Sunday recruiting chatter
1/11/09, MORNING
Hey everyone. I have spoken with several Auburn recruits this morning as they left for home after official visits. They leave from different places, so it's impossible for me -- a one-man operation -- to catch everyone.
So here are the guys I have met so far:
LaVOYD JAMES
Wideout from Mobile/Auburn commitment
On meeting with position coach Trooper Taylor for the first time: "He's a good guy. I liked him. He made me read an article about him -- how he's a good man and a good recruiter. It was about him adopting his football players.
On his ability to contribute early in his career: "He'd like to get me the ball because I'm a play-maker. He's seen my highlight film and all that. If he has to put me in the backfield, I'll still get the ball. He said I could come and play. He said he needs a play-maker."
On rating his visit on a scale of 1-10: "Probably a 10. I want to come back for another visit."
TERRENCE COLEMAN
Defensive end from Mobile/Auburn commitment
On his best weekend memory: "We have a great relationship and (Gene Chizik) seems like a really great coach. He said he likes the way I came out on the field. We came out through the (stadium) tunnel and we had jerseys on. I was wearing No. 51 and they said I can get No. 51 and my uncle wears No. 52. I came out there really pumped up. He said it looked like I should be here."
On considering his alternatives: "I'm still going to visit some other places but they have to pick up their recruiting steam up because Auburn is looking hard right now."
On meeting with defensive coordinator Ted Roof: "I sat down and talked to him. He said he liked that I'm explosive and I have a motor. He said he liked me and I can be a pass rusher for him."
HARRIS GASTON
Linebacker from Bessemer/Auburn commitment
On where he fits into Auburn's scheme: Coach (James) Willis said the way things look right now, my body type, he wants me to play (middle linebacker). I'd rather play outside at (strong side) or (weak side). If I have to go to (middle) likebacker, though, I'll go."
On where Auburn coaches said they need help most: "There's no depth at (weak-side) linebacker. A true freshman will have to come in there and play the position."
BRANDON JACOBS
Tailback from Lilburn, Ga./Auburn commitment
On the situation at tailback: I'm not sure what's going on with with the running back position. Just knowing Coach Luper, with him being the great coach that he is, hopefully I can get some playing time next year. Hopefully, I'm coming into a good situation."
On Curtis Luper: ``Great guy. Real funny. Really cares about the kids. He's really interested in me and he really cares. He doesn't just want to coach you -- he wants to be part of your family."
On watching Tulsa's dominating performance in the GMAC Bowl: "That running back -- they had over 400 rushing yards. That impresses me. I really liked watching that."
REGGIE TAYLOR
Defensive back from Fort Valley, Ga./Auburn commitment
On where Auburn coaches want to play him: "He said my best fit right now is cornerback. That's the position I'm going to start at. He likes my jam ability so he'll put more men in the box and blitz."
On what new defensive coordinator Ted Roof will run in the secondary: "He's just a multiple coach. He doesn't care what we run. We'll run nickel, man, man-free, cover-2 and all that."
On advice received from player host Mike McNeil: "Just keep your head on straight and stay on top of your books."
JEREMY COX
Tailback from Bessemer
*Cox tore a knee ligament during the second game of the year. He is considering an offer to walk-on at Auburn. Harris Gaston is his best friend.
*Cox said he was going to take a few more visits, but didn't want to name the schools.
On his thoughts about Auburn: "When I first came down to here the first couple of times I really fell in love with Auburn. That's where I wanted to go."
On what he'd like to see from Auburn: "If I get a scholarship that would be even better. I don't have my first offer yet. I'm kinda sold on Auburn right now. If I can get a scholarship from Auburn that would be great too."
On his plans once he arrives on campus: "They have a little depth at running back. I'm just going to come up and try to take someone's job."
Hey everyone. I have spoken with several Auburn recruits this morning as they left for home after official visits. They leave from different places, so it's impossible for me -- a one-man operation -- to catch everyone.
So here are the guys I have met so far:
LaVOYD JAMESWideout from Mobile/Auburn commitment
On meeting with position coach Trooper Taylor for the first time: "He's a good guy. I liked him. He made me read an article about him -- how he's a good man and a good recruiter. It was about him adopting his football players.
