Auburn Football Recruiting: Meet Tigers' Class of 2013
The Auburn Tigers are moving forward towards a new era of football under the leadership and direction of head coach Gus Malzahn.
This past year wasn't great for the program as a whole, but Malzahn and his staff have done a great job on the recruiting trail and have put together a very formidable class.
In time, these recruits will be the foundation for another great era of Auburn football.
Let's get to know Auburn's 2013 recruits.
Note: Information via 247Sports.com, ESPN.com or Scout.com unless otherwise noted. Star rankings according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Deon Mix
1 of 24Mackenro Alexander
2 of 24Johnathan Ford
3 of 24Johnathan Ford is a very good running back recruit, ranked No. 20 overall at the position according to the 247Sports Composite. He is a big in-state recruit for Auburn to land.
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Montravius Adams
4 of 24Height: 6'4''
Weight: 310 lbs.
Position: DT
Stars: 5-star
High School: Dooly County High School (GA)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Georgia, Clemson, Alabama
Commit Date: 2/6, 9:50 AM ET
Analysis:
Montravius Adams is going to be a superstar defensive lineman. He has great size, but he also possesses incredible quickness and technique. He can play anywhere on the defensive line, and he'll be strong against both the run and the pass.
Elijah Daniel
5 of 24Weight: 250 lbs.
Position: SDE
Star Ranking: 4-star
High School: Avon High School (Ind.)
Senior Stats: 85 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks
Other Finalists: Clemson, Ole Miss, Arizona State
Commit Date: 2/6, National Signing Day
Analysis
He has very good size at 6'4'', 250 pounds and runs a 4.70 40-yard dash, according to 247Sports.
Cameron Artis-Payne
6 of 24Height: 5'11''
Weight: 212 lbs.
Position: RB
Stars: 3-star
High School: Allan Hancock College, Milford Academy (NY)
2012 Stats: 2,048 YDS, 25 TD
Other Finalists: Washington, Utah
Commit Date: 9/28/12, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis:
Cameron Artis-Payne can come in and compete with with Tre Mason and Mike Blakely for playing time right away. He's a big running back, and he has experience at the JUCO level, which will help him transition at Auburn. He is ranked as the No. 4 JUCO running back (247Sports Composite).
Devonte Danzey
7 of 24Height: 6'3''
Weight: 303 lbs.
Position: 3-star
Stars: OG
High School: Hutchinson Community College, Tampa Bay Technical High School (FL)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: West Virginia, Baylor
Commit Date: 12/25/12, Enrolled: 1/16/13
Analysis:
I believe Devonte Danzey is a player who can come in and compete for John Sullen's vacant position at guard right away. Danzey has great size at 6'3'', 303 pounds, and he has experience at the JUCO level. He is also ranked as the No. 1 JUCO offensive guard, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He'll make an impact right away for Auburn.
Ben Bradley
8 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 302 lbs.
Position: DT
Stars: 4-star
High School: Hutchinson Community College, Norcross High School (GA)
2012 Stats: 43 TCK, 9.5 TFL, 5 SCK
Other Finalists: Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri
Commit Date: 1/07/13, Enrolled: 1/14/13
Analysis:
Ben Bradley is a big defensive tackle who will be a good option at the 1-tech or nose for Auburn. he has great size at 6'2'', 302 pounds, and he'll most likely be able to work his way into the rotation as an important sub. He is the No. 5 JUCO defensive tackle, according to the 247Sports composite, so he's an important recruit for the Tigers.
Carl Lawson
9 of 24Height: 6'3''
Weight: 245 lbs.
Position: WDE
Stars: 5-star
High School: Milton High School (GA)
Senior Stats: 44 TFL, 27 SCK
Other Finalists: Clemson, North Carolina, Tennessee
Commit Date: 3/24/12
Analysis:
Holding on to Carl Lawson's commitment was huge for Auburn. He's a 5-star strong side defensive end with superstar potential. He has great size and complements that with very good speed. He runs a 4.70 40, according to 247Sports. Lawson is good enough to see the field as a freshman and even compete to start at defensive end.
