[Tuck4Bama]

Big, athletic lineman picks up Auburn offer

Big, athletic lineman picks up Auburn offer
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Bryan Matthews, AuburnSports.com Senior Editor – Rivals.com

Auburn has always had a strong recruiting base in the state of Georgia and the latest Peach State prospect to pick up a verbal offer from the Tigers is Hogansville (Ga.) Callaway defensive lineman Ronald Byrd.
The 6-foot-6, 258-pound Byrd was clearly excited about the offer.
"For one, it's Auburn," said Byrd. "That's a pretty big school to go to. Coming from a small school that hasn't had any D-I's come through, that's big."
There's just one catch for Byrd.
Auburn offered him as an offensive linemen while his other offers from Louisville, Purdue, Indiana, and Troy are to play defensive line.
Byrd has not played offensive line in high school but has experience on offense as a tight end.
"Everybody else wants me on the defensive line," said Byrd. "I would rather play defensive line but I'm starting to like tight end."
Byrd plans to check out Auburn for the first time this summer for a camp.
For now, Byrd lists Louisville and Alabama as his top two schools.
"Louisville has a real good program and a real good coach," said Byrd. "It seems like a good school and they have good academics too."
Byrd visited Alabama's spring game a few weeks ago.
"It was so loud there," said Byrd. "I'm going back up there for a camp. They said if they see me in camp, they're probably going to offer me. They said they have to see me in action first."
Byrd says he's also very high on Troy and will camp there this summer. In addition to his trip to Alabama, he attended Junior Days at Clemson and Georgia.
Byrd is in no hurry to make a decision.
"I'm going to go through my senior year and see what kind of offers I get," he said. "Then I'm going to take time to think about it and choose one."
Callaway started spring practice this week.

Updated on Friday, May 11, 2007 10:37 am EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Auburn offers Peach State defensive end

Auburn offers Peach State defensive end
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Bryan Matthews, AuburnSports.com Senior Editor – Rivals.com

Marietta (Ga.) Walton defensive end Chase Thomas is already up to 14 offers so adding one more last week shouldn't have been that big of a deal.
But when that offer comes from SEC power Auburn, it tends to carry a little more weight. Thomas received the offer from AU defensive coordinator Will Muschamp last Tuesday.
"Coach Muschamp called me on the phone and told me they really liked me and were going to offer me a scholarship," said Thomas. "That was a pretty big surprise.
"That was definitely a good one to get."
A week later, Thomas received the written offer from the Tigers.
"They're talking about moving me to outside linebacker," said Thomas. "On third down plays, they could walk me up as a rush end. It's kind of like a 3-4-style defense.
"I'm definitely interested in doing that."
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Thomas is very familiar with the Auburn program. He visited the Plains last December for a bowl practice and his friend and teammate, tight end Bailey Woods, signed with AU in February.
"Bailey has told me to do my thing but he's also told me a lot of good things about Auburn," said Thomas.
Thomas' offer list now includes Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Louisville, Maryland, Syracuse, Indiana, Purdue, Georgia Tech and Duke.
While Thomas has some favorites in mind, he's not ready to publicly narrow his list just yet.
"I'm going to go to a bunch of the campuses this summer to visit," said Thomas. "I want to see what the campuses are like, meet with the coaching staff and some of the players to see what it's like to play there.
"After I visit the campuses I might make my decision. Probably the earliest it would be is before the season."
In addition to Auburn, Thomas has also visited Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Duke over the last six months.
Thomas, who runs a 4.7 40-yard dash, tallied 82 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss and 10 sacks as a junior. He projects as a full qualifier with a 3.8 GPA and a 1520 on the SAT. He plans to major in business.
"My parents have always talked about how grades are the No. 1 thing," he said. "I'm a student-athlete. If something happens, knock on wood, and I can't play football, I need to have good grades to go to college. Luckily, it's come pretty easy for me."

