The First of Three Recruiting Weekends Successful At Auburn

Auburn, Ala.: Gene Chizik characterized this past weekend's recruiting as vital and should be treated like game day.  Apparently that strategy was impressive for the 10 high school recruits visiting The Plains this weekend. 

Chizik and his coaching staff have two more official recruiting weekends remaining before signing day to make an impression.  The nation's No. 1-rated wide receiver, Reuben Randle, is expected to make one of those visits before making his final decision.  He has stated he will wait to make his choice known on signing day Feb. 4.

The first day that a high school athlete can sign with his prospective school, Chizik hopes it will be the Auburn Tigers.  Curtis Luper recruited Randle while he was coaching at Oklahoma State.

Randle had previously scheduled a visit this weekend; however, canceled due to a conflict with family plans.

Unlike what Alabama fans have declared, don’t expect Chizik to give up on recruiting the home state.

"It's real simple. You start in this state first and then you work your way out," Chizik said.

"We've got to saturate this state and we've got to do a great job of recruiting in this state. That's the No. 1 priority, and then you kind of branch out from there."

With the talent of the coaching staff I don’t see a problem with the Tigers getting their fair share, particularly next season, when they have a full year to build relationships with high school coaches and athletes.

Chizik acknowledged he might allow his assistant coaches, Malzahn, Luper, Boulware, and Taylor from Big 12 country to return to recruit Oklahoma and Texas will this be regular trend? 

We’ll have to wait and see. With the amount of talent there, I don’t think it would hurt. Diversification is always good.

Auburn got a boost when highly touted tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen of Marietta, Ga., one of Tommy Tuberville's previous verbal commitments, told AuburnSports.com on Saturday that he'll sign with Auburn and Gene Chizik.

When Lutzenkirchen reopened his recruiting after Tuberville’s resignation, the first coach who called for the tight end's services was none other than Alabama’s Nick Saban. 

Saban reportedly offered Lutzenkirchen a starting position if he would sign with the Crimson Tide. 

Apparently, Nick’s sweet-talking ways did not move Lutzenkirchen enough to take that risk.  Smart young man, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to get on the field next season under Gus Malzahn’s offense.

The focus of recruiting will be at three main positions of need, offensive line where the Tigers signed only one last year, wide receiver, and a “big time” quarterback.  The current list of committed recruits is back to 20 thanks to Chizik and his staff’s salvaging efforts.

Auburn has five open slots to fill.  That’s not to say Chizik will not attempt to sign more.  Previously Auburn had 26 commitments before Tuberville's departure.  However, the top 15 class as a whole was not highly regarded by some recruiting agencies. 

If Chizik and his ultra recruiting staff are able to sign just one or two of the nation's best, Auburn will see there class ranking dramatically increase. 

Does this equal wins on the field? No. But it sure helps with attracting some of the best athletes and build momentum toward the program's future.

Auburn is not totally talent-poor. With the starters simply needing to be developed and potential from others currently on the roster, filling the gaps will be the key with this recruiting class.   

After careful evaluation, Chizik has jumped into full attack mode. He and his staff have begun recruiting other super recruits that the former staff was not recruiting.  Why were they not? I have not a clue.

As previously mentioned, wide receiver Reuben Randle, running back Bryce Brown, wide receivers Kevin Norwood and Kendall Kelly as well as quarterback Tyrik Rollison, would make an excellent additions to the Tigers. 

Does this mean Auburn can land these prize recruits?  Well the mere fact that they are even considering Auburn this late in the game is a win in itself.  Auburn has a lot to offer, more importantly too the recruit it’s an opportunity for playing time.

Chizik understands the situation he came into and what’s at stake.  He also knows what the recruits are thinking about Auburn.

"These young guys are looking for opportunities," Chizik said. "They've always been very open-minded since the first day that I was on the job. 

Regardless if Auburn signs all, one or none of the top-rated recruits, this weekend was a success for Auburn and Chizik.  Something tells me Auburn will shock some folks come signing day.     

Verbal Commitments:  Noted with ESPN’s Top 150 rated by position

Nick Fairley, DT, 6-4, 295, Wesson, Miss. - JR College Signed
Eltoro Freeman, LB, 5-11, 218, Perkinston, Miss. – JR College Signed
Terrence Coleman, DT, 6-1, 244, Mobile #16 DE
Jonathan Evans, LB, 6-0, 205, Prichard #50 OLB
Donald Ford, LB, 6-2, 190, Odenville #35 DE
Harris Gaston, LB, 6-2, 210, Bessemer#41 OLB
Andre Harris, OL, 6-4, 327, Hampton, Ga.#189 OG
Brandon Heavens, ATH, 5-10, 165, Bessemer #25 WR
Brandon Jacobs, RB, 6-1, 230, Lilburn, Ga.#80 RB
Steven Jacques, OL, 6-4, 280, Hollywood, Fla.
LaVoyd James, WR, 5-10, 175, Mobile # 34 WR
Cameron Kenney, WR, 6-2, 195, Garden City, Kan.
Tyler Knight, OL, 6-4, 245, Leesburg, Ga.
Philip Lutzenkirchen, TE, 6-4, 245, Marietta, Ga. #5 TE
Onterio McCalebb, RB, 6-0, 175, Chatham, Va.  (PG)
Aaron Moore, OL, 6-5, 255, Frisco, Texas #44 OT
LaDarius Perkins, RB, 5-9, 180, Greenville, Miss. #50 ATH
Jamontay Pilson, DT, 6-3, 265, Greenville #39 DE
Travonte Stallworth, WR, 5-10, 180, Leesville, La. #17 ATH
Reggie Taylor, DB, 5-10, 167, Fort Valley, Ga # 28 CB

 Five of the Top ESPN 2009 Recruits Considering Auburn:

#1 WR Reuben Randle 6’3 195 Bastrop HS (LA)

#2 CB Greg Reid 5’9 175 Lowndes HS (GA)

#5 ILB Petey Smith 6’0 240 Armwood HS (FL) Brother of current Auburn RB Eric Smith

#7 WR Kendall Kelly 6’3 210 Gadsden HS (AL)

#9 OLB Tana Patrick 6’3 215 North Jackson HS (AL)