Rice locked in to AU

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AUBURN | Calhoun (Ga.) tight end Landon Rice has been to Auburn many times. An official visit for the longtime Auburn commit seemed more of a formality than a learning experience.

It wasn't.

"It went really good. It was real personable," Rice said. "I got to see a lot of things that I usually don't get to see because it was an official. I got to go to Coach (Gus) Malzahn's house and eat with him. I spent a lot of time with him 1-on-1 just talking about the season and talking about the future."

Rice and Auburn's third-year coach both agree it will be better. The Tigers are 4-4 following Saturday's loss to Ole Miss.

"Auburn is young right now and each game we're getting better and better and the future is going to be very bright," Rice said. "We are both real excited. I love Auburn and it was a great weekend."

Rice, 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, plans to be a major part of Auburn's future. He's a dominant defensive player in high school, but Malzahn and the Tigers need him on offense.

Auburn doesn't use a tight end this season, elected instead to play an H-back.

"They said they're going to have me up high and if I just keep working hard there's going to be great things for me," Rice said. "They need me a lot. I've just got to come in and work hard in the weight room on my speed and agility and all that, and really just learning the playbook."

Rice will get a head start on learning the playbook. He's set to enroll at Auburn in January.

"I feel like that will be huge right there, just learning the playbook and feeling comfortable and just reacting instead of thinking about what I have to do," Rice said. "I'm ready to come and be a part of it and be on the team."

There were times over the weekend when he felt like he already is a Tiger.

"Tiger Walk, I was laughing and my father was too because every person that walked by was like, 'What's up, Landon?' so I feel like I'm a part of the team already," Rice said. "I know everybody and everybody knows me. I'm not trying to rush my season in high school, but I'm just ready to get to Auburn and work and become an Auburn Tiger."

Rice doesn't have any doubts he will.

"This is it. I'm locked in," Rice said. "I'm already getting my cleats sized up and stuff like that."

Rice's Senior Highlights

Senior editor Bryan Matthews contributed to this report.