Updated on Thursday, May 10, 2007 2:17 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Florida back well, getting looks

Florida back well, getting looks
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By JC Shurburtt, Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com

Fully recovered from a knee injury, Fernandina Beach (Fla.) running back prospect Terrell Dallas is ready to focus on his recruitment and a number of college programs appear to have interest.
"I'm just coming off ACL surgery on July 15 and I was just cleared to play on Jan. 8," Dallas said. "Since then, I've been getting a lot of interest from schools. Auburn assist coach Steve Ensminger came by to watch me practice. Coach Tommie Robinson from Miami (Fla.) also came by/ I've talked with him a few times, too."
The 6-foot, 205-pounder also has been hearing from a couple of programs located in the Nashville area.
"Me and my dad plan to fly up to Nashville this summer to go to camp up at Middle Tennessee State and also to make an unofficial visit to Vanderbilt," Dallas said. "We've already been up there once."
Dallas also has been to Auburn's Junior Day, UCF and the Athens NIKE Camp. He feels that Auburn and MTSU are showing him the strongest interest.
"Coach Ensminger said he was very serious about me," he said, "I've been texting with him and coach Justin Watts from Middle Tennessee State."
Other schools have expressed a desire to get Dallas on campus as well.
"I've been invited to other junior days, but couldn't make it because of the time," he said, "Indiana, Illinois, Louisville, Auburn and Mississippi State all invited me. I get a lot of interest mail from a lot of different schools."
Dallas will attend team camps at Florida and Florida State this summer in addition to traveling to the Nashville are for MTSU's camp and to check out Vanderbilt.
Dallas has completely recovered from his injury.
"I am back to 100 percent," he said. "I am going real strong in the spring. I haven't registered through the NCAA Clearinghouse, but I am pretty strong as far as they qualifying part goes."

Updated on Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:05 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Tampa WR holds two offers
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By JC Shurburtt, Recruiting Analyst – Rivals.com

Tampa (Fla.) Alonso wide receiver Joe Clarke holds two scholarship offers from BCS Conference programs and is getting plenty of looks from a number of other schools.
"I've been offered by South Florida and Ole Miss," he said. "I'm talking to a few other schools, too. I'm talking to Auburn, Florida State, Florida and Florida A&M."
There is one program in the driver's seat among the teams that have offered.
"Out of the schools that have offered me, I like South Florida," Clarke said. "They are on the rise and are doing some big things over there."
Being from Tampa, Clarke has had the chance to check out the Bulls in person on a number of occasions.
"I like their work ethic," he said. "I've been out to a lot of their practices. They do things kind of similar to how we do things at our high school. I am comfortable with their coaches."
Rebels assistant Dan Werner is recruiting Clarke for Ole Miss.
"I haven't been up there yet," he said. "I am pretty sure I will take a trip up there next year, but because I haven't been up there yet, nothing can really stand out to me. But I am definitely interested. They are in the SEC and that's the toughest competition week in and week out."
Should Clarke receive an offer from one particular in-state program, that program could be tough to beat.
"I've always wanted to go Florida State," he said. "Lawrence Dawsey is my recruiter from there. We haven't really been talking offer-wise. He was supposed to come down and see me this week, but something came up and he wasn't able to."
Will the Seminoles see him in summer camp?
"I went to their camp last year," he said. "I have to make that decision about going back this year."
Clarke is considering several other stops this summer.
"I was thinking about going to visit the Auburn camp and maybe Alabama and Florida," he said. "I want to make an effort to go out there to (Florida's) one-day or senior camp."

