Friday, February 20, 2009

Former DE Gunn arrested

Former Auburn all-conference defensive end Marquies Gunn was arrested on felony drug charges Wednesday in Alexander City, The Alexander City first reported.

Gunn faces three counts of unlawful distribution after he sold crack cocaine to a task force informant three times within a three- to six-month time period.

The Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force also seized Gunn’s 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe and $1,767 in cash when he was arrested.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Chizik rounds out coaching staff

More than two months after Auburn hired Gene Chizik, the Tigers football coach finished compiling his staff.

Sunday, Chizik officially filled his final two staff openings with Phillip Lolley and Tommy Thigpen, both of whom will coach the secondary.

Lolley’s transition should be the easiest among the coaching staff. He coached Auburn’s secondary from 2002-03 when Chizik coordinated the defense. Lolley also spent the last five years as Auburn’s director of NFL relations.

“I coached side-by-side with Phillip when I was defensive coordinator at Auburn and it was very evident that he’s a great coach,” Chizik said. “He’s been successful at every level and he will also be a valuable asset because of his strong relationships with high school programs and coaches in the state of Alabama.”

Lolley first made a name for himself during his 22-year high school coaching career in Alabama.
He helped Auburn sign this year’s recruiting class while Chizik meticulously started to put together his coaching staff.

“It was a great experience working with Coach Chizik during his previous tenure at Auburn,” Lolley said. “He had the nation’s top defense in 2004 and I look forward to working with Ted Roof to help return the Auburn defense to one of the best in the country. I’m pleased to be back on the field as part of the Auburn family and am very excited to start back recruiting the great state of Alabama.”

While Lolley is a familiar name around the Auburn program, Thigpen comes to the Plains from North Carolina where he spent the previous four seasons as the UNC linebackers coach.
Thigpen has made a name for himself as a top recruiter. Rivals.com ranked him as one of the nation’s top 25 recruiters in 2007.

“Tommy has had a tremendous amount of success at every stop he’s made as an assistant coach,” Chizik said. “I’ve been well aware of him since his days as a standout player at North Carolina and have followed his professional career very closely. I’m extremely pleased to be adding someone with his professionalism and coaching expertise to this staff.”

Though Thigpen coached linebackers at North Carolina, he will coach the secondary at Auburn.
Defensive coordinator Ted Roof will coach linebackers.

Thigpen previously served as Illinois’ cornerbacks coach in 2003 before coaching the Illini’s linebackers the following year. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work at a tradition-rich program like Auburn and for an outstanding coach in Gene Chizik,” Thigpen said. “It was a tough decision to leave my alma mater, but this is a great step for me professionally. I’ve known Ted Roof from his days in the ACC and played for (former UNC and current Texas head coach) Mack Brown, so I’m very familiar with the outstanding coaches that are in place at Auburn. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to joining the Auburn family.”

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Big win


Auburn didn't get big games out of any of its starters Wednesday night.

The Tigers didn't shoot the ball especially well on 3-pointers.

However, Auburn's bench scored 26 points and the Tigers out-rebounded Arkansas during Auburn's 75-62 win Wednesday night.

Auburn's bench performance, specifically, stood out. Lucas Hargrove scored 14 points and Frankie Sullivan and Brendon Knox each scored six points apiece.

Hargrove has played, and scored, well enough to start for most of the season. Sullivan, who every day looks more like the future of the Tigers' program, has shown enough progress to start as well.

Knox, on the other hand, hadn't played well at all recently. With Johnnie Lett missing his third consecutive game Wednesday and the possibility of him missing significantly more time, Knox needed to emerge as a reliable player.

With his rebounds and defensive pressure, Knox did just that.

The Quantez Robertson situation might have also reached a head. This is worth monitoring. Robertson did start Wednesday night, but played just 11 minutes. That included a minute at the end of the game when Auburn coach Jeff Lebo emptied the bench. Robertson, predictably, was not happy -- most likely with the fact that he was inserted into the game in the final minute. Korvotney Barber, who had 11 rebounds, consoled Robertson as they walked off the court. It will be interesting to hear/see if Lebo sticks with his senior guard.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Big basketball week

Both Auburn basketball programs face important games this week.
The two programs, however, have great emphasis on these games for different reasons.

