Auburn Football Recruiting: Predictions for Top Rumored 2015 Prospects

Few college football teams have as much riding on national signing day as Auburn.

Gus Malzahn has already put together a solid class with blue-chip high school prospects and JuCo stars like Jovon Robinson and Jason Smith. However, this quality group can become elite with a few commitments from the top players still available.

The Tigers are in the running for some of the best uncommitted players in the nation and these players can be the difference for a potential championship run in the future. Still, there is a big difference between being considered by a top prospect and actually signing him.

Here is a look at the top players still on the board for Auburn with predictions for where they will land on signing day.

Martez Ivey, Offensive Tackle

Credit: 247Sports

Generally considered the best offensive line prospect in the class, Martez Ivey has offers from just about everyone and is almost certainly going to end up somewhere in the SEC. The question is which team will be able to grab a commitment.

Ivey has stated he is down to Florida and Auburn, with both sides having pros and cons for the offensive tackle. However, his recent statement to Derek Tyson of ESPN Insider is certainly interesting:

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I'm not really big in to specific coaches. They come and go because it's a business. Nothing's guaranteed in their position so I'm not really a coaches guy. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I like a school because of ‘this coach and that coach.' That's just how I feel about it. Like coach Muschamp was at Florida recruiting me and now he's at Auburn recruiting me. So coaches-wise, I don't really get caught up in that.

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Considering Florida's former head coach, Will Muschamp, is now on staff at Auburn, you would think the coach would have a lot to do with the decision. However, this quote makes it seem like he was willing to stick with his previous favorite even though the Gators have made a coaching change.

Jim McElwain might have gotten a late start in the recruiting process for Florida, but he seems like he has a good chance of securing a commitment from Ivey.

Prediction: Florida

Byron Cowart, Defensive End

USA TODAY Sports

Like Ivey, Byron Cowart will likely be deciding between Florida and Auburn on national signing day. Florida State is also technically in the running, although the Seminoles seem like they are on the outside looking in.

Meanwhile, Matt Hayes of Sporting News argued that Muschamp's switch from head coach of Florida to defensive coordinator at Auburn will make a big difference in the recruiting process:

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It’s not like the Florida administration didn’t know this could happen; the steps are easy to connect. Fire a popular coach among recruits, hire a coach with few recruiting ties to the state of Florida and it gets ugly quickly. [...]

It’s mind-boggling, really. The big, bad Gators — the program with more resources than any other in the SEC; the flagship school in the state of Florida — is on the verge of a colossal signing day embarrassment.

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Although this doesn't seem to be the case with Ivey, Cowart appears to be much more connected with Muschamp, especially considering he will be playing directly for him on the defensive side of the ball. 

Putting him on an already solid defensive line will also help the 5-star recruit go from good to great.

Prediction: Auburn

CeCe Jefferson, Defensive End

Credit: 247Sports

There are more teams in the running for CeCe Jefferson, although it once again has an SEC hint to it, as noted by Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue:

However, Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalana notes why Ole Miss has become a favorite:

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Considering he had already used an official visit to see the Rebels last October, his return trip in the late stages of his recruitment is a strong signal of his interest in the Rebels program.

Jefferson made waves in late December when he named the Rebels his leader. While that may have been initially met with some skepticism, there's a growing sentiment that Hugh Freeze and his staff sit in great position for him.

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Although Ole Miss was considered a joke in the SEC West just a few years ago, Hugh Freeze has shown the ability to get the most out of defensive players in recent years. Jefferson has the talent to be an NFL star in just a few years, and playing for the Rebels will give him a good opportunity to get there.

Prediction: Ole Miss

Terry Goodwin, Athlete

Credit: 247Sports

Technically, Terry Goodwin is already committed to Georgia, but Malzahn isn't giving up on the No. 1 athlete in the nation, according to 247Sports.

With plenty of other top players still needing recruitment, the Auburn coach spent time with Goodwin's family in an attempt to flip the versatile playmaker:

It's easy to understand why everyone would want Goodwin on their team. The Georgia native has great athleticism and the ability to play multiple positions at the next level. He could certainly fill one of a number of holes in the depth chart for the Tigers.

Unfortunately, Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously spoke to the 5-star recruit who said he was "100-percent committed to UGA."

Even with the latest in-home visit, Goodwin doesn't seem likely to change his mind.

Prediction: Georgia

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