Auburn Football Signees: A Quick Look
By Brian Stultz
With a recruiting class that coach Gus Malzahn called a “very good class”, Auburn received 21 letters of intent from future Tigers. Here is a quick recap of each signee:
Woody Barrett – QB
Extremely strong arm and a dual-threat at quarterback. Remind you of anyone? While Barrett isn’t as big as Cam, the expectations are high. At 6’3 225, Barrett passed for 2,018 yards and 20 TD while rushing for 1,413 and 23 TD last season at Winter Garden HS. Could he be the answer after a tough year at quarterback for the Tigers?
John Broussard, Jr. – CB
A versatile cornerback from nearby Phenix City (Central High), Broussard enrolled at Auburn in January and will look to compete for a spot in the secondary in Kevin Steele’s first year as defensive coordinator. Broussard posted 35 tackles with six pass break ups and one interception in his senior season. At just 5’11 and 163 lbs., will need to put on some weight to play in the SEC.
Derrick Brown – DL
A major get for Malzahn and the Auburn program, the 6’4 315 lbs. lineman from Sugar Hill, GA passed over the home-state Bulldogs to come to the Plains. He’s extremely strong and powerful, racking up 42 tackles for loss and 12 sacks in his senior season. The GSWA player of the year, he will look to terrorize quarterbacks in the SEC.
Marlon Character – DB
From Atlanta, Character brings range, size and speed to the Auburn secondary along with some great ball skills. Recorded 57 tackles in his senior season, along with five interceptions. At jut 175 pounds, he will need to put on some muscle to survive a season in the SEC.
Nick Coe – DL
At 6’6 and 269 lbs., Coe is an impressive defensive end that moves extremely well for his size. Want proof? He was the North Carolina state wrestling champion in the 285 lbs. category, and won two NHSCA national titles. Recorded 68 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss in senior year.
Nate Craig-Myers – WR
Once a firm commitment for the Tigers, Craig-Myers decommitted last May, and started looking at FSU, Florida and North Carolina. On signing day, though, Craig-Myers came full circle and signed with the Tigers. A physical receiver (6’2, 205) from Tampa, he should be able to come in and play immediately. Coach Gus Malzahn agrees, saying that Craig Myers “is a guy that can come in and play early and play well early.”
Marlon Davidson – DL
The defensive lineman is a major impact player that has the ability to become the next Carl Lawson. Recorded 65 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in senior season at Greenville High in Greenville, AL. Versatile, he also had two interceptions and two defensive touchdowns last season as he was named Alabama’s Class 5A Lineman of the Year. Davidson (6’3, 281) should see the field early for the Tigers.
Kyle Davis – WR
One of the most skilled wide receivers in the nation in the 2016 class, Davis enrolled at Auburn in January. Out of Loganville, GA, the 6’2 208 pounder had 1,499 and 18 TD in his high school career. He was one of the top 10 WR prospects in the class by 247 Sports and ESPN. Another big target for Tiger quarterbacks.
John Franklin III – ATH
A JUCO All-American at East Mississippi CC, Franklin enrolled in January and is expected to compete for the starting job at quarterback. If not behind center, Franklin can make an impact elsewhere as he rushed for 451 yards and nine TD last season while playing the quarterback position. Was a member of the ACC champion 4×100 relay team while redshirting at Florida State.
Brodarious Hamm – OL
Able to play both guard and tackle, Hamm was ranked one of the top 15 offensive guard prospects by Scout. At 6-5 and 322 lbs., he was a MaxPreps All-American, and will provide depth on the Tigers offensive line.
Antwuan Jackson Jr. – DL
Also a January enrollee, the lineman can prove to be unblockable at times, as he record 52 tackles for loss and 12 sacks during his high school career at Cedar Grove HS in Ellenwood, GA. Jackson was named the Class AAA GSWA state defensive player of the year, and was rated among top 10 defensive tackles in the 2016 class. At 6’2 and 308 lbs., he will be a bear for offensive linemen for some time.
Paul James II – LB
A January enrollee out of Copiah-Lincoln CC, James has the size (6’4, 258 lbs.) and speed to provide nightmares for quarterbacks instantly. He recorded 14 sacks last season at Copiah-Lincoln, good for fifth in NJCAA. Should see the field immediately.
Tashawn Manning – DL
A big body out of Apopka, FL, Manning was first team all-state in Florida’s Class 8A. At 6’4 and 260 lbs., Manning has athletic genes that he got from his parents: his father played football and mother played basketball at Marshall University.
Marquis McClain – WR
Excellent speed with awesome hands, McClain will prove to be a deep threat for the Tigers. At 6’2 and 209 lbs., should also be able to go up and catch balls over smaller defensive backs.
Malik Miller – RB
Miller has both the speed and power that Malzahn likes in a running back. He enrolled in January so will have the benefit of spring practice and make his mark in a crowded backfield.
Jayvaughn Myers – DB
Great athlete that will probably play cornerback. Provides much needed size (6’1, 185) to the Auburn secondary. Recorded 18 tackles and two interceptions as a senior.
Landon Rice – TE
Could Rice become the next go-to tight end like Lutzenkirchen and Uzomah? The January enrollee out of Rome, GA has the same size – 6’5 and 246 lbs. – as Lutzenkirchen, and has good hands. As Malzahn likes, Rice is a good run-blocker as well. Expect big things for him in this offense.
Prince Sammons – OL
Sammons is a man mountain, standing at 6’8″ and 280 lbs. That is the good news. The bad news is that he is a raw prospect that has little experience playing organized football. Originally from Nigeria, Sammons played at Cincinnati (OH) Hills Christian, and was ranked the No. 210 prospect nationally. He was recruited as a defensive end, but will most likely switch to the offensive line.
Eli Stove – WR
A nice target at receiver that can provide athleticism and elusiveness for the Tigers. At 6’0 and 175 lbs., he will need to put on some meat to take the hits that come from SEC secondaries, but has great upside. Stove caught 11 TD as a senior at Niceville HS in Florida.
Daniel Thomas – DB
From close by Robert E. Lee HS in Montgomery, Thomas has a knack for always finding his way to the ball and making sure tackles. Recorded seven interceptions (two for TD) and three punt return TD in his senior season. When he’s not picking off the quarterback, he can lay the wood as well.
Tré Threat – LB
At 6’0 and 246 lbs., the linebacker out of Spanish Fort HS in Geneva, AL has the ability to play both inside and outside linebacker. A hard-hitting tackler, Threat enrolled at Auburn in January after a high school career that saw him record 252 tackles and 26 tackles for loss.