Auburn's Bold Predictions for a Big Finish: 2011 Signing Day and the Tigers

Disclaimer:  These are predictions.  Please treat them as such.

Whew, glad we got that out of the way.  Now we can move on to more serious matters. 

According to ESPN, Auburn is currently ranked 14th in terms of recruiting.  While that ranking is good, many Auburn fans feel it should be better.  The good news is that Auburn only has 14 known commitments and it seems like steam is picking up the closer we get to National Signing Day.

The question remains: How will Auburn finish the 2011 signing class?  I believe there are 10 recruits that will round out Auburn's recruiting class and propel them to another stellar National Signing Day.

10. Erique Florence, DB

Erique Florence is very familiar with the Tigers and has been a heavy lean for several months.  He has played nearly every position for his high school team, but look for him to prowl the secondary at Auburn.  He has stated that he will wait until NSD before making his decision, but most expect Auburn to be in great shape to land the four star DB from Valley, Alabama.

Expect to see Florence ink with Auburn in February.

9. Marcus Roberson, DB

Similar to Florence, Roberson has been a heavy lean to the Auburn Tigers, as well.  There was uncertainty among the Auburn faithful several months ago that Roberson could head west and land with Texas Tech, but those worries have faded.  At this point, I would be shocked if Roberson didn't end up with Auburn.

Look for the four star CB to roam the secondary starting in 2011.

8. Robenson Therezie, DB

Robenson Therezie is another product of the talent-rich Miami area.  His size, 5'8" and 180 pounds, probably doesn't worry bigger wide receivers like A.J. Green or Julio Jones, but the fact that he is rated as the number one head hunter might.  

Therezie is a guy that any team would love to have to build a secondary around.  He effectively shuts down the middle of the field and truly limits the options opposing teams throwing the ball.

7. Gabe Wright, DT

Can you say, Nick Fairley...again?

Gabe Wright is the 10th ranked DT in the country and just so happens to play high school ball down the road from Auburn in Columbus, Georgia.  

Auburn's recruitment of Wright has certainly not been hurt by the play of Nick Fairley this season.  It is also nice to have a former Lombardi and Outland Trophy winner as your D-Line coach in Tracy Rocker.

Look for Auburn to sign Gabe Wright come February.

6. Tre Mason, RB

Finally, we have arrived at the first RB in Auburn's 2011 class.  Seems strange that "Running Back U" wouldn't have a RB commit this far along in recruiting, but never mind that now.

Mason has been high on Auburn for some time now and it seems like he grows more comfortable with Auburn and the coaches everyday.  He is a legit 4.4 second 40-yard guy, but also has the ability to lower his shoulder when he needs to.

Look for this highly touted RB from the sunshine state to suit up for the Tigers in 2011.

5. Quan Bray, WR

Quan Bray is another guy that is "just down the road" from Auburn.  He hails from LaGrange, Georgia, but it looks like he will be spending the next 4 years at Auburn.

Listed at 5'11 178 pounds he is probably on the skinny side of things for major college football, but that hasn't stopped guys like Onterio McCalebb.  I feel certain that he will probably redshirt his freshman year, pack on a few pounds and will be a very dangerous threat in Auburn's high octane offense for years to come.

4. Brandon Fulse, TE

 It has become pretty obvious in 2010 that Auburn has their TE for right now, but it is always a big plus to have a TE for the future.  Besides, Auburn fans have a hard time spelling Lutzenkirchen, too.  

It isn't very often that a prospect shows up with the size of a lineman, the hands of a receiver and speed of a running back, but at 6'4" 248 pounds and turning in a 4.8 second 40-yard dash, Brandon Fulse fits the bill.

Look for yet another sunshine state prospect to ink with the Tigers in February.

3. Ray Drew, DE

Yet another reason not to run or pass the ball against Auburn in the very near future.

Ray Drew is a phenomenally fast pass rusher, but has the ability to stuff the run, too.  He is currently ranked as a 4-star prospect, but look for that rating to climb higher the close we get to Signing Day.

Drew's recruiting could probably best be described as "everyone wants him, but too bad, he's Auburn bound."

Sorry, Georgia fans.

2. Savon Huggins, RB

The news that all Notre Dame and Rutgers fans wish wasn't true.

Unfortunately for the Irish and Scarlet Knights it looks like Savon Huggins will be making his way down south for college ball.  His recruitment has really picked up very recently, but with Auburn running backs coach, Curtis Luper, recruiting Huggins, it looks very likely that Auburn gains his commitment.

Look for Huggins to spurn Notre Dame and Rutgers and sign with Auburn.

1. Christian Westerman, OL

I realize Westerman is a long shot, but hear me out.

After his official visit to Auburn recently, it has become abundantly clear to anyone that is paying attention that the situation at Texas has a lot of commits worried.

Westerman has been committed to the Longhorns for quite some time now and everyone assumed he would be part of another No.1 Texas signing class.  That was before 5-7 happened.  That was before Muschamp bolted for Florida.  That was before...well, you get the idea.  

The University of Texas recruiting class is in a little bit of turmoil right now and while I expect most of their commits to to remain with the Horns, I do expect to see Westerman flip his commitment and sign with Auburn.