I’m as excited about the upcoming season as any fan could possibly be.
Of course, that usually means the Tigers are going to do their best to perform a massive belly-flop, and we’ll end up winning seven or eight games, and our school administration will be taking a midnight trip to Kentucky the Thursday before the 'Bama game.
But more about predicting Auburn’s on-the-field fortunes later.
Let’s take a few moments to talk about the 2009 recruiting class. Nothing real exciting going on with that. I mean, we’re still getting quality players with loads of speed…everybody say that word with me…SPEED. I love it. We’ve got plenty of it in this class, including five commits who run sub-4.45 forty times.
But the really interesting thing about this class (besides great speed) is the fact that we’ve already got 16 commits, and we’re barely into the third week of June. At the rate we’re going, I’m sure we’ll have even more commits by the time you read this post.
Auburn coaches seem to be quick to point out that our quick start to recruiting has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa last year as the head coach of the Crimson Tide. OK, tell that to the Pope, guys, 'cause I don’t believe a word of it.
There’s no doubt that we had our butts kicked by Alabama in recruiting last year, losing every single prospect that had both Auburn and Bama on their short list. Of course, we lost a few of these recruits to other schools too, but the point is, we didn’t win any.
So in light of that fact, is it such a bad thing that Tubs and company have decided to try a different tactic? You know, that’s actually one of my favorite qualities about Coach Tubs. He’s not going to keep doing the same things over and over when they don’t work.
Most coaches (in any sport) cannot honestly claim that. Typically coaches will continue running headlong down a path of destruction simply because it’s what they learned when they starting coaching, or because they had success with whatever method in the past. Who knows why this happens—maybe it’s pride.
So certainly a slight change in recruiting philosophy is understandable and even warranted in our current situation. The one thing that has not changed, though, is that Tubs is still seeking speed. Speed. A’ight?
Plus, Tubs is demonstrating now, more that ever, the fact that he could care less about the star ratings from services like Scout and Rivals. In fact, I think he has yet to receive a commitment from a player for the 2009 class who had a star rating at the time of the player’s verbal commitment.
All in all, fans shouldn’t be too concerned with this year’s seeming change in recruiting philosophy. Coach Tubs knows what he’s doing. I mean, goodness, what does a guy have to do to prove himself? He currently has more than 40 players in the NFL.
OK, in case you don’t know, that would be EXCELLENT. Magnificent even.
Forget about stars…you’ll learn real quick I don’t believe in them. Look at the stats and come to your own conclusions, and I think you’ll realize that we’ve got something cookin' for us.
By the way, did I mention speed
16 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Tiger Histalmos about 1 year ago
Ah yes, we think alike. Good coaches like ones we have can take any "Two Star" player and make him into a top notch player. Many cannot understand that Tuberville recruits to what we need, not to star power.
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david bedingfield about 1 year ago
war eagle.
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david bedingfield about 1 year ago
is auburn taking the easy way in recruiting now that they got killed against bama in recruiting? is tubby gonna say we got most of the ones we wanted if saban nails auburn again? are we going to stand up and take our share of the top rated players, stars or not as rated by a consensus of people? do you fool yourself by saying it does not matter. it will matter as soon as the streak ends. STARS MATTER TO MOST EVERYONE EXCEPT TUBBY. ARE YOU KIDDING? HE OFFERED AND DID NOT GET ONE. NOT ONE. PERCEPTION IS REALLITY.
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Jim Lee about 1 year ago
David, this is the first time I have ever made a comment on any of the Auburn webs. But your comment calls for it.
Couch Tumberville is probably the best all around coach we have ever had. He is honest with the press. He is sincerely interest in the well being of his players. He above all is patience with so called Auburn fans like you. If you had been treated as Auburn has treated him, would you still be here? I know he is a true tiger an that is more than I can say for you,after reading your comment. And even you have to admit that he is a winner; which is all fans like you are interested in. Grow up!
We have recruited 16 good players(best ever). Many of these will become great players under couch Tuberville. He knows precisely what he is doing.
