Auburn Football: Tigers officially offer “diamond in the rough” DB

Every recruiting cycle there are thousands and thousands of recruits that play for the opportunity to take their talents to the next level, but scouts have limited resources and some players fall through the cracks. Auburn football may have found a “diamond in the rough” and could be one of the steals of the 2022 recruiting cycle.

One of these prospects found their way to the Auburn Football Elite Camp and earned themselves a scholarship. Donovan Johnson held only one offer (UT Martin) coming into the camp and by the end of the day, Bryan Harsin and Derek Mason officially offered Johnson an Auburn football scholarship. Johnson announced the offer on his Twitter:

Johnson transferred to Cedar Grove this past season and has not found his way onto many big boards across the country. He was a two-time All-Region selection in his last two seasons at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal in Atlanta, GA. Johnson measures at 6-foot-1 and 186 pounds with 4.5 speed and a 37″ vertical, according to his Hudl profile.

Johnson spoke with Jason Caldwell of 247Sports about earning an Auburn offer and had this to say:

"“It meant a lot with Coach Mason talking to me and just telling me and giving it to me 100 (percent). I’m so excited I can’t even put it into words. I have put in so much work. I did good at the camp. They liked my footwork, my one-on-one skills, and my coverage skills. I came out today with the offer. I’m really blessed with the opportunity.”"

When asked about new defensive coordinator Derek Mason and new Auburn football defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge; Johnson had this to say:

"“Coach Mason and Coach Etheridge are really real. They told me the bottom line, that the offer is just the beginning and that I’ve got to keep working to keep the offer and maintain and continue that legacy at Auburn. They told me to keep working and to be the hammer and not the nail.”"

Johnson also spoke on what the future may hold in regards to his Auburn football offer:

"“They’re (Auburn) definitely at the top. As we go down the list I don’t think they’re going to move. Just watching Auburn as an SEC fan growing up that’s a really big deal. I’ve got jitters just thinking about it right now; just playing on Saturdays.”"

Year in and year out we see multiple prospects get overlooked by the top schools and wind up being important contributors throughout their career in college football. Bryan Harsin and this staff is trying to catch up on scouting the pipeline states, such as Georgia and Alabama because he is behind other SEC programs.

Johnson is going to be one of the fastest-rising prospects in the next few months due to his performances in this camp, but Auburn football is in a great spot due to being his first Power-5 offer.