On his ability to contribute early in his career: "He'd like to get me the ball because I'm a play-maker. He's seen my highlight film and all that. If he has to put me in the backfield, I'll still get the ball. He said I could come and play. He said he needs a play-maker."
On rating his visit on a scale of 1-10: "Probably a 10. I want to come back for another visit."
TERRENCE COLEMANDefensive end from Mobile/Auburn commitment
On his best weekend memory: "We have a great relationship and (Gene Chizik) seems like a really great coach. He said he likes the way I came out on the field. We came out through the (stadium) tunnel and we had jerseys on. I was wearing No. 51 and they said I can get No. 51 and my uncle wears No. 52. I came out there really pumped up. He said it looked like I should be here."
On considering his alternatives: "I'm still going to visit some other places but they have to pick up their recruiting steam up because Auburn is looking hard right now."
On meeting with defensive coordinator Ted Roof: "I sat down and talked to him. He said he liked that I'm explosive and I have a motor. He said he liked me and I can be a pass rusher for him."
HARRIS GASTONLinebacker from Bessemer/Auburn commitment
On where he fits into Auburn's scheme: Coach (James) Willis said the way things look right now, my body type, he wants me to play (middle linebacker). I'd rather play outside at (strong side) or (weak side). If I have to go to (middle) likebacker, though, I'll go."
On where Auburn coaches said they need help most: "There's no depth at (weak-side) linebacker. A true freshman will have to come in there and play the position."
BRANDON JACOBSTailback from Lilburn, Ga./Auburn commitment
On the situation at tailback: I'm not sure what's going on with with the running back position. Just knowing Coach Luper, with him being the great coach that he is, hopefully I can get some playing time next year. Hopefully, I'm coming into a good situation."
On Curtis Luper: ``Great guy. Real funny. Really cares about the kids. He's really interested in me and he really cares. He doesn't just want to coach you -- he wants to be part of your family."
On watching Tulsa's dominating performance in the GMAC Bowl: "That running back -- they had over 400 rushing yards. That impresses me. I really liked watching that."
REGGIE TAYLORDefensive back from Fort Valley, Ga./Auburn commitment
On where Auburn coaches want to play him: "He said my best fit right now is cornerback. That's the position I'm going to start at. He likes my jam ability so he'll put more men in the box and blitz."
On what new defensive coordinator Ted Roof will run in the secondary: "He's just a multiple coach. He doesn't care what we run. We'll run nickel, man, man-free, cover-2 and all that."
On advice received from player host Mike McNeil: "Just keep your head on straight and stay on top of your books."
JEREMY COXTailback from Bessemer
*Cox tore a knee ligament during the second game of the year. He is considering an offer to walk-on at Auburn. Harris Gaston is his best friend.
*Cox said he was going to take a few more visits, but didn't want to name the schools.
On his thoughts about Auburn: "When I first came down to here the first couple of times I really fell in love with Auburn. That's where I wanted to go."
On what he'd like to see from Auburn: "If I get a scholarship that would be even better. I don't have my first offer yet. I'm kinda sold on Auburn right now. If I can get a scholarship from Auburn that would be great too."
On his plans once he arrives on campus: "They have a little depth at running back. I'm just going to come up and try to take someone's job."
posted by Jay G. Tate at
10:14 AM
91 Comments:
I ran across an interesting article at Rivals about coaching hires. It only mentions Auburn at the end as a surprise hire, but it mentions Al Borges as a great coordinator.
I can't believe I came so close to being first.
There's an article in the AJC this morning about recruiting junkies. They say there are actually people who check the recruiting web sites every day. Who'd do something like that? :-) Some of us get on the web hoping for updates from our fav writer about recruit visits. Thanks for the great work, Jay.
I hope we see Jeremy Cox on campus as a walk on. He apparently had a great junior season before his knee injury. Kids like this need the chance to get involved and get a scholarship if the knee recovers.
