Auburn Football Recruiting: Tracking Targets for the 2013 Class

When you are a team that is in the SEC, there is a good chance you are going to land your fair share of talented prospects. That has been the case for the Auburn Tigers over the years as they are always putting together solid recruiting classes.

Last season, Auburn landed 21 talented players, 12 of which were at least 4-star players. This season, Auburn has already received 10 early commitments and is looking to build on those numbers for the 2013 recruiting class.

As we dive deeper into the recruiting process, here are the latest updates on some of the top recruits that the Auburn Tigers are trying to land.

Ryan Green

Latest Status: Considering Auburn, Clemson and Florida State, among others.

You can never have enough playmakers on the football field. Green will provide a home-run threat to whichever offense he decides to become a part of.

He is not the biggest running back in the world at 5'10", 185 pounds, but he is very elusive and has top-notch speed. He is also a receiving threat with a solid pair of hands.

With every school looking to add the 4-star playmaker, Auburn has made its impact felt (via Scout.com):

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They just want to get me in space. If I come to Auburn they want to get me in space because they know I can do things in space. That’s exciting to hear. They said they are really interested in me and I’m one of a few guys for them.

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Green will also check out Oregon and Florida State before doing a little more homework on Auburn.

Derwin Gray

Latest Status: Considering Maryland, Auburn, Florida State and Florida, among others.

Gray has a solid frame at 6'5", 280 pounds, long arms and quick feet. He's still a little raw at the offensive tackle position, but is athletic enough and has the tools to become a good player over time.

The 4-star recruit is looking at several schools, including home school Maryland. However, one school is really sticking out early.

Gray said (via Scout.com): "Auburn was the best trip I have been on all year. I feel very comfortable with the Auburn coaching staff."

Gray has visited other schools such as Tennessee and Penn State, but it looks like Auburn, Florida State, Florida and Maryland remain the frontrunners for his services.

Tyshon Dye

Latest Status: Considering Auburn, Georgia, Florida and Clemson, among others.

Much like Green, Dye is a running back that has game-changing speed. However, this 4-star back is a little bit bigger at 6'1", 200 pounds and runs with more toughness.

He can also take that aggressiveness and use it to play the linebacker position as well, which makes him that much more valuable to the teams that are recruiting him.

Dye just came back from checking out Auburn and likes some of the things he heard the coaching staff say (via Scout.com):

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I talked to the running back coach (Curtis Luper), offensive coordinator and coach Chizik. It was pretty interesting. They were telling me some things that I love to hear what they’ve got coming back next year. They’ve got a good line coming back. All their linemen they’ve recruited, half of them are freshmen.

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Dye will likely make his decision sometime after his senior season.

Tyrone Crowder

Latest Status: Considering Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State, among others.

Crowder is one of the top offensive linemen this class has to offer at 6'3", 305 pounds. He has a great combination of power and strength and plays the game with a very high motor. He is as tough as they come and should compete for playing time from day one at the guard position.

The 4-star recruit has tons of offers on the table, but isn't quite ready to name any favorites (via Scout.com):

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I plan on coming out with a top five either at the end of this week or next week. I am not going to name any favorites right now. The schools recruiting me the hardest right now I would have to say are Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, Florida State and South Carolina. Alabama and Florida are also still in the mix.

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Crowder also went on to say that he will end up visiting South Carolina, Georgia and Clemson as three of his five official visits.

Montravius Adams

Latest Status: Considering Auburn, Clemson, Alabama and Florida, among others.

Adams is considered by many to be the top defensive tackle in this year's recruiting class. He has terrific size at 6'4", 295 pounds, plays the game with a high motor and is very quick off the ball.

With offers from nearly every top program, Adams says that the Auburn Tigers will be in the running for his services after he recently visited with some of the Tigers coaches (via Scout.com):

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It was supposed to be a big party and everything, but most of the time I was meeting with the coaches. I talked to Coach Chiz, Coach (Mike) Pelton and Coach Trooper (Trooper Taylor), and I also talked to Coach (Brian) VanGorder, the defensive coordinator. We talked about the position I would be playing for them.

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Adams is real high on Auburn and would like to follow in the footsteps of former great defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

Robert Nkemdiche

Latest Status: Considering Ole Miss, LSU, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Auburn, among others.

Nkemdiche is arguably the best defensive player in the 2013 class and certainly the top defensive end it has to offer. He has a great combination of strength, speed and power. Not to mention, his 6'4", 268-pound frame allows him to compete for playing time right away.

The 5-star recruit had said he was looking to make a decision after the spring games, according to Scout.com, but of course that did not happen. Where he will end up, nobody is quite sure. We do know that Auburn does have a solid chance of landing him, which is all you can ask for at this point in the process.

Shelton Gibson

Latest Status: Considering Auburn and Ohio State, among others.

Another playmaker on the offensive side of the ball that the Tigers are looking to add is wide receiver Shelton Gibson. He is only 5'11" and 173 pounds, but it's his speed and great hands that really grab the attention of the coaches.

He won't be a true No. 1 wideout, but he brings big-play ability to the table, which is always good for any offense.

Right now, it appears to be a two-team race between Auburn and Ohio State for the 4-star player's services (via ESPN):

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After [Auburn and Ohio State] it would definitely have to be Illinois, Mississippi State and I think I’m on the verge of getting an offer from Alabama because I been talking to the coach like here and there. Cincinnati, I talk to them a lot, Michigan State.

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Gibson is expected to make his announcement on June 20, according to Scout.com, which is his mother's birthday.