For the women's team, now ranked No. 4 in the nation, all five of its final regular season games will be huge. So, too, will be the SEC Tournament.
If the Tigers can win out, they would almost certainly be assured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, ESPN.com listed Auburn as a top seed in its most recent bracketology.
After three lackluster efforts, Auburn soundly thumped Alabama 81-54 on Sunday. Coach Nell Fortner said it was one of her team's strongest outings of the season.
Auburn faces Kentucky at home on Thursday and a tough Mississippi State road game on Sunday.
A top seed would go a long way toward Auburn making its way to St. Louis for the Final Four.
Fortner has said her team isn't worrying about anything but the next game, but this has to be looming in the players' minds.

On the men's side, the team is fighting to give coach Jeff Lebo some job security. Lebo, in his fifth year, likely needs to finish strong to get to the 2009-10 season.
The Tigers alleviated some pressure by beating Tennessee on Saturday. Now Auburn has home games against Arkansas -- a team the Tigers have already smashed this season -- and Mississippi State.
Winning both games isn't out of the questions and would go a long way toward Lebo making it to next year.
Rasheem Barrett has shown the ability to take over a ballgame on offense. Someone has to. The Tigers have won this year mostly when someone has been hot from the floor.
So far, inconsistency has been a major problem. For instance, Tay Waller, who can bury teams with his 3-point shooting, has scored just 22 points over the last four games.
Auburn needs at least two offensive weapons to be on their games on any given night. Saturday it was Barrett and Korvotney Barber. DeWayne Reed and Waller also have that ability and Frankie Sullivan and Lucas Hargrove have proven themselves as capable scorers.
The X-factor -- or Z-factor if you will -- is Quantez Robertson. He came off the bench for the first time in his four-year career Saturday because he arrived late for the game. Robertson, who is a minimal offensive threat, played a career-low 9 minutes.
Lebo praises Robertson for doing all the little things. His position, though, is "shooting" guard.
Here are his shooting numbers:

38% field goals
23% 3-pointers
55% free throws (including just 5 of 18 in conference play)
6.4 points per game

It will be interesting to see if Robertson returns to the starting lineup since the Tigers have more offensive threats on the floor when he is out. Lebo is playing it close to the vest, but defended Robertson by saying most of his best attributes don't show up in the boxscore.
My guess is that Robertson will be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

National Signing Day: The Aftermath

Here's a breakdown of Auburn's signing class:

FIVE TO WATCH:
1. Eltoro Freeman, LB, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Miss.: Auburn coach Gene Chizik said expects Auburn Freeman to have an immediate impact at a position desperately in need of instant impact. Freeman is already enrolled in class and will likely compete for a starting spot during spring practice. He’s listed on Scout as a five-star linebacker and he has three years of eligibility remaining.

2. Onterio McCalebb, RB, Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va.: McCalebb could have been an impact player last year as a true freshman but couldn’t qualify academically when he signed with Auburn. Now he, like Freeman, is enrolled at school and will be available throughout spring practice. He could provide the Tigers with a much-needed explosive offensive weapon.

3. Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, Marietta High School in Lassiter, Ga.: Lutzenkirchen became a YouTube sensation with a remarkable play he made during his senior season. He’s expected to be a pass-catching tight end that can do a little bit of everything, even as a true freshman.

4. DeAngelo Benton, WR, Bastrop High School: Benton was listed as a five-star prospect in 2008 when he signed with LSU out of Hargrave Military Academy. Once he failed to qualify again, though, Benton took the year off to qualify. Benton didn’t play football in 2008, but could have an immediate impact at a position of need for Auburn. Benton still has four years of eligibility and a redshirt year available.

5. Emory Blake, WR, S.F. Austin High School in Austin, Tex.: Blake, the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake, seemed like he would be the greatest coup for Auburn on National Signing Day. That is, of course, until Benton signed 21 minutes later. He is the type of receiver – both in stature and ability – that Auburn coaches set out to sign.

SLEEPER: Nosa Egaue, DE, Mansfield Summit High School in Mansfield, Tex.: Egaue chose Auburn over a host of Big XII and Big Ten schools. The Auburn coaching staff is high on him despite his three-star rating. Eguae isn’t likely to play much as a true freshman and, in fact, will more likely redshirt. Down the road, however, he could emerge as a solid contributor.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT: Freeman: He will likely start from Day One with Auburn’s desperate need at linebacker. Freeman will have spring practice under his belt since he is currently enrolled at Auburn and that should give him time to meld with the starting defense. “He’s what you’re looking for at that position,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “He’s physical, he runs well.”

