Byron Cowart
- Position: Defensive End
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 250 pounds
- Talent: 5-Star
- National Overall Ranking: No. 3 247Sports Composite, No. a ESPN300
- National Position Ranking: No. 1 247Sports Composite, No. 1 ESPN300
The most important potential member of the 2015 Auburn recruiting class is Byron Cowart, who is rated by ESPN as the nation’s best player. But despite that lofty ranking, it’s important to remember that there are no sure things in recruiting. Just ask Cowart’s high school coach, Sean Callahan.
Betsided
“Well, he could be one way or the other. He could be the biggest bust or he could be an unbelievable football player,” Callahan told the Orlando Sentinel recently. “If he’s with the right people and they know how to get him to play hard every down, then he can be one of the best ever. … It all depends with him. He’ll have to be with the right people. He has some things he has to work through.”
Reading between the lines, it sounds like Callahan wasn’t always thrilled with the effort Cowart displayed at Armwood High School, but the 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end has all the talent in the world. With the right direction (which most think Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp can provide) Cowart can have an outstanding career in college before heading to the NFL.
RELATED: Cowart Will Announce His Decision Live on ESPNU
“He never played for us like the way he played at Under Armour that one week, that’s for sure,” Callahan said. “But that’s just a maturity thing and you never give up on kids, so hopefully one day he will get it and he’ll play at that level all of the time, wherever he plays.”
Auburn has been trending upward for Cowart, who has been trending upward himself as a player and prospect. Together, they have an opportunity to do great things. We’ll see if it all works out.
Previous Odds to Sign With Auburn: 70%
New Odds to Sign With Auburn: 75%
Next: Projections: Who Will Sign With the Auburn Recruiting Class?