Jan 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Highlight defensive end Byron Cowart (99) rushes Team Armour quarterback Kyler Murray (1) 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
The Auburn recruiting event dubbed by many as Big Boom Weekend is now over, and the large group of high profile prospects have come and gone. (Note: if you missed our preview of those that would be in attendance, check it out here). What did the players think of their visit to the Plains and what did we learn?
The Five-Stars
DE Byron Cowart
The biggest star of the weekend was Byron Cowart, who is ranked No. 1 overall in the ESPN300 and Rivals 100 and considered the third best player in the nation in the 247Sports Composite.
Cowart is a very interesting young man that appears to have his head on straight despite receiving a ridiculous amount of attention for a high school senior. He maintains that one of the most important things leading up to National Signing Day is to have a plan in place to receive his degree within three years.
"Apparently, Cowart spent a lot of time asking commits and parents of commits about Auburn. As we’ve said before, he took this trip pretty seriously. Supposedly he really likes the environment at AU. Still has Florida and FSU visits coming up."
From a football standpoint though, one of the most interesting things that came out of this weekend is a seeming desire to create a package deal with CeCe Jefferson and Jeffrey Holland.
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“We’ll all play at the same school,” Cowart told reporters. “We know we can make an impact.
“One guy can’t make a difference at a school and I don’t think people understand that. You can be a great player but you can’t make an impact going to a school by yourself, you got to have a team, some guys that are going to go with you and change the whole program around.”
DE CeCe Jefferson
Jefferson also spoke with reporters about the potential package deal, though at the time it didn’t appear that he knew very much about it.
“Signing Day is near, so if (Cowart) wants to do that I’ll have to get with him and touch base,” Jefferson said. “He’s a great player, and in order to change a program you can’t do it by yourself. You have to have great players follow you. I wouldn’t mind doing that at all. If Jeff wants to come, he’s a great player too. I wouldn’t mind at all.”
The five-star defensive end has been considered a very long shot to land at Auburn, though this weekend may have changed that. He is still considering Florida, Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss with the Rebels believed to be the most recent leader.
“If we were to decide to go to the same place that would be huge,” Jefferson said. “Just like how Ole Miss had their huge recruiting class (in 2013), that would be huge for whichever program if we were to decide to play together.”
Jefferson also commented on the “family feel” he got at Auburn. The Tigers now appear to be squarely in the mix.
Next: The Five-Stars, Continued
Jan 2, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Highlight wide receiver Terry Godwin (4) attempts to break the tackle of Team Armour defensive back Micah Abermathy (4) and John Houston Jr. (11) during the second 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
DT Terry Beckner, Jr.
One of the highest rated players in the nation, Terry Beckner Jr. would be a great addition to the 2015 Auburn recruiting class. While all indications are that he enjoyed his visit (and he tweeted that the campus was beautiful), Beckner left town without speaking with reporters.
"Five-star DL Terry Beckner will be among the first to depart today. Hearing he will meet with Gus Malzahn in just a few minutes. Supposedly, it went fairly well, and Carl Lawson was his player-host."
The Tigers still have a lot of work to do to overcome Missouri, Ohio State and Florida State for Beckner, but having him visit this weekend was certainly a step in the right direction.
OL Martez Ivey
A major target for the Tigers is Martez Ivey, the nation’s top offensive line recruit. Ivey plans to decide between Auburn and Florida on National Signing Day, and though the Gators are considered the favorite by many, Auburn has a legitimate shot – especially since Ivey chose to make an unofficial visit this weekend to be part of the star-studded affair.
Betsided
One of his high school teammates and best friends, Chandler Cox, is already enrolled at Auburn, which is another reason for optimism that the Tigers can land the Apopka, Florida native.
“It was great just to hang out with Chandler and see the life of a football player instead of the whole recruiting process and just hang out with him,” Ivey said. “It’s my choice (on where to go to school) and he loves it down here and it feels like home and that’s how they treat him.”
WR Terry Godwin
Godwin, who is committed to Georgia, reportedly had a very good visit this weekend and spent a lot of time with co-offensive coordinators Rhett Lashlee and Dameyune Craig.
“It gave me some inside scoop on some things,” Godwin told AuburnUndercover. “Ever since I was committed, it goes to show you how much they want me. The time I’ve spent here, they’re telling me they really want me. It’s been great. They are telling me different ways they are going to get me the ball.”
