Where Will Auburn Turn After 4-Star QB Austin Kendall Committed to Oklahoma?

Quarterback Austin Kendall announced his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners on Tuesday afternoon, less than a month after backing off an initial verbal pledge to Tennessee:

The 4-star North Carolina prospect picked up an offer from Oklahoma in late March while on a campus visit in Norman. He traveled to Auburn a week later, spending time with the Tigers just four days before his decision became public.

Kendall, a 6'2", 205-pound junior standout at Cuthbertson High School, quickly emerged as one of Auburn's primary 2016 targets following his decommitment from the Volunteers. 

"I sat down with [offensive coordinator Rhett] Lashlee and Coach [Gus] Malzahn. They really want me," he told Woody Wommack of Rivals earlier this week. "They're going to take one quarterback right now, they say, and they want me to be it."

Kendall, rated eighth nationally among pro-style passers in 247Sports' composite rankings, threw for 4,461 yards and 49 touchdowns in 2014. He added 519 yards and nine scores on the ground.

Auburn was viewed as a top contender to eventually land Kendall along with Kentucky. Instead, he's headed to Oklahoma, leaving the Tigers with a pivotal slot to fill in this cycle.

Malzahn and Lashlee have their sights set on multiple quarterbacks, with offers extended to 4-star recruits Dwayne Haskins, Jarrett Guarantano, Jawon Pass, Ervin Barrett and Xavier Gaines. 

Haskins appears to be focused elsewhere, with LSU, Notre Dame and Maryland emerging as potential landing spots. Guarantano is set to commit April 15, selecting either Tennessee, Ohio State or Rutgers. 

That leaves Pass, Barrett and Gaines—each considered premier dual-threat playmakers at the position—as viable options. 

Pass, a 6'5", 220-pound prospect, has drawn comparisons to fellow Georgia product Cam Newton. It isn't hard to imagine him doing damage in the same offensive attack that vaulted Newton to a Heisman Trophy and national stardom. 

Rated second nationally among dual-threat talents, his recruitment currently centers on the Tigers, Alabama, North Carolina and Louisville. Pass' older brother was a member of the Cardinals' 2015 recruiting class.

Gaines doesn't possess the unique physical stature of Pass, but he's proved to be one of the top overall athletes in Florida. Other interested teams include Clemson, Ohio State, Texas and Virginia Tech. 

Auburn is considered more likely to secure a commitment from Pass, according to 247Sports' Crystal Ball, which accounts for expert predictions. The Tigers hold a slight edge over Louisville, with 36 percent of all projections.

Pass used to sell popcorn at Auburn basketball games, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports. Now, Tigers fans hope he'll become the main athletic attraction on campus. 

Credit: 247Sports

Barrett is locked in at 100 percent to Auburn in the Crystal Ball. The 6'2", 213-pound Orlando, Florida, standout named the Tigers and Alabama co-leaders last month.

"I feel like I'm a dual threat, which is just like Nick Marshall," Barrett told Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports. "The things Nick Marshall can do, I could probably do better. That's how I feel."

It remains to be seen if Auburn would shut down its recruitment of Pass if Barrett pulled the trigger on a pledge.

Auburn's ambitions to sign a single quarterback in this class could certainly change. Malzahn made a late push for eventual Ohio State signee Torrance Gibson last winter despite holding a commitment from Tyler Queen.

With Kendall out of the equation, Auburn could opt to explore other opportunities at the position. Potential targets include Tylin Oden (Tennessee), Jalen Hurts (Texas), Anthony Brown (New Jersey) and Chazz Surratt (North Carolina). 

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.