Good work Jay. I can't wait to hear what some of the non-commits think.
astatguy, a little more training and preparation and I do think you will eventually be first. Either that, or you can take my route and rely on dumb luck:)
The only non-commit here this weekend is DT Shackleford ... and I missed him.
So it goes.
Jay, you're the best. Too bad about Shackleford. Did any of the other guys say anything about him?
Shackleford would be a great pickup. If I remember correctly he is a Tennessee commit.
Thanks Jay,
I understand and didn't mean it in the wrong way. I was thinking more in line to the next couple of weeks when the newer targets come in.
Zteve, I don't even have it as a goal to be first. One has to realize one's limitations.
11
If you can't be first, be 11th. Still get to use the "1" key
Jay GT,
Great work. I didn't realize they turned them loose so early on Sunday morning. Thanks for getting over to AU and talking to them. Be sure and give them all a BIG WARRRRRRRR EAGLE from the Hotties (I assume that's not an NCAA violation)
Jay, wasn't Jeremy Cox there this weekend? Is he committed?
tigercowboy-
I don't subscribe to any paid sites, but I check their headlines occasionally. Per Phillip Marshall, Shackelford said, "It was great." Not sure I'd expect him to say anything else, so I wouldn't make to much of it.
I left out an "o"
I wanted to correct it before Monica wakes up :-)
Good morning Monica!!! WARRRRRRR EAGLE!!!!!!
What's the latest on T-Rocker? Would he and Malzahn be able to co-exist again? How did they get along at Arky?
Sony, are you serious?
Jay-
are you hearing anything that we don't already know about Rocker? Also anything about an O line coach?
Sony- Nah, he was not there. His brother, Brandon Cox told him all about Auburn and how Coach Tuberville will run everything next year. No worries, Jeremy is a solid commitment to play QB for us.
Jay GT- I hope you get to see a really great game this afternoon. You deserve nothing less for having to be in BEMC. Where are you eating lunch today?
Just had a War Eagle moment in a Baltimore grocery store. Mde me wnant to come and check in.
made me want to check....jeez looked up at the football game.
Mr. Jay G Tate,,,
Where did you eat in Auburn? WHat did you have? Did you have to pay?
Just courious how AU treats celebs...
Dear Leader,
are you trying to get a 'Taste of Town' from the JG man?
Rocker -- They're talking.
Food -- I haven't yet eaten.
Recruits -- I have spoken with two more (Coleman, James) and will be updating the main thread in the next 15 minutes.
Sony...It appears you are new around here. Some quick advice....read Jay's introductory article and at least scan, if not read all prior posts in the thread....many times your questions have already been asked and answered. Also reduces post redundancy.
Jay already claims that he doesn't get free food. We need some restaurantuers in Auburn to join the HABOTN and hook JGT up.
Holy Cow.....astatguy can't seem to be the #1 post. Is this poor poster development or just poor recruiting? Either way it's the coaches fault....it's always the coaches fault....Fire the coach. Who is the coach?
LaVoyd James and Terrence Coleman added.
That's six of the nine kids who visited this weekend. I missed D.T. Shackleford, Andre Harris and Jonathan Evans.
Brandon Heavens, for reasons that aren't clear to me, didn't make his visit this weekend.
During our apartment hunt yesterday, we saw the scoreboard on at Jordan-Hizzle. It was all I could do to stop myself from telling Mrs. Jet that we were going to have to go in and welcome the boys.
HABOTN recruiting coverage, that's ausome
Yea, I do think Jay needs a lunch sponsor. I can see that ad now. HABOTN, brought to you by Wendy's.
I am not sure why we are going after LaVoyd James. He is about as fast as our other receivers, but undersized at 5' 11". Any idea why we are chasing this guy?
I guess the same reason we are after the AISA guys that have yet to play against any talent.
So, Trooper made LaVoyd James read an article about... Trooper? Uh, ok. Seems a bit weird to me, but whatever works I guess.
I am not sure what to think of Chizik's comment to Terrence Coleman that he liked the way he came out on the field. That sounds a little odd. Way to occupy space!!!
In reading about LaVoyd on espn, they mention he has suddenness and gets up to speed quick. It also sounds like he has good hands from what I have read. One of our coaches mentioned he looked for suddenness. I think it was Luper.
