Small back has big plans at Auburn

AUBURN | Shaun Shivers attended Auburn’s Junior Day on Jan. 29, but the one-day event didn’t last long enough.

Shivers, a four-star running back recruit from Chaminade Madonna in Hollywood, Fla., loves Auburn. It’s why he’s committed to the Tigers. It’s why he arrived in Auburn for Junior Day one day early and stayed a day late.

“It’s like home to me,” Shivers said. “I love it. I love coming up here. I come up here every chance I can.”

Shivers’ weekend visit was a well-timed visit. He was on campus for Chip Lindsey’s first day on the job, and had the chance to meet with the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator.

“He’s a really cool guy, a people person,” Shivers said. “I really like him. He talks to you and explains everything to you.”

Lindsey explained what role Shivers would play in the offense. Shivers, after all, is a unique back. He stands just 5-foot-5 and weighs 175 pounds. But what Shivers lacks in height, he makes up for with an abundance of speed and a physical mentality.

“I love being the underdog,” Shivers said. “People go by my height and say I can’t do something, but you better be ready. People think they can take advantage of me, but when I get that ball and am running full speed at them, they get scared. I just love it.”

In Shivers’ sophomore and junior seasons, he totaled 2,802 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. He also is a track star, claiming a personal-best 10.49 seconds in the 100-meter dash.

Lindsey plans to use Shivers’ shiftiness, his explosiveness, and of course his speed at Auburn.

“Jet sweeps, the toss, use me in the slot, just get me open in space,” Shivers said. “I’m mainly going to be at running back, but they could move me out in the slot against good teams and they wouldn’t be able to stop me."

Shivers, who Rivals ranks the No. 10 running back in the 2018 class, has to wait a year before he can sign a letter of intent with Auburn, but has no doubts he will. He’s been firmly committed to the Tigers since October.

Shivers is helping Auburn recruit others to join him in the class. He is working on a few already, including Sebastian (Sainterling), Al Blades and Asante Samuel.

“There are going to be big things coming,” Shivers said.