Rivals100 WR parents impressed

[rl]

AUBURN | Niceville (Fla.) Elijah Stove has been to Auburn a number of times over the last few months, but Friday's visit was different than the rest of the times he has been on campus.

"It was more for my mom because she has only been here a couple of times, not that much," Stove said. "I'm never with her really when I come up here. I'm usually with my dad and my brothers. It was different. She was more focused on the academics, and my dad was more focused on the environment and everything around it.

"They were both impressed. Usually he doesn't talk about (academics), but this time he did because my mom was here."

The Rivals100 wide receiver has developed a close bond with co-offensive coordinator Dameyune Craig throughout the recruiting process -- and continued to strengthen his relationships with some of the other coaches during the visit.

"I think we (Craig) already had a really good relationship," he said. "And I built a bigger one today because I had lunch with him, Coach (Gus) Malzhan and Coach (Rhett) Lashlee. It was pretty cool honestly because I've never really had that before."

The one-on-one time time he had with the staff made him feel like a top priority for the Tigers.

"I know they want me a lot," he said. "It is just something I have to really think about when I commit to a school."

After several trips already in the books, Stove believes he knows everything he needs to know about Auburn, and the multiple visits to the Plains are paying off.

"They are in my top for sure," he said. "I have a good connection with all the coaches. When I come up here I just have a good time and just chill."

Florida and Georgia are the other two programs that are standing out the most for the four-star prospect. Ohio State and Michigan are two more programs he wants to visit this summer.

The nation's No. 4 wide receiver has no definite timetable on when he wants to make a final decision, but has an idea on when he plans to announce his commitment.

"I don't really know yet," he said. "Hopefully, it is either before the season or after the season. I'm not going to do it in between."

Stove visited Florida on Thursday and will visit Georgia on Saturday. He is ranked as the No. 29 overall player and No. 8 player in the state of Florida.