Auburn Football: Big Week for Tigers on Recruiting Trail

When it comes to recruiting, nobody has been hotter than the Tigers the past week. Auburn held a big passing camp last Sunday, then got three big commits that day, followed by another on Monday, and a fifth on Tuesday.

Auburn has traditionally received more commits later on in the fall than in the summer. But this year has seen Tommy Tuberville and his staff offer more kids earlier in the process, and it seems to be paying off, with 16 commitments already in June for Auburn.

Here's a rundown of the big commits the past week for the Tigers.

**Evaluations given by Scouts, Inc.

Travante Stallworth, ATH, Leesville, La. (ESPN 150 Watch List) 

5'11/180, 4.4 (video)

**This kid can really, really run. He is smooth, fluid and a home-run threat once he gets into space. Stallworth plays quarterback but strictly because he is this teams' best player and they want the ball in his hands on every snap.

He lacks great size and will be a wide receiver or corner at the next level and he appears to have huge upside as a return specialist due to his quickness and top end speed. He is remarkably smooth and fluid—his ease of movement and change-of-direction skills are excellent.

He's a glider with elusive moves and a serious second gear in space. He actually runs with running back type vision and lateral agility. Fits through tiny creases, explodes into the open field and has the speed and burst to get to the edge, turn the corner and take it the distance.

At this time, it is not possible to determine his ball skills. However, one concern we do have with Stallworth is that he does not seem to welcome or initiate contact in any way. Runs out of bounds too much after runs, does not lower his shoulder in traffic and would prefer to be an outside runner as opposed to running between the tackles.

Doesn't take many hits as a result. He will have to develop into a fulltime player at another position and there is no doubt about his ability, but we would like to see more aggressiveness and toughness out of him as a player. Explosive, speed prospect.

LaDarius Perkins, RB, Greensville, Miss. (ESPN 150 Watch List)

5'10/180, 4.4 (video)

A relatively under-the-radar prospect, Perkins had a great showing at Auburn's passing camp going up against some of the best players in the South. Perkins has elite speed and quickness that make him a perfect fit for Auburn's new spread offense. At 5'10, 180 pounds, Perkins is a workout freak benching 330 pounds; he also has a squat of close to 500 and runs a 4.4. I linked his must see video above.

Lavoyd James, WR, Mobile, Ala. (ESPN 150 Watch List)

5'11/180, 4.45 (video)

**James is an explosive and speedy wideout with excellent feet, change-of-direction skills and suddenness as both a route runner and runner after the catch. He reaches top speed rapidly and possesses some of the best top end speed we have seen in this class.

A true vertical threat that lacks great size and bulk, but is a candidate to play either outside or in the slot. Is equally adept at working against zone or man-to-man coverage. Is hard to handle one-on-one because he explodes off the line and gets on the defenders toes quickly and is explosive with his cuts into and out of breaks.

Has a nice feel for zone defenses when working out of the slot. Will settle and find soft spots and is very dangerous in space after the catch. Possesses big play flair and the speed to out run angles and fest corners to the endzone from anywhere on the field. Has quick hands and snags balls effortlessly on the move.

Does not lose much when adjusting to poorly thrown balls, is tough, will go up for the ball and has no fear across the middle of the field. Gets upfield immediately after the catch. He can break down defenders once in space and has great wiggle and quickness to make multiple defenders miss.

As mentioned, he isn't very big, may not have great redzone production or jump ball ability, but he is crafty and quick and he knows how to get open. Very good prospect and would be a nightmare in the spread in a Percy Harvin-type role.

Andre Harris, OG, Lovejoy, Ga. (#20 Guard by Scout.com)

6'4/320 (video)

**Harris is a "hulk" of an offensive lineman. He's tall enough at 6-foot-4, but a little too heavy at 330 pounds. Mammoth of a man that will crush you if you get in his way. A straight ahead guy that plays from a two-point stance.

When he gets locked on, he will take the defensive man on a ride. Uses hands but needs more punch. Agility work will help him in picking up line stunts. Plays a little too high in both the run and the pass game. Shows some ability pulling and trapping but is sometimes slow getting there.

Needs to work at finishing the play. Reach blocks with success most of the time; locks up and bulldozes downfield. Harris must lose weight and work on his flexibility in order to be a solid offensive guard. He is very powerful and could have success as a run blocker at the guard spot from a three-point stance.

Aaron Moore, OL, Frisco, Texas

6'5/260

Moore provides Auburn with an athletic offensive linemen who can play tackle, guard, or center. Auburn has targeted him as a center and that is the likely destination for him in college. He is extremely athletic playing both offensive line and defensive end in high school. He is also teammates with high profile quarterback recruit Ryan Mossakowski. 

To read more on Auburn's hot start in recruiting, check out Billy Tucker's article on ESPN's Scouts, Inc.

Read more at my blog, Gridiron Guru.