Cyrus Kouandjio: Is Auburn Making a Late Case For Itself?

Cyrus Kouandjio, the nation's top offensive tackle prospect, proved during the Under Armour practices why he's so coveted. The big tackle displayed incredible athleticism, foot quickness, agility, and held his own against Jadeveon Clowney.

Much has been said about Clowney's recruitment and his chances of landing at Alabama, but he's also constantly named USC, New Mexico and Iowa as other schools of interest. Now recently, Kouandjio has added Auburn as a school coming on strong late in the running.

Could the national champs swipe in and steal him late?

New Mexico Is Hanging Around

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Wide receiver Justin Hoffman #81 and tight end David Paulson #42 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate a touchdown reception by Paulson in front of safety Freddy Young #17 of the New Mexico Lobos in the first quarter of the game at Autz

New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley is among the best recruiting coaches in the country and his recruitment of Kouandjio proves that.

First, he got Kouandjio to even consider New Mexico, then he got the mammoth trench player to come for a visit on Dec. 10. With big name programs such as Alabama and USC recruiting

Kouandjio and he being rated so highly, the sheer notion of NM being mentioned as a remote possibility this late is a recruiting coup for Locksley. He's sure to use his mid-Atlantic recruiting connections to try to lure Kouandjio to come block for the Lobos all the way to signing day.

Kirk Knows Offensive Linemen

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IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: University of Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on from the sideline during pre game warm ups before game action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State

Iowa is also a finalist for Kouandjio, who is being recruited by Hawkeye assistant Darrell Wilson. A slight to Iowa's chances is Kouandjio cancelled a visit to Iowa this weekend due to a scheduling conflict and is not sure if he will reschedule.

With Wilson doing the grunt work in recruiting, it's Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz who's the alluring draw for the DeMatha (MD) lineman, as Ferentz is an offensive line coach by trade and has supreme NFL experience. "I love coach Ferentz," Kouandjio told Scout.com

Ferentz was the offensive line coach on a staff with the Cleveland Browns that included the likes of Nick Saban, Pat Hill, Eric Mangini, Scot Pioli, Ozzie Newsome and Phil Savage. He's still very highly regarded as a true offensive line coach, though he's a head coach, and the draw of being coached by someone like Ferentz is a very attractive option for Kouandjio. 

Kouandjio Could Be In The Lane For USC

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: USC Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin celebrates following his teams victory over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. USC defeated UCLA 28-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

USC is trying to position itself for the Kouandjio's final visit on Jan. 28. He won't be tripping anywhere this weekend due to he has an SAT exam.

Ed Oregeron and Lane Kiffin would like the opportunity to sell Kouandjio on the USC tradition, city of Los Angeles and a great chance at early playing time for Troy.

Many that know Kouandjio personally think he could immediately fall in love with the west coast and L.A. lifestyle and that USC is a prime option.

Family Ties In Tuscaloosa

Alabama fans have quietly and not so quietly let it be known their feelings of Kouandjio being a Crimson Tide lock.

His brother Arie is an offensive lineman on the roster and Alabama is obviously one of the very elite national programs in college football.Yet Cyrus has gone out of his way to state he is making his college decision based on what's best for him and his future.

He wants to make sure he has a chance to become his own man and develop is a person and player, and that doesn't necessarily mean that playing with Arie is what's best for him. He also has expressed much concern with competing for playing time against Arie.

Champs Coming On During Crunch Time

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2, Head coach Gene Chizik, Lee Ziemba #73 and Kodi Burns #18 of the Auburn Tigers react on the sideline against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadiu

Usually a player starts to eliminate schools and narrow their choices down during this phase of the recruiting cycle, not add a school.

With Miami going through a coaching change late last month, Kouandjio decided to replace the Canes with Auburn. He seems very intrigued by Auburn and would like to educate himself on the Tiger program with a visit, yet will have to decide between USC, Iowa and Auburn for his final visit on January 28th.

Auburn is putting the press on Kouandjio, who will surely here from Kiehl Frazier and Jonathan Rose, two of Auburn biggest recruiting commits. The Tigers are making a push for the offensive tackle, who will make his choice known on NSD.