I am writing this because I am so embrassed when I hear negative fans cutting down Auburn and that is exactly what you are doing. I truly hope this means something! Jim
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War Eagle about 1 year ago
All I need say regarding this....is CTT has 6 in a row. He and his staff are definitely doing the right thing. One or two years lagging behind in recruiting the state? Not a death knoll (unless you're wearing crimson and still think the Bear is alive -read: DELUSIONAL), but I think the staff has seen that they cannot continue to allow t-town to win the in-state recruiting battle AND maintain the supremacy they currently enjoy. Thus, the strategy change in both coaching and recruiting tactics.
16 pretty decent 'cruits already and it's just June? I think that's incredible...but, take it with a graqin of salt...it's not February yet and every one of these green kids could change their mind between now and then, as nothing is binding until signatures are on the paperwork.
I agree with Jim...CTT has persevered through more than most would have dared stayed and fought through. The man has my respect and support -especially since he hasn't given me any credible reason not to like the results of his coaching style. Did I gripe loudly when AU seemed to "play not to lose" when ahead, or play for the last score in close games? H*ll yes...I griped when AU clearly had the better talent and got beat because of bad decisions or calls, but that's part of the game.
All in all, CTT is "the MAN" right now. Let him do as he sees fit -that's what we're paying him to do. Meanwhile, support him and the rest of the staff, most especially these young men they are molding the characters of. Remember the creed... AUBURN is a way of life.
WDE!
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david bedingfield about 1 year ago
i support auburn, i do not support any coach who would put himself up for sale to the highest bidder like tubby did last season. i do not care if he wins 20 in a row. i want auburn to win, but many of you just dismiss such a slap in auburn's face. respect comes from more than 1 sec title in 10 years and fans that are ok with anything as long as we beat bama. who is alabama anyway for the last 6 years, maybe the 5th best team auburn plays. what does it prove? nothing.
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Jacob Stinson about 1 year ago
I am not really sure that Tubs did put himself up for the highest bidder. We both know that other schools wanted him, but did he ever say he was leaving AU? NO, In the only real interview I saw he told AU fans not to worry or anything, that he was not going anywere. The guy has been around for 10 years. Do you really think he wants to leave anyway. Tubs is an upstanding guy. Give him a break.
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John Montgomery about 1 year ago
David David David,
You make it sound like Bama won the other 9 SEC Championships. Facts are this is a very difficult conference. Three national champions since 03'. Auburn did not go to the SECCG in 05 with a 7-1 record, but finished with the best winning % and beat UGA (05 Champ). Tuberville got Auburn to the SECCG in his third year. Auburn also ranks in the Top 5 in wins in the country. Oh did a mention "SIX".
When Alabama won their SEC titles (which this is all about) the competition suxed. Don't let the necks spin that fact.
Tuberville or you (if you are truly an Auburn fan) have nothing to be ashamed about at all. Auburn has been crapped on and has had some awful luck too.
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Ron Mexico about 1 year ago
If Auburn wants to recruit 4 and 5 star players, we MUST improve our facilities. We have middle of the SEC pack facilities and thus we lose recruiting battles with schools that have far superior facilities like UAT, UGA, Tenn, Fla, and LSU.
In addition, our beloved Tigers have not been a "sexy" team since Bo Jackson. Lets face it. Kids want to play for teams that can dominate an opponent. What Auburn fan doesn't gasp whenever So. Cal offers one of our recruits? Why? Because they dominate their opponents. They hung 70 on Arkansas. They destroyed an undefeated Oklahoma team. They win heisman's. They have multiple 1st rounders every year. USC is THE sexy team, and the best of the best high school players in the nation want to bwe a part of that. A distant 2nd might be OSU, LSU, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma. These guys win championships. These guys will embarrass you. When was the last time we embarrassed anybody. Yes, we have one of the best win percentages over the last 4 years, but struggling to score 35 points against Buffalo is not exactly awe inspiring to recruits.
Now Bama has poured millions and millions into their facilities and they bought one of the top 5 recruiters in the nation. They ARE on their way back. They soon will have the same or better calibre athletes that LSU has had for the past 6 years with HUGE lines and NFL calibre skill people. The questions is can we keep up.
