SIGNING DAY
BREAKING NEWS: Auburn is having a last-minute meltdown of sorts. TB Enrique Davis has signed with Ole Miss. DE Robert Quinn of Charleston, S.C., has signed with North Carolina. Combined, those are two really big losses. Also, OL Antoine McClain of Anniston chose Clemson. Also, DE Marcel Dareus of Huffman High chose Alabama. Also, CB George Baker of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., chose South Florida. Also, LB Jerrell Harris of Gadsden chose Alabama.
Auburn's signing class includes 27 players.
Hey everyone. You know what day it is. It's when 17- and 18-year-old kids suddenly become hotter than Jenna Fischer, eliciting unusual reactions from grown sports enthusiasts (and sports writers) from across the country.
Let's get this party started.
Before we get to that, though, we'd like to thank you all for making this the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.
I don't see the need to update you minute-by-minute about which Letters of Intent have come through the fax machine. I'll give you periodic updates, though I'll provide my usual insightful commentary if surprises arise.
ALREADY SIGNED AND ENROLLED (4)
DE Raven Gray, 6-4, 260, Enterprise HS/Copiah-Lincoln C.C.
QB Chris Todd, 6-2, 220, Elizabethtown HS (Elizabethtown, Ky.)/Texas Tech/Hutchinson C.C.
QB Deron Furr, 6-3, 215, Carver HS (Columbus, Ga.)
LB Da'Shaun Barnes, 6-1, 210, Lincoln HS (Tallahassee, Fla.)
LOIs RECEIVED TODAY (23)
WR Darvin Adams, 6-2, 180, Harrison HS (Kennesaw, Ga.)
S T'Sharvan Bell, 6-0, 170, Osceola HS (Kissimmee, Fla.)
OL Dax Dellenbach, 6-1, 220, North Broward HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
WR Philip Pierre-Louis, 5-10, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
TE Vance Smith, 6-4, 245, Pace HS (Pace, Fla.)
LB Spencer Pybus, 6-1, 210, Northview HS (Dothan)
CB Drew Cole, 6-0, 180, Picayune HS (Picayune, Miss.)
DE Jomarcus Savage, 6-2, 260, J.O. Johnson HS (Huntsville)
QB Barrett Trotter, 6-2, 195, Briarwood Christian (Birmingham)
S Christian Thompson, 6-1, 195, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
DE Andre Wadley, 6-2, 245, Hernando HS (Hernando, Miss.)
DB Marcus Jemison, 6-2, 190, McAdory HS (McCalla)
CB Neiko Lipscomb, 6-2, 175, Tucker HS (Tucker, Ga.)
WR Derek Winter, 6-0, 180, Plant HS (Tampa, Fla.)
DE Cameron Henderson, 6-5, 240, Shades Valley HS (Birmingham)
CB D'Antoine Hood, 5-9, 185, Central HS (Phenix City)
TE Ken Adams, 6-4, 215, Enterprise HS (Enterprise)
RB Reggie Hunt, 5-10, 180, Daphne HS (Daphne)
DE Derrick Lykes, 6-4, 275, Chilton County HS (Clanton)
TB Eric Smith, 5-10, 240, Armwood HS (Seffner, Fla.)
OL Freddie Smooth, 6-5, 300, Desire Street Academy (Baton Rouge, La.)
WR Harry Adams, 6-0, 175, Dillard HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
OL Jermaine Johnson, 6-6, 310, Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.)
RB Onterrio McCalebb, 5-10, 155, Ft. Meade HS (Ft. Meade, Fla.)
DIDN'T SIGN; ALREADY IN JUCO
WR Damion Allen, 6-2, 180, Dr. Phillips HS (Orlando, Fla.)
DIDN'T SIGN; PRESUMABLY HEADED TO JUCO
QB Brandon Smith, 6-1, 185, Williamson HS (Mobile)
UPDATES: I switched T'Sharvan Bell to CB because that's where he'll play at Auburn. Also, McCalebb did sign. Also, there has been a change to the spelling of Da'Shaun Barnes' first name. This is how Barnes wants it presented and, by golly, that's good enough for me.
