Auburn football’s 2021 recruiting class has split the fanbase and pundits down the middle. Many Tiger fans didn’t approve of this year’s group–Bryan Harsin’s first as a head coach–but Sports Illustrated considered them one of the winners of National Signing Day 2021.
On the surface, it hasn’t been a standout year, but the circumstances hit this current coaching regime harder than any. Few saw Gus Malzahn getting the ax coming until the end of the season–when it appeared he grew out of touch with the expectations of being the head coach on the Plains.
Long-time Boise State fixture Bryan Harsin came into a completely foreign situation during a pandemic that limited the level of communication he was able to have with recruits. Unable to showcase the beauty of the Plains on a virtual recruitment pitch–partly because of a lack of experience with the way Auburn is in non-pandemic times–Harsin had to convince recruits that, despite the team’s record and performance against the SEC’s new elites, there are big (and achievable) goals in 2021.
Forgive the Harsinal for not reloading quickly enough. On paper.
Either way, despite failing to crack Bleacher Report’s post-NSD top 25, Auburn football has landed in the top 25 of B/R’s 2022 class rankings.
As David Kenyon notes, a recent quarterback signing highlights the recent activity for what should be a higher-pedigreed second Harsin recruiting class:
"21. Auburn TigersClass size: 3Recruit to know: Although he’s the lowest-rated prospect of the trio, Holden Geriner is the most recent commit. The 3-star pro-style quarterback threw for 2,770 yards and 25 touchdowns with only three interceptions in the fall."
Auburn has three 3-star commits so far for next year with a pair of cornerbacks joining the Savannah, Georgia gunslinger Geriner. Brian Dilworth comes from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida and Jarell Stinson is a local product from Opelika.
Auburn football was behind the 8-ball in 2021, but it appears things are slated to improve before long.
A convincing 2021 could expedite the timeline even more.
Let’s hope we see that come to fruition. War Eagle!