Rivals250 DB impressed with Big Cat

AUBURN | Rivals250 safety Jamien Sherwood visited Auburn for Big Cat last Saturday, and didn’t want it to end.

“I wish they had another day like this,” Sherwood said.

Sherwood, from Jensen Beach, Fla., was one of 33 recruits in Auburn for the annual event that included a barbecue, contests, scavenger hunts and even a rap battle.

“I enjoyed it; it was a great visit,” Sherwood said. “I had fun with everybody that attended.”

In addition to the day’s festivities, Sherwood spent time with Auburn defensive backs coach Greg Brown and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

“Coach Brown is a great dude, a funny guy,” Sherwood said. “He recruits me hard. I could see myself playing for him. He has a lot of Thorpe Award winners under his belt. He’s a great man to be around.”

Sherwood and his mother, who accompanied him on the visit, also spoke with coach Gus Malzahn.

“We didn’t talk about football that much,” Sherwood said. “He was telling my mom that they would take care of me, and she wouldn’t have to worry and also that it’s a great place.”

Sherwood said Big Cat gave the recruits a chance to see the coaches in a different light. The coaches didn’t give the typical recruiting pitch. It’s what makes Big Cat different than other visits.

“Every place has a great education and every place has facilities that stand out,” Sherwood said. “But (Big Cat) shows how much fun they can have and who they actually are and what they like to do; and I like to have fun and (Big Cat) was fun. Them having this day for all of us, it means a lot to me and to other people.”

Sherwood left Auburn Saturday afternoon with high interest in Auburn. He plans to return either later this summer or in the fall for a game.

“Auburn is still at the top, tied at the top with other ones like Florida, Ole Miss, Oregon, UNC and a couple of others,” Sherwood said. “I’ll take a few more visits and then be ready to make a decision soon after that, probably in August. If I don’t have a decision in the fall, I’ll be back for a game.”

Rivals ranks Sherwood, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 200 pounds, the No. 17 safety in the 2018 class, No. 181 in the Rivals250 and the No. 39 player from Florida.