Fly War Eagle
Fansided

Auburn Recruiting: What Impact Will Tim Irvin Have in 2015?

By Nicholas Ian Allen

facebooktwitterreddit

The latest official member of the 2015 Auburn recruiting class is Tim Irvin, a four-star safety who has enrolled and began classes this week.

Irvin committed to Texas in early January at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, but changed his mind last weekend on an official visit to the Plains. As an early enrollee, he’ll be able to go through spring practice in April, which should give him a leg up heading into the 2015 season.

Live Feed

Texas Football: Predicting each remaining 5-Star commit for Horns this fall
Texas Football: Predicting each remaining 5-Star commit for Horns this fall /

Hook'em Headlines

  • Nebraska football already chasing Michigan State commitHusker Corner
  • Florida Football: Former target Cormani McClain struggling at ColoradoHail Florida Hail
  • NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 4 teams for PF Jaxon JohnsonBusting Brackets
  • NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top 5 teams for top-100 SG Larry JohnsonBusting Brackets
  • Kansas football recruiting: Jayhawks expecting huge visitor for BYU meetingThrough the Phog

    • At 5-foot-8 and 190-pounds, the Palmetto, Florida native doesn’t have the size that helped his uncle Michael Irvin become a Hall of Fame wide receiver. However, the younger Irvin will be in the mix for early playing time in the secondary next season.

    “He’s an excellent player, no doubt,” Auburn football coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday. “He had a relationship with Coach T-Rob. We think he has the skill set to fit Coach Muschamp’s defense right off the bat. The fact he’s there early will definitely help.”

    Irvin may not be tall, but he’s solidly built with good speed and packs a punch (ome recruiting analysts have even referred to Irvin as a “head hunter), which makes him a strong run defender but also versatile enough to cover receivers one-on-one.

    For a player-to-player comparison, Irvin fits the Bob Sanders mold well. That skill set should fit in very nicely in Auburn’s new defense, which aims to reverse the trend of allowing 31 points or more in seven straight games against FBS opponents.

    “(Robinson) and Muschamp are some great guys,” Irvin said. “When they were at Florida, we had a great relationship. We had a great bond the last few years so I wanted to play for them. They see me as a nickel guy. Zone or I can play man. They see me playing in the box a lot.”

    Here’s a sampling of Irvin’s ability from his junior season, thanks to Prep Force:

    As you can see, not only is Irvin a quality defensive back, he is also dynamic with the ball in his hands. Irvin doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s very quick and shows good change of direction that makes him difficult to tackle in the open field.

    More from Auburn Football Recruiting

    That could make him a candidate to contribute as a return man in 2015. Auburn lost top kick returner Corey Grant and punt returner Quan Bray to graduation, and with Roc Thomas expected to be in the mix to start at running back, his kick return duties could be limited next season.

    Therefore, expect to see a lot of Tim Irvin in 2015. He may not beat out Georgia transfer Tray Matthews or 2014 leading tackler Rudy Ford for a starting spot at safety, but he’ll contribute in the secondary as a rotation player. Plus, he should be a special teams superstar covering kicks and possibly returning them.

    Next: Should Auburn Be the Favorite to Win the SEC in 2015?

    More from Fly War Eagle

    Home/Auburn Football Recruiting