FITTIN’ GAPS: While Auburn did address both receiver and linebacker needs, it missed badly on offensive line. The Tigers needed someone to play immediately along the line. Andre Harris has the best shot, but is likely a long shot to start next year. Auburn possibly found immediate starters at both linebacker and receiver.

BEST SURPRISE: Benton: It looked like LSU all the way for Benton, who had twice signed with the Tigers. He signed with the Tigers again – only this time it was with the Auburn Tigers. Benton made a surprise visit to the Plains, but wasn’t expected to sign with Auburn. His signing gave desperately needed talent at a receiving corps desperate for it.

BIGGEST MISS: Aubrey Phillips, OL, Olive Branch (Miss.) High School: The Tigers needed offensive line help and Phillips could have supplied it. Instead, he chose Florida State, leaving Auburn and a host of other schools behind.

LOOK AHEAD: The Tigers will desperately need both offensive linemen and linebackers next year. Those two positions should be the focus of Auburn’s 2010 recruiting class in addition to, potentially, receiver and safety again.

Benton details starting to be released

Auburn signing DeAngelo Benton certainly might not be the steal many on the Plains thought it was.
Here's a story from today's The Advocate, the paper in Baton Rouge, La.:

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/39125617.html

Basically, it seems it came down to Rueben Randle (and father) telling LSU that if it signed Benton, Randle would look elsewhere. Randle was also considering Oklahoma and Alabama.
Instead of risking Randle leaving for the Crimson Tide, this story makes me think LSU coach Les Miles allowed a high school senior dictate to him.
Miles' choices were simple: allow Benton to go to Auburn or risk Randle going to Alabama. Miles made a business decision. Time will tell if he made the correct business decision.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Mobile recruits sign

The three Mobile stragglers have rolled in with their commitments.
Defensive tackles Nick Fairley and Terrance Coleman as well as receiver LaVoyd James all signed letters of intent to Auburn.
Fairley comes to Auburn from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He has three years to play three years.
Coleman, the nephew of Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman, also signed. As a senior last year, Coleman netted 116 tackles and nine sacks.
James missed most of his senior season with an injury.
All three signees played together at Williamson High School in Mobile.
AuburnSports.com reported that neither defensive tackle Jamontay Pilson nor offensive lineman Tyler Knight would sign with the Tigers. Both were Auburn commits, but both will instead go to junior college.
That means, barring any surprises, Auburn’s recruiting class is complete with 28 members including 26 that signed today. Linebacker Eltoro Freeman and tailback Onterio McCalebb are already enrolled in class at Auburn and will be available for spring practice.

Name: Terrance Coleman
Position: DT
Height, weight: 6-1, 244
School: Williamson HS in Mobile
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 3
Other offers: Arkansas, Southern Miss, UAB, Ole Miss

Name: Nick Fairley
Position: DT
Height, weight: 6-4, 295
School: Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Miss.
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: May 31
Other offers: N/A

Name: LaVoyd James
Position: WR
Height, weight: 5-10, 175
School: Williamson HS in Mobile
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: June 16
Other offers: Mississippi State, Ole Miss

Travis is in

Four-star defensive tackle Jamar Travis sent in his paperwork to play for Auburn.
Travis had previously been committed to Southern Mississippi after giving up on Auburn, which hadn’t offered him. That is, until Travis visited Auburn.
Travis left his visit with an Auburn and switched his commitment the next day.
He finished with 85 tackles, including 11 for loss as a senior at W.S. Neal.

Name: Jamar Travis
Position: DT
Height, weight: 6-1, 298
School: W.S. Neal in Brewton
Rivals rating: Four-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 26Other offers: Clemson, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Memphis, Southern Mississippi, UAB

That gives Auburn 25 signees, including 23 today. Onterio McCalebb and Eltoro Freeman have already signed and they are enrolled at Auburn right now.

Greg King to UT

King, who visited Auburn last weekend, signed with Tennessee. He is a three-star linebacker that Auburn pursued late.
King is another good signing for a Tennessee class that is rapidly picking up steam.

