Auburn Football: Why 2013 Recruiting Needs to Be Gene Chizik's Best Yet

The Auburn Tigers have accumulated 11 commitments for the 2013 class. This is the fastest start for Gene Chizik and his staff since their arrival in 2009. It shows a continued passion and focus on recruiting, proving the theory correct that 2013 class needs to be Chizik’s best yet. 

The Tigers' coaches know that every day is a battle in the recruiting game. With the rise of major programs all around Auburn, there is no time for the coaches to coast through their recruiting efforts. The Tigers do anything but coast, and their recruiting fervor is showing through. 

With the big names already on the commit list, and only eight to nine spots remaining, Chizik knows this needs to be the best class of his tenure. Here are five reasons why.

Rebuilding or Reloading?

A statement that is often made about the elite programs in the country is that they reload, not rebuild. That is a fun play on words that just happens to make a ton of sense. 

Auburn is now entering the reloading mode. The Tigers have landed top 10 classes two out of the last three years, and have captured some of the most talented players from around the country. The Tigers have taken recruiting for Auburn to the national stage, and have managed to load up on a number of key positions. 

The Tigers' coaches see that there will be a wave of defections and graduations that will be right around the corner. Landing talented players who can compete the minute they step on campus will be a vital layer in the reloading mode. Auburn is in position to join the reloading crew with this recruiting class. 

Marquee Staff Changes Matched With Success

The Tigers will enter a new offensive and defensive era this season. With the new schemes and leadership will come a new spin on recruiting. New coaches have to really grind to earn the favor of recruits who have been in touch with other coaches for years.

Auburn has seen great success so far with Scot Loeffler and Brian VanGorder on the recruiting trail. The Tigers have a number of big name recruits committed defensively, and a select few talented skilled offensive players.

The Tigers need to have success this season to continue to solidify the legitimacy of the coaches' message on the recruiting trail. Gene Chizik landed bright minds and known names to help grow the recruiting advantage. 

Once the Tigers staff is able to show its abilities on the field this fall, the Tigers class will round out as one of the best in the country. 

Less Spots, More Selection

As the Tigers continue to build a talented roster, there will be more wins and less roster holes remaining with each passing year. With wins come more talented athletes. What this class can do is provide the Tigers with another layer to the roster and put the Tigers into a full 85-man roster situation for the first time in the Chizik era. 

This class will be limited at 19 or 20 signees, marking the second year that the Tigers have signed less than the allotted 28.

The Tigers have to be very selective with the bodies that they bring on as the spots will be limited this season. What that has done for the Tigers' coaches is provide exclusivity to the signing class and will give them the ability to bring in guys they expect will qualify and excel in the Auburn program. 

Brand Recognition Matters

This signing class currently sits among the top 10 in the country by every recruiting service available. Keeping the Tigers in the front of the minds of recruits is important, and winning major recruiting battles help continue to produce brand recognition. 

It may seem odd at first thought, Auburn needing to land a highly rated recruiting class to help grow and expand the brand of Auburn University. Odd as it may be, it is true. 

Every school has its logo emblazoned on virtually everything involved with the athletic department. This builds a picture in the head of prospective athletes, and builds the sense of a big name program. 

Auburn has done well with marketing its name after the 2010 National Title, but winning big this season coupled with a major recruiting class and the Tigers will have accomplished the continued goal of brand recognition for Auburn on the national stage. 

Growing Pressure for Elite Success

When Auburn won the national title in 2010, things didn’t get easier on the Plains for Gene Chizik and Co.—they quickly got more difficult. 

The Tigers had only won one national title in the years prior and scattered SEC titles were on the Tigers resume. With the national title in 2010, the Tigers fans are hungry for championships yet again. After all, the Tigers have been the 11th winningest program in college football since the new century began. 

The pressure to win is higher than ever, but the Tigers' coaches believe in their plan and recruiting abilities to meet and match any and all expectations. 

The 2013 class would provide another building block in the championship foundation and Auburn fans recognize that success. With this being Chizik’s fourth class, the team will now be completely Chizik’s players. Elite success has been reached, and now the Tigers need another title to ensure that it is maintained. 

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