The Only Thing Certain About Recruiting is … It’s Fluid

USA TODAY

With just one week till National Signing Day, some are predicting that Auburn will finish with a top 10 class. However, in recruiting nothing is certain till those national letter of intents come faxing in to the athletic office.

At this point, the only thing assuired for Auburn is the Tigers have 21 commitments on the board. Will that number climb as high 27- 28? Contrary to what is being said on message boards, there really is no way to predict. It’s a guessing game for the fans and to some extent, even the coaches.

Dealing with 17-18 year olds, some of whom are under constant pressure from schools, friends, and family makes recruiting a fluid thing with ebbs and flows, constantly changing from day to day.

The only ones who have an idea are the coaches themselves because they are in contact daily with their targets. But even then, their position is more like gamblers who have to hedge their bets. If a player has been leading more than one staff to believe they are coming, coaches have to be ready to counter with a different recruit to fill their needs.

The question is do they go ahead and offer the alternative target or do they wait to watch a kid’s “hat switching show?” If it were up to me, I would not play that game. The offer would be on the table till a certain point then if they didn’t give a solid commit, I would pull the offer. But then again, I never was a good gambler.

Assuming that all of the 21 commitments remain firm to the Tigers, who does Auburn sign on February 4th to fill those last 6-7 spots?

On Offense Auburn needs to shore up an offensive line that is losing four players including All-American and Rimington Trophy winner Reese Dismukes. The top target has to be Martez Ivey the No.1 offensive lineman in the country. It’s believed he will sign with either Auburn or Florida. Will Muschamp had a good relationship with him while in Gainesville and maybe that will be enough to pull him to The Plains.

Also in the mix with Florida is wide receiver Ryan Davis. Auburn is said to be recruiting him strong along with 4-star offensive tackle Chidi Valentine-Okeke who at 6’6′ tips the scales at 305 lbs.

It’s no secret that defense is where the Tigers need the most help. Auburn has to shore up a depleted defensive line. Yesterday, defensive tackle G.G. Robinson, a Louisville commit and son of former Tiger Gerald Robinson, told reporters that he had been offered by Auburn. Yet it’s the secondary that was the biggest weak spot in 2014.

The Tigers lost 3-star cornerback Chris Westry to Kentucky last week but on Monday picked Jeremiah Dinson, a three-star cornerback out of Miami. More evidence of the daily ebb and flow of recruiting.

Auburn is also battling Florida for 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart, the No.1 player in the nation. His decision will not be revealed till next Wednesday. Cowart said last week that he might sign at the same school that his teammates CeCe Jefferson and Jeffery Holland pick. That doesn’t seem likely today as all three have different favorites. Again – fluidity of recruiting. Auburn is also pursuing Prince Tega Wanogho Jr., Terry Beckner, and Arden Key.

Rumors will continue to fly over the next week. Expect the anticipation to build as some recruits announce their commitments, some announce they are flipping, and others hold out till the last moment.

When it comes down to the final few days, coaches have to hedge their bets, they have to be a good gambler. They have to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, and know when to walk away.

Editor’s note:
Join us here next Wednesday for KoolBell’s annual Open Thread of National Signing Day’s events of the Auburn Tigers. He will provide the latest news and discussion as it unfolds.