Auburn football recruiting snapshot: Tigers riding momentum as season nears

In case you missed it, Auburn football continued its recruiting momentum with the commitment of 4-star 2020 linebacker Demouy Kennedy on Friday.

That gives the Auburn 2020 recruiting class four commitments, all 4-star prospects, including a receiver, defensive end and a pair of linebackers. Though it’s early, that class ranks No. 5 in the country, according to 247Sports.

As the 2018 season closes in, Auburn football is excelling in the recruiting world. The 2019 class has 13 commitments and is ranked 15th in the country. By comparison, Auburn’s 2018 class was ranked 12th by 247Sports with an average player ranking of .9020. The 2019 class’ average player ranking is .9147 and although it’s small, the 2020 class is .9313.

Here’s a snapshot of Auburn recruiting:

2019 class

Commitments: 13

5-star: 1
4-star: 7
3-star: 4

By position: Offense (8)

QB (1): Bo Nix
WR (2): George Pickens, Ja’Varrius Johnson
TE (2): Luke Deal, Tyler Fromm
OL (3): Keiondre Jones (G), Justin Osborne (T), Jakai Clark (C)

Defense (3)

LB (1): Owen Pappoe
DE (2): Jaren Handy, Jamond Gordon

Athlete (2)

Jashawn Sheffield, Jaylin Simpson

National recruiting rankings

Where Auburn’s 2019 recruiting class ranks

247Sports Composite: 15th
Rivals: 18th
ESPN: 13th
Scout: 16th

5 takeaways

1. Auburn has pulled six commitments from the state of Georgia. Auburn has always recruited the adjacent state well, but this is a particularly good start. Auburn signed eight players from Georgia for 2018 and five in 2017.
2. Note the commitments of two tight ends. Does that mean Chip Lindsey aims to actually throw to the tight end? It sure looks like it. Why else would the brother of Georgia QB Jake Fromm commit to the Tigers? But Tyler Fromm is on board and one of Aubhurn’s top targets, Luke Deal, also is committed.
3. 5-star status. Auburn didn’t sign a 5-star player in 2018, but have 5-star LB Owen Pappoe committed for 2019. It’s also highly likely that WR George Pickens becomes a 5-star prospect and we’d be surprised if Bo Nix doesn’t get the bump, too.
4. Biggest targets remaining. Two 5-star players are high on Auburn’s board and also have interest in the Tigers in CB Nakobe Dean (Horn Lake, Miss.) and offensive lineman Clay Webb (Oxford, Ala.). While most expect Webb a strong Alabama lean (although Auburn is not conceding), Dean still is considering a handful of schools including Auburn. Also, 5-star CB Andrew Booth (Lawrenceville, Ga.) could be leaning to Auburn.
5. Overall rankings. Auburn has three players ranked in the 247Sports Top 50 (Pappoe, Pickens, Nix) and three more in the top 150.