Auburn football’s potential to be good in the future has plenty of recruits–including 4-star WR Omari Kelly–feeling bullish on the success the Plains may experience in the years to come.
Is that enough to have NFL hopefuls signing on the dotted line when there are more recently successful programs in the mix as well?
As al.com points out, Kelly has a source in the locker-room already in Ja’varrius Johnson, a fellow Hewitt-Trussville product. Johnson hasn’t yet seen much success with Auburn football, but he has a chance to make an impression this season with Anthony Schwartz, Seth Williams, and Eli Stove NFL-bound. Perhaps a big season as a top option for Bo Nix (or TJ Finley…or Dematrius Davis) could give great intel for Johnson to share with Kelly as he ponders his options.
That and the allure of everything that makes Auburn the “Loveliest Village on the Plains”–from the closeness of the community to the beautiful athletic facilities–is the primary draw for Kelly to trust Bryan Harsin and co. in their pursuit of the 2022 recruit.
Which is good. Unlike Alabama, LSU, and UCF, recent National Championships aren’t part of the pitch. Georgia has enough talent in 2021 to add one to theirs. All Auburn football has at this point in time is the unrivaled recruiting experience on the Plains. What this coaching staff can accomplish in a season in the SEC has yet to be determined.
That said, there are signs that the Tigers are in the mix anyway:
4 star Omari Kelly (@kelly_omari) tells me that his visit with Auburn went great, he loves facilities and the coaches are cool. I think AU has a really good chance with the duo of Quick and Kelly if the cards are played right.
— Eli Gravitt (@EliGravitt) June 12, 2021
If the Harsinal proves to have the firepower to compete in the tougher division of the most grueling conferences in football, there’s a tremendous chance Kelly chooses to wear orange and blue.