Quarterback
Zeke Pike 6-5
| 225 Dixie Heights, KY
Rivals: *** #16 Quarterback
Scout: **** #16 Quarterback
ESPN: *** #38 Quarterback
Rundown: Pike’s
prep career was a bit of a roller coaster ride.
He played at a small school with very little to no football success in
its history. With a very limited
supporting cast around him, his talent didn’t always shine through on the
field. There is no doubting his physical
abilities, though. Despite being the
size of a defensive end, Pike has surprising mobility and isn’t afraid to take
it down and get it done with his legs.
That’s not to say his arm is a liability. Blessed with great arm strength, Pike was the
subject of rave reviews at the annual Elite 11 QB camp, specifically from
George Whitfield, Jr., the same QB coach who trained Cam Newton prior to the
2011 draft. Perhaps Pike’s greatest
strength is his natural leadership abilities.
Fellow recruits naturally gravitated to Pike during the recruiting
process and Pike embraced the role of lead recruiter after committing to
Auburn. Pike will need to refine his
throwing mechanics and decision making and also has some off field maturity
issues to deal with but he has a ceiling that reminds many of Ben
Roethlisberger. NOTE: Pike is currently
back home in Kentucky due to disciplinary issues. It is uncertain if he will be welcomed back
onto the team in the future.
Highlights
Highlights
Jonathan Wallace 6-2 | 205 Phenix City, AL
Rivals: *** #25 Quarterback
Scout: *** #69 Quarterback
ESPN: *** #63 Quarterback
Rundown: Wallace
was much more lightly recruited compared to Pike. Having previously been committed to Southern
Miss and Central Florida, Wallace didn’t receive his offer from Auburn until
National Signing Day and switched his commitment instantly. A pure dual-threat QB, Wallace starred at
nearby Central High School in Phenix City.
Though his best attribute is his athleticism, his skills as a passer
should not be overlooked. His knowledge
of the game and versatility make him a valuable asset for this team but he
should not be overlooked as a potential starter at quarterback down the road. In a recent speaking event, coach Tommy
Thigpen mentioned Wallace as one of the hardest working players on the team,
which is a rare attribute for a freshman, saying Wallace uses almost all of his
free time studying film at the athletic complex.
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Running Back
Jovon Robinson 6-1 | 220 Memphis, TN
Rivals: **** #10 Running Back
Scout: **** #22 Running Back
ESPN: **** #20 Running Back
Rundown: A
powerful, bruising back, Robinson is just what Auburn’s current stable of backs
is missing. Robinson was selected as an
Army All-American after a stellar senior season and chose Auburn over offers
from Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Penn State, Tennessee and others. While he runs with great power, what makes
him a special back is how he blends that power with impressive speed and
agility. He has been clocked sub 4.5 in
the 40 yard dash and his cut back and burst through the line of scrimmage is a
perfect fit for the more pro-style offense Auburn is transitioning to. If you are looking for NFL comparisons, his
stature and the attitude with which he runs will remind many of Adrian
Peterson, perhaps without Peterson’s top end speed.
Highlights
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Wide Receiver
JaQuay Williams 6-3 | 200 Tyrone, GA
Rivals: **** #14 Wide Receiver
Scout: **** #16 Wide Receiver
ESPN: **** #26 Wide Receiver
Rundown: If
Auburn’s wide receiving corps has been missing a big play threat, than Williams
could be the answer. Williams has great
size and leaping ability and loves to go up and make the catch in traffic. He is the type of receiver that can become a
quarterback’s best friend when they throw up a Hail Mary. Despite committing to Auburn in early June
last year, Williams continued to flirt with the in-state Bulldogs, especially
after the departure of former Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn but, in the end
Williams stuck with his original commitment and signed with the Tigers. Williams is facing some qualifying issues,
but if he gets in school, I would expect him to make an immediate impact as a
true freshman.
Highlights
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Ricardo Louis 6-2 | 200 Miami Beach, FL
Rivals: **** #27 Wide Receiver
Scout: **** #29 Wide Receiver
ESPN: **** #5 Athlete
Rundown: Louis
is possibly the best athlete in this recruiting class. He played quarterback the majority of the
time for his high school team simply because him having the ball in his had on
every offensive snap gave them their best chance to win. He is extremely dangerous with his run after
catch ability and, while that usually describes a smaller, shiftier receiver,
Louis his terrific size and strength for a receiver. Due to not playing at his projected
collegiate position in High School, Louis’ recruitment didn’t pick up until
later in his senior year. When Auburn
was in transition with their offensive coordinators, Louis briefly flirted with
FSU, even flipping his commitment to the Seminoles. But, in the end Louis switched back to the
Tigers and signed with Auburn. Louis
should play immediately as a freshman and have a terrific career on the Plains.
Highlights
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Tight End
Ricky Parks 6-3 | 230 Hogansville, GA
Rivals: **** #2 Tight End
Scout: **** #5 Tight End
ESPN: **** #8 Athlete
Rundown: Parks
chose Auburn over offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, and Southern
Cal. While he is ranked as one of the
top tight ends in the country, Parks played mostly quarterback for his high
school team and that experience will make him a versatile weapon for Auburn. Parks will likely be moved around on offense
and be used as a traditional tight end, at H-Back and also as a lead blocking fullback. With his versatility and experience playing
quarterback, Parks could also be the centerpiece of a trick play or two during
his career. With Auburn having solid
depth at the traditional tight end spot, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Parks
redshirt, but if his athleticism can be used on special teams or to help us at
all on offense, you can be sure the Auburn coaches will put him to use.