Tuberville held his press conference at noon. He said the stuff you'd expect: This is a good class chock full o' character kids who double as outstanding athletes. Don't rag me for this stuff. I'm just telling you what he said.
*On the loss of Enrique Davis, Tuberville said it simply came down to Davis wanting to play in a two-back system. Tuberville said repeatedly in December that Auburn would be a two-back system. He quickly caught himself on Wednesday, re-affirming his commitment to playing two backs but concurrently acknolwedging that Davis wanted to play in a two-back system. It was weird.
*On Alabama getting most of the top in-state kids, Tuberville said (without referencing Alabama directly) that many schools have more immediate holes that need to be filled and players are drawn by the allure of early playing time.
*He expects "five or six" players to miss the academic qualification threshold and head for junior college or prep school. Auburn has signed 25 kids so far. Two more should sign later today.
Auburn's signing class includes 27 players.
Hey everyone. You know what day it is. It's when 17- and 18-year-old kids suddenly become hotter than Jenna Fischer, eliciting unusual reactions from grown sports enthusiasts (and sports writers) from across the country. Let's get this party started.
Before we get to that, though, we'd like to thank you all for making this the HOTTEST Auburn blog on the 'net.
I don't see the need to update you minute-by-minute about which Letters of Intent have come through the fax machine. I'll give you periodic updates, though I'll provide my usual insightful commentary if surprises arise.ALREADY SIGNED AND ENROLLED (4)
DE Raven Gray, 6-4, 260, Enterprise HS/Copiah-Lincoln C.C.
QB Chris Todd, 6-2, 220, Elizabethtown HS (Elizabethtown, Ky.)/Texas Tech/Hutchinson C.C.
QB Deron Furr, 6-3, 215, Carver HS (Columbus, Ga.)
LB Da'Shaun Barnes, 6-1, 210, Lincoln HS (Tallahassee, Fla.)
LOIs RECEIVED TODAY (23)
WR Darvin Adams, 6-2, 180, Harrison HS (Kennesaw, Ga.)
S T'Sharvan Bell, 6-0, 170, Osceola HS (Kissimmee, Fla.)
OL Dax Dellenbach, 6-1, 220, North Broward HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
WR Philip Pierre-Louis, 5-10, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
TE Vance Smith, 6-4, 245, Pace HS (Pace, Fla.)
LB Spencer Pybus, 6-1, 210, Northview HS (Dothan)
CB Drew Cole, 6-0, 180, Picayune HS (Picayune, Miss.)
DE Jomarcus Savage, 6-2, 260, J.O. Johnson HS (Huntsville)
QB Barrett Trotter, 6-2, 195, Briarwood Christian (Birmingham)
S Christian Thompson, 6-1, 195, St. Thomas Aquinas HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
DE Andre Wadley, 6-2, 245, Hernando HS (Hernando, Miss.)
DB Marcus Jemison, 6-2, 190, McAdory HS (McCalla)
CB Neiko Lipscomb, 6-2, 175, Tucker HS (Tucker, Ga.)
WR Derek Winter, 6-0, 180, Plant HS (Tampa, Fla.)
DE Cameron Henderson, 6-5, 240, Shades Valley HS (Birmingham)
CB D'Antoine Hood, 5-9, 185, Central HS (Phenix City)
TE Ken Adams, 6-4, 215, Enterprise HS (Enterprise)
RB Reggie Hunt, 5-10, 180, Daphne HS (Daphne)
DE Derrick Lykes, 6-4, 275, Chilton County HS (Clanton)
TB Eric Smith, 5-10, 240, Armwood HS (Seffner, Fla.)
OL Freddie Smooth, 6-5, 300, Desire Street Academy (Baton Rouge, La.)
WR Harry Adams, 6-0, 175, Dillard HS (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.)