Jason Smith
10 of 24Height: 6'1''
Weight: 180 lbs.
Position: WR
Stars: 4-star
High School: McGill Toolen Catholic High School (AL)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Tennessee, Alabama
Commit Date: 7/9/12
Analysis:
Smith represents a big in-state recruiting win for Auburn. He's the No. 9 ranked player from the state of Alabama, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He's also a talented wide receiver. Gus Malzahn will run a version of the spread at Auburn, so having a plethora of wideouts is very important. Smith will be an important rotational player in his freshman season.
Tony Stevens
11 of 24Height: 6'3''
Weight: 175 lbs.
Position: WR
Stars: 4-star
High School: Evans High School (FL)
Senior Stats: 29 REC, 516 YD, 7 TD
Other Finalists: Texas A&M, Florida State
Commit Date: 1/20/13
Analysis:
Tony Stevens is a big-time recruit for Auburn. He flipped over from Texas A&M in early January, and he projects to be a very good receiver for the Tigers. He has terrific size at 6'3'', and he's the No. 16 wideout in the class of 2013, according to the 247Sports Composite. Stevens will compete for playing time as a freshman with Quan Bray, Trovon Reed and others. In time, he could end up being one of Auburn's featured receivers.
Jeremy Johnson
12 of 24Height: 6'5''
Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: QB
Stars: 4-star
High School: Carver High School (AL)
Senior Stats: 3,193 YD, 31 TD, 706 RUYD, 7 RUTD
Other Finalists: Arkansas State, LSU, Ole Miss
Commit Date: 5/20/12
Analysis:
Jeremy Johnson has the potential to be Auburn's quarterback of the future. He has a good frame and a strong arm. He's also very good at moving around in the pocket to create more time, and he can throw on the run.
Malzahn may want to wait a season and redshirt Johnson to allow him to learn the system, especially considering that Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Wallace are ahead of him on the depth chart.
Cameron Toney
13 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 230 lbs.
Position: ILB
Stars: 3-star
High School: Huntsville High School
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Tennessee
Commit Date: 4/14/12
Analysis:
Cameron Toney can come in and make an impact right away for Auburn's defense, especially since Daren Bates and Jonathan Evans graduated. Toney has great intangibles at 6'2'', 230 pounds, and he's fast for an inside linebacker. He runs a 4.80 40, according to 247Sports. Toney will compete for a starting spot in the 4-2-5, and at the very least he'll be a major contributor off the bench as a freshman.
Khari Harding
14 of 24Height: 6'1''
Weight: 205 lbs.
Position: S
Stars: 3-star
High School: Santa Fe High School (OK)
Senior Stats: 115 TCK, 4 TFL, 3 INT
Other Finalists: Arkansas
Commit Date: 1/20/13
Analysis:
Auburn was able to flip Khari Harding from Arkansas, so his commitment will go down as a very important recruiting win the for Tigers. Harding has great size for a safety coming out of high school at 6'1'', 205 pounds and he runs a 4.50 40 according to 247Sports. Overall, Harding has great potential.
Kenny Flowers
15 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 225 lbs.
Position: ILB
Stars: 3-star
School: Hutchinson Community College, Parkview High School (GA)
Senior Stats: 95 TCK, 6 TFL, 1 INT, 1 FF, 2 FR, 1 SFTY
Other Finalists: Arkansas, Texas Tech
Commit Date: 1/25/2013
Analysis:
Nick Marshall
16 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 205 lbs.
Position: ATH/QB/CB
Stars: 3-star
School: Garden City Community College, WIlcox County High School (GA)
2012 Stats: 3,786 total YD, 36 total TD (via Max Olson/ESPN)
Commit Date: 1/14/13
Analysis:
Nick Marshall is a former Georgia Bulldogs cornerback who was let go from the team and had to go the JUCO route to get to Auburn. He's ranked as an athlete, and he'll probably end up as a receiver for Auburn, though the Tigers could utilize him at corner if need be. He'll be a very effective option for the Tigers on offense.
