Big Cat Weekend: Wait Til We Get Here

I think for the first time in a longtime, Auburn fans have something to be proud of. All of the publicity stemming from the Tiger Prowl and Big Cat weekend has the local and national media talking good things about the Tigers.  

It seems to have been eons since the words good or effective were made in reference to the Auburn Tigers Football Program and recruiting. It seemed as of late that we had taken a backseat to everyone in recruiting.

Not anymore.  

Have any big name recruits committed? No, at least not publicly.

And I know what’s to be said for a recruiting commitment in June; those kids change their minds all the time. 

Actually, history tells us that most young student athletes stick with their commitments on signing day.

With not a single commitment from this massive recruiting attack, how can this be judged a success you ask? Simply put: Publicity.  

Auburn is back on the map.

I believe that it truly began with the solid finish to this year’s signing class. Head Coach Gene Chizik and copmany are proving to everyone that no matter who the athlete is or where he comes from, if he has talent and character we will be there.  

We want guys to enjoy Auburn. I think that was the premise of this weekend. Not commitments, although I am sure they would have been taken.  

The Auburn family needed an attitude adjustment. The adjustment has to come not only from the student-athletes but also the fanbase. For once there is a feeling that progress is being made.

Auburn is moving in the right direction. For all the negativity at the onset of the hiring of Chizik, he has done everything the right way.  

Of course the season is months away and success is just around the corner for the other 119 teams as well, but there is something special happening on the plains.  

Does it mean immediate success? Most likely not. I think that a seven or eight win season would be nice and is expected.  

But at least we can feel like we are on the right track. With guys like Curtis Luper and Trooper Taylor heading up these recruiting efforts the future looks bright.

I say bring on more of these types of weekends. Do whatever needs to be done to bring excitement not only to recruits and players alike, but the fans as well. I think that the bandwagon is here and tickets are getting hard to come by.