![Auburn footballThompson linebacker Kendall Franklin LB (20) and Thompson linebacker Seth Hampton (18) work to tackle Central wide receiver Karmello English (2) during the 7A state championship game in Birmingham Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr]7a Championship Central Vs Thompson](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3a26be58ab1907e91c80a00bf9192af113f2c66357cf1722544151a386b8998f.jpg "Auburn footballThompson linebacker Kendall Franklin LB (20) and Thompson linebacker Seth Hampton (18) work to tackle Central wide receiver Karmello English (2) during the 7A state championship game in Birmingham Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr]7a Championship Central Vs Thompson")
Auburn football certainly did not have the strongest wide receivers room during Bryan Harsin’s first season on the Plains, newly-hired WR coach Ike Hilliard is working to change that narrative for 2022-23 and the years to come.
Hilliard is combing through the NCAA transfer portal for talent like Arkansas State wide receiver Corey Rucker and offering JUCO players like Malik Benson while also putting in work for the recruiting class of 2023.
His latest accomplishment for Auburn football? Putting the Tigers back in the mix for 4-star in-state wide receiver Karmello English. Ranked as the #103 overall prospect and the #16 wide receiver in the recruiting class of 2023, English is the #11 recruit out of the state of Alabama.
The Phenix City native was on Auburn’s radar early in his recruitment, but things fell off when Cornelius Williams was fired halfway through last season.
However, English’s recent visit to the Plains and his meeting Coach Hilliard in person has put Auburn football back on the board for the receiver, per Auburn Live:
"“(The visit) showed me a different — I feel like it’s a different type of love from being around Coach Ike, keeping it real with me, basically,” English said. “Showing me a lot, it put Auburn in a different spot from where I had them from last time.”"
Like with several other Auburn targets, English is impressed with Hilliard’s experience playing and coaching in the NFL, as getting to the big league is, of course, English’s ultimate goal. He described this week’s visit as his best trip to the Plains, by far.
Now, the Tigers will have to double down on their recruitment of the in-state talent to pull him away from Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide, who is high up on English’s list of schools. By continuing to solidify his relationship with the receiver, Ike Hilliard should be able to put Auburn football in a good spot.