Earnest Robinson
17 of 24Height: 6'1''
Weight: 192 lbs.
Position: WR
Stars: 4-star
High School: Pinson Valley High School (AL)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: South Carolina
Commit Date: 2/25/12
Analysis:
Earnest Robinson is going to be a very effective wide receiver for the Tigers. He has good height, and he runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports. Robinson should be able to get into the rotation as a freshman, and he could end up being one of the better players from this class.
Kamryn Melton
18 of 24Height: 5'11''
Weight: 174 lbs.
Position: CB
Stars: 3-star
High School: Dothan High School
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Georgia Tech
Commit Date: 2/27/12
Analysis:
Kamryn Melton will play a valuable backup role for Auburn in year one, and he has what it takes to compete for a starting position at corner once Ryan White and Chris Davis move on. He runs a 4.45 40, according to 247Sports, so he has good size, and he's a big-time in state commitment for the Tigers.
Brandon King
19 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: S
Stars: 3-star
School: Highland Community College, Thompson High School (AL)
2012 Stats: 30 TCK, 1 TFL
Other Finalists: South Alabama, Ole Miss, Arizona State
Commit Date: 1/4/13
Analysis:
Brandon King is another recruit who would be a good option for the "spur" position in the 4-2-5. He's ranked as a safety, but he can also play outside linebacker, so he's really a good fit. He also has some experience at the JUCO level, which can help him get an upper hand on the rest of the class. Once James Whitehead and Demetruce McNeal move on, King will most likely be one of the starting safeties if he doesn't end up at the spur.
Peyton Barber
20 of 24Weight: 215 lbs.
Position: RB
Star Ranking: 3-star
High School: Milton High School (GA)
Senior Stats: 1,713 YD, 22 TD
Other Finalists: Ole Miss, UCLA, Tennessee, Texas
Commit Date: 2/3/13
Analysis:
Peyton Barber is ranked as the No. 29 running back in the 2013 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Auburn was just recently able to flip him from Ole Miss, so landing him will go down as a big recruiting win for the Tigers.
Marcus Davis
21 of 24Height: 5'10''
Weight: 165 lbs.
Position: CB
Stars: 3-star
High School: American Heritage-Boca-Delray High (FL)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 1/27/13
Analysis:
Davis is an important recruit for Auburn from the state of Florida. He'll add good depth at the cornerback position in time, and he should also get a chance to play as a special teams guy early on. He's only 5'10'', 165 pounds though, so he may want to bulk up just a bit in order to compete in the SEC.
Dominic Walker
22 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 189 lbs.
Position: WR
Stars: 3-star
High School: Maynard Evans High School (FL)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Nebraska, Florida State
Commit Date: 1/25/13
Analysis:
Landing Walker was a big recruiting win for Malzahn and his staff. He's a big receiver with good speed, and more importantly, the Tigers were able to flip him away from Nebraska. He runs a 4.60 40, according to 247Sports, and he projects to be a very good receiver in Auburn's system.
Jimmy Hutchinson
23 of 24Height: 6'2''
Weight: 175 lbs.
Position: P
Stars: 3-star
High School: Harrison High School (GA)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: N/A
Commit Date: 2/21/12
Analysis:
Current punter Steven Clark will be a senior, so for all intents and purposes Auburn has found his eventual replacement in Hutchinson. He's ranked as the No. 2 overall punter in the 2013, according to the 247Sports Composite, so overall, he's a very important commitment with a bright future with the Tigers.
Daniel Carlson
24 of 24Height: 6'5''
Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: K
Stars: 3-star
High School: Classical Academy (CO)
Senior Stats: N/A
Other Finalists: Air Force, California, LSU
Commit Date: 7/1/12
Analysis:
Much like Hutchinson looks to be the future punter for the program, the same can be said for Carlson. Current kicker Cody Parkey will be a senior, so once he moves on, Carlson looks to be the next in line. He's a very important recruit and a big commitment for Auburn. The 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 1 overall kicker in the 2013 class.
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