Auburn Recruiting: Top 12 Uncommitted 2015 Targets, & Signing Day Projections

Nicholas Ian Allen

Oct 12, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; An Auburn Tigers cheerleader waves a flag after a touchdown during the second half against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Catamounts 62-3. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

National Signing Day is 22 days away, and there are still many uncommitted players that could become members of the 2015 Auburn recruiting class. We take a look at the top 12 Tigers targets, and the odds they sign.

Devante Peete

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 195 pounds
Talent: 4-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 298 in the 247Sports Composite, No. 157 in the ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 37 247Sports Composite, No. 19 in the ESPN300

With the loss of junior playmaker Sammie Coates to the NFL, as well as senior wide receiver Quan Bray and tight end C.J. Uzomah, the Auburn Tigers are in need of a few pass catchers in the 2015 recruiting class.

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A big target like Devante Peete would be a great addition. The Pompano Beach, Florida native doesn’t have the speed Coates does (Peete is listed at 4.8 in the 40-yard dash), but he has legitimate 6-foot-5 height and uses his body very well. Plus, he’s known for having great hands.

As for his recruitment, Peete’s top three appear to be Louisville, Miami and Auburn, though Ohio State is in the mix as well. He’ll visit Louisville on January 24 and Auburn January 30.

The Cardinals appear to have the inside track, but don’t count out the Tigers or hometown Hurricanes.

“I liked Miami since the beginning, but I felt like they gave up during the season when they lost a couple players,” Peete said last year. “But Miami is always going to play a big, major [role] in the recruiting process with me because I’ve been growing up a Miami fan.”

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 15%

Next: Prince Tega Wanagho, Jr.

Sep 14, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; A general view of Auburn Tigers fans tailgating prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Prince Tega Wanagho, Jr.

Position: Defensive End/Tight End
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 238 pounds
Talent: 4-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 87 247Sports Composite, 2016, Not Ranked by ESPN
National Position Ranking: No. 6 (247Sports Composite, 2016), Not Ranked by ESPN

One player that wouldn’t have made this list prior to Monday is Edgewood Academy (Elmore, Alabama) defensive end Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. The reason? He was considered a 2016 recruit until reclassifying this week.

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“He has enough credits to graduate this year based on transcripts from Nigeria,” Edgewood football coach Bobby Carr said Monday. “He’s decided to reclassify to this year. He knows he’ll probably have to redshirt.”

Wanogho will probably redshirt not because he isn’t talented enough to play right away – he has as much upside as any prospect in the country – but because he is extremely raw due to playing only one season of organized football.

The Nigeria native moved to Alabama in the summer of 2014, and quickly made an impact on the football field. Enough so that he received offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee Texas and Notre Dame. The day news broke that Wanogho would be a 2015 recruit instead of a 2016 one, Georgia offered as well.

Because of the late change in his availability to sign, don’t expect Wanogho to make his decision by National Signing Day. Instead, he’ll take his time and a handful of visits.

Auburn was on the ground floor with Wanogho and the four-star prospect has already made an unofficial visit to the Plains, however, Alabama may have an edge to land him.

For more on Tega’s interesting story and background, check out John Garcia, Jr.’s profile of the young student athlete.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 40%

Next: Ryan Davis

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ricardo Louis (5) is congratulated by head coach Gus Malzahn after he scored a touchdown against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Davis

Position: Wide Receiver, Slot
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 167 pounds
Talent: 4-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 200 247Sports Composite, No. 280 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 22, 247Sports Composite, No. 23 ESPN300

A very intriguing player in the 2015 recruiting class is St. Petersburg, Florida receiver Ryan Davis, who recently told AuburnUndercover ($) he has been “talking to Auburn everyday.”

Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Maryland and Alabama all have interest in the former Lakewood High School quarterback who is small in stature but big on playmaking ability.

Davis threw for 6,828 yards in his high school career, and also ran for 856 yards and eight touchdowns this season only 57 carries (15 yards per carry).

Very agile and extremely quick, Davis should transition well to the receiver position. He would likely excel in the slot at Auburn, helping replace Corey Grant and Quan Bray.

However, the Tigers are not the favorites to sign Davis, and would need to make up considerable ground on Florida and Florida State for the Sunshine State native.

