5-Star DL Recruit Dee Liner Decommits from Auburn Tigers

Dee Liner has decommitted from the Auburn Tigers.

Justin Hokanson of AuburnSports.com broke the news on Twitter Monday night:

"

BREAKING: Five-star Muscle Shoals (Ala.) DL Dee Liner has de-committed from #Auburn, he tells me. Story. bit.ly/10vgO4W @rivals

— Justin Hokanson (@JHokanson) January 15, 2013"

Liner, a 5-star defensive lineman out of Muscle Shoals, Ala., had committed to the school back in June 2011, per Rivals.com.

Much has changed since then. The Tigers finished 3-9 in 2012, failing to win a conference game. The gulf between Auburn and its hated rivals, the Alabama Crimson Tide, has continued to grow.

It seems like a lifetime ago that Cam Newton led Auburn to the national title.

As a result of the Tigers' poor 2012, head coach Gene Chizik was fired, with Gus Malzahn, a former coordinator at the school, taking his place.

The Times Daily of Florence, Ala., quoted Liner as saying after Malzahn's hiring:

"

"I really don't know at this point, but I'll probably have some answers soon," said Liner, who committed to Auburn before his junior year in 2011. "I've never talked to (Malzahn). I'll probably have a talk with him soon."

"I'm still going to be with them, but I have to see what kind of defense they're running, things like that."

"

Liner may be a very good prospect, but he carries some off-field baggage. It's nothing too major, but the issues he's had shouldn't be ignored.

Matt Scalici of al.com reported that Liner had been arrested twice within a span of 10 days back in July.

Then, in August, Charles Goldberg of al.com reported on how Liner was suspended from the Muscle Shoals football team after walking out of practice.

Regardless of his issues, Liner will be a big loss for the Tigers. According to Rivals, Liner is the second-best defensive lineman in the country and the 22nd-best prospect overall.

Rivals also ranks Auburn as having the 15th-best recruiting class in 2013. That will no doubt take a hit, as the school can no longer count Liner on its list of commitments.