Auburn Football Recruiting: Updates on 2013 Commits and Targets

It's been a rough year for the Auburn Tigers, both on the field and with recruiting, but things could be slowly but surely looking up now that Gus Malzahn is the new head coach.

Malzahn will be bringing in a new attitude and a new offense, and that could be just what Auburn football needs, especially in recruiting.

He appears to be the guy who can turn this thing around for the Tigers.

So, if you're a fan of Auburn football or even just college football recruiting in general, consider this to be your "one stop shop" for Auburn recruiting.

You'll find all the news, analysis and updates on commitments and targets that you'll ever need, right here.

Note: All 2012 stats via 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

Latest News

Update: 5-star defensive end Dee Liner has decommitted from Auburn on 1/15/13. Auburn is reportedly out of the running for his commitment.

Update: 4-star JUCO quarterback Nick Marshall has committed to Auburn on 1/14/13.

Update: 4-star JUCO defensive tackle Ben Bradley committed to Auburn on 1/7/13

Update: Auburn 4-star quarterback commitment Jeremy Johnson was very impressive at the U.S. Army All-American Game. Johnson went 4-of-6 passing for 64 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 12 yards.

Update: Former Auburn commitment, 4-star inside linebacker Trey Johnson has verbally committed to Ohio State at the Under Armour All-America game. Speaking of the game, two of Auburn's biggest commitments, 5-star defensive ends Dee Liner and Carl Lawson were featured in the game. They totaled a combined one tackle between the two of them. (End of Update 1/4/13)

Update: The big news and drama surrounding Auburn recruiting right now is the status of 5-star defensive end Carl Lawson. Lawson has been committed to Auburn since March, but his commitment has appeared to be wavering since Auburn fired Gene Chizik and his assistant coaching staff.

Here's what Lawson had to say about the status of his commitment the other day, via Michael Carvell of ajc.com:

"

Also, Carl Lawson was a speaker at Thursday’s event. He’s ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect by ESPN. While Lawson said he was 'humbled' and 'blessed' by the ranking, he also said 'it’s not all it’s cracked up to be' and made it clear he is ready to end the recruiting process as soon as possible (he’s committed to Auburn but looking at a few other schools, including Clemson, Ole Miss, and Tennessee). Lawson also had a Q-and-A session with a reporter while on the stage; when asked about the status of his commitment to Auburn, Lawson smiled and said 'no comment' while exiting to his seat.

"

The fact that one of Auburn's main recruits doesn't want to comment on his commitment is bad news for the Tigers.

The Tigers can't afford to lose Lawson's commitment, considering all the other recruiting losses they have experienced this cycle, so keeping him committed has to be the main focus for Malzahn and his staff. (End of Update: 12/28/12)

Quarterbacks

Targets

None

Already Committed

Jeremy Johnson—4-star pro-style QB, 6'5", 215 lbs (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 3,193 YD, 31 TD, 706 RUYD, 7 RUTD

Jason Smith—4-star QB/ATH, 6'1", 180 lbs (247Sports)

Nick Marshall—3/star JUCO duel-threat QB/ATH, 6'2'', 205 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 3,786 total YD, 36 total TD (via Max Olson/ESPN)

Analysis

Jeremy Johnson has the intangibles to be the quarterback of the future for Auburn, and he's a huge commitment for the 2013 class. He has a strong arm and very good fundamentals. He throws with good balance and motion, which allows him to be accurate with his powerful throws.

He's also a quarterback who will be able to move around in the pocket and throw while running. His size is also a huge advantage. We could be looking at the next great Auburn quarterback.

Running Backs

Targets

Derrick Green—5-star RB, 6'0'', 220 lbs, 4.4 40 (Rivals)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5/2013 1 p.m. ET

Biggest competition for commitment: Michigan, Tennessee, Miami, Oregon

Already Committed

Cameron Artis-Payne—(signed) 3-star JUCO RB, 5'11", 212 lbs (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 2,048 YD, 25 TD

Jordan Wilkins—4-star all-purpose RB, 6'1", 212 lbs, 4.41 40 (247Sports)

Analysis

Running back is a position of need for Auburn, so landing Artis-Payne's signature is a big recruiting win for Auburn. He has the intangibles to be a complete running back for the Tigers.

Payne can run between the tackles and pick up tough yards, but he's also quick enough to be effective on the edges. He displays good footwork and vision, and he's an extremely patient runner. As far as Wilkins is concerned, he has a great combination of size and speed, so overall, Auburn has to be feeling very good about this group.