Of course, Auburn has already made a lot of headway in Florida thanks to new defensive coordinator and former Gators head coach Will Muschamp, so don’t count the Tigers out.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 30%

Next: Chidi Valentine-Okeke

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Ole Miss Rebels and Auburn Tigers teams face at the line of scrimmage during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Chidi Valentine-Okeke

Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 305 pounds
Talent: 5-Star (247Sports), 4-Star (ESPN)
National Overall Ranking: No. 111 247Sports Composite, No. 22 247Sports, No. 87 ESPN 300
National Position Ranking: No. 7 247Sports Composite, No. 2 247Sports, No. 6 ESPN300

Similar to fellow Nigerian Prince Tega Wanagho, Jr., Chidi Valentine-Okeke is an impressive physical specimen that has very limited football experience. Also like Wanagho, Alabama and Auburn appear to have the best chance to sign the talented offensive lineman.

“Alabama and Auburn, they both have a great program,” Valentine-Okeke said recently. “They are recruiting me so hard. The people and the coaches all of that stuff looks good, so I am looking at those two schools and I am gonna go to one of them.”

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Valentine-Okeke has been in the United States for roughly two years, and spent the first in Florida before moving to Stockbridge, Georgia in the metro Atlanta area in 2014. A participant in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this year, Valentine-Okeke made a good enough impression to earn five-star status from 247Sports.

“On the offensive line, Chidi Valentine-Okeke was one of the pleasant surprises of the week,” Barton Simmons of 247Sports said early this month. “Raw but athletic, we were encouraged by how quickly the four-star picked things up and how coachable he was.”

He still has a lot of rough edges to smooth out, but if Valentine-Okeke can develop into a five-star player in just two high school seasons, he has a chance to become one of the nation’s best players at the collegiate level and beyond.

However, for the Tigers to land him, they’ll have to surpass the favored Crimson Tide and hold off LSU and Georgia.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 35%

Next: John Burt

Jan 3, 2014; Irvine, CA, USA; Auburn Tigers co-offensive coordinator Dameyune Craig at practice for the 2014 BCS National Championship at UC Irvine. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

John Burt

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 180 pounds
Talent: 4-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 131 247Sports Composite, No. 196 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 11 247Sports Composite, No. 24 ESPN300

Auburn got some great news last week when Tallahassee, Florida native John Burt – one of Auburn’s top wide receiver targets in this year’s class – decommited from Texas. However, Burt still maintains the Longhorns are his leader.

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Nevertheless, Auburn has a legitimate shot to sign Burt, who would have an opportunity to push for early playing time with the departure of Sammie Coates to the NFL. He’s slender, but has a big frame and good hands along with very good speed.

“I still think there’s a family issue, where the mom really feels strong about Texas — they have family there in Austin. But I think Burt probably prefers Auburn,” says Brian Matthews of AuburnSports.com. “I still think the family has some talking to do to work that out in the next three weeks. He may not make his final decision until signing day.”

Since Burt already made an official visit the Plains on October 3, he won’t be on hand for the massive Auburn recruiting weekend beginning January 16.

He is expected to visit Austin once more before Signing Day though (January 30 to be exact), and it’s very possible that Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong will be able to get Burt back.

However, Burt has concerns about the firing of Texas wide receivers coach Les Koenning and the direction the Longhorns will go at quarterback. Those aren’t issues at Auburn with Dameyune Craig one of the best receivers coaches in the nation and new signal caller Jeremy Johnson already being mentioned in some circles as a potential Heisman candidate in 2015.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 60%

Next: Jeff Holland

Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp walks across the field prior to the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Holland

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 230 pounds
Talent: 4-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 90 247Sports Composite, No. 40, ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 7 247Sports Composite, No. 4 ESPN300

The 2015 Auburn recruiting class already includes four committed linebackers. However, none are as talented as Jacksonville, Florida native Jeffrey Holland, who is a consensus Top 100 recruit.

Luckily for the Tigers, Holland is heavily considering Auburn. In fact, he recently pegged them his leader.

“I think Auburn is the leader right now,” Holland said before the Under Armour All-American Game earlier this month. “I’m familiar with the coaches there and I feel at home there. I like Florida and UCLA and I’m going to take my official to UCLA [Jan. 16].”

Auburn recently hired two coaches Holland is very familiar with – new defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson – who joined the Tigers after Muschamp was fired as the head coach of the Florida Gators.

As it happens, Florida is probably the team that has the best chance to beat Auburn for the talented defender. But, Holland has also been in the ears of other uncommitted prospects – specifically 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart – about playing together for the Tigers.

