Woody Barrett to Auburn: Tigers Land 4-Star QB Prospect

Gus Malzahn has found the next dual-threat star to run his high-octane offense. Woody Barrett, a 4-star quarterback out of Florida's West Orange High School, committed to Auburn Wednesday.  

Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports reported the news. Barrett received high-profile offers from a number of major conference powers, including Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma. However, Auburn has been running well ahead in the race for some time.

247Sports' Crystal Ball predictions gave the Tigers a 96 percent chance of landing Barrett. He gave the school his first unofficial visit—one of just a few he's taken thus far—and has had the two Alabama programs atop his list for some time. Barrett's high school coach, Bob Head, told AL.com's Drew Champlin last month that Alabama "might be No. 1" on his list.

In the end, it was the Crimson Tide's biggest rivals who landed their target. Barrett, who is ranked as the sixth-best dual-threat quarterback in the 2016 class, fits perfectly within Malzahn's system. He's a big, fast runner with experience out of the shotgun who makes more plays with his feet than his arm at this juncture.

Head offered a comparison that should bring comfort to Auburn fans, per Champlin: 

"

He's 6-3, 230, he's like a dang Mike (line)backer playing quarterback. He's like that Nick Marshall kid, a really, really big physical kid. He has a really strong arm. He needs to become more accurate and needs to be a better quarterback per se, but a really strong runner. He has really good instincts. He has a pretty good release. Still working on it, but he's just a real dynamic player.

"

Barrett is the seventh player to give Malzahn a verbal for 2016. He's the fourth player with 4-star distinction, and his commitment moves the Tigers up to No. 24 in the overall rankings. While that's certainly a boost, odds are most Auburn fans are just as excited getting one over on Alabama as they are landing Barrett.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.