Post No. 1,021
We're on the hunt for recruits this morning in metropolitan Auburn, Ala. The picture above is of Aubrey Phillips. See below for information about the coveted offensive tackle.- UPDATE @ 11:30 a.m.: WR/TE Tracy Moore of Tulsa, Okla., was an unannounced visitor this weekend. He is an Oklahoma State commitment. He seemed enthusiastic about Auburn and the idea of playing in the SEC. Rivals.com has him as a 3-star guy.
- Saw DT Corey Gaines, who said this weekend really scrambled his plans. He came into the visit with Ole Miss atop his list. Now Gaines said he's confused. He plans to make a decision on Tuesday.
- Saw TB David Oku. He is planning to make a decision after Signing Day. He's shooting for the 17th. He said his commitment to Tennessee is iffy at this point. Oku was charmed by all the attention he received at the basketball game yesterday. It's down to Tennessee, Auburn and Syracuse.
- Saw OL Johnnie Farms. He didn't want to talk much. He said the trip to Auburn "was good". Farms will be making a decision on Signing Day between Auburn and North Carolina.
- Saw S Daren Bates earlier. He's happy to be with Auburn. He picked up an offer late last week, accepted it immediately.
- Saw OT Aubrey Phillips. This was a peculiar one. He said he's still committed to Tennessee, but he plans to change his commitment on Signing Day. He didn't want to discuss things beyond that. Phillips made the trip with Bates. They both play for Olive Branch High near Memphis.
- Saw DB Mike Eargle. He didn't get an offer from Auburn this weekend. I guess the Tigers are on a wait-and-see approach there. Eargle is from a Pennsylvania junior college. He has an offer in hand from Rutgers. He's also talking with Pitt.
- I missed: DB Taikwon Paige, QB Clint Moseley, LB Greg King.
ONE, now I'm back to work
ReplyDeleteAgain? DL is lurking...........
ReplyDeleteBTW, I just read your article in the Advertiser. As always, you're the best!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about Gussy-ing things up.... We don't need frills. Just some good news.
ReplyDeleteIs signing day on Tuesday? I hope so, I'll be glad when this stuff is over
ReplyDeleteFarms sounded non-commital.
ReplyDeleteSigning Day Wednesday
ReplyDeleteWarEagleRK, I think signing day is Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteStill committed, but will change on signing day. Don't you love the language of recruiting?
ReplyDeleteI'd be real surprised if we get Farms, though I's sure love to have him. I think Butch has hypnotized him.
ReplyDeleteCould change to AU, eh?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I get up at 6:30 a.m. on Sundays to hear stuff like this. I feel so dirty.
ReplyDeleteYou know you like it...
ReplyDeleteAt least you know we do... we appreciate it!
Jay, I read there was a surprise visit from Dontae Aycock, a QB/RB athlete from Florida.
ReplyDeleteYou feel dirty? You knew what you signed up for when you joined. That's what HABOTN is all about.
ReplyDeleteRunning Back U needs Oku!
ReplyDeleteSounds like they did not extend an offer to Taikwon Paige... yet.
ReplyDeleteJay GT- there's parts of my job I don't like... like the part that puts me here at work today. Then there's all that work I do that I don't get paid for. Then there's... oh my gosh, are we twins of the same name but different mommas?!?!
ReplyDeleteSaw that too Miller. Sounds like he would come if offered.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I thing I would have tired of the Sunday morning stuff by now, too. I almost suggested early this a.m. that you bag it, and that we would survive. Then I thought if I said that, I might not survive all the Hottie heat.
ReplyDeleteLove to get oku/brown and put some MPH out on the field.
ReplyDeleteJay,
ReplyDeleteI don't understand what makes you feel so dirty trying to catch high school kids early in the morning and have them share secrets with you...
Just updated Oku information on the blog.
ReplyDeleteastatguy -- I was doing this blog years before you knew my name. I started somewhat serious recruiting coverage three weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteOku is a very cool kid.
ReplyDeleteThe 17th? I wonder why he's wanting to wait that long... does he plan to take another trip after signing day?
