Auburn football: Jake Pope list Tigers among final group of Power 5 schools

For Jake Pope, it’s all about the Power 5. In announcing the14 finalists in the running to land the 4-star ATH–who plays both on both sides of the ball as a receiver and safety–Auburn football was subsequently thrown in the running for a third 4-star recruit for the ’22 recruiting cycle.

Already, the Tigers have added quarterback Holden Geriner and DE/OLB Dylan Brooks to their class of 2022. This season will still have holdovers from the Gus Malzahn era, but Bryan Harsin is leaving his pawprints early on what will be a squad with stars he recruited himself.

Geriner has been hot on the recruiting trail, often encouraging fellow 2022 recruits to more strongly consider the Plains as a future home. Pope could form one of the strongest QB/WR duos in college football if he chose to join Geriner in Auburn.

There will be stiff competition for the receiver/safety out of Buford, Georgia:

As is often the case, the top three recruiting classes in the nation are all in contention for a Tiger target. National Championship game finalists Ohio State and winner Alabama will have a strong pitch, while the Georgia Bulldogs have a home-field advantage.

In addition, fellow 2022 recruit Gunner Stockton is already making his way to Athens. Perhaps that could be a strong draw for Pope to stay home.

In addition to those three, Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska from the Big Ten, Virginia, Louisville, and North Carolina from the ACC, Notre Dame of the independents (after a one-year ACC stint) and fellow SEC members South Carolina and Ole Miss are all hoping Pope decides not to join Auburn football and elevates their receiving cores instead.

We will see how it plays out, but expect the Tigers’ pitch to put them in strong standing for the Buford recruit.