Housekeeping

Since there's a lull in the action -- perhaps we've reached the eye of the hurricane -- I will take this time to let all of my (one or two; Hi, Mom) faithful blog readers know that I will repost a recruiting summary when this is all over.
I know some of my posts are not on the main page right now, so I will make a summary post later in the day.
Thanks for reading.

Gaston signs

Auburn also signed linebacker Harris Gaston. As a senior at Bessemer Academy, Gaston recorded 111 tackles, including 12 sacks. He also had five interceptions.

Name: Harris Gaston
Position: LB
Height, weight: 6-4, 225
School: Bessemer Academy in Bessemer
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: April 22
Other offers: Mississippi State, Kentucky

Cooper signs, Heavens chooses MSU

Receiver Brandon Heavens, who committed to Auburn when Tony Franklin was there, decided to sign with Mississippi State instead. Heavens is a three-star receiver.
Quarterback Robert Cooper has signed with the Tigers. He will grayshirt, meaning he will not play in 2009.

Name: Robert Cooper
Position: QB
Height, weight: 6-4, 204
School: Daphne HS in Mobile
Rivals rating: Two-star
Committed to Auburn: Feb. 3 as a grayshirt
Other offers: South Alabama, UAB

Paige in

Four-star junior college cornerback Taikwon Paige signed with Auburn after committing to the Tigers last night.
Paige didn't have an offer from the Tigers until yesterday. He otherwise would have gone to UAB.
Paige has three years to play two seasons.

Name: Taikwon Paige
Position: CB
Height, weight: 5-10, 175
School: Miledgeville (Ga.) Georgia Military College
Rivals rating: Four-star
Committed to Auburn: Feb. 3
Other offers: UAB

Aycock to the Tigers

AuburnSports.com reports that the Tigers landed another high-profile target minutes after the DeAngelo Benton signing when tailback Dontae Aycock signed with Auburn.
Aycock comes to Auburn despite being heavily recruited as a quarterback by Georgia Tech.
As a senior at Hillsborough County in Tampa, Fla., Aycock threw for 1,491 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,406 yards and 28 scores.
Rivals rated Aycock as a four-star tailback.

Name: Dontae Aycock
Position: RB
Height, weight: 5-11, 210
School: Hillsborough County in Tampa, Fla.
Rivals rating: Four-star
Committed to Auburn: Signing Day
Other offers: Georgia Tech, Illinois, Louisville, West Virginia

Signing Day Stunner

Just minutes after the Tigers landed a big-name receiver, they signed another receiver in a major upset.
Four-star receiver DeAngelo Benton, who had twice signed with LSU, provided the largest National Signing Day surprise so far by turning in his national letter of intent to Auburn.
Benton’s letter comes in direct contrast to a newspaper article that appeared in Tuesday’s Monroe, La. The News-Star. In the article, Benton said he committed to LSU and planned to sign with Les Miles’ team.
Benton was previously considered one of the nation’s top receivers when he came out of Bastrop (La.) High School.
Now the 6-foot-3, 210-pound receiver will continue his career at Auburn, where he made a surprise visit two weekends ago.

EDIT: There is speculation that Rueben Randle's father, Emmit Randle, was concerned with LSU's depth at receiver. The thought was if Benton signed with LSU, Randle might not. LSU coach Les Miles might have pulled his scholarship offer to Benton, trying to secure Randle.

Name: DeAngelo Benton
Position: WR
Height, weight: 6-3, 210
School: Bastrop (La.) High School
Rivals rating: Five-star (in 2008)
Other offers: LSU

Gulley signs

Anthony Gulley, who is listed as a running back but will play receiver for the Tigers, also signed shortly after 9 a.m.
As a senior at Brantley, Gulley rushed 1,162 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 543 yards and nine scores.

Name: Anthony Gulley
Position: RB
Height, weight: 5-11, 185
School: Brantley HS
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 28
Other offers: Troy

Auburn lands major receiver target

AuburnSports.com reported that the Tigers got their first National Signing Day coup shortly after 8:30 a.m. when four-star receiver Emory Blake chose Auburn over Texas Tech and Colorado.
Blake, the son of former NFL quarterback Jeff Blake, gives Auburn a big receiver the coaching staff heavily sought.
Blake is listed at just 6-foot-1, but is taller than the other three receivers that either have or are expected to sign with the Tigers.
He caught 64 passes for 936 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior.

