Jimbo Fisher reflects on recruiting Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain
It is the job of Jimbo Fisher to learn Auburn’s team this week, but Tigers linebacker Zakoby McClain is already a familiar face for the Texas A&M coach. Fisher, who took over the Aggies in 2018, recruited McClain during his final years at Florida State.
The coach talked Wednesday in the SEC coaches conference call about what makes the linebacker such a threat to opposing offenses.
“He’s very, very instinctive,” Fisher said. “He’s got great eyes. Really athletic. Gets to his point. Plays with power. He can take on blocks, slip blocks. I mean, he’s a complete player. I knew him in high school. I remember recruiting him at Florida State. He was a heck of a player then and he’s only gotten better now.”
The Seminoles never offered McClain, but he had plenty from other big names. In addition to Auburn, Oklahoma, LSU and Oregon also extended an invitation to McClain to join their team.
The senior has recorded 67 tackles (5.5 for loss), a number that ranks fourth in the SEC. His 113 tackles in 2020 finished third in the conference. Auburn is currently the fifth-best SEC team against the run, allowing 129.9 yards rushing per game.
Moving the ball will certainly be a challenge for an A&M team that leans heavily on the backfield duo of Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane. The two running backs have combined for more than 200 yards in each of the past two games.
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The Aggies season was full of early roadblocks, as starting quarterback Haynes King went down with injury in Week 2. After losing its first two conference contests and falling out of the polls, many were ready to write A&M off. That all changed with a victory against then-No. 1 Alabama in Week 6.
The Aggies have looked dominant in their wins since then, and enter Saturday against Auburn riding a three-game winning streak.
The Tigers are coming off of their biggest win of the year against Ole Miss this past week. First-year coach Bryan Harsin has had a successful first season by all means, already tying the win total from 2020.
Can Zakoby McClain and the Auburn defense continue its success and send Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies home with a loss? Kickoff for this contest is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in College Station, Texas.