Updated on Thursday, May 10, 2007 11:59 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Tuberville, Saban visit top Mobile athlete

Tuberville, Saban visit top Mobile athlete
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Bryan Matthews, AuburnSports.com Senior Editor – Rivals.com

It's been a wild couple of weeks for athlete Burton Scott at Mobile's Vigor High School.
So far, he's had coaches from Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Clemson, Florida, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, UAB and several others stop by to watch spring practice.
Both Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville and Alabama head coach Nick Saban dropped in last week.
"It was great," said Scott. "It showed me they really have interest in me. Everybody was really going crazy.
"I didn't get a chance to say anything to them but it was good to have them there."
LSU head coach Les Miles also dropped by the school recently. The Fighting Tigers became the 11th school to offer Burton on Tuesday.
His other offers are from Auburn, Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Louisiana-Lafayette.
Scott wants to take a close look at every school that's offered. That's why he's listing everyone even at this point.
"I plan to visit everybody that's offered me and give everybody a chance instead of saying one team is a favorite," said Scott. "I'll always be high on Alabama and Auburn. I like those two schools but I don't think it's fair to have a favorite."
Scott visited Auburn and Alabama in the spring and plans to visit and camp at several schools this summer.
"Florida will probably be my next visit," he said. "Then I'm going to check out Georgia. I'm going to do to what I can while I can."
All his schools will have to be patient. Scott doesn't plan to announce his decision until Signing Day on Feb. 6.
"I feel like my word is everything," he said. "I don't want to commit early and make a mistake."
The 5-foot-11, 194-pound Scott plays both quarterback and safety and high school. He could play a number of positions in college including tailback, receiver, cornerback or safety.
"Auburn is recruiting me as a receiver or DB," said Scott. "A lot of schools, their offensive coordinator and defensive coordinators argue with each other to see if I'm going to play offense or defense.
"I feel like I'm an offensive player."
Scott will be participating in the state track meet this weekend. He will compete in the long jump, triple jump and 300 hurdles.

Updated on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 12:06 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Auburn, Tennessee stop in to check out Burns

Auburn, Tennessee stop in to check out Burns
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Jeffrey Lee, AuburnSports.com Editor – Rivals.com

Huntsville (Ala.) Lee ATH Jarrett Burns doesn't have any scholarship offers. However, from looking at the high school's "Guest List" the last few weeks, it may not be long.
Coaches from Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisville, Mississippi State and Southern Miss and others have all made their way to check in on the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder.
Some have already made a return trip.
On Tuesday, Auburn recruiting coach Don Dunn and Tennessee recruiting coach Kurt Roper were both on-hand for a spring practice.
"That's exciting. To have them come out and watch me practice in person instead of just on film is nice," said Burns. "It was a little different having them there. You could tell everybody picked it up a little bit."
Dunn has been keeping in steady contact with Burns. The rising senior thinks the Tigers could be close to extending him his first offer.
"Coach Dunn is recruiting me pretty hard for Auburn," said Burns. "I talked to him on the phone and he sounded like he was leaning towards it.
"But right now, everybody is just kind of keeping their eye on me."
With his size and speed (4.55), Burns could play many positions in college. He's currently being recruited as an "athlete" by most schools including Auburn.
"Auburn is recruiting me really as an athlete because I can play multiple positions," said Burns. "But I guess the main purpose is at safety. They said they could also try me out at wide receiver and maybe even cornerback, too.
"I like to play on the defensive side of the ball, but wherever I need to play is where I will."
Burns visited the Plains in the spring, and hopes to take trips to Alabama, Tennessee and Louisville in the coming months. The four schools make up his early list of favorites.
"I plan on going to Alabama and Tennessee this summer, and hopefully Louisville in the fall," said Burns. "Auburn has been recruiting me the hardest and for the longest so they are probably my leader right now, but Alabama, Tennessee and Louisville are right behind them."
At 6-3, 185, Burns claims a 4.55 40-yard dash, a 210-pound bench press and a 335-pound squat.

