Auburn Football Recruiting: Latest Updates on 2015 Commits, Visits and Targets

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Following Auburn's tight 20-14 road victory against No. 20 Kansas State, it's time to take a look at a few potential Tigers who will be in action Friday night and into the weekend.

Auburn has not secured a commitment since early August, when borderline 4/3-star defensive tackle Jauntavius Johnson picked the Tigers over Alabama, Louisville and Mississippi State.

However, the Tigers are still hard at work on the recruiting trail, as several major targets are planning official and unofficial visits to the Plains through the big stretch of Auburn's SEC schedule.

Several of Auburn's current pledges are also off to fast starts in their final high school and junior college seasons, earning national and regional recognition as they prepare to hit the Plains in 2015.

Here's a look at the latest news surrounding Auburn's top commitments, visits and targets as the Tigers begin preparation for what could be a massive October on and off the field. 

Daron Payne Is Now a Top Priority

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DT Daron Payne at Arkansas vs. Auburn Game

With former No. 1 overall recruit Trent Thompson committing to rival Georgia last month, Auburn still has several high targets left who could fill the Tigers' defensive line needs.

The biggest target on the defensive line—and perhaps the entire recruiting board—is now 5-star tackle Daron Payne, Alabama's No. 1 overall recruit and the nation's No. 29 player.

The race for Payne's pledge is said to be between Auburn and Alabama. Payne grew up an Auburn fan, but Alabama is said to have a slight lead.

Payne took an unofficial visit to Auburn for the season-opener against Arkansas, and he told 247Sports' Keith Niebuhr (subscription required) he hopes to come back to the Plains for the LSU game—more on that monster recruiting weekend later. The 6'2", 348-pound defensive tackle is expected to announce his commitment after the end of his season at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham.

With senior defensive tackles Gabe Wright, Angelo Blackson, Ben Bradley and Jeffrey Whitaker moving on this year, Payne would have a shot at early playing time if he came to Auburn. He is one of the nation's most powerful recruits at the position, and there is no doubt he is the Tigers' top defensive target this fall.

Down to Auburn or Florida for Ivey

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OT Martez Ivey during unofficial visit to Auburn

Auburn's top offensive target is one of the country's top recruits, and the Tigers look like they'll be in a two-way tug-of-war with SEC foe Florida for his commitment.

The Apopka, Florida, native rose through the 247Sports composite ranks after an impressive offseason of camps, and he has continued impressing in his senior season.

Ivey was scheduled to take an official visit to Auburn for the season-opener against Arkansas, but a knee injury suffered the Friday night before caused him to reschedule. According to Niebuhr, Ivey could take his official visit on Oct. 25 vs. South Carolina or Nov. 8 vs. Texas A&M.

The dominant offensive tackle is close friends and teammates with 3-star H-back Chandler Cox, who has been a strong commitment to the Tigers since May. Cox is recruiting Ivey hard to join him on the Plains, and that could be a big factor in the battle with the in-state Gators.

Auburn will lose a couple of key offensive linemen after this season with a few others eligible for the NFL draft, so Ivey would be an enormous pickup who could play early and often for the Tigers. His run-blocking skills are some of the best in the nation, making him a dream commitment for Gus Malzahn and his staff.

High-Profile Targets Coming for LSU Game

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ATH Kirk Merritt after winning MVP at The Opening 2014

The LSU game will be a major contest for Auburn, as it takes on a SEC West foe who has had a lot of success in the rivalry these last few years.

It will also be major for the program's recruiting efforts, as a handful of major prospects will reportedly be in town for the game.

Five-star Arizona receiver Christian Kirk, who has Auburn in his top six alongside powerhouse programs such as Ohio State, Texas A&M and USC, will take an official visit to Auburn for the LSU game, per Niebuhr (subscription required). He will join another top target, as 4-star Louisiana athlete Kirk Merritt will also take an official visit on Oct. 4 (subscription required).

Also, according to Niebuhr (subscription required), Jeffrey Holland is planning to take an official visit for the LSU game as one of Auburn's top defensive recruits still left on the board.

With high stakes on the current team and several key recruits on the sidelines, it will be important for Auburn to make a good impression on and off the field on the first Saturday in October. An impressive home win against LSU could be huge for the Tigers' present and future.

Five Tiger Commits

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RB Kerryon Johnson before the Arkansas vs. Auburn game

A few of Auburn's best commitments for the 2015 recruiting class are starting to receive their jerseys for a major honor—playing in the Under Armour All-America Game.

Four-star running back Kerryon Johnson, an in-state standout and the nation's No. 2 overall athlete, received his game jersey for the annual showcase Wednesday at his high school in Madison.

Johnson told 247Sports: 

"

It’s not every day you get 90 of the best athletes in the country to compete against each other, I’m really looking forward to that. My dreams on the football field is just to be remembered as one of the greatest to play. I feel like that should be your dream if you’re going to play a sport. That’s what I drive myself to every day.

"

Auburn has five current commitments from its talented class who are on the roster for the game, which will take place Jan. 2, 2015, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Safety Jordan Colbert, linebacker Richard McBryde, offensive athlete D’Anfernee McGriff and offensive tackle Bailey Sharp—who also received his game jersey (subscription required) this week—have joined Johnson for the honor.

A few of Auburn's biggest targets will also be in St. Petersburg, so fans will be hoping they can see a few more future Tigers early in the new year.

JUCO Pledge Jason Smith off to Hot Start at QB

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ATH Jason Smith

He might be listed as an athlete, but longtime JUCO commitment Jason Smith is making waves at quarterback—a position he might have down the line at Auburn.

According to Niebuhr (subscription required), Smith has gone 33-of-46 passing for 477 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions as Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College opened 3-0 to start the 2014 campaign.

Smith has also recorded 230 yards and six touchdowns on the ground for MGCCC, which is where the Tigers found and successfully recruited star receiver D'haquille Williams.

"I’m kind of like a Nick Marshall type," Smith said, per Niebuhr. "I think I’ve got time to work on my passing game, and I think it’s going to be even better when I get (to Auburn). I think I fit in there good."

Auburn has a pair of underclassmen at quarterback already on campus and are on the hunt for several of 2015 and 2016's best signal-callers, but the Tigers are reportedly willing to give Smith a shot at quarterback when he arrives next year. If he can continue to improve his skills in junior college, he could be an offensive star for the Tigers in the future.

All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.

Justin Ferguson is Bleacher Report's lead Auburn writer. Follow him on Twitter @JFergusonAU.