Derrick Green has been one of Auburn's major targets, and now that Malzahn is in charge, the opportunity to play in his high-scoring offense could be a draw for Green. He's not necessarily a need, but he would be a huge pickup that would make this 2013 group of running backs elite.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Targets

De'Runnya Wilson—3-star WR, 6'4.5'', 212 lbs, 4.56 40 (247Sports)

Biggest competition for commitment: Mississippi State

Already Committed

Earnest Robinson—4-star WR, 6'1", 192 lbs, 4.60 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4/2013 5 p.m. ET

Analysis

So far, this is a very disappointing part of Auburn's 2013 class. Depth at the wide receiver position is going to be a must now that Malzahn is head coach, so Auburn needs to at least land Wilson's commitment. The Tigers shouldn't stop looking for more wideouts after that, though.

The good news is that Robinson has good size and speed, and he's one of the better receivers in the 2013 class. Still, this position needs improvement.

Offensive Line

Targets

None

Already Committed

Devonte Danzey—(signed) 3-star JUCO OG, 6'3", 303 lbs (247Sports)

Analysis

Auburn has a ton of underclassmen on the offensive line depth chart (Rivals), so bringing in more recruits isn't a big need here. The fact that the Tigers were able to land Danzey's signature is a plus really. 

Danzey is the No. 1 JUCO offensive guard in 2013 according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. His signature has been one of the lone Auburn recruiting highlights as of late.

Defensive Line

Targets

Montravius Adams—5-star DT, 6'4'', 310 lbs (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4/2013 5 p.m. ET

Biggest competition for commitment: Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Florida

Toby Johnson—4-star JUCO DT, 6'4.5'', 310 lbs, 4.89 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 37 TCK, 6.5 TFL, 3 SCK

Biggest competition for commitment: Mississippi State, Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma

Already Committed

Carl Lawson—5-star weak-side DE, 6'3", 245 lbs, 4.70 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 36 TFL, 26.5 SCK

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4/2013 5 p.m. ET

Tashawn Bower—4-star strong-side DE, 6'5", 241 lbs, 4.80 40 (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 95 TCK, 16 TFL, 11 SCK, 3 FF

Ben Bradley—4-star JUCO DT, 6'2'', 302 lbs. (247Sports)

2012 Stats: 43 TCK, 9.5 TFL, 5 SCK, 

Analysis

This group took a huge hit when 5-star defensive end Dee Liner decommited. As it stands, Carl Lawson's commitment is still in question as well, so what started as an elite defensive line class is now in jeopardy.

Keeping Lawson's commitment is now a must for Auburn, and this makes Montravius Adams a very important target on the Tigers' board. Landing Adams would make up for the loss of Liner, but that's going to be much easier said than done.

Linebackers

Targets

Reuben Foster—former Alabama and Auburn commitment, 5-star ILB, 6'1'', 240 lbs, 4.60 40 (247Sports)

All-Star Game: Under Armour 1/4/2013 5 p.m. ET

Biggest competition for commitment: Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Washington

Already Committed

Cameron Toney—4-star ILB, 6'2", 230 lbs, 4.80 40 (247Sports)

Analysis

Describing Auburn's linebacker class of 2013 as disappointing would be an understatement. Mind you, this has nothing to do with Toney because he's a good linebacker recruit. It has everything to do with what this group used to look like.

There was a time when Auburn had the commitment of Reuben Foster, the No. 1 inside linebacker recruit in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and Trey Johnson, the No. 3 ILB (247Sports Composite).

Both have decommitted from Auburn, though, and that's been the story for the Tigers this year.

There is a chance that Foster does recommit to Auburn, but for now, Toney is the sole linebacker recruit for 2013. 

Defensive Backs

Targets

MacKensie Alexander—5-star CB, 5'10", 180 lbs, 4.40 40 (247Sports Composite)

All-Star Game: U.S. Army 1/5/2013 1 p.m. ET

Biggest competition for commitment: Clemson, Texas A&M, Mississippi State

 

Already Committed

Kamryn Melton—3-star CB/ATH, 5'11", 174 lbs, 4.45 40 (247Sports)

Analysis

Melton has very good intangibles, and he could end up being a solid player for Auburn, but the Tigers still really need to fill out their depth chart in the secondary. Alexander is a possibility, but he seems like a distant one. 

Auburn could get away with just recruiting Melton, but they would be better off bringing in a few more defensive back recruits for depth purposes.

Special Teams

Targets

None

Already Committed

Jimmy Hutchinson—3-star P, 6'2", 175 lbs, 4.75 40 (247Sports)

Daniel Carlson—3-star K, 6'5", 190 lbs (247Sports)

Analysis

When you were as bad as Auburn was last year, it's best to get back to the basics. Taking care of special teams may not be high on the list with fans in regard to importance, but it's a must with coaches. 

For a new coach like Malzahn, having a special teams unit that he can trust is going to be very valuable, so in that light, these are two very good recruits. Carlson is the No. 4 ranked kicker in the 2013 class and Hutchinson is the No. 2 ranked punter, both according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.