Early Signing Period Intel: Auburn working to keep commits, flip others
With 48 hours before the early signing period begins on Monday, Auburn has the No. 5-ranked class in the country, according to the On3 Industry Team Rankings.
And the Tigers are looking to improve that position before the period ends on Friday, Dec. 6.
First things first, Auburn needs to retain its committed. Secondly, the Tigers need (and want) to add a few.
Here is the latest on what I’m hearing about some of Auburn’s top commitments and targets.
Auburn defensive line recruiting
- Auburn’s defensive line class is one of the best in the country with four four-stars committed in Malik Autry, Nate Marshall, Jourdin Crawford and Antonio Coleman. Crawford and Coleman are locked in. Neither is listening to other schools. The same can’t be said about Autry and Marshall. Florida is trying to make a last-minute push to flip Autry. Texas, which lost Joseph Mbatchou to Florida on Sunday, is now working to flip Marshall. As of Sunday night, confidence was still high at Auburn that the Tigers would retain both. Still, both will be worth tracking over the next two days.
- As for additions to the defensive line class, I feel very good about Auburn’s chances of flipping Tennessee commitment Darrion Smith. The three-star from St. Frances in Baltimore, Md. will announce his decision Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. CT. I have logged an On3 Recruiting Prediction for the Tigers with a 60% confidence level.
- I’m not there just yet with five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry. I have said to expect him to sign with Georgia and I still feel that way. Yes, Auburn is making this very interesting, but as of Sunday night, I still feel the Bulldogs have the edge. He announces his decision on Friday.
Confidence in keeping other commits
- Auburn linebacker commit Elijah Melendez took a visit to Oregon two weeks ago. There was some buzz that the Ducks gave him something to consider. And maybe they did. However, sources close to Melendez and sources at Auburn believe he sticks with the Tigers.
- Auburn five-star quarterback Deuce Knight took a last-weekend official visit to Ole Miss, but the Rebels Hail Mary looks to have gone in vain. Sources believe strongly he sticks with the Tigers.
Cornerback recruiting could see addition, subtraction
- Auburn continues to be in great shape to flip five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord from Ohio State, according to sources. Offord took a visit to Ohio State this past weekend, but the Tigers look to be in great shape to flip and sign him on Wednesday.
- While Auburn appears to be in great shape with Offord, the same can’t be said with keeping four-star cornerback commitment Donovan Starr. As of Sunday night, I do not expect Starr to be in Auburn’s class come Wednesday. Alabama appears to have the edge, according to one source, and look out for hometown Vanderbilt. I think although Starr is committed to Auburn, his recruitment might be more of an Alabama-Vandy battle.
Latest on running back, wide receiver recruiting
- Auburn has three wide receivers committed in Derick Smith, Erick Smith and Sam Turner. All three are expected to sign with the Tigers on Wednesday without any drama. Auburn likely will not push for any others, including Miami commitment Daylyn Upshaw, and instead fill the remaining spots from the transfer portal.
- As for running backs, Auburn has four-star Alvin Henderson committed and is working to flip four-star Ousmane Kromah from Georgia. As of Monday morning, though, I give the edge to the Bulldogs holding on to Kromah.
