February 2 has come and gone and alot has happened since this past Wednesday. First off, Auburn has signed around the 2nd or 3rd best class in America. That is amazing considering the Tigers signed a top 3-4 class last year as well. We got a few big names filling big needs for us. The big names are OL Christian Westerman from Arizona, safety Erique Florence from Valley, DB Jonathon Rose from Leeds, LB Kris Frost from North Carolina, QB Kiehl Frazier from Arkansas, OL Greg Robinson, and RB Tre Mason from Florida. These guys will all probably see playing time early and will be good sooner rather than later. I am very excited to see these guys suit up and play for the Tigers.
Now, for the ugly side of recruiting. First Calloway: Brent Calloway was an Alabama commit for a long time and then last month he decide he would get a better chance to play RB at Auburn (bama was going to play him at LB). He decommitted from bama and committed to Auburn. Of course what followed was a flurry of message board posts and tweets and facebook posts from bama fans saying that they hoped he would break his legs and that he is a traitor and many other terrible, hurtful things. This is an 18 year old kid playing a game. I understand that it is important to some people, but we are talking about a kid here. His adopted father, Peaches, is a big bama supporter (take that for what its worth) and wanted him to go to bama. I truly believe Brent wanted to go to Auburn but too much outside influence and pressure from his "dad" was too much to handle and he signed with bama. That's fine. go on and go the school who's fans crucified you for changing your mind initially. Whats gonna happen when you dont perform well? you think they will do the same thing? I know one person who does. anyway, i wish the kid all the luck in the world except against Auburn. I DO NOT however want him to be injured as some rednecks of a certain program wished on him not one week ago. Ridiculous!
Now about Cyrus Kouandjo. He is a big time OL from Maryland who has been considered a bama lean and ended up picking Auburn on signing day but did not send his LOI in yet. Supposedly, he is having doubts about picking AU. Really? He is? Im so sure. I have read where bama coaches were immediately on the phone with his parents after his announcement. I thought Saban said in his press conference that he wished coaches would leave kids alone that have committed. Really Nicky? How about you take your own advice. Cyrus' older brother goes to bama and apparently the only reason they signed him was to get Cyrus. That is just rumor and message board fodder but would you put it past Saban? There is a reason he is the supposedly best recruiter in the nation. Anyway, Cyrus is taking a few days to think it over and may decide today (friday) or later, who knows? Even if we dont get him, we got a huge haul in OL and our class is very very good. We should be competing for the West every year, barring injury and other things naturally.
I try not to get too caught up in recruiting because its a big crap shoot anyway. You never know what kid is gonna make it or fizzle out. I read an interesting thing the other day: there is only one 5-star recruit out of highschool that is playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. ONE!! That there is only one 5-star recruit combined on the two best teams in the NFL is amazing and shows you just how flawed the recruiting rankings are. It is about getting the best players that fit into your program and coaching them up to be the best they can be. I have extreme confidence in Coach Chizik and his staff that he can do this and keep Auburn successful in the coming years.
Now, for the ugly side of recruiting. First Calloway: Brent Calloway was an Alabama commit for a long time and then last month he decide he would get a better chance to play RB at Auburn (bama was going to play him at LB). He decommitted from bama and committed to Auburn. Of course what followed was a flurry of message board posts and tweets and facebook posts from bama fans saying that they hoped he would break his legs and that he is a traitor and many other terrible, hurtful things. This is an 18 year old kid playing a game. I understand that it is important to some people, but we are talking about a kid here. His adopted father, Peaches, is a big bama supporter (take that for what its worth) and wanted him to go to bama. I truly believe Brent wanted to go to Auburn but too much outside influence and pressure from his "dad" was too much to handle and he signed with bama. That's fine. go on and go the school who's fans crucified you for changing your mind initially. Whats gonna happen when you dont perform well? you think they will do the same thing? I know one person who does. anyway, i wish the kid all the luck in the world except against Auburn. I DO NOT however want him to be injured as some rednecks of a certain program wished on him not one week ago. Ridiculous!
Now about Cyrus Kouandjo. He is a big time OL from Maryland who has been considered a bama lean and ended up picking Auburn on signing day but did not send his LOI in yet. Supposedly, he is having doubts about picking AU. Really? He is? Im so sure. I have read where bama coaches were immediately on the phone with his parents after his announcement. I thought Saban said in his press conference that he wished coaches would leave kids alone that have committed. Really Nicky? How about you take your own advice. Cyrus' older brother goes to bama and apparently the only reason they signed him was to get Cyrus. That is just rumor and message board fodder but would you put it past Saban? There is a reason he is the supposedly best recruiter in the nation. Anyway, Cyrus is taking a few days to think it over and may decide today (friday) or later, who knows? Even if we dont get him, we got a huge haul in OL and our class is very very good. We should be competing for the West every year, barring injury and other things naturally.
I try not to get too caught up in recruiting because its a big crap shoot anyway. You never know what kid is gonna make it or fizzle out. I read an interesting thing the other day: there is only one 5-star recruit out of highschool that is playing in the Super Bowl this weekend. ONE!! That there is only one 5-star recruit combined on the two best teams in the NFL is amazing and shows you just how flawed the recruiting rankings are. It is about getting the best players that fit into your program and coaching them up to be the best they can be. I have extreme confidence in Coach Chizik and his staff that he can do this and keep Auburn successful in the coming years.
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