Name: Emory Blake
Position: WR
Height, weight: 6-1, 194
School: S.F. Austin HS in Austin, Tex.
Rivals rating: Four-star
Committed to Auburn: Signing Day

Washington in at Auburn

Junior-college transfer Demond Washington made his switch from Ole Miss to Auburn official Wednesday shortly after 9 a.m.
Washington, who will play cornerback at Auburn, is listed as a five-star recruit by Scout, but a three-star recruit by Rivals. He and Eltoro Freeman played together and roomed together at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Washington is from Tallassee, but couldn’t qualify coming out of high school. He has two years remaining of eligibility.
Washington originally committed to Ole Miss, but ultimately decided to play closer to home.

Name: Demond Washington
Position: ATH
Height, weight: 5-9, 185
School: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Miss.
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed Auburn: Jan. 31
Other offers: Louisville, Memphis, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Northern Illinois, Ohio, UAB

Atchison to Alabama

Three-star linebacker Jonathan Atchison has officially signed with Alabama.
He had previously committed to Auburn, but decommitted after Tommy Tuberville resigned as head coach.
Now Atchison will have an opportunity to play against Auburn throughout his career.

Sullen commits

John Sullen surprised nobody by signing a national letter of intent to stay in his hometown and continue his career at Auburn.
Rivals rates Sullen, who played for Auburn High School, as a three-star recruit.
He provides size and depth to an offensive line desperately in need of both.
Sullen committed after his official visit to Auburn on Jan. 18.

Name: John Sullen
Position: OL
Height, weight: 6-5, 338
School: Auburn HS
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 18
Other offers: Duke, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulane, South Alabama, UAB

Rollison, Evans sign

The Tigers officially landed the high-profile quarterback they wanted when Tyrik Rollison signed with the Tigers on Wednesday morning.
Rollison signed shortly before 8:30 a.m.
Rivals lists Rollison as a four-star dual-threat quarterback, but he can do more than just run according to the site, which also classified him as the most accurate passer.
As a senior, Rollison threw for 4,728 yards and 53 touchdowns.
The Sulphur Springs (Tex.) product committed to Auburn on Jan. 27 over offers from Baylor, Kansas State, Oregon, Texas A&M and Arizona.
He still has work to do before he qualifies, though. AuburnSports.com reported that he must improve his ACT score before becoming eligible.
Linebacker Jonathan Evans also signed with the Tigers. Evans, the brother of former linebacker Chris Evans, committed to Auburn on June 2, finished his senior season with 104 tackles, five sacks, 10 forced fumbles and two interceptions at Blount High School.

Name: Tyrik Rollison
Position: QB
Height, weight: 6-2, 185
School: Sulphur Springs (Tex.) HS
Rivals rating: Four-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 27
Other offers: Baylor, Kansas State, Oregon, Texas A&M, Arizona

Name: Jonathan Evans
Position: LB
Height, weight: 6-0, 205
School: Blount HS in Pritchard
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: June 2
Other offers: Oklahoma State, Tennessee, UAB, Southern Miss

Two more roll in

Two new letters of intent just rolled in and both of them are completely Gene Chizik recruits.
Athlete Izauea Lanier, the first commit under Chizik, faxed in his paperwork as did defensive tackle Josh Jackson, who committed Tuesday night.
Lanier will play safety for Auburn. He had 68 tackles and seven interceptions last year as a senior at Gordo High School. He also returned both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns.
Jackson didn’t receive an offer from Auburn until Tuesday night. He had previously been recruited by Auburn defensive line coach Tracy Rocker when Rockers was at Ole Miss.

Name: Josh Jackson
Position: DT
Height, weight: 6-2, 260
School: Gainesville (Ga.) HS
Rivals rating: Two-star
Committed to Auburn: Feb. 3
Other offers: Ole Miss, North Carolina State

Name: Izauea Lanier
Position: ATH
Height, weight: 6-1, 185
School: Gordo HS
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 15
Other offers: Kentucky, Mississippi State, Troy

Moseley and Stallworth, plus Brandon Jacobs

Two more players faxed their letters of intent to Auburn at 8 a.m., including Alabama’s Mr. Football.
Quarterback Clint Moseley and receiver Travante Stallworth both officially signed with Auburn.
Moseley finished as the state’s fifth all-time leading passer. As a senior, he threw for 3,758 yards 38 touchdowns and rushed for 670 yards.
Stallworth stuck with his Auburn commitment, which he made when Tony Franklin coordinated the Tigers offense. Stallworth signed despite Michigan making a late push for him.
Some sites listed Stallworth as an athlete, but he will play receiver at Auburn. He played quarterback in high school, throwing for 1,339 yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 546 yards.
A few minutes later, tailback Brandon Jacobs also signed with Auburn. Jacobs rushed for 1,577 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. He could also play linebacker.

