Auburn Football Recruiting: The Tigers' Top Targets and Commitments

Auburn has finished with a top-10 recruiting class each of the past two cycles under Gene Chizik. While there is a wealth of young talent on the roster for the defending national champs, the Tigers are back at it again as a force on the 2012 recruiting trail.

Already off to a very good start for their 2012 recruiting class, the Tigers have some great commitments and are major players for many of the nation's best.

Come inside as I give you an update on the current Auburn recruiting class, along with some updates on their key remaining targets.

2012 Auburn Tigers Recruiting Class Capsule

As it stands right now, the Tigers have a seven-man recruiting class entering the month of June. Five of the seven players are rated four stars or higher, including 6'3", 235-pound LB Cassanova McKinzy and 6'7", 245-pound TE Darrion Hutcherson.

But the headliner for the Auburn class is obviously 5-star QB Zeke Pike. 6'6", 225 pounds with a cannon for an arm and solid athleticism in the pocket, Pike has all the tools to be a great starting college QB in the SEC.

The Tigers also have two OL pledges in 4-star 6'6", 285-pound OT Shane Callahan and a 3-star OG in 6'4", 305-pound Michael Flint.

Tigers Clawed by Winston?

Jameis Winston, the No. 2 ranked QB prospect in the country, and an Alabama native, has drawn heavy interest around the country. Auburn was thought to be in the mix, but earlier this spring, Winston stated the communication with the Tigers was a bit choppy.

Still, many felt he would give Auburn a serious look, but the commitment of Zeke Pike may have all but eliminated their chances.

It seems right now Winston is high on rival Alabama, Florida State and LSU.

Key Commitment: Zeke Pike, QB

Back to Pike.

He is the centerpiece and foundation of this class, as for starters he is an elite QB prospect. In recruiting, a mantra has continued to be that a program must sign a QB every year, and anytime you get a 5-star QB in the fold, things look that much better.

Pike has excellent size (6'6", 225 pounds) to see over the rush, dictate his own throwing lanes and deliver the football. His arm is capable of attacking any level of the defense and he can push the ball with force outside the numbers.

Pike has solid accuracy and can buy some time with his legs. He does have some character concerns and his maturity has come into question, most notably at a recent seven-on-seven passing tournament.

Shanks Shanking Auburn?

6'4", 295 pounds, Justin Shanks is one the best players in the state of Alabama and one of the top 100 players in the country.

Shanks is a very physical and strong DT prospect that uses his strength to play big at the point of attack, and also has some short area chase ability in pursuit.

He attends Prattvile High School where his two teammates, WR Justin Thomas and DE Caleb Gulledge, attend. Only thing is, Shanks, who is seriously considering Auburn, could be swayed by his two teammates, who have both already committed to Alabama.

Barry Sanders Jr. Makes Surprising Visit to Big Cat Weekend

One of the top RB prospects in the nation and the son of the legendary Lions RB, Barry Sanders Jr. made the trip recently to Auburn for the "Big Cat" weekend event.

Sanders said he loved the visit and the experience, got a chance to talk to other players and recruits and is considering Auburn among a host of others.

Key Target: Kwon Alexander, OLB

6'2", 210 pounds, Alexander is the No. 1 OLB prospect in the country, and is also an Alabama native. Alexander has perhaps the greatest amount of range of any defensive player in the country. 

A great athlete with excellent play speed and instincts, Alexander will be a three-down OLB in college.

He has offers from all over the country, including USC and Oregon, as well as Alabama and Auburn. He claims he feels no pressure or obligation to stay in state, so Auburn will have to be hot after Alexander with constant contact.

Kimbrow High on Auburn

Brian Kimbrow, the 5'9", 165-pound darting jitterbug of a RB from Tennessee, was also recently seen at the Big Cat event at Auburn and had a great time.

Kimbrow now states he has Auburn very, very high on his list and the speedster even asked to race Ontario McCaleb. McCaleb told Kimbrow that the two would race—when he gets to Auburn next year.

One of the fastest players in the country, Kimbrow would be a great addition to the Tiger backfield, yet Vanderbilt and Cincinnati are also major players for his services.

Key Target: T.J. Yeldon, RB

Get the theme so far? If not, then I'll let you know: Auburn is recruiting a lot of running backs this year.

6'1", 220 pounds, T.J. Yeldon is another elite prospect from Alabama and has a great all around skill-set. Some schools like him as a defensive player, but most feel the two-time 1,100 yard rusher will be a RB in college.

Yeldon has a top six of Alabama, Auburn, USC, Oregon, Clemson and Florida, but this will be an all Iron Bowl standoff between the Tigers and Tide.

Jordan Jenkins Has Tigers Among Top 6

From Georgia, Jordan Jenkins is one of the top players in the South, as the DE prospect stands 6'3", 250 pounds and is a ferocious athlete. Jenkins has a bevy of offers but has a top six he is prime to focus on.

Those six are Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, Auburn and Alabama.

Jenkins states his interest in Auburn stems from the great defensive coaching staff and his comfort level around the Tiger players. 

Auburn Leads for Geno Smith

A top caliber cover corner who stands 6'0" is hard to come by. That's why Geno Smith is one the hottest names on the recruiting trail.

The Atlanta native is a premier CB prospect that combines play speed, cover instincts and athleticism to stick to receivers like spandex on Kirstie Alley all over the field.

Smith has a top five of Auburn, Notre Dame, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas, with the Tigers in the lead right now. A decision will come before his season begins in August.

Ricky Parks to Commit Soon?

The nation's No. 2 TE prospect, Ricky Parks is  6'4", 230-pounder that is an excellent athlete. He even played QB for his prep squad last year, displaying great play speed and raw ability.

Parks was seen, again, at Auburn this past weekend for the Big Cat weekend event. He has made several trips to the university and is in love with the program.

His top three are Auburn, Alabama and Georgia. Parks says Auburn is leading over the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs and he desires to commit soon in the coming days or next few weeks.

This would be a huge get for the Tigers.