Brandon Jacobs is a beast. The NFL Brandon Jacobs.
I'm always looking for triple double consonant words
There definitely seems to be an excess of Brandon Jacobs. Ole Miss had one. We had one. Now we is gonna get another one.
Jay I'm kinda shocked and pleasantly suprised at the recruiting coverage. I know that's typically not your bag. Great job and some interesting comments from the guys you caught. Interesting that we want Gaston to play MLB due to his body type.
I'll be interested to see what happens with Brandon Heavens.
He was supposed to be here, wasn't, nobody seems to know why. I've been wondering if Tuberville's affinity for the kid has been transferred to the new staff ...
Afternoon hotties. Thanks for the recruiting info Jay. Pull the ladies through today!
Tyler Knight is going to be an interesting recruit. He has good speed and height, but is way under weight to play on the offensive line in the SEC. Hopefully he can fill out that tall frame.
Hoopie - I say it's strength training. :-)
Heavens is apparently a big time recruit with interest form about half the teams in the SEC. He appears to be the small quick type receiver. He has offers from Alabama and Tennessee, so Chizik really needs to find out what is going on there.
Heavens is sold on Gus. Mark it down. He's been to Auburn about 30 times the last couple years. I'm sure something just came up and hell reschedule.
ESPN says that Brandon Heavens is "tough and would be a nightmare in the spread". I think he will bring the quickness we were lacking this last season.
Zteve if I'm not mistaken, Tyler Knight was brought in knowing he would be a sign and place kid.
zteve,
LaVoyd James is the real deal.... I have seen him several times play in person and believe me he is quicker and faster is space than any receiver we have presently, (except....PPL) on our TEAM.
He will play this fall, trust me!
AUBigCat, the sign and place kids have actually worked out pretty well for us at times. It will give us time to see how he develops. If he can add about 50 pounds and keep decent speed, he might be a good offensive line prospect. I am suspecting we recruited him because the coaches recognized he had the frame to become more than he is now.
AUnMobilz, that will be interesting to see. We have a lot of receivers with good size and speed, but we seem to lack quickness. It seems this recruiting class is intended to address that.
Phil Lutzenkirchen and Bryce Brown became friends on Facebook this afternoon.
Omnica, that is great news. Way to snoop!!!
Zteve I agree about the sign and place kids under Tubby. Just saying it's gonna be at least 2 years before we know what kind of recruit he is. And with the changing of the guard and their new philosophy towards recruiting, I would be kinda suprised if we even sign him.
AUBigCat, one of the things that have been most troubling over the last couple of years is the loss of recruits from the 2006 and 2007 recruiting classes. The 2008 recruiting class wasn't that big of a concern because we knew we were going to sign a small class and that Bama would get a boost from the Saban splash, but this season we need solid commits, especially linemen.
Tebow announced at the NC celebration that he is coming back next year. Harvey and Spikes still not sure.
I expected Tebow to come back. Another Heisman Trophy would add some big bucks to his draft status.
Omnica ...
Not only are you omnipotent, you are also omnipresent.
A Ring of Fire should be placed upon your finger.
Omnica!!...That settles it! Fire the strength training coach...and for that matter the head coach for hiring the strength coach....must always have someone to blame.
Once the new staff is in place and recruits some posters to assist, we will be able to get astatguy to the #1 poster position.
Quoting the Junction Boyz: "One heartbeat."
tebow is staying. Ahhhhhh
It's so cool/fun/exciting to see these kids singing the praises of our new coaches. Not that I expected to read anything else, but it's still exciting. I'd hire this crew to my sales team any day. Ya know...if I actually had a sales team.
Omnica= considerable Facebook espionage skills
Zteve...when CTT discovered and offered Heavens based on a summer camp evaluation, many folks criticized the offer. I hope we didn't lose him also with the CTT firing.
There are only a few of the top rated recruits from the highly rated 2006 and 2007 classes that are contributing. Very high attrition also.
No. 9 Auburn women up 42-37 at half.
I can't believe the Eagles are slaying the Giants. I would think giants could kill any bird. Man, this stinks.
