Auburn football rumors: Could Auburn gain another Vol on NLI release?

Another one bites the dust–another Tennessee commit, that is–and Auburn football could benefit from it again.

J’Marion Gooch joins Dylan Brooks and Cody Brown in being released from a National Letter of Intent, losing the UT football program three players in under one week. Auburn football already pounced on Dylan Brooks, the Roanoke, AL native who first committed to Tennessee over Auburn based on relationships with the coaches.

The addition of Brooks to the team significantly boosts Auburn’s recruiting class, moving them up to a national rank of No. 20 and No. 8 in the SEC. But the Tigers are not finished yet and the recruiting class of 2021 is not yet complete.

J’Marion Gooch, from Gallatin, TN, originally committed to play Auburn football in April of 2020. He was offered a scholarship to Tennessee back in May of 2020 by former HC Jeremy Pruitt and his coaching staff, who continued to pursue him despite his commitment to Auburn.

As reported by SI.com, Gooch said that Tennessee consistently made him a priority:

"“They never stopped or gave up. They said they didn’t care if I was committed, they want me at Tennessee regardless.”“It meant a lot. That shows that I am really wanted, and they really don’t want to lose me.”"

In August of 2020, Gooch de-committed from Auburn and in December signed with the Tennessee Volunteers. He is a 3-star recruit according to 247Sports and is the No. 14 recruit out of the state of Tennessee.

Gooch told SI.com that he talks most frequently with coaches Jeremy Pruitt and Will Friend, one of which is currently on the staff at Auburn, which could put the Tigers out in front of the pack in terms of where Gooch may end up signing.

This late in the game, Auburn football has to be looking good for Gooch. It’s the obvious choice as a school that he was previously committed to and now with the bonus of having Will Friend on the staff. It’s not official yet, but we could see J’Marion Gooch following fellow former Vols signee Dylan Brooks to the Plains.