Updated on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 2:45 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

College coaches swarming to Mobile-St. Paul's
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Bryan Matthews, AuburnSports.com Senior Editor – Rivals.com

After serving as an assistant at St. Paul's the last two years, Mike Bates has taken over the head coaching duties this season.
And he's stepped into a very good situation considering St. Paul's is the home to at least four highly recruited 2008 prospects in athlete Mark Barron, wide receiver Destin Hood, running back Ivan Matchett and cornerback Louis Watson.
And it just happens that quarterback AJ McCarron is considered one of the South's top prospects for the class of 2009.
But don't expect Bates to be star-struck by all his talent.
The 51-year old has 24 years of head coaching experience including stops at Bob Jones and Cullman, where he coached former Alabama and current NFL offensive lineman Wesley Britt.
"I've been fortunate to have some good players over time," said Bates. "We are very talented but I've been around teams that have had a lot of talent before. I've had guys sign with Michigan, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Auburn, you name it."
Bates says the biggest change in stepping back into a head coaching job is dealing with all the extra stuff like recruiting. It's been especially busy this spring as college coaches make the rounds during the evaluation period.
"We've had a bunch of coaches in," said Bates. "I would say thirty so far have been by. I think every SEC school has been by and some ACC."
Barron is probably the most highly recruited of the bunch with a number of offers including Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Florida State and Clemson.
"Mark Barron is kind of a hybrid," said Bates. "He can be a running back or a wide receiver. He can be a lot of things."
Hood also has offers from Auburn, Alabama, LSU and several more.
"Destin Hood has great hands and good speed," said Bates. "Every catch you can imagine, he can make. He's also a great baseball player."
Watson has seen his recruitment pick up lately, now totaling four offers from Mississippi State, Houston, Purdue and Colorado.
"Louis is really getting a lot of attention now," said Bates. "He's starts at corner and he'll also play some wide receiver."
Matchett committed to Alabama in March over offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Colorado and Purdue.
"I think he is pretty solid with his commitment," said Bates. "Ivan has great vision, runs hard and breaks a lot of tackles."
Bates isn't expecting any of his other '08 prospects to make an early decision.
"I think the others will take their time," he said. "They're real focused on what we're doing right now. They've got a lot of offers but they've kept a real level head about it."
McCarron's recruitment may top them all in 2009.
"He's a good one," said Bates. "There's no doubt about that. A.J can throw it, he can throw it on target and he can throw it on time. He's really matured."
Bates coordinated St. Paul's defense last year but plans to make some changes on both sides of the ball in 2007. Last season's offense was based out of the Wing-T.
"Even though it was technically our base, we were really as far away from Wing-T as you could get because we ran four-wides a lot last year," said Bates. "Most of our stuff is going to be based off an I-formation this year.
"Defensively, we were a 3-3-stack. We'll be a lot more 4-3 this year."
Both Watson and Hood have a lot of experience as two-way players but Bates also plans to utilize the talents of Barron and Matchett more on defense.
"Mark and Ivan are going to play some for us on defense this year," said Bates. "We're going to use them both at linebacker in some situations."
St. Paul's began spring practice May 2 but most of its top players have been absent as they complete their track and baseball seasons. The No. 4 St. Paul's baseball team, that includes Hood and McCarron, will play Bibb Co. in the Class 5A semi-finals this weekend.
"We're still missing a whole bunch of kids," said Bates. "We get the track guys back (Monday) and the baseball guys are still playing."

Updated on Monday, May 7, 2007 3:54 pm EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

Auburn offers one of nation's fastest players
td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }By Bryan Matthews, AuburnSports.com Senior Editor – Rivals.com

