Auburn Tigers Gaining Recruiting Momentum From 2023 Season?

The Auburn Tigers recruiting efforts are bolstered by the hard play on the field, the success of certain individuals, and some darn good coaching.

Plus, and this is a big one, there’s flat out playing time opportunities that the Auburn staff can easily sell to recruits. That’s where we start the first of three key recruiting points.

1) Sometimes a person has to call it like it is. Auburn continues to struggle at the wide receiver position, but that’s going to pay dividends along the recruiting trail. Eventually, that recruiting success will turn into Auburn victories. Let’s look at some key points.

Fact: Heading into the showdown at Death Valley versus LSU, Auburn does not have a single wide receiver with 200 yards. Not one!

Obviously that’s not good. It’s also something that the Auburn staff – led by wide receiver coach Marcus Davis – can utilize when recruiting top-tier pass catchers. Playing time matters, and that’s already being seen.

Look at Auburn’s three wide receiver commitments. There’s Perry Thompson, a 5-star or 4-star (depending on the recruiting service), Bryce Cain, a prospect that Auburn and other SEC schools want on their respective rosters, and Malcolm Simmons, another all-around talent like Thompson and Cain that's a potential high-level SEC player.

Each of those young men undoubtedly know they can come to the Plains and make an impact. One final point about wide receiver commitments, as well as future wide receiver targets.

It certainly helps that Hugh Freeze has a great reputation as an offensive mind and play caller. Freeze being on the Auburn sidelines is going to help the Tigers consistently reel in nationally ranked wide receiver talent. Not every FBS coach is on that level.

2) To win big in the SEC, the Tigers need elite defensive back play. This year’s Auburn team is showing how top talent can perform at a high level.

Look at safety Jaylin Simpson. The former cornerback is now thriving at safety (4 interceptions, 15 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and 1 tackle for loss). He’s capable of playing in the slot and being that rangy nickel defender, and he’s also adept at producing as a run-game defender.

All of Simpson’s hard work, in conjunction with the Auburn staff finding the proper niche for him, is paying off. As it relates to recruiting, Simpson is an example of how the AU staff can showcase top talent.

It’s a direct strategy. Come here, learn in our system, and end up heading to the NFL Draft like Simpson will in April of 2024.

Overall, Auburn’s defensive backfield is doing quite well despite there being a mediocre level of a pass rush (the Tigers are sitting at only 10 sacks). That fact leads into the third point.

3) There’s ample playing time to be had by the Auburn defensive line commitments, and possibly one or more future commitments, too.

They see what opportunities are ahead. Auburn needs more talent and depth along the defensive trenches. Auburn commitments like TJ Lindsey and Malik Blocton can come in and at least compete for a spot on the two-deep, among other Tigers defensive line commits.

When viewing the SEC now, as well as for decades, it’s a line of scrimmage league. That’s not changing. Auburn needs not only more big bodies to plug the running lanes, but those 10 sacks are not cutting it. The Tigers need more sheer athleticism to help get home to the quarterback. That’s where the recruits can make an immediate impact.

This defensive line class is already awesome! Now, seeing how Auburn needs more defensive line talent, perhaps that’s a reason that current Alabama commitment – and prime Auburn defensive line target – Jeremiah Beaman is looking hard at the Tigers.

He is a big-time player from Birmingham (Ala.) Parker. It looks like yet another Auburn versus Alabama battle, and one that the decision could go until National Signing Day on Dec. 20.

Do not forget about Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland defensive line LJ McCray (pictured on the front page of the article) either. He’s down to Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Miami. The Tigers would love to add him to the recruiting class as well.

Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!