is a great school and has a great opportunity for me. I don't know the date I'll commit, but it will be soon. I probably will just tell Coach (Gus) Malzahn when I get ready."
"Auburn is definitely in my top two with Louisville. I'd say Auburn and Louisville are neck and neck. I'm not ready to commit, but I'm getting closer. No doubt. I'm just taking my time. I'm going to do it before my senior year. I'll be back at Auburn for Big Cat Weekend in May."
"Roc (Thomas) had a really good game today. I enjoyed seeing him run because he does some of the same things I do. All of the running backs got to run and I got to see how much success they had, and how mistake-free they were was really cool to see. I'll be back for Big Cat Weekend in May."
"I've been to a lot of spring games, but the whole place was packed. You would have thought they were playing Alabama or something. It's just great to see that they have a lot of support. I love Coach (Dameyune) Craig. He is probably one of my favorite recruiters. He has a great personality and relates really well to his players. That's a great thing to have. If I were just thinking, Auburn would be one of the first five schools out of my mouth. They are up there."
"What is not to like about Auburn? I was talking to Coach (Tim) Horton about that. Even if you aren't planning on coming to Auburn, you have to love it here. If you don't like it there is something wrong with you because there are great people here: the fans, the coaches, the students. I love it here."
"It's a dream come true. I was the little kid in the yard wearing the plastic Auburn football helmet pretending I was an Auburn football player. That was me. Auburn is close to home, but it didn't matter how far away it was, it feels like home to me. I love everything about Auburn and I always have."
2017 RECRUITS
"I love it here. It feels like home."
"My dad has been to Bama with me and he really liked it there, but I think Auburn now is where he really likes. My uncle, I got him around the atmosphere, showed him around and he also really liked it. I'd say Auburn is on top right now, but Bama is right behind them."
"Right now Auburn is at the top. Auburn, Georgia and Alabama are my top three schools, but Auburn is No. 1. I like Auburn. I like how they run their offense. I don't plan on making a commitment until my senior year, but I like Auburn a lot right now."
"(Auburn) is in my top three. I don't want to say the other two schools, but Auburn is in my top three - I do know that. I like the school. I like the atmosphere on game day. They have great coaches, and you can tell the coaches coach the players extremely well. That's big to me."
"I really like Auburn a lot. The coaches aren't pressuring me. They are real laid-back, and that's what I really like. Coach (Lance) Thompson just told me before I left that there was no pressure, but whenever I wanted to jump in the boat and commit that I could at any time.
"I just like that they aren't putting any pressure on me, but they really like me and want me at the same time."
"(The Auburn coaches) enjoyed me coming down here. They were surprised I came here instead of going to LSU's spring game."
"Coach Muschamp told me to come to a lot of the games this upcoming season because they are going to be a lot better on defense than they were last year. I'll be back at Auburn. I really liked it, really liked the coaches, especially Coach Muschamp. Talking to him was the highlight of my visit. That's what stood out the most; Coach Muschamp."
"I'm going to really love the school, not just its football program or if my dad (Bobby Bentley, AU offensive analyst) is there or not there, but because I love the school and everything about it. If my dad works there, that's a bonus."
(NR) DE Ryan Johnson
"My parents loved it. It was a really great experience, a great day and I loved it, but my parents might have loved it more than I did. They loved everything about it. I really like Coach Muschamp. He's a very likeable guy and a really good coach, and he gets fired up a lot, interacts with the players. He's the kind of coach I'd like to play for."
2016 HOOPS RECRUITS
"I like that they are up-and-coming and I would like to be a part of something like that. They haven't been to the (NCAA) Tournament in a while so being a part of that would be nice. That really stands out to me.
"They told me they signed some really good dudes (in the 2015 class) that will definitely help turn it around, but they need more forwards, guys like me. Auburn is a really good school. I had a good time talking to the coaches and I definitely think I'll come back again."
"I just love the spirit at Auburn, the spirit that Coach Pearl and his staff brings. I love Coach Pearl and his personality. He seems like a guy I'd like to play for.
"Coach Pearl's track record and his attitude tells me that if he gets the right guys in there, he will absolutely turn that program around.
"I really like Auburn, Coach Pearl and his staff and what they have going on there at Auburn. I haven't really started narrowing it down, but Auburn is a great place to be and they are definitely in the hunt."
IN-CASE-YOU-MISSED-IT LINKS
BASKETBALL RECRUITING NEWS
FOOTBALL RECRUITING NEWS
