Auburn Football Recruiting 2015: Top Recruits Committed and Latest Reaction

It's amazing how one move can make everything look and feel so different. Last year, Auburn's defense was a mess and it cost the team any shot of competing for another national title. While the jury is still out on what 2015 holds, it's obvious from early recruiting returns that Will Muschamp has made an impact. 

The Tigers entered national signing day with a good idea of where they stood, but things took a dramatic turn in a good way early. Here's the latest look at all of Gus Malzahn's 2015 commitments, as well as reaction to what the program is adding. 

Player	Position	Star Rating
Byron Cowart	Strong Side Defensive End	5
Jordan Colbert	Safety	4
Kerryon Johnson	Athlete	4
Prince Tega Wanogho Jr	Strong Side Defensive End	4
Jeffery Holland	Outside Linebacker	4
Darius Slayton	Wide Receiver	4
Darrell Williams	Outside Linebacker	4
Ryan Davis	Wide Receiver	4
Richard McBryde	Outside Linebacker	4
Marquel Harrell	Guard	4
Kaleb Kim	Center	4
Montavious Atkinson	Inside Linebacker	4
Carlton Davis	Cornerback	4
Jauntavius Johnson	Defensive Tackle	3
Jalen Harris	Tight End	3
Mike Horton	Offensive Tackle	3
Jeremiah Dinson	Cornerback	3
Elijah Sullivan	Outside Linebacker	3
Ian Shannon	Punter	3
Javarius Davis	Running Back	3

Byron Cowart Commits to Auburn

Even if Auburn went the rest of national signing day without adding another player, Tigers fans would still be grinning from ear to ear with the addition of star defensive end Byron Cowart. 

The top-ranked defensive end and No. 3 overall prospect in 247Sports' rankings made his announcement official on the ESPNU telecast, via SportsCenter:

There was some concern that Cowart might pull a late switch because he didn't fax in his letter of intent right away, though Alex Byington of the Opelika-Auburn News provided relief:

Cowart talked about his decision after announcing it, saying on SportsCenter, via Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com, that his final trip to the campus sealed the deal:

"

[The visit] put the icing on the cake. I was considering Auburn before, and it was a coincidence they got Coach Muschamp. I wasn't going to take a visit. He helped them to get me to take a visit. After that, I was able to see everything for myself, and I'm like, 'OK, so you guys were telling the truth.'

"

Just to show how important getting an elite edge-rusher like Cowart was for Auburn's 2015 recruiting class, ESPN Stats & Info offered this number about the defense's performance last year:

Jeremy Crabtree of ESPN was quick to point out how crucial the addition of Muschamp as defensive coordinator appears to have been for the Tigers:

As you can see in Crabtree's tweet, Cowart's addition could have a nice ripple effect for Auburn being able to lure other top defensive players to Jordan-Hare Stadium. 

In addition to being an impact player, Cowart's signing vaulted Auburn's recruiting class up the rankings, per Barton Simmons of 247Sports:

Whatever Cowart's reasons for choosing the Tigers, there is no doubt that he is the game-changing talent they needed to turn around a defense that had the fewest sacks in the SEC and allowed 26.7 points per game last year. 

Now, the real pressure is on. Cowart is going to become the face of Muschamp's defense right away, so he better be prepared for the passion and scrutiny that goes along with being a prize recruit in the SEC. The good news is he seems up to the task, at least physically with a 6'4" and 250-pound frame. 

Kerryon Johnson Gives Auburn Star Athlete

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

A lot of attention will be paid to Cowart, rightfully so, but another key addition on Wednesday was 4-star athlete Kerryon Johnson. It wasn't a surprising move, as most had expected it. Then he showed up to his press conference wearing this sweater, via Ryan Cody of WHNT News 19 in Alabama:

Adding Johnson also helped Auburn make history, as Byington noted the Tigers are the first team to add three consecutive Alabama Mr. Football winners:

The previous two winners, running back Roc Thomas (2013) and quarterback Jeremy Johnson (2012), figure to make an impact in 2015, as they are no longer blocked by Cameron Artis-Payne and Nick Marshall, respectively. 

Johnson's future position is up in the air, as he's got the ability to play running back on offense or in the secondary on defense. He's got the measurables at 6'0" and 200 pounds to handle either spot in the SEC.

B/R SEC national writer Barrett Sallee believes Johnson would be better served choosing safety over running back:

"

A big problem last season was the secondary, particularly its susceptibility to giving up big plays. Auburn gave up 68 plays of 20 or more yards last season—the worst mark in the SEC. It does return all four players on its two-deep at safety, including starters Johnathan Ford and Joshua Holsey, but with a new scheme and a new coordinator, starting roles are hardly guaranteed.

Johnson is more likely to find his way to the field in 2015 as a safety, and he has the skills to do it.

"

Wherever Johnson ends up playing, he gives the Tigers more versatility. They aren't exactly a vanilla team, but there weren't a lot of variations last year. Malzahn loves the option on offense, though Marshall proved at times last year he was capable of airing it out when necessary. 

Being able to use a dynamic weapon like Johnson on either side of the ball gives Auburn a key piece to build around. 

Jeffery Holland Follows Cowart's Lead

In the battle between Auburn and Florida, the Tigers are running away and hiding on national signing day. Cowart burned the Gators early on Wednesday, then he was joined shortly after by another Gator target in 4-star outside linebacker Jeffery Holland. 

Per Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports, there may have been a deeper personal connection to Auburn that also led Holland to the Tigers:

When asked about why he chose Auburn in an interview with 92.5 FM in Jacksonville, Florida, Holland offered an interesting response about the Gators' recent level of involvement:

There could be several reasons for that, as the Gators may have felt like Holland didn't fit in with the new coaching staff and defensive schemes or Auburn was too far ahead to keep pursuing a lost cause. It's still interesting to see one of the marquee SEC programs basically fold on a top recruit from the state. 

Per ESPNU, Holland is one of many outside linebackers to join Muschamp's defense in Auburn this recruiting season:

As you can see by looking at the Auburn recruit list at the top of the article, the overwhelming majority of players who either signed their letter of intent or announced they plan to do so in the future are on defense. 

Malzahn saw the same thing that everyone else did in 2014. It will be interesting to see what happens to the offense without Marshall and Artis-Payne, even though there are replacements in-house, but the defense should be much better even if it will take the young players time to get acclimated to life in the SEC. 

All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports. 

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