ReplyDeleteHe said he needs to talk with people ... hence the delay.
ReplyDeleteJay:
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the way you conduct yourself in regards to recruiting and being cautious with the questions you ask the high school kids. I get nervous with the in your face, Hollywood style treatment some of the other guys give the recruits the minute they walk out of the coaches offices Sunday morning.
I grew up in Montgomery and my parents only recently moved away. You'd be surprised how long I've known your name.
ReplyDeleteCool how? And who was his player-host? Sorry if that's been covered already.
ReplyDeleteOKU sounds AOK to me. I really like his answer. I mean, I'd have preferred an "I'm coming to Auburn", but his answer shows maturity and indicates the neurons are working properly.
ReplyDeleteWith AU and UT in the mix, can Oku seriously be considering Syracuse? And if so, why?
ReplyDeleteWho was the surprise visitor who is committed to Okey state?
ReplyDeleteOku's player host: Ben Tate
ReplyDelete"Cool how": Sunny, chatty, thoughtful with the things he says, aware of his status but not big-headed about it.
Secret visitor: TE Tracy Moore of Tulsa, Okla.
ReplyDelete"Aubrey Phillips. This was a peculiar one. He said he's still committed to Tennessee, but he plans to change his commitment on Signing Day. He didn't want to discuss things beyond that."
ReplyDeleteWell, I can understand why he might not want to discuss things beyond that. Nothing against Mr. Phillips as this is something that a great many recruits seem to have a problem with. That is to say that an understanding of the word commit and what it means to make a commitment and to be committed. As I understand it, being committed in this context means (or is supposed to mean) pledging or giving entirely to a specific person, activity, organization or cause.
The word as used by many (but by no means all) potential scholarship athletes seems to be defined as...well...it's meaningless.
Mr. Phillips here, if he means he is changing his "commitment" from Tennessee to some other school on signing day, is not committed at all. In fact, he's worse than not committed. He's someone that doesn't understand what the word means, or who doesn't care.
Anyone else think that recruiting has just gotten out of hand? Big time college athletics somehow used to seem like more fun.
It's nice to hear that kind of insight during the heated recruiting season. Sounds like a level headed kid, and might have leader qualities.
ReplyDeleteRoman, I think it's just that the internet shows us how this hot dog is made and it's not very pretty. But the hot dog has always been made the same way for years.
ReplyDeletePLEASEE OKU!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJay GT- Thanks for the link on Tracy Moore. Scout is confused, has him listed only 205lb and visiting AU at the end of FEB.
ReplyDeleteWe could use a big WR, but he's already spent a lot of $ on OkieST stuff. The practical part of me would hate to see that $ go to waste.
I don't understand why we wouldn't offer Taikwon Paige, he is listed as a 4-star?
ReplyDeleteMaybe they know of others who are waiting to commit and don't have room to offer? Yes? No? maybe so?
Jay, have you seen the RB Aycock from Tampa? He is listed as a 4* on rivals and looks like he would be a beast in the Wildcat formation.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain why Scout shows 2 visitors on the last weekend of February? Is that AU's Junior Day? Any reason 2 '09 HS grads (Aycock and Moore) would be listed as visitors then?
ReplyDeleteJay GT - was Moore in Auburn this weekend? Thanks.
WOW
ReplyDeleteWOW
WOW
Tyrik Rollison...
#1 in the nation most accurate arm
#5 in the nation strongest arm
#5 in the nation best scrambler
i didn't realize he was this highly touted
Any truth to the rumor that Chette Williams is recruiting Bryce Brown's adviser?
ReplyDeleteI guess not since I just started it and have no basis for it. Just wondered if AU coaches had considered that angle ;-)
Added an update about Corey Gaines.
ReplyDeleteI saw Moore with my own eyes, yes.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to us get Farms and Oku from this visiting group, that would be huge. I'd also like to get Phillips and Page. I got a feeling on him, could be a difference maker.
ReplyDeleteEagle eye Tate on the prowl! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRe: Gaines... I'm sure I'd be confused, too. Tough decision and so much "wining and dining", so to speak.