“I’m not saying anything [to others] about committing [to Auburn] … just that we could go somewhere and play together,” Holland told the Orlando Sentinel.

If Auburn can sign Holland, it could pay big dividends in more ways than one.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 70%

Next: Arden Key

Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers and LSU Tigers at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 41-7. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Arden Key

Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 230 pounds
Talent: 4-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 103 247Sports Composite, No. 33 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 5 247Sports Composite

Similar to the situation with John Burt, Auburn got great news when Arden Key recently decommitted from South Carolina. However, much like Burt and Texas, Arden Key maintained that the despite re-opening his recruitment so close to National Signing Day, he still considered the Gamecocks his leader.

Key is high on the Tigers’ wish list because new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp needs an infusion of talent on his unit, particularly along the defensive line and though he needs to add weight to play it, Key projects well to the Buck position in Muschamp’s defense.

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The Georgia native plans to officially visit Auburn on January 30, which is the final weekend before National Signing Day. He will visit Miami and South Carolina in the weeks prior, and is also still considering the Georgia Bulldogs as well.

“(Key) likes Auburn because Muschamp is coming in, along with the relationships that he formed with the young guys down at the Under Armour game,” Key’s high school coach, Winson Jordan, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution recently. “I know a lot of times these kids built relationships at these all-star games, and then make pacts to visit colleges together. I don’t look at this any different than that kind of stuff.”

Reportedly, one of those relationships is 5-star defensive end Byron Cowart, who is also high atop Auburn’s wish list and an ideal candidate to play Buck. If the Tigers find a way to land both Key and Cowart, expect to see Key move to linebacker shortly after he arrives on campus.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 30%

Next: Terry Beckner, Jr.

Dec 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of Auburn Tigers and Missouri Tigers fans during the second quarter of the 2013 SEC Championship game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Terry Beckner, Jr.

Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 298 Pounds
Talent: 5-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 16 247Sports Composite, No. 1 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 4 247Sports Composite, No. 1 ESPN300

If new Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has a list of his most wanted players in this year’s recruiting class, Terry Beckner, Jr. is probably very, very close to the top.

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Why? First of all, Beckner is one of the best players in America (the best, if you ask ESPN). Secondly, Auburn graduated four defensive tackles and three scholarship players at the position.

If Muschamp and head coach Gus Malzahn don’t find impact true freshmen like Beckner to plug into the interior defensive line, the Tigers will need to be very creative with their personnel up front in 2015.

Beckner, a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, will make an official visit on January 16, though the Tigers are far from the favorites to sign him. Two of the schools with better odds, Missouri (whom he’ll visit January 30) and Ohio State (whom he’ll see January 23), are much closer to home. Additionally, Beckner was impressed with a visit to Florida State this fall, and he is also considering LSU.

Still, Beckner is available, the Auburn Tigers are in the mix, and one should never count out Will Muschamp as a recruiter – especially when there is a player high on his wish list at a position his team desperately needs. The odds are low, but Auburn has a chance.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 20%

Next: Daylon Mack

Oct 5, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn, cornerback Chris Davis (11) and the team take the field before the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Daylon Mack

Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 330 pounds
Talent: 5-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 15 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 3 ESPN300

See: Beckner, Jr., Terry

Basically everything that was said about Terry Beckner Jr. can be said about Daylon Mack. He’s a much desired, much needed player that would be a huge boost to the 2015 Auburn recruiting class because he plays defensive tackle and is one of the best in the nation at the position.

Mack earned MVP honors for his team at the Under Armour All-American Game earlier this month, proving he has the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage against very talented competition.

He would be a major asset for the Tigers, and just about anyone else.

Similar to Beckner, the odds are against the Gladewater, Texas native actually signing with the Tigers. Texas A&M is the favorite to sign Mack, and TCU is a strong No. 2. It appears Auburn only recently got back into the mix for Mack because he dropped Texas from consideration.

“I just wasn’t really feeling them much,” Mack told Horns247 last week. “And then losing Malcom Brown didn’t help. I’d rather play with him my freshman year and take over my sophomore year forward.”

Despite the last minute changes, there’s a chance for Auburn because Mack will make an official visit to the Plains on January 23. And as we know, Muschamp has a way with recruiting.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 10%

Next: CeCe Jefferson

Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive linesman Chad Lindsay (78) prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

CeCe Jefferson

Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 275 pounds
Talent: 5-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 5 247Sports Composite, No. 9 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 2 247Sports Composite, No. 3 ESPN300

One of the nation’s most sought after uncommitted prospects is five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson. He’s athletic and versatile, and could fit in at Auburn in several positions such as Buck, defensive end, or eventually defensive tackle if he continues to add weight.

