Colby Smith Picks Auburn, Becomes Bryan Harsin's First Recruiting Win
Bryan Harsin is on the board.
Auburn's new head coach, just four days before his first National Signing Day on the Plains, reeled in his first prep recruiting win with the Sunday evening commitment announcement from Colby Smith.
The Wentworth (N.C.) Rockingham County offensive tackle prospect, listed at 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, recently told SI All-American he was considering a late decision and possibly one extending beyond the first day of the signing period on February 3.
Instead, the one-time Tennessee commitment will play on the other side of the SEC bracket, with the Tigers in the west.
"They just check all of the boxes," Smith said of Auburn on Sunday night. "I think I’d fit in well there and really thrive and be the best player I can be. I like Coach Harsin, he seems like a no-BS type of guy, and I’ve liked all the coaches I’ve met actually.
"They seem to have a strong family atmosphere, and that’s very important to me, you know."
With the decision, Smith reunites with the projected position coach he thought he would play for at the next level when he was committed to Tennessee for about eight months -- Will Friend. Auburn's new offensive line coach and the latest Tiger commitment have long been on the same page.
"Me and Coach Friend kind of click, our personalities kind of click," Smith said. "I get along with him. Me and him, it's a good bond between us.
"This feels amazing."
Auburn signed just one offensive line prospect, Florida's Garner Langlo, during the Early Signing Period window. The projected guard is now joined by Smith, a future tackle, up front among Tigers in the recruiting class of 2021.
13 prospects have either committed to and/or signed with AU to this point in the cycle, with six already on campus as early-enrollees.
Earlier in the weekend, the first true roster addition since Harsin took over went public with the commitment of Northwestern transfer defensive end Andrew Leota. He made an announcement for the move on social media.
Auburn sits outside of the SI All-American Top 25 Team Recruiting rankings at this time.
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