OL Jermaine Johnson, 6-6, 310, Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.)
RB Onterrio McCalebb, 5-10, 155, Ft. Meade HS (Ft. Meade, Fla.)
DIDN'T SIGN; ALREADY IN JUCO
WR Damion Allen, 6-2, 180, Dr. Phillips HS (Orlando, Fla.)
DIDN'T SIGN; PRESUMABLY HEADED TO JUCO
QB Brandon Smith, 6-1, 185, Williamson HS (Mobile)
UPDATES: I switched T'Sharvan Bell to CB because that's where he'll play at Auburn. Also, McCalebb did sign. Also, there has been a change to the spelling of Da'Shaun Barnes' first name. This is how Barnes wants it presented and, by golly, that's good enough for me.
Tuberville held his press conference at noon. He said the stuff you'd expect: This is a good class chock full o' character kids who double as outstanding athletes. Don't rag me for this stuff. I'm just telling you what he said.*On the loss of Enrique Davis, Tuberville said it simply came down to Davis wanting to play in a two-back system. Tuberville said repeatedly in December that Auburn would be a two-back system. He quickly caught himself on Wednesday, re-affirming his commitment to playing two backs but concurrently acknolwedging that Davis wanted to play in a two-back system. It was weird.
*On Alabama getting most of the top in-state kids, Tuberville said (without referencing Alabama directly) that many schools have more immediate holes that need to be filled and players are drawn by the allure of early playing time.
*He expects "five or six" players to miss the academic qualification threshold and head for junior college or prep school. Auburn has signed 25 kids so far. Two more should sign later today.
posted by Jay G. Tate at
8:15 AM
51 Comments:
Robert Quinn picks UNC over Auburn. Good grief.
There's really no way to sugar coat this recruiting season. It's been less than impressive, especially with the late decommits. How does that happen with that many long time commits? Something doesnt seem right about it.
I hope these guys pan out, but another year like this and another solid year by Bama and we may (repeat, MAY) be in trouble.
With Enrique Davis choosing Ole Miss, this has to be considered a really bad situation for Tuberville. Awful.
Tuberville and crew were failures in '07. No other way to put it. You are watching an elite program fall hard on its face, at least temporarily. Oh they're shining in Tuscaloosa today.
It's a mess. No doubt about it.
Auburn missed on a lot of guys. I thought it was imperative for the Tigers to get Davis or Quinn. Either one could be pimped as a crown jewel.
Ole Miss and UNC know the feeling.
I think Cameron Henderson signed. He was another can't miss. He's a freak of a DE. He looks like the Predator in regards to his height and frame.
Baker to USF. Huffman boys to Bama.
Yessir. It's a meltdown.
I'm usually not the one to put a positive spin on things this crappy, but maybe it is good that Auburn finished like this. Tuberville might want get on the kids in next year's class pretty soon. Recruited coverage is exploding more and more. He might want to step his game up next year.
Tubs might want to quit shopping around for other jobs this time around. That's his problem. He's always bigger than his current job.
I think Muschamp's departure hurt and Tuberville's serial dalliances also played a role. I really believe that.
Also, the spread offense obviously helps with WR recruiting and hurts RB recruiting.
fortson was supposedly a wide receiver. Although some teams recruited him as a linebacker.
"THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING!!"
This class is not as bad as some of you are making it out to be. Most of the 4-5 star kids are high school "hot-dogs" that think everything should be centered around them. Tubs doesn't play that bull. I'd much rather have good atheletes that will work their butts off and gel together as a team.
You all know my feelings about recruiting -- none of us know what to expect. That goes for coaches as well.
Still, Auburn lost all of its "on-the-fence" prospects. All of them. That's not good.
CTT said what I have been trying to say. When you are dealing with superstars, tehy want to go where they can be a superstar the quickest. It's very simple.
As far as Davis is concerned, I just don't really get that one. I guess we will find out how our 2 and 3 star defense stacks up against him this fall. I think I know already.
