Speedster visits Auburn, leaves with new impression of Tigers
AUBURN | One of the fastest receivers in the country took a slow approach to his first visit to Auburn.
Anthony Schwartz, who ran a state-record 10.15-second 100-meter dash last month, arrived in Auburn Saturday morning and stayed until Sunday afternoon.
The visit quickly changed Schwartz’s view of the Tigers.
“I spent the day talking to the coaches and I went on a tour and liked all the facilities,” Schwartz said. “We went to the spring game and it was great. The atmosphere at the game was great, 50,000 fans. I didn’t think there’d be that many people for a spring game.
"(The visit) really changed my opinion of Auburn. I always liked it, but now I’m starting to love it.”
Schwartz, who is from American Heritage in Plantation, Fla., spent time Saturday night hanging out with several Auburn players, including newly-converted wide receiver John Franklin III.
“I went downtown with them and everybody knew them. They were like celebrities,” Schwartz said. “(Franklin) is from Broward (County), too. He told me Auburn is way different, that it’s a family here.”
As a receiver, Schwartz paid close attention to Auburn’s offense in the spring game. The two offenses combined to throw for more than 500 yards, including 267 from quarterback Jarrett Stidham.
“They had a great offense,” Schwartz said. “They are starting to pass it a lot more, a lot of deep passes. They are going to do a lot of stuff I think I could fit in.”
Following the visit, Schwartz listed Auburn among his top schools.
“I’d put them near the top,” Schwartz said. “Florida, Auburn, Georgia and LSU.”
Schwartz later released a top 10 that also included USC, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Michigan and Louisville. He hopes to narrow his list to one before the fall.
“I’m trying to (make my decision) before the season starts,” Schwartz said.
He and his mother left Auburn on Sunday and traveled to Georgia for an overnight visit. They plan to return to Auburn in the summer.
Schwartz, who stands six feet tall and weighs 175 pounds, also plans to run track in college.