However, he doesn’t appear to have changed his mind about signing with the Bulldogs, at least yet.
“Everybody has a shot,” he said. “Auburn has a shot because it’s a special place down here and you come here and it feels like family, that’s what you look for.”
Next: The Five-Stars, Continued
Jul 9, 2014; Beaverton, OR, USA; Alpha Pro athlete Torrance Gibson (6) heads off the line of scrimmage during Nike Football
WR Nate Craig-Myers
The only potential member of the 2016 Auburn recruiting class on campus this weekend was wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers. The five-star wideout says he’s “100% committed ($)” to Auburn.
However, there is a full year between now and National Signing Day 2016, so a lot can happen and Craig-Myers is expected to keep his eyes and ears open to other schools.
QB Torrance Gibson
Originally believed to be the longest shot of them all, Auburn now appears to be squarely in the mix for quarterback prospect Torrance Gibson.
“It changed things a lot,” Gibson told AuburnUndercover. “Coming here and seeing all the players, I’ve played with some of these guys that go to Auburn, I’ve played high school ball with them. It’s great seeing them again and we’ll see what the future holds.
“I’m considering (Auburn) a lot. What happens in the future, we’ll see and watch.”
Gibson would have stiff competition at the quarterback position with the Tigers thanks to upcoming junior Jeremy Johnson and last year’s incoming freshman Sean White, but the hill to climb might be even higher at Ohio State, where he is currently committed.
“Coach Malzahn told me I’m his guy and he wants me to play quarterback and that I’d get a fair opportunity to play quarterback. That’s what he told me and I believe it,” Gibson said. “What he did with Cam Newton and Nick Marshall in one or two, imagine what he could do with me in three. We were just having a great time talking. Feeling the vibe, it was a great feeling.”
DT Trent Thompson
Five-star defensive tackle Trent Thompson was in Auburn this weekend, but the Georgia commitment didn’t give many the impression that he is anything but solid to the Bulldogs.
WR Preston Williams
The five-star wideout was expected to be in town this weekend, but had a change of plans. Williams is likely to make an official visit to Auburn next weekend.
Next: The Four-Stars
Jan 3, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; West quarterback Travis Waller (11) runs a play against the East during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. West beat East 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
LB Jeffrey Holland
Holland, a member of the apparent package deal of talented defenders from the Sunshine State, was tight-lipped about his visit and did not speak with reporters on his way out of town. The four-star linebacker has been considered a heavy lean towards Auburn, but he did not commit this weekend and Florida is very much in the mix for him – and Cowart and Jefferson, of course.
DB Tim Irvin
The player that put the “Boom” in Bog Boom Weekend was Tim Irvin, who flipped his commitment from Texas to Auburn on Sunday before leaving town. Irvin will be back very soon – he begins classes this week as an early enrollee.
He will also be a full-fledged recruiter, which he began this weekend.
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“It was very important when I committed,” Irvin said. “I talked to (the uncommitted players) about rebuilding the program with the 2015 class, and it will be a great day if all those guys come, and hopefully we’ll get a ring.
“I think it can be real special.”
WR Ryan Davis
“They’re right up there,” Davis said. “This visit showed me a lot of stuff that I didn’t know about Auburn and I see nothing but opportunity to come here and play right away. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t.”
ATH Javarius Davis
Javarius Davis, listed as an athlete but likely to play cornerback, reportedly had a nice visit to the Plains and would “fit in perfectly ($).”
DB Sheldrick Redwine
A late addition to the list of official visits, cornerback Sheldrick Redwine left Auburn only “60% committed” to Louisville according to Keith Niebuhr of AuburnUndercover.
“The visit went good. I enjoyed a lot of things, got to see a lot of stuff, got to meet a lot of new people, talk to the coaches, it was real nice,” Redwine said. “It’s probably going to end up being a close race between (Auburn) and Louisville at the end.”
“(Malzahn) told me they have a need at corner right now,” Redwine said, “and they feel if I come in I’ll be able to make an early impact and do some good things here.”
DT Kendrick Norton
Originally expected to be in Auburn this weekend, Norton made a visit to Miami instead.
WR Antonio Callaway
Callaway was also in Miami this weekend, but he is expected to visit Auburn Monday.
