Sep 6, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn speaks with his staff and players during a timeout during the first quarter against the San Jose State Spartans at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Fourth, and Finally, Create an Extra Scholarship
Recruiting is tricky, especially when it comes to calculating available scholarships. Auburn is expected to add seven players to this year’s class, giving the Tigers 28 scholarship signees total – but there are a couple of ways to create an extra scholarship for a Dream Team scenario.
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Simply put, if the Tigers have a chance to sign the six five-star players previously mentioned, plus the über-talented, über-raw Prince Tega, they need to find a way to do so that also allows them to sign four-star linebacker Jeffrey Holland, who is one of the biggest targets on this year’s list.
Punter Ian Shannon has been considered a gray shirt candidate in the past, and though he now expects to have a scholarship this year, it’s possible he could revert to gray shirt status.
Also, Prince Tega recently reclassified from the 2016 class, has yet to take his ACT, and recently suffered a major leg injury in a basketball game. With those things in mind, there may be a way to still sign him and not have his scholarship count toward the 2015 class.
Of course, there may already exist a framework for a scenario in which the Tigers can sign 29 players this year. If they can, the Dream Team scenario is alive:
The Dream Team
- Byron Cowart
- Terry Beckner, Jr.
- CeCe Jefferson
- Martez Ivey
- Terrance Gibson
- Terry Godwin
- Jeffrey Holland
- Prince Tega Wanogho, Jr.
UPDATE: In a case of good news, bad news, Auburn now has one extra scholarship. Long-time commit and vocal recruiter D’Anfernee McGriff won’t be able to sign with the Tigers on February 4, reportedly due to grade concerns.
UPDATE 2: Prince Tega has committed to Auburn
Next: Worst-Case Scenario