Though Auburn football isn’t currently on the radar for talented 3-star DeAunte Hunter, that could change if the linebacker makes his way to the Plains for the newly re-instated Big Cat Weekend. Originating with Coach Gene Chizik, Big Cat will take place on July 25 after the pandemic kept the event from happening last year.
According to cornerbacks coach Zac Etheridge, the weekend will be a time for coaches to establish relationships and for prospects to experience the family atmosphere outside of straight-up recruiting, per Nathan King:
"“Big Cat has always been one of the vital parts of Auburn recruiting because we have a lot of the top guys in this footprint that can get there, establish relationships and get to see us out of just a football setting. So we’re excited to have Big Cat and have a bunch of guys we’re expecting to come — just come have fellowship, kick back, barbecue, get a chance to see us outside of just pitch, pitch, pitch.”"
However, Big Cat weekend is not exclusive to prospects that hold offers from Auburn football, which will give the coaching staff the opportunity to see a wide variety of recruits–especially those who didn’t get the chance to visit in June.
Jason Campbell of Auburn Undercover reports that the Tigers reached out to Lowndes High coach Jamey DuBose to invite Hunter to the Plains for Big Cat. Though Hunter currently does not hold an offer from the Tigers, a big weekend around the coaching staff on campus could change things:
"“They talked to me on the phone one time,” Hunter said of Auburn. “That was when we were in school. Coach DuBose told me about it (the invitation for Big Cat). He told me it’s a good opportunity to get some exposure. I’m going to think about going up there.”"
So far, Hunter has taken two official visits to West Virginia and Syracuse and plans to wait it out for a while before committing to see which schools may come out of the woodwork. Ultimately, the more recruits Harsin and co. can get on campus the better, even if Hunter doesn’t end up on Auburn football’s class of 2022 roster.