Auburn Football Recruiting: The Top 2013 in-State Recruits Who Can't Slip Away

Auburn is just a few weeks away from the beginning of spring training on March 23, but the focus now is on recruiting. Auburn currently holds five commitments for the 2013 class with three hailing from in-state, but there are many more in-state guys who Auburn can’t afford to miss.

Auburn will look to hold the current Alabama stars they have committed but will also continue to pursue the remaining top talent regardless if committed or undecided. The battle lines in-state are redrawn every year, as recruiting never sleeps in the state of Alabama.

The state of Alabama has a host of talented players across the offensive and defensive sides of the ball this season with a large portion of the talent coming along the offensive and defensive lines. Auburn will need to close the state strong to earn a top class in 2013 with these 10 being ones they can’t let slip away. 

Dee Liner: DE, 6’4”, 255, Muscle Shoals High School

I will start this off by saying that this guy is a natural at the defensive end position, if for no other reason than his name is Dee Liner. Outside of the awesome name, he's a stud on the defensive line.

Liner was one of the first to commit to Auburn for the 2013 class. He's ranked as the No. 42 player in the country by Rivals.com. Liner has great size for a rising senior and has an unstoppable motor once the ball is snapped.

Liner also has a great work ethic and loves the weight room. It shows in his size and 4.7 40-yard speed. Liner is a top prospect not only in Alabama, but in the country. He earned all-combine team honors at both the Under Amour and U.S. Army All-American camps earlier this year.

Liner is quoted by Justin Hokanson here on Auburnsports.com saying "I'm going to stay with Auburn no matter what." As assuring as that seems, the Tigers coaches will surely continue to pursue Liner just as hard as every other recruit on the board. Liner is a game changer. 

Rod Crayton: DT, 6’2”, 290, Dadeville High School

Rod Crayton is a bit of an anomaly currently now in-state as he is a highly rated and regarded prospect pulling a 4-star offering from Rivals.com but has yet to register an offer from either major in-state program.

Crayton is receiving heavy interest from the Tigers but has yet to pull a firm offer. Crayton is definitely a player to watch, however. Crayton is a big body that will fill nicely in the center of any defensive line. He also has great strength to match that size.

Crayton is an aggressive defender who will have a wealth of options once signing day lands. Despite the youth Auburn carries on the interior defensive line, there can never be enough talented big men on roster. 

Earnest Robinson: WR, 6’3”, 200, Pinson Valley High School

Earnest Robinson is a big-bodied playmaker who is ranked No. 101 according to Rivals.com. Robinson has a unique blend of serviceable speed, size and elite hands. He's a receiver who appears to thrive off contact and showing up the defender in front of him.

Robinson committed to the Tigers at the end of February, meaning his commitment will have to stick for the better part of a year. With his talent level, there isn’t a question that his recruitment is far from over.

The Tigers coaches will look to continue to grow the 2013 class with Robinson being an elite member. Robinson will face more courtship from programs from around the country, but the Tigers will continue to keep Robinson close to the program. Robinson would be a great addition to a position of need for the Tigers.

O.J. Howard: TE, 6’5”, 221, Autauga Academy

O.J. Howard is currently listed as the No. 35 player in the country according to Rivals.com. Howard is far and away the strongest tight end in the current 2013 class and holds a commitment to Alabama.

With the change of offensive scheme coming at Auburn, tight ends are likely to become a larger focus. Howard would be a great fit for the position for the Tigers and is drawing heavy interest from the Tigers coaches.

Howard is a huge body who has room to add bulk in a college program. He already outmans the competition at the high school level; it won’t be long before he dominates the college circuit as well.

Howard appears firm in his commitment to Alabama, but in recruiting, you never know. Howard grew up pulling for Auburn, so there may still be hope for the Tigers coaches to pull in this elite talent. 

ArDarius Stewart: ATH, 6’3”, 190, Fultondale High School

ArDarius Stewart is a star on both sides of the ball for Fultondale High School and will likely get a shot at offense and defense in college. Stewart currently ranks as the No. 75 player in the country according to Rivals.com.

Stewart has played quarterback in high school and has also spent some time at defensive back. Currently, his likely ending is on the defensive side of the ball or as a receiver.

Stewart has been a lifelong Alabama fan and is currently an Alabama commitment. It will be a tough pull for the Tigers as he held an Auburn offer when he committed, but the Tigers coaches are likely to stay in contact with him throughout the process. He was most recently in Auburn in January for a junior day event.

Jarren Johnson: ATH, 6’0”, 190, Jackson High School

Jarren Johnson is a wide receiver from Jackson, AL. He's not currently ranked by any of the scouting services, but it's early in the evaluation periods. Johnson will be a 3-star and could likely earn a coveted 4star by signing day.

Johnson has elite speed and shiftiness and will serve any offense well as he's electric with the football in his hands. Although he has not garnered many big-time offers just yet, expect Johnson to start getting letters rapidly once the summer camp circuit opens up.

Johnson is a part of a very talented group of in-state receiver talent. Johnson is the sleeper of the pack.

Jeremy Johnson: QB, 6’6”, 215, Carver High School

Jeremy Johnson is a gamer. He's a tall and athletic quarterback who has the ability to burn the opponent through the air and on the ground. Johnson has the tools to be very special.

Johnson is an ESPNU 150 watch list member and has made waves this past summer on the camp circuit. Johnson is not currently ranked by Rivals.com, but he's likely to garner 4-star honors before long.

Johnson should be able to compete for a starting position wherever he goes within the first few seasons as his talent will be difficult to keep off the field. Johnson is a big target for the Tigers with only three quarterbacks scheduled to be on roster for the 2012 season.

Cameron Toney: LB, 6’3”, 225, Huntsville High School

Cameron Toney is an explosive linebacker with great size. He has a build that could comfortably add weight in the future, but also the athleticism that would allow for his speed to stick around despite added bulk.

Toney will be the most sought after linebacker in the state and will be highly regarded around the country. It is already a hot in-state battle for his commitment, but other SEC schools like LSU and Tennessee are hot on the trail. LSU plucked in-state linebacker Kwon Alexander this past signing period.

Toney grew up an Alabama fan and has said that engineering school is in his plans. That could be a big plus for the Tigers as Auburn has a very reputable engineering school. It is ranked No. 32 out of 170 programs nationwide that offer doctoral programs in engineering according to the U.S. News and World Report college rankings.

Kamryn Melton: DB, 5’10”, 165, Dothan High School

Kamryn Melton is a speedster who loves contact. He recently made his pledge to Auburn where the family feel that was displayed on a recent visit sealed the deal for the Tigers. It doesn’t hurt that Melton’s family pulls for the Tigers on Saturdays.

Melton has not seen his recruitment heat up just yet, but with 53 tackles and seven pass breakups as a junior, the attention is likely right around the corner.

Melton was a solid pickup for the Tigers as they look to add more speed to the already scary fast defensive backfield on roster. Melton has been and will continue to be courted by other schools inside the SEC, but the Tigers are in great position to hold onto this burner.

B.J. Hammond: WR, 6’4”, 207, Gadsden City High School

B.J. Hammond is another member of the elite receiver class who hails from the state of Alabama this year. Hammond is a big receiver who has the size and ball skills to make an impact early at the next level.

Hammond has not seen his recruitment take off just yet with offers, but plenty of big-name schools are showing interest. In early February, Hammond made a visit to LSU—a team that may be in contention for his signature.

Hammond will use this summer-camp circuit and his senior season to increase his stock on the national level, but Auburn appears to already be on the trail and is receiving heavy interest from Hammond.

Auburn appears to be in good position to land his signature next February.  

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