Despite what most people say, perception is not reality. This game isn't played on paper. You have to actually put on the pads and get on the field. Personally, I like our chances.
I also like the Bammers getting all hyped up. It will be more fun to hear the ultimate Bammer excuse next year ... We don't base our program on beating Auburn. Yeah ... I hear you.
What happened to WR Damion Allen? He was one of our verbal commitments, but he's not on your list of signee's or your list of guys that "haven't yet filed." What gives?
he's at Copiah Linclon Jr. College where Raven Gray used to be.
So he's not going to sign at all, even though he went through the effort of committing?
If kids are looking for immediate playing time then why did UGA rack up in recruiting? Preseason top 5 in most polls and they have ALOT of young talent. I agree that plays a factor at some places, like Bama, but something else is obviously the problem.
I agree with the folks that say Tubbs' constant flirting with other gigs got us in trouble. Maybe a little bit of Muschamp. But look at Richt. He has come out publicly and said that he wants to be a UGA for a looooong time. The recruits listened, apparently.
that is also true
what I would like to see is to begin recruiting top notch players who are also top notch people.
that takes being on the national recruiting scene, which is something we have never been able to do.
Question: If you go to JUCO do you have to stay the full two years or could you come to AU after one year?
And what's the difference in JUCO and Prep School? Seems like Prep School is the better route. Who decides where you end up?
Chill people. Our lackluster on field performances this year I'm sure didn't help our cause. This fall we'll be an exciting team to watch and in turn play for. If we have trouble recruiting next year then I'd be worried. Oh by the way we've beaten Bama 6 times in a row...what is everybody so worried about? WDE!!!
G money ... correct me if I am wrong ...
As far as I know, JUCO is a two year deal. So you won't see these guys until the fall of 2010, if at all.
Dear Auburn Commitments,
Welcome to Auburn! True Auburn People appreciate and applaud your commitment to Auburn, and likewise commit to you. You have joined a Family, that takes care of its own. Please pay no attention to the bald fat guys that "played a little ball" in high school, know nothing about you but your heighth, weight, and 40 speed, and now find it necessary to tell you that you do not measure up (the THEIR expectations). Well, you measure up to he men you will be living with and answering too for the next four or five years. You will see True Auburn People cheering you on Saturdays, but not too often here in bloggerspace. Your first assignment, is to read and understand the Auburn Creed. God Bless, and Welcome to Auburn University.
I agree.
except that I am not fat and bald, I mean fat or bald ... well anyway.
re: JUCO vs. prep school. Prep school, as an assistant just explained to me, is for kids who are right on that bubble. It's also expensive. Junior college is where kids go to re-tool their academic approach.
JUCO is a two-year deal. That's non-negotiable.
re: Damion Allen. He's already in JUCO. He didn't sign today. I think he will sign at some point soon, though that's more of a figurative gesture.
re: Other JUCO kids ... I expect Ken Adams, Onterrio McCalebb and Christian Thompson to be in prep school or junior college next season.
screw my life
sully2beasly,
I am a two sport ticket purchasing, card carrying alumnus of Auburn, and have never once in my life booed an Auburn player for their performance on the field. These kids will be no exception and I hope they perform to the best of their abilities.
With that said, I see nothing wrong in commenting on the class as a whole and voicing my displeasure with our recruiting efforts.
I am also neither fat nor bald. Although bald is right around the corner.
And thanks to Jay G. for the JUCO vs. prep school breakdown.
Bottom line sounds like, if you got money you go to prep school. You dont, we'll see you at JUCO.
I think being close in terms of the academic threshold makes a big difference, too.
If I'm not mistaken the NCAA just changed the rules regarding prep schools. Basically you pretty much only get to make up a couple credit hours. So if you were behind in a particular course such as math you could make that up. But you're not improving your GPA a couple of points or anything like that. Most of the recruits will end up as jucos now.