The spread is an attempt to become more sexy. I'm glad we are finally getting a new BB arena. But are the Auburn powers that be willing to pour more $$$ into our facilities so that we aren't left behind. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying "the sky is falling". Tubby and Yox have done as good a job as could be done at Auburn. I'm proud of our recent records against Fla, Bama, LSU and the bowls. We've been one of the most successful teams in the nation. But if we want to get to elite status we need elite facilities and elite athletes. Bottom line.
WAR EAGLE to all.
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John Montgomery about 1 year ago
David and Ron are posers and have never been to Auburn!
Auburn has FANTASTIC Facilities! What a moronic comment.
Your "FAR SUPERIOR Facility" comment and leading with "UAT" is as obvious as recognizing your UAT Class ring while your finger is up your nose.
Please Both of you are clever but very AUBcessed!
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david bedingfield about 1 year ago
ron, you are right, but it might help if we beat miss. st. and south florida, while at the same time going to florida and beating the defending national champion. recruiting is done for a large degree on the field. tubby lost both games at home and recruits perception is auburn wins a lot of big games but loses to teams they should not lose to. why? because tommy would rather run than throw and he loses games because of his ego, I WILL RUN EVEN IF IT COSTS ME A WIN. MAYBE FRANKLIN WILL CHANGE THAT, MAYBE HE WON'T. AUBURN could be the 1st team in history to go to a 5 wide set and still run the ball and still not expect production from the passing game. CHECK the stats on the passing game for the last 10 years. auburn has won a lot of games running alot. they will not win a national title without production from the passing game. defense wins championships, but they do not play offense. BOTTOM LINE. MAYBE tommy will swallow his pride.
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David Neese about 1 year ago
They??? At Auburn its called WE. great catch about them being posers. Dont hate the players, hate the game! Be ready number 7 is just around the corner. WDE!
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thomas bradley about 1 year ago
Freeman is called "Da Bull" from where he is from due to the fact he had a 390 lbs bench out of high school. He was called the strongest player in the south pound for pound.
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david bedingfield about 1 year ago
we have land in auburn, great grandfather, grandfather worked for the university, family went to school there. we love auburn and support it with money. when you do not have a credible response, just call people bammers. you are the ones that hate auburn when you ignore the obvious. with the defense playing close to the same, auburn will increase in their wins, even over the last 5 years to the degree that they expect adequate production from the passing game. if they do that, then next time oklahoma will be watching auburn play usc for the national title.
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Jon about 1 year ago
David,
I disagree with you statement about our passing game. Simply because I can recall 4 1,000 yard recievers playing for Auburn and all of them are in the pro's right now. Those being, Ben Obanamu, Devin Armashudo (however you spell it), Anthony Mix, and Courtney Taylor. I also remember the guy that made them 1,000 plus recievers Jason Campbell. If you recall he won us the SEC Championship game and was named MVP. He threw for 375 yards. It was great I was there!! But, don't forget that Cox had some amazing perfomances his first year also with the exception the Ga. Tech game. He beat Georgia with the 65 yard fumbled in the endzone pass. I also recall a Ben Leard to Ronnie Daniels connection in Tubs first or second year around........ Speaking of Tubs you ever think that the media might have had something to do with as you say " Tubs shopping his self around to the highest bidder "??? And after all OUR trustee's and so forth has put him through I don't blame him for listening. Bottom line Tubs is still here, Auburn Football isn't going anywhere, and WE need to support them through the good and the bad. Thank you for your time.
Jon
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zach miller about 1 year ago
I think we need to go after better athletes personally. It's great, and necessary in this league, to have speed. The only problem is that the fast guys we are gettin to commit are 170 lbs soaking wet. Bama and UGA are signing players that are big, and fast. We NEED to sign some of the big-time players in the state this year to maintain dominance over bammer. Guys like Dre Kirkpatrick, Nico Johnson, Tana Patrick are all top notch players in the nation, tubberville has to step up to the plate and sign these big time athletes and quit letting them go to tuscaloser. I'm afraid that if we cant land big time athletes like this, then not only will the streak end, it will reverse and the bammers will enjoy a streak of their own. I'm not worried about a players "stars"...but watch the film on the 3 prospects I mentioned above, they are better than anyone we have committed now and it would be huge to land them, and it would be a reality check to the bammers that we aren't going anywhere
WDE
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