Jefferson confirmed he will make an official visit to Auburn this weekend, but the Tigers have to make up a lot of ground to pass Ole Miss and Florida for the Sunshine State native.

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“I would say Ole Miss is my top school right now,” Jefferson said in December. “Ole Miss is great man. Coach (Hugh) Freeze, what he has going is amazing. I took my official when they played Bama and it was like no other. They treated me well. The program’s great. The guys are great and I just know if I go there I’ll get taken care of and they’ll get me prepared for the next level and I’ll get a great education. And plus I know Coach Freeze is going to be there for a while, great stability.”

Jefferson has also already visited Alabama, and he is expected to go to Baton Rouge for a visit with LSU January 30. Because of all the interest in him from every direction, and Auburn’s late arrival into the picture, Jefferson has some of the longest odds on this list.

But, if a Dream Team scenario comes into focus with so many highly touted recruits on campus this weekend, there’s still a chance he signs with Auburn.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 15%

Next: Martez Ivey

Oct 19, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers taped football shoes on the field before the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Martez Ivey

Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 275 pounds
Talent: 5-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 1 247Sports Composite, No. 3 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 1 247Sports Composite, No. 1 ESPN300

Unquestionably the top high school offensive lineman in the nation, Martez Ivey would bring celebrity status to the 2015 Auburn recruiting class if he signs with the Tigers on February 4.

Ivey is extremely powerful and athletic, and despite returning seven players on the offensive line with starting experience, Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes would be hard pressed to keep Ivey off the field next season.

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As for landing the Florida native on National Signing Day, the odds are pretty good – 50-50 as Ivey told the Orlando Sentinel in December, and the Tigers have a few things working in their favor.

Ivey was believed to have made Auburn and Florida his final two options months ago. Then, the Gators fired Will Muschamp as their head coach and Auburn hired him to be their defensive coordinator.

A few weeks later, Muschamp’s right hand man Travaris Robinson (an Auburn alum) joined Muschamp on the Tigers’ coaching staff. Another good sign occurred when Ivey cancelled his on-camera commitment at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Plus, one of Ivey’s high school teammates and best friends, Chandler Cox – who happens to be one of the nation’s best fullback prospects – has already enrolled at Auburn and will go through spring practice with the Tigers.

Still, despite all that good mojo in Auburn’s favor it’s hard to be very optimistic when it comes to Ivey.

Auburn, like every team in the nation, would love to have a player as talented as Ivey, and he seems to like the Tigers too. Gus Malzahn is expected to make an in-home visit next week. But Florida has always appeared to have a slight lead for his services, and that really hasn’t shifted with Muschamp’s departure.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 49%

Next: Byron Cowart

Jan 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Highlight defensive end Byron Cowart (99) rushes Team Armour quarterback De Andre Johnson (9) during the first half of the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game at Tropicana Field. Team Highlight defeated Team Armour 46-6. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Cowart

Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 250 pounds
Talent: 5-Star
National Overall Ranking: No. 3 247Sports Composite, No. 2 ESPN300
National Position Ranking: No. 1 247Sports Composite, No. 1 ESPN300

Simply put, Byron Cowart is the most important player on this list, and he is the most important potential recruit in the 2015 class for the Auburn Tigers.

Good thing he’s visiting the Plains this weekend.

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Sure, Cowart is one of the best players in the nation. He also plays defense, the side of the football in which the Tigers desperately needs playmakers. But, perhaps even more importantly, Cowart has already proven he has a personality that other players gravitate towards.

After all, in our recent Bold Predictions, we said Cowart would sign with the Tigers – and if that happens, it should bring at least one more five-star along for the ride, as well as a handful of the top targets on this list.

The hiring of Will Muschamp has given Auburn a huge surge of momentum when it comes to the Seffner, Florida native, but he’s far from a lock to sign with the Tigers. Florida and Florida State are both in the mix, and the Gators have been the long-time favorite.

If Cowart doesn’t join this year’s Auburn recruiting class, it won’t be the end of the world. However, if he does, it will certainly give the Tigers a lot of momentum heading into the 2015 season.

Odds to Sign With Auburn: 51%

Next: 5 Bold Predictions For National Signing Day 2015

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Nicholas Ian Allen