I wish I could speak more authoritatively on that prep-school issue. I know the regulations on prep schools are far more restrictive now.
Someone asked how UGA is able to recruit high each year when they are loaded. CMR has an incredible network and has really focused on not losing the Ga. talent that he wants. The folks that live in AL. are whining about the recruits we lost to Bammer, but AU also didn't get the normal talent from Ga. either.
There is another issue...to these kids Athens, Ga. offers the best of a small town with a cosmopolitan feel and it is close to Atl.
The coach gets whatever he asks for without getting negotiated by the university, so every thing happens seamlessly. UGA has a LOT of money and a non-interfering Board of Regents. The Prez/AD/Coach have total freedom.
Did we know that we were signing Da'Shaun? Rivals had him with an LOI to UT. What happened there?
Jay,
Who do you think will contribute next season from this year's signing class?
I'm thinking Raven Gray might have to start or get significant playing time at strongside DE. Someone will pretty much have to step up at DB. I also have been looking forward to Jermaine Johnson for two years now. He might push Pugh inside where he belongs or at the very least give us some depth. The staff proved this season that the best offensive linemen will start.
"There is another issue...to these kids Athens, Ga. offers the best of a small town with a cosmopolitan feel and it is close to Atl."
Auburn's as close to ATL as Athens is. So that was relatively...irrelevant.
Pierre Louis and Harry Adams will play on special teams immediately. Gray will play. Smooth and Savage will play. Barnes will play. Henderson is iffy. Jerrell Harris...woops...
Jermaine Johnson will of course play.
Willing to bet Jemison will play DB/safety immediately.
Hoopie said: "The coach gets whatever he asks for without getting negotiated by the university, so every thing happens seamlessly."
Apparently you missed Richt very publicly and loudly complaining about the lack of an indoor practice facility at UGA last August. I haven't heard they were making any plans for one either.
That being said, they do have a lot of advantages; larger school, more alumni, more moeny, the state school with a very weak in-state opponent, they just played in the Sugar Bowl, you get to dance to Soulja Boy during games...
But seriously, compare the demographics in Alabama and Georgia:
population: AL - 4M, GA - 9M
DI-FBS programs: AL - 4, GA - 2
Georgia has more HS talent and less competition for it, which is why schools in the surrounding states try to raid there.
Jaytiger, You are right. he did ask for the indoor facility. I'm betting that he gets it soon w/out much hoopla.
dwwwaaayyyne???????!!!!!!
what the ^%&%$#% kinda stupid #$#$%^ shot was that?
Dang it man!!!
THis is what i believe.....Sabab got a good recruiting class. No doubt, but in the grand scheme of things what is really going on here? Saban is not a good coach, just a bit better than mediocre. He is the hype master therefore he must have good recruits to sustain a 7-6 season. If everyone remembers he won the 1/2 of national title the year that college football was down. He got DRILLED by florida that year. His time will come and he will run leaving all those kids at Alabama behind. THen there will be Tubberville just waiting and laughing. Saban Sucks!
I'll have what he's drinking.
you're right auburnmath...
what the hell was dwayne reed thinking? ridiculous.
hoopie,
CMR will probably get the new indoor facility without much hooplah because he wont lord it over adminisration's heads while interviewing for other jobs.
See the difference?
re: Da'Shaun. He's been in school since December. He signed with Tennessee last year, failed to qualify, stayed home to study for the Florida graduation exam, passed it, chose Auburn.
re: Guys who will play next season. I say Raven Gray, Jermaine Johnson, Harry Adams, two of the CBs (Bell and someone else), Chris Todd, Barnes.
re: DeWayne Reed. I'm of the opinion that it wasn't a bad idea. He's a terrible three-point shooter, sure, but he got an open look when his teammates probably weren't going to get one. Seems reasonable.
Well, while I respect your opinion, I must disagree. I thought it was poor at best. Rushed.
well ... not much else to say is there?
How many weeks before spring training again?
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