Name: Clint MoseleyPosition: QBHeight, weight: 6-4, 200School: Leroy HSRivals rating: Three-starCommitted to Auburn: Jan. 18Other offers: Arkansas State, Marshall, South Alabama, UAB

Name: Travante Stallworth
Position: WR
Height, weight: 5-10, 180
School: Leesville (La.) HS
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: June 15
Other offers: Michigan, Tulsa

Name: Brandon Jacobs
Position: RB
Height, weight: 6-1, 230
School: Parkview HS in Lilburn, Ga.
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: July 7
Other offers: Wake Forest, UAB

Two more recruits

Name: Clint Moseley
Position: QB
Height, weight: 6-4, 200
School: Leroy HS
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 18
Other offers: Arkansas State, Marshall, South Alabama, UAB

Name: Travante Stallworth
Position: WR
Height, weight: 5-10, 180
School: Leesville (La.) HS
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: June 15
Other offers: Michigan, Tulsa

Franklin lands on his feet

Middle Tennessee State's Rivals site, GoMiddle.com, is reporting that former Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin will take over the offense in Murfreesboro.

Franklin was fired five games into the regular season at Auburn after the Tigers got off to a terrible start offensively.

He had great success at Troy, though, in the Sun Belt Conference. Franklin led one of the nation's most dynamic attacks with the Trojans.

Now Franklin apparently has returned to the Sun Belt, though no official announcement has been made.

Phillips to FSU

Bryan Matthews of AuburnSports.com is reporting that Aubrey Phillips has signed with Florida State.

Four more recruits

Name: Dee Ford
Position: LB
Height, weight: 6-2, 190
School: St. Clair County HS in Odenville
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: July 9
Other offers: Clemson, Mississippi State, Troy

Name: Daren Bates
Position: S
Height, weight: 5-11, 195
School: Olive Branch (Miss.) HS
Rivals rating: Two-star
Committed to Auburn: Jan. 29
Other offers: Auburn, Tennessee, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas

Name: Andre Harris
Position: OL
Height, weight: 6-4, 327
School: Lovejoy HS in Hampton, Ga.
Rivals rating: Three-star
Committed to Auburn: June 15
Other offers: Auburn, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia

Name: Reggie Taylor
Position: DB
Height, weight: 5-10, 167
School: Peach County HS in Fort Valley, Ga.
Rivals rating: Four-star
Committed to Auburn: June 24
Other offers: Iowa State, Memphis, Ball State

That Bates signed and Phillips did not is another sign that Phillips will not sign with the Tigers. Both played at Olive Branch (Miss.) High School.

Rough night

Auburn's National Signing Day didn't get off to a great start.
First, the Tigers accepted a commitment from little known defensive tackle Josh Jackson, out of Gainesville, Ga. Jackson is a two-star recruit according to Rivals.
When Auburn defensive line coach Tracy Rocker coached at Ole Miss, he recruited Jackson. Rocker accounted for two of Jackson's three offers -- the other coming from North Carolina State.
Jackson's commitment likely means the Tigers missed on signing four-star defensive tackle DeQuinta Jones, who will likely sign with either Arkansas or Michigan.

The Tigers also seem likely to miss on Aubrey Phillips, a four-star offensive lineman who could have provided immediate help to a position desperately seeking it.
Phillips will apparently sign with Florida State instead of either Auburn or Tennessee.
That means the Tigers could sign as few as two offensive linemen in a year the position should have been at a premium in recruiting.

And it begins

It’s 7 a.m. and the first official high school recruit is in.
The newest Auburn player is one of the highest profile signees expected today – tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen.
He’s considered a four-star commitment from Marietta, Ga. who chose Auburn over offers from several other big-time schools including Florida and Alabama.
The Lassiter High School product is listed by Rivals.com as the third-rated tight end. He committed to Auburn on May 16.