At this point ... I know my Chargers are doomed ... every team I want to win has lost or is losing.
And my favorite NFL team will lose, too.
ugh
could be shaping up to be a lackluster super bowl. if the cardinals make it, mediocrity will have reigned.
Eagles v. Ravens ...
snzzzzzzzzz.
The Cardinals may have been mediocre for the second half of the season, but have not looked in in the playoffs. Their D was weak all year, but has managed to bottle up two of the best RB's in the league the past two weeks.
I have to think the bottom will fall back out, but if they can keep playing like they have the first two weeks, look out.
What about if we had a Charger-Cardinal Superbowl, think we've ever had the two teams combine for 17 wins since the NFL went to 16 games?
Thanks for the information on the recruits, Jay G. Tate.
I would love to see the Cardinals make the super bowl. They are one of those teams that you tend to forget exist, much like the lions.
the cards have some threats, but are just inconsistent this (and every) year. that siad, i wouldn't mind seeing them make it. it just seems to me there are better teams out there (NE comes to mind).
I'm sure I missed it Jay, but as I recall you were looking for a new car, what' you end up with?
Steve, no one will ever forget the lions ever again. They did what no one else can do, they lost 16 games in a season.
Jay won website supporting recruiting simply because of the face shots he's posted on the blog. Auburn Sports Dot Com may get the info out there first. But Jay sealed the deal with the mug shot of Jeremy Cox.
Jay, next time why don't you try to get the recruits to pose in a football playing position like all those old school style football pictures? Harris Gaston hiking the football, LaVoyd James giving a La-stiff arm, Jeremy Cox arguing a holding penalty, etc.
Great work, Monica! You're the super snooper of the Hotties.
I've only seen one NFL analyst's (on ESPN) list of QB's, and Tebow wasn't in the top 5. I'm not saying that's right, that's just what this analyst thought. This was before the bowls and he said Tebow would be back for another year. I thought he was crazy at the time, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe another Danny Weurfel.
Minute and half to go and AU Women are winning!
Anybody heard anything about the Gamecocks LB commit who had his offer withdrawn? Hes a 4 star under sized MLB. IF Chizik and Roof are going to stay with fast smaller players he could be a great fit at Auburn. Maybe we can pick him up.
Watching the score on ESPN since we can't pick it up here
17-0
Women win!!
Wish the football team has as good success as some of our other sports
Guess we get our shot at Tana Patrick next weekend. Ya never know...
Wake, I think there's a reason a 5-foot-7 linebacker is struggling to get big-school offers ...
Florida was on a 15 game win streak of their own. That was a good team that Auburn beat.
Nova - What's the when and where on your avatar???
Where is Jet!!! - Never Snooze on the Ravens sir!!
The recruit that had his offer pulled by South Carolina is a Tucker HS (Georgia) player. Heard this morning the Tucker coach said Spurrier is no longer welcome on campus.
JAY,
GREAT COVERAGE!
OK,
recruiting coverage - yes, it can seem trivial, but with a lack thereof of football, it helps pass the time. Jay, I loved the coverage.
womens basketball - seems like we have a team. Its a bright spot in a dim year for auburn sports. They seem to play hard.
mens basketball - jay, have you heard about johnnie Lett anymore? grades? still eligible? 24 turnovers the other night that was bad, the 8 year olds I coach turn it over less than that. whew, thats bad.
Coaching hires - Love them all so far, I have always liked Rocker. He was great at Troy and everywhere else, we may need to pay him in buffett tickets though, he has gotten big, where is his brother David? I told him one night in a bar his brother couldnt hold a candle to him, he laughed and said he knows.
I hope we keep the recruits we have and add a few more that can help, it we survive with a decent class after the coaching change i think thats a plus.
We need some guys to step up. With the departures on defense I think the starting lineup will be wide open except for AC's spot. It will be an interesting spring no doubt.
Any word on our one QB signing? Cotton or Moseley?
I heard we offered the QB from Daphne, Alabama, Cooper, anyone hear that???
I hope not, I live in Mobile and never heard anything about him and I follow about anything sports related down here.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home