Auburn Football: Players to Watch in High School All-American Games
The eyes of Auburn fans everywhere will be locked onto Tampa this week as the Tigers wrap up their 2014 season on New Year's Day at the Outback Bowl.
But, after Gus Malzahn's team takes on Wisconsin, the attention will shift to nearby St. Petersburg and then San Antonio.
In St. Petersburg, one day after the Outback Bowl, the Under Armour All-America Game will kick off at Tropicana Field. The majority of Auburn's biggest remaining targets and current commitments will be playing in that game, from a pair of 5-star defensive ends to in-state star Kerryon Johnson.
However, in San Antonio's Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 3, the nation's No. 1 recruit will take the field. Auburn is a top school for his services, as well as another top offensive tackle and two more highly rated defensive ends.
With the two major games set to kick off this weekend, here is a look at Auburn's top targets and commitments who will be going up against some of the nation's best prospects.
Offensive Targets at Under Armour Game
1 of 6
WR John Burt (4-star; Tallahassee, Fla.)
WR/ATH Terry Godwin (5-star; Hogansville, Ga.)
WR Tyron Johnson (5-star; New Orleans, La.)
When the quarterbacks of the two Under Armour teams take to Tropicana Field, look for three major Auburn targets to be on the other end of the connections. With Sammie Coates and possibly D'haquille Williams headed to the NFL early, the Tigers would love to sign at least one of these playmakers.
Burt committed to Texas over the summer, but he told Auburn Undercover's Justin Hokanson on Sunday that he is "split between Texas and Auburn" after taking a couple of visits to the Plains this fall. The 6'3" Florida native is the No. 11-rated wide receiver on 247Sports' composite rankings and would be a perfect vertical target for years to come in Malzahn's system.
Godwin is another top commitment who could possibly flip to Auburn this winter. The Tigers have continued their hot pursuit of the Georgia commitment, who is the nation's No. 1 athlete, over the last few months. With his high level of athleticism, Godwin could make an instant impact for the Tigers.
Johnson is perhaps the longest shot of the trio, even though he is the only one not currently committed to another program. LSU is said to be the strong leader for the talented New Orleans native, who makes his decision at the Under Armour Game.
Defensive Targets at Under Armour Game
2 of 6
DE Terry Beckner Jr. (5-star; East St. Louis, Ill.)
DE Byron Cowart (5-star; Seffner, Fla.)
LB Jeffery Holland (4-star; Jacksonville, Fla.)
DT Daron Payne (4-star; Birmingham, Ala.)
LB Roquan Smith (4-star; Montezuma, Ga.)
The Tigers need immediate help on the defensive side of the ball and are hoping hiring Will Muschamp as the new defensive coordinator will be a great investment before they take the field for the 2015 season.
Auburn is chasing two major defensive end recruits who will be ones to watch at the Under Armour Game. Missouri is the projected leader for Beckner Jr., but the Illinois native says he will officially visit Auburn before national signing day.
Cowart, who told 247Sports' Keith Niebuhr (subscription required) that he has been communicating with Muschamp "a lot," could be plucked from the Sunshine State powers and into Auburn's recruiting class now that the former Florida coach is with Malzahn.
At linebacker, Holland is a Florida native who has pushed Auburn to the top of his list following the hiring of Muschamp, whose staff recruited him to stay in state with the Gators. The Tigers also have a Under Armour Game linebacker target in Smith, a Georgia native who is leaning toward the Bulldogs but has interest from all over the country.
Last but certainly not least, Payne is one of Alabama's best recruits, and he will make his decision at the game. He has slid down the rankings this season, but the Tigers could use him next season with several veteran defensive tackles leaving the program after the Outback Bowl. Payne is still said to be leaning toward Alabama.
Current Commitments at Under Armour Game
3 of 6
S Jordan Colbert (4-star; Griffin, Ga.)
RB/ATH Kerryon Johnson (4-star; Madison, Ala.)
LB Richard McBryde (4-star; Troy, Ala.)
ATH D'Anfernee McGriff (4-star; Tallahassee, Fla.)
OT Bailey Sharp (4-star; Marietta, Ga.)
LB Darrell Williams (4-star; Hoover, Ala.)
Current targets get more of the attention from fans during these all-star games, but commitments definitely deserve to get noticed when they go full speed against some of the nation's best talent.
Two particular names to watch on this list are Johnson and McGriff. While Auburn recruited both of these current pledges to play offense, they were both selected to this game as defensive players. Johnson is coming off a pair of incredible performances at his state title game, and the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, so he might be in line for a few touches at running back in St. Petersburg.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Offensive Targets at Army Bowl
4 of 6
OT Martez Ivey (5-star; Apopka, Fla.)
OT Chidi Valentine-Okeke (4-star; Ludowici, Ga.)
The nation's No. 1 recruit gets the spotlight for Auburn and its fans in the Army All-American Bowl.
Ivey, who can play tackle or guard, has blown away scouts and coaches all year in combines, camps and high school games. According to 247Sports' Steve Wilfong (subscription required), Ivey has made his decision on where he will play his college ball, but there is still a question as to whether he will announce it in San Antonio or later this winter. Either way, Ivey is a must-watch in this game.
Another physically imposing tackle, Valentine-Okeke is another target to keep an eye on in San Antonio. He has only been playing football for two seasons, but he has all the physical tools to be a dominant offensive lineman down the road. Auburn is projected to be locked in a battle with SEC rivals Alabama, Georgia and LSU for his pledge.
Defensive Targets at Army Bowl
5 of 6
DE CeCe Jefferson (5-star; Saint Mary, Fla.)
DE D'Andre Walker (4-star; Fairburn, Ga.)
As one can tell from these lists, defensive end is a high priority for Auburn's staff this recruiting cycle. The Tigers are in the hunt for almost every top player at the position in this part of the country, and two of them will put their talents on display in San Antonio.
Jefferson is another Florida native who might push Auburn even higher on his list, thanks to the Muschamp hire. He is reportedly close to Muschamp and is expected to make an official visit to the Plains sometime in January. Auburn is facing stiff competition, though, as Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss are in the hunt for Jefferson.
According to 247Sports' Ryan Callahan (subscription required), Walker will announce his decision at the game in San Antonio. Auburn has been recruiting the Georgia native, who is ranked as the No. 10 defensive end in the country, for quite some time now, and Walker's decision is down to choosing between the Tigers, Georgia and Tennessee.
Current Commitments at Army Bowl
6 of 6
HB Chandler Cox (3-star; Apopka, Fla.)
OT Kaleb Kim (4-star; Hoschton, Ga.)
Cox, a teammate and close friend of Ivey, could be doing important work off the field this week in recruiting the nation's top target. But don't overlook what he could do in this game, as he has a chance to compete for the starting H-back role at Auburn from day one. Auburn fans should watch for how Cox blocks when put up against some of the country's best defenders in San Antonio.
On the offensive line, Kim is a versatile prospect who played tackle in high school, is projected to play guard at Auburn and is repping at center during the Army All-American Bowl. With a four-year starter in Reese Dismukes off to the pros soon, Kim could be a possible center down the road for Auburn.
All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
Justin Ferguson is Bleacher Report's lead Auburn writer. Follow him on Twitter @JFergusonAU.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