Darrion Hutcherson 6-7 | 245 Dadeville, AL
Rivals: *** #20 Tight End
Scout: *** #14 Tight End
ESPN: *** #31 Tight End
Rundown: Hutcherson
is a jumbo tight end prospect reminiscent of former Georgia tight end Leonard
Pope but perhaps more athletic. In High
School Hutcherson played both defensive end and tight end, but he projects on
the offensive side of the ball in college.
At 6’7” he definitely has the frame to carry more weight and early in
his career his contributions will likely be as an extra blocker until he can develop
his route running and receiving skills better.
Hutcherson is currently taking extra classes over the summer to earn
qualifying status and will hopefully report to Auburn in August.
Highlights
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Offensive Line
Avery Young 6-5 | 290 Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Rivals: **** #9 Offensive Tackle
Scout: ***** #5 Offensive Tackle
ESPN: **** #8 Offensive Tackle
Rundown: Young
slightly surprised the Auburn coaching staff when he chose Auburn over Florida,
Georgia, Miami (FL) and Southern Cal on National Signing Day. One of Auburn’s top tackle targets, Young has
the size and talent to compete for a starting spot immediately upon his arrival
this summer. Miller and Callahan have a
head start having participated in spring ball, but neither have Young’s raw
talent. The Under Armour All-American is
extremely light on his feet for a player his size and is a natural left tackle. He may have to start out on the right side to
find the field sooner, but if he doesn’t win that starting job, I’d expect him
to settle in as Robinson’s heir apparent.
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Jordan Diamond 6-6 | 290 Chicago, IL
Rivals: **** #28 Offensive Tackle
Scout: ***** #8 Offensive Tackle
ESPN: **** #10 Offensive Tackle
Rundown: Two
days after National Signing Day Diamond pledged his commitment to Auburn over
offers from almost every major program in the country. While his size could allow him to play
tackle, the depth chart is fairly stacked there with Greg Robinson locking down
one spot for the next 3 years at least and Avery Young, Patrick Miller, Shane
Callahan, and Shon Coleman all talented players competing to fill the rest of
the spots. Diamond has the versatility
to slide inside to guard and could find a spot in the playing rotation as a
true freshman.
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Patrick Miller 6-7 | 260 West Palm Beach, FL
Rivals: **** #24 Offensive Tackle
Scout: **** #30 Offensive Tackle
ESPN: **** #23 Offensive Tackle
Rundown: One
of the most intriguing recruiting stories of the years, Miller was set to be a
Tiger but a last minute change sent him to Auburn instead of Baton Rouge. After choosing LSU over Auburn in a close
decision, Miller had his bags packed to head to LSU until Les Miles informed
him they no longer would have room for him to be on scholarship as an early
enrollee (that spot would later open back up, but that is another story) and
would have to wait until fall for his scholarship to take effect. That was enough for Miller to call up the
Auburn coaches and reroute his trip to the Loveliest Village. Miller impressed the coaches this spring and
even earned the start during the A-Day game.
When everyone is healthy it is unlikely Miller will be starting but it
seems very likely that he has already earned a spot in the playing rotation for
this fall.
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Shane Callahan 6-6
| 280 Parker, CO
Rivals: **** #22 Offensive Tackle
Scout: **** #33 Offensive Tackle
ESPN: **** #28 Offensive Tackle
Rundown: Callahan
pulled the trigger to commit to Auburn at the end of May, making him one of the
earlier commitments in the 2012 class. The Auburn staff saw something in Callahan
sooner than most but, a solid senior season opened others’ eyes and earned him
an invitation to the prestigious Army All-American game. Callahan has great size for a tackle and
enrolled early to get a head start on his college career. That additional experience gives him a great
chance to contribute as a freshman despite.
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Alex Kozan 6-4 | 295 Castle Rock, CO
Rivals: **** #12 Offensive Guard
Scout: *** #16 Offensive Guard
ESPN: **** #23 Offensive Guard
Rundown: Kozan
is the only true interior player that Auburn took in this class. One of the last players to make their
decisions, Kozan picked Auburn over offers from Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio
State, Oklahoma and other top programs across the country nearly a month after
signing day. With the ability to play
either guard or center, I believe Kozan will get his first shot in the middle
to earn the spot behind sophomore Reese Dismukes. Kozan has the size to contribute immediately
and if he can grasp the offense he will have a good chance to make it into the
playing rotation. If he doesn’t make the
playing rotation than a redshirt year to add a year between he and Dismukes and
other interior lineman would be beneficial.
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Robert Leff 6-6 | 265 Fairhope, AL
Rivals: *** #70 Offensive Tackle
Scout: *** #43 Offensive Guard
ESPN: *** #132 Offensive Tackle
Rundown: Auburn
took their commitment from Leff sooner than most expected. Leff flipped from Southern Miss after
receiving a firm offer from Auburn in December.
With an ideal frame for a tackle and solid fundamentals, Leff should be
a solid contributor later in his career.
Coach Grimes will have some work to do as he does with almost any
freshman, but what Leff will need the most is some time in the weight program to
fill out his frame. Expect him to
redshirt his first year on the Plains.
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Will Adams 6-6 | 275 Tyrone, GA
Rivals: *** NR Offensive Tackle
Scout: *** #88 Offensive Tackle
ESPN: ** #174 Offensive Tackle
Rundown: Adams
had an interesting recruitment. He
committed to Georgia Tech toward the end of July last year and appeared solid
to the Jackets through the fall. Auburn
stayed in contact with Adams and it paid off in the end as they were able to
flip Adams when a spot opened up. Adams
is a smart player with the size to contribute at either guard or tackle down
the road in his career. I would expect
Adams to redshirt his first year to add strength and adjust to the speed of the
college game.
Highlights
Highlights