Next: The Auburn Commits
Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; General view of the stadium
RB Kerryon Johnson
The top rated player currently committed to the 2015 Auburn recruiting class, Kerryon Johnson was in town this weekend. Like most of the committed future Tigers, his main goal for the weekend was to recruit some of the top uncommitted players, or sway those that had pledged their services to other schools.
“(I) feel like we got a lot of good things out of this weekend,” Johnson told reporters. “I know I did and I’ve been here a lot so I’m sure the others guys did too. …
Betsided
“Obviously we’re probably not going to get every single person that was here, but it shows how many good players are interested and how many good players see what’s going on here.”
Johnson maintains he is fully committed to the Tigers, though he is currently scheduled to make an official visit to Alabama next weekend. He may decide to cancel the trip to Tuscaloosa, but hasn’t made a final decision, reportedly.
DT Jauntavius Johnson
Reportedly, Johnson’s visit went so well that he will not take any other visits before Signing Day. He’s set to be an Auburn Tiger.
ATH D’Anfernee McGriff
McGriff, like many committed players, spent much of the weekend recruiting – and he’s got his pitch down pat.
“This is a big weekend for Auburn and just hope everyone that came decides to join the team,” said McGriff. “We have the best offensive coach, the best defensive coach. Auburn could do big things so I tell them come join us.”
S Jordan Colbert
Strongly committed to Auburn, Jordan Colbert was on campus this weekend primarily as a recruiter. He seems to have the ear of Cowart, Jefferson and Holland, and hopes to meet up with them again soon.
“It was a good chance to talk to those guys to see where they’re head’s at in terms of getting to the Plains,” he said. “I know we have a good chance with three of them. I can’t really tell about Ryan Davis… but when I talk to Byron, he told me when he comes he’s bringing two others with him. Word around campus right now is CeCe, Byron and Jeff, all three will be coming back next week.”
Next: The Auburn Commits, Continued
Oct 4, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; A general view of the Auburn Tigers flag during a touchdown celebration during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
OL Marquel Harrell
Another commit that is 100% committed and doesn’t plan on making any more visits in Marquel Harrell, who spent a lot of time this weekend working on Martez Ivey.
“Me and Martez had a thing going on, I’d say left side and he’d say strong side like from ‘Remember the Titans,'” Harrell said. “We have that connection, really cool guy. … I think he’s still 50/50 but I think he’s coming here. He should come here.”
Harrell attempted to sell Ivey on the likelihood that he would win more with the Tigers than with the Florida Gators.
“We had a long conversation. I’m not down (on) Florida, but I was like you an come to Auburn and win a national championship and we can win a lot of them,” Harrell said, “or if you go to Florida you’ll win a couple of games, get to a couple of bowl games but other than that you won’t do anything else.”
S Montavious Atkinson
Like some of the other commits, Montavious Atkinson says he is 100% committed to Auburn and won’t take any other visits.
LB Richard McBryde
McBryde had to cancel his visit this weekend for an unexpected family emergency, but is likely to visit either January 23 or 30.
LB Elijah Sullivan
Another fully committed prospect, Elijah Sullivan liked what he saw and heard this weekend.
“I met a lot of recruits they’re trying to bring in (and) had a nice time down here,” Sullivan told James Crepea. “It was really good. A lot of players, I talked to them they said they had a great time. This is a big weekend that we had all the recruits who hasn’t really committed nowhere yet. It was a big weekend. I think it was a success.”
LB Darrell Williams
We made a handful of bold predictions a week ago, and mentioned Darrell Williams (and the other linebacker recruits) among the most likely to flip to another school before National Signing Day.
Following Big Boom Weekend, Williams says he is fully committed to Auburn… but he’s still going to visit Alabama next weekend.
“When I set (the visit) I just wanted to take another official,” Williams said. “Throughout this whole process, Auburn and Alabama were the two that were a big deal. Earlier, the mindset was it was kind of like the last chance to say what they have to say and their last tug at me.
“Now that I feel 100 (percent committed) at Auburn, I just want to take one more official visit. Might as well. It backed off a while ago, but they’re still kind of the same. They’re still (messaging) me.”
TE Jalen Harris
Jalen Harris put it well Sunday.
“I love this place,” Harris said simply. “I’m just blessed I have the opportunity to come here.”
Next: 12 Top Auburn Targets & The Odds They Sign
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