Auburn football proves ‘Tiger Takeover’ isn’t just talk with AZ 4-star DL offer

Auburn football offered a 4-star DL from Arizona that Ohio State is the favorite to land. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Auburn football offered a 4-star DL from Arizona that Ohio State is the favorite to land. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Auburn football HC Bryan Harsin recently revealed that the Tigers coaching staff would be recruiting talent all over the country.

In offering 4-star DL recruit A’mauri Washington, a Chandler, Arizona product standing at six-foot-four and weighing just under 300 pounds, Harsin just proved that he wasn’t just blowing up smoke.

The game plan has a name: ‘Tiger Takeover’.

The TT is a process that starts in Alabama, continues to Georgia and Florida, and eventually makes its way to other recruiting-rich areas around the country, per Auburn football HC Bryan Harsin:

"“We’ll spend that quality time in-state–in our own backyard–and make it a priority to get to almost every high school in Alabama. Then we’ll expand out, plant the Auburn flag in Georgia and throughout Florida, down into south Florida, and criss-cross into a number of other talent-rich areas and states where we know the Auburn brand is strong and we have guys who want to come be a part of this program.”"

Auburn football needs talent on the DL in 2023 and beyond

The defensive line is going to be a position of strength in 2022. EDGE’s Derick Hall and Eku Leota returning will be leading the pass-rush, while DE Colby Wooden ranks behind only S Zion Puckett as the returning Tiger with the most tackles last season.

Beyond 2022, the DL will need major contributions from top-ranked JUCO transfer Jeffrey M’Ba, Dylan Brooks, and Oregon transfer Jayson Jones. The Class of 2023 is currently lacking on talent outside of the secondary and OL. S Terrance Love and OL Bradyn Joiner are the only recruits so far.

Granted, Ohio State is overwhelmingly favored to land Washington, so getting too excited about joining Auburn football in 2023 is probably a fool’s errand.

That said, Harsin just proved that ‘Tiger Takeover’ is more than just a catchy tagline.