Who is Harry Adams?
He's the guy that showed up out of nowhere last July running a blistering 4.30 40-yard dash at an Auburn camp, one of the fastest ever recorded, the summer before his junior season.
He's the young man that scored seven touchdowns including four on kickoff returns for Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard last fall, his first season of organized football.
He's also the champion that ran a 10.2 100-meter dash earlier this year but was unable to defend his state track title due to a hamstring injury.
And now he's the major college prospect that's holding offers from Auburn and Florida, and receiving serious interest from Florida State and LSU.
The Gators were the first to offer.
"I was very excited," said the 6-foot, 175-pound Adams. "I like the Gators. They did a great job winning the national championship. They've got a great program over there and a great coaching staff. The players are very disciplined."
The Auburn offer came courtesy of ace recruiter Eddie Gran.
"Coach Gran called and then I talked to the whole coaching staff," said Adams. "I really like the football team and the school at Auburn. It's a great atmosphere. They have a great tradition at our school.
"I can't wait to take my visit and go back up there."
Auburn has signed a lot of players out of Dillard in the past and Adams says he'd love to continue that tradition.
Although he hasn't set a date, Adams says he will definitely officially visit Auburn this fall. He may also return this summer for another camp.
If he does return to Auburn for a camp, Adams plans to set a new mark in the 40 after recently running a 4.27 40.
Adams currently lists a Top 4 of Florida, Auburn, Florida State and LSU. One of those four schools could be adding Adams to their commitment list early this summer.
"They're all even right now," he said. "I want to make an early commitment but I need the time to think things through. I could announce at my spring game to make it special."
Dillard plays its spring game on May 25. They started spring practice last week and Adams, who's finally recovered from his hamstring pull, is expected to join the team early this week.
After a year under his belt, Adams plans to be a more complete football player as a senior.
"I got stronger as the season went along because this was my first year playing," he said. "This year, I'm the senior so I have to be the leader and I have to step up."
Adams is being recruited as a wide receiver and return specialist. He also plans to run track in college.

Updated on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 9:47 am EDT

[Tuck4Bama]

'I want to open my recruitment back up'
Jermarcus Hardrick
By Yancy Porter
Mississippi Scout
Posted Jun 28, 2007

Jermarcus Hardrick (OL, Batesville, MS) - When the 6' 6", 330 pound offensive lineman decided to transfer back to South Panola from North Panola last week, Hardrick's recruitment also took a turn in another direction.

"I think I made a mistake by committing to Auburn this early. I rushed into my decision to soon. I want to open my recruitment back up. I am no longer committed," added Jermarcus Hardrick.

It is no coincidence that Hardrick made this decision after three of his teammates from South Panola committed to the Rebels on Monday.

"See, I never discussed my it over with my mother. Quinn came by yesterday to tell my mother about them (Quinn Sanford, Darius Barksdale, Bud Barksdale) committing to Ole Miss. My mother asked me what I was thinking? I told her that I committed to Auburn, and she told me I needed to slow things down and to let Auburn know I was not committed anymore. I need to take all of my visits before I decide again."

Jermarcus still has nothing but good things to say about the War Eagles.

"They have been nothing but good to me. Auburn did nothing wrong. They were the first school to offer me a scholarship, and I will always remember that. I could end up signing with Auburn. I just want to sit back and really look at things in-depth before I rush to another decision."

[Tuck4Bama]

td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }

In the middle of the 2006 season, Enterprise (Ala.) High head coach Kevin Collins had a decision to make. His starting tight end had just suffered a season-ending knee injury, and the coach needed someone to step in. Enter Ken Adams.

Adams another player to watch at Enterprise - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Thomas got a 1520 SAT score?...wow...they man could have picked whatever school he wants...last I looked Harvard admission was around 1400 on the SAT...but I could be wrong,

[Tuck4Bama]

The top rated wide receiver at Auburn's final summer camp last weekend was Ocean Springs (Miss.) High's DeAndre Brown.


Rivals100 WR visits Auburn, will return - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Tuck4Bama]

Vigor ATH Burton Scott planned to visit Auburn last weekend for the Tigers' final camp. He just didn't intend to participate.
That didn't last long.



Camp visit helps AU with Rivals100 ATH - NCAA Football - Yahoo! Sports

[Tuck4Bama]

CB 45 Prentiss Waggner(Clinton HS)Clinton, LA 6-2/175/4.50

High Yes Auburn, Florida, Louisiana Tech, LSU, Minnesota, Southern Miss, Tulane