Watch Paige's film. He's more than a 4*. He's actually very good. He can really run, attack, and he has an impressive vertical leap. He gets up there quick.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why more programs haven't offerred. Something to that.
Hag, if Tyrik gets in he may very well see the field in '09. His poise is huge. He would be the standout right away.
ReplyDeleteI saw where LB D.T. Shakleford of Decatur commited to Ole Miss yesterday. He is a heck of a player and the highest rated player from Alabama to commit to an out-of-state school so far. He is gonna be a good one. Hate we missed out on him. Maybe we will get Patrick or Atchison though.
ReplyDeleteSecret TE visitor???
ReplyDeleteOREARY?
So we could possibly pull four 4 stars **** from this weekend
ReplyDeleteAubrey Phillips
David Oku
Johnnie Farms
Takion Paige
and this Dontae Aycock kid i've heard visited is a huge running back from tampa 4****
I'm starving so bad I'm willing to risk food poisoning. I'm off to the cafeteria to see what's left of Friday's leftovers.
ReplyDeleteFinal decision on the 17th?? Damn you Terrell Pryor on your precedent.
ReplyDeletePhillips might need to take a gander at the definition of commitment.
Kinda crazy about the top secret visitor....
ReplyDeleteNote to self: When we lose trooper and luper they are going to take all our commitments with them.
The only way Troop and Loop are going is for head coaching job or they hate it at auburn
ReplyDeleteor
So other school pays them an insane amount of money to be an assistant...not out of the question but a long shot...it is actually a nice side effect of CGC plan...
so=some
ReplyDeleteRoory... ringlish is my secon ranguage
ReplyDeleteTracy Moore update now posted to the blog.
ReplyDeleteThe way college football is going, assistant coaches who are great recruiters are invaluable... someone will make a run at them within the next three years, I promise you that.
ReplyDeleteRon Mexico what you speak is blasphemy....Treason I say =0)
ReplyDeleteJay G..
ReplyDeleteDo you like to BBQ?
No.
ReplyDeleteI would just like to say I am fully committed to my wife, but I am divorcing her in a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteI'm now working on my mug-n-jaw feature.
ReplyDeleteI started an Official David Oku to AU facebook group =)
ReplyDeleteI am such a recruiter.
Dear Leader, BBQ is not a verb. Trust me, I'm from North Ko..er Carolina.
ReplyDeleteI mentoring Michael's wife and you can get updates on her status by paying me $9.95 per month.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMonica I like the way you think....
ReplyDeleteKorean BBQ is very tasty... maybe we can BBQ together someday...
ReplyDeleteMonica-
ReplyDeletecan she kick FGs? Or do I have to pay $9.95 to find out?
So recruiting ends this week!!! Well except for that one guy who is waiting until the 17th.
ReplyDeleteGreat. I hate recruiting.
College football needs an early signing period to knock some of this stuff out.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1214738&op=2&o=global&view=global&subj=761694301&id=761694301#/group.php?sid=4cc820f1aed0cfd3ba8a8ead71975d7f&gid=59942421809
ReplyDeleteTo join David Oku's group.
Just had a bowl of my extra special 2-meat, red bean/black bean chili ... with Fritos, cheese, and a little sour cream on top.
ReplyDeleteYum.
Tar Heel ... if we get Oku, Phillips and Farms, will you join me for a buttermilk shooter?
Micheal Phelps was caught smoking pot, I wonder how many endorsements he'll lose.
ReplyDeleteJhag ... Thanks for inviting me to join this cause. It is something I care about deeply.
ReplyDeleteJet in my opinion it is a huge deal
ReplyDeleteJet,
ReplyDeleteI'll watch you scarf the buttermilk, but I won't let you see me barf the buttermilk.
Jet, I hope you took a little Bean-O with that or you may earn your name.
ReplyDeleteNew thread up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excellent coverage Jay. It sounds like Auburn definitely made a good impression on these kids.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about Farms not wanting to comment. My guess is that he decided to not comment after the visit before he came down. He didn't want to get all excited over Auburn and say something and then change his mind. That is just my guess. Needless to say, if he weren't interest, he wouldn't have came down.