Auburn Football Recruiting Roundup (Updated May 23)

Auburn football ended its near-nine-month drought on the recruiting trail on May 6 with the commitment of Tadarian Moultry (No. 168/Scout) out of Jackson-Olin in Birmingham, Ala. Just one week later, the Tigers would add another linebacker to the commitment list with Chandler Wooten (No. 216/ESPN) of Georgia’s North Cobb High School.

Wooten was being evaluated by Michigan, Ohio State, and more. His relationships with future position coach Travis Williams and area recruiter Tim Horton were key in the Tigers beating out Wooten’s other favorite, Tennessee.

Elsewhere on the trail . . .

» Four of Auburn’s five commitments — Calvin Ashley, Alaric Williams, Tadarian Moultry, and Carlito Gonzalez — are expected to be at Big Cat Weekend, the weekend of June 4. The Tigers staff is no doubt hoping the current pledges will help build the recruiting momentum for Auburn before, during, and after one of the true marquee recruiting weekends in all of college football.

» Auburn is likely running third behind Georgia and Tennessee, in that order, for wide receiver target Jeremiah Holloman (No. 77/ESPN) of Covington, Ga., but Auburn had him on campus May 7 for the second time this year. He seems especially fond of Williams and Kodi Burns. He is expected at Big Cat.

» Another highly ranked receiver prospect that was recently on Auburn’s campus and is expected at Big Cat is Jhamon Ausbon (No. 41/247Sports) of Florida’s IMG Academy. The former Baylor pledge is originally from Houston, and Texas A&M is therefore likely to be a major factor. Rhett Lashlee and Burns are in frequent contact.

» On the offensive line, Auburn was looking into potentially making a late addition to its 2016 class in three-star Alex Losoya from a community college in Orange County, Calif. He signed with Arizona State on Saturday.

» There is some talk that linebacker Markail Benton (No. 44/247Sports, ESPN) of Phenix City may not be the sure-thing to Auburn that many had perceived. That may or may not have anything to do with Monty Rice (No. 269/ESPN) of Madison, Ala., recently receiving increased contact from the Tigers coaching staff. If not Benton, it would very likely have to do with yet another in-state Tiger linebacker target, Will Ignont (No. 55/Rivals), stating that he has recently given a silent commitment to a school and the odds favoring that school not being Auburn (and being Alabama). Regardless, Benton and Ignont are expected at Big Cat.

» Madison Academy offensive tackle Austin Troxell (No. 74/247Sports) continues to struggle with a decision between two schools: Auburn and Alabama. While he has thought about committing to one school or the other multiple times, he has always decided against it. The Tigers have recruited him the longest, but he grew up rooting for the Crimson Tide. He is expected at Big Cat.

» Auburn presently seems to be on the outside looking in for offensive tackle Trey Smith (No. 1/ESPN) of Tennessee, but they’re, as they were last week, still hoping to get him to visit for Big Cat and, if they do, Horton will be a big reason why — Smith sees him as genuine and not merely a salesman.

» On May 14, Herb Hand had a Florida target visit in Nick Brahms (No. 69/247Sports) of Navarre. He was offered in-person and is expected at Big Cat.

» Also on May 14, Auburn made the top-eight for Ty Chandler (No. 42/247Sports), a coveted running back prospect out of Nashville, Tenn. With Chandler’s father playing the same position at Ole Miss and with Ohio State and USC among his favorites, he won’t be an easy get. Chandler was on the Auburn campus in March, and he is especially fond of Horton and his penchant for putting his running backs into the NFL. He may visit for Big Cat.

» The Tigers hope to give commit Alaric Williams (No. 107/247Sports) at least one tag team partner at running back in this cycle, and if Chandler doesn’t work out, ex-Ohio State pledge Bruce Judson (No. 88/Rivals) is another possibility. He hears from Horton and Scott Fountain often. The Cocoa, Fla., talent has been on campus, and is an ex-teammate of Auburn defensive back Jamel Dean. He may visit for Big Cat.

» With former Auburn quarterback commit Lowell Narcisse (No. 38/ESPN) committed to in-state LSU, Baylor pledge Kellen Mond (No. 48/ESPN) continues to be a high priority for Auburn and may visit for Big Cat. Ohio State and Texas A&M are also after the dual-threat quarterback. In addition, Auburn recently offered Avery Davis (No. 131/ESPN), a Notre Dame commitment out of Texas.

He maintains he is firm to the Irish.

» Early last week, two Georgia defensive linemen, Aubrey Solomon (No. 61/ESPN) and Markaviest Bryant (No. 89/ESPN) were paid a visit by Rodney Garner. Garner can be picky at his position group this year after a terrific haul last cycle. Alabama and Florida are heavily after Solomon, as they are — along with Georgia — with Bryant. Both are expected at Big Cat.

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» The Tigers are still a leader for Tre’ McKitty (No. 233/ESPN) out of IMG Academy in Florida. The tight end’s stock is likely to rise, and the primary competition appears to be Florida and Oregon. He is expected at Big Cat.

» Junior college wide receiver target Brandon Martin, an ex-LSU signee, plans to be at Big Cat. It will be his first time on the Auburn campus. The Tigers look to be, at this point, his leader. A teammate of his at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, offensive tackle D’Marcus Hayes, will join him.

» On Sunday, Auburn was listed as the leader on a top 10 by cornerback prospect Malcolm Askew (No. 113/ESPN) of McCalla, Ala., something that has been the case for some time now. He is expected at Big Cat and cites regular contact with head coach Gus Malzahn himself as a reason for the Tigers standing out at this time.