Take 2: Who would be Auburn's biggest get at offensive tackle for 2024?

Welcome to Take 2, where Auburn Live’s Cole Pinkston and Keith Niebuhr give their thoughts on Auburn football recruiting. Today’s topic: Who would be Auburn’s biggest get at offensive tackle for 2024 and why?

Here are their choices …

COLE PINKSTON: The offensive tackle group nationally is very spread out. When looking at the main recruiting ground for Auburn, it’s not quite is loaded with quantity as it can be.

Whether or not that is true, Daniel Calhoun of Marietta (Ga.) Walton would be a top guy no matter what the class looked like around him. Yes, his location matters for Auburn, but he would be a top target regardless. He’s that good.

At 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds, Calhoun doesn’t have the appearance of a prototypical tackle, but he has the feet, he has the length, and he can play on an island.

Being able to block without the help of a double team/combo block is a big deal at tackle as well. Calhoun has that covered.

I believe Auburn has an uphill climb to have a legitimate shot. The Tigers though, have gone from a non-factor to a rising factor at least. That’s positive movement with plenty of time left to make an impression on Calhoun. The need for Auburn at his position could play a big role as well.

For me, Calhoun is the easiest choice for a top guy at a specific position on the entire Auburn recruiting board.

One big-name pick; one sleeper as Auburn’s biggest get

KEITH NIEBUHR: Okay, initially I was going to pick Calhoun. Why not? He’s a top-100 prospect after all and is fresh off a visit to Auburn. Then, I shifted to Jonathan Daniels, the 4-star tackle from Pensacola (Fla.) Pine Forest. He visited the Tigers earlier this year and likely will be back. But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to pick someone with whom I think Auburn has better odds of landing.

Yes, Auburn seems to be improving its standing with Calhoun. But until he officially visits the Tigers, I wouldn’t get too excited. After all, it wasn’t that long ago he didn’t have Auburn in his top 10. With Daniels, I liked Auburn’s odds better in January then I do now. So many programs have entered the mix, it’s just too difficult to know which way he’s leaning.

So while I love both of these guys as players, I’m going with Jac’Qawn McRoy of Clay-Chalkville (Ala.). He’s also a 4-star recruit. And if we’re being completely honest — and I’d like to think we tell the truth around here — his 6-foot-8, 340-pound frame probably is the best piece of clay in this group. His video is solid, too, in case you were wondering. And as Cole wrote just Tuesday, “Auburn is still a major factor.”

The state of Alabama isn’t great this cycle for offensive linemen. When you have one of this level, you need to sign him if you’re Auburn. So to me, he’d be the most important get. The biggest get if you will. For starters, he has the body and the skillset. But also, he’s right in your backyard and you have a significant need at his position.

He’s the type of player Auburn can’t let get away.

McRoy I believe has visited the Tigers a couple times already this year. If he keeps returning, we’ll know there is continued mutual interest.

The Calhoun file …

-No. 5 OT in the country; No. 74 recruit nationally, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

-Georgia is the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favorite.

-Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee have secured official visits. Auburn has not.

The McRoy file …

-No. 16 OT in the country.

-He has no known official visits scheduled yet.

-Has made two known visits to Auburn this year.