Tigers get commitments at breakneck pace
AUBURN – Eddie Gran has seen a lot of recruiting while coaching for Tommy Tuberville the last 15 years, but never has he seen the breakneck recruiting pace Tuberville and Auburn have set so far this year.
Auburn added its 16th commitment – and fifth pledge in three days – Tuesday night to take the lead in sheer numbers among Southeastern Conference teams.
By contrast, Auburn had only five commitments last June. The Tigers didn’t add their 16th commitment for last season’s recruiting class until Jan.14 of this year.
What’s going on here? Gran and Tuberville said this year’s fast pace is not by design. It’s just a happy happenstance, they say.
“It’s just one of those years where we’ve got guys we like, and they like us,” Tuberville said. “We haven’t worked any different. This is a just a product of 10 years of recruiting hard (at Auburn), and putting in a lot of time in the last six months.”
Mark Murphy, who has closely followed Auburn recruiting the past 28 years as editor and publisher of “Inside the Auburn Tigers,” said this is the most commitments Auburn has had in June.
“I remember when a commitment in November was considered early,” he said.
No more, Gran says.
“Five years ago everybody would wait until signing day,” Gran said.
al.com
6/19/08
Magnolia Tribune
