For Auburn, I'd go with an overall grade of an A or A-. Only reason we
didn't get an A+ is because we whiffed on our biggest NSD target that
projected as an impact player in a few years (Evans).
QB- A.
I think Sean White has the potential to allow Gus to run a balanced
attack, and maybe run an O more similar to his Tulsa days under Paul
Smith. White is a gamer, has a strong enough arm, and is possibly the
most accurate QB in the class.
RB- A+
Pettway is the #1 fullback in the class (acc'd to Rivals) but he is a
thumper at RB with the size to play right away. I think he's an H-back
in the future. But the prize was Roc Thomas. He's a slower Percy Harvin
($1 to Neihbur). Doesn't have the top end speed that Harvin has, but he
definitely has elite burst and shiftiness, combined with a Caddy
Williams kind of leg drive to break tackles. Perfect for Malzahn. I
think he plays at 210 or so at Auburn, since he's about 202 lbs right
now.
TE- B-.
Chris Laye is a solid player, but more of an in-line blocker and
developmental guy. Jakell Mitchell had offers from everyone before he
tore his ACL. He's ahead of schedule in rehab and has a great skillset
at TE/HBack. Still think Mitchell takes a few years behind Uzomah and
Ricky Parks.
WR- A-.
Auburn landed possibly the best overall player in the class in Dhaquille
Williams. He is the reason this position is given an A- grade, without
him, it's a B or B-. He has a Dez Bryant skillset and is ferocious when
the ball is in the air. Auburn needed to improve the passing game, and a
player like DQ opposite an improved (hopefully) Sammie Coates will be
hell on DBs in the SEC, IMO. The most underrated player in Auburn's
class, to me, is a WR as well in Stanton Truitt. This kid is freakin'
electric in space and was a TD machine playing QB in HS. Myron Burton
was a camp standout and a favorite of Coach D Craig.
OL- B+.
Xavier Dampeer fills an immediate need at backup center behind Dismukes
and could be the incumbent when Dismukes leaves after 2014, now that
Tunde Fariyuke has decided not to continue football. The big prize came
in Braden Smith. AU got on him late but immediately when it became clear
that Greg Robinson was gone. This was huge because it alleviated the
dire need for a massive class in 2015 of offensive tackles. I think
Smith has elite NFL potential at tackle if he can improve his agility,
which is Auburn S&C coach's (Ryan Russell) big thing with big men.
Smith has long arms, he's 6'5 (some list him 6'6) and only 290 lbs but
there is video of him benching 515 lbs THREE times on YouTube. Kid is a
monster
DL- A
For the second year in a row, Auburn has added four DL rated 4* or
better to the unit. We like to rotate 10 or more DL in games to keep
them fresh so this is critical to continue to sign great DL classes. We
didn't land any 5* like last year but Davonte Lambert is an immediate
impact guy that gives some great flexibility on the DL, similar to
Elijiah Daniel.
LB- B+
Tre Williams was the staff's top ILB target and ended up ranked that way
at the end of the year. Will possibly get PT right away behind Frost,
Cass McKinzy and Swain and sets himself up to take over as the incumbent
behind one of them. Deshaun Davis' film, to me, is actually better than
Tre Williams. Now, he's only about 5'11, 205 lbs, so he'll need to add
weight and a lot of strength, but Davis is a player and has great, great
film.
DB- A
AU has had major secondary issues for probably the last 5 years, and I
think talent is a major reason for that. We've struggled to recruit
great DBs. This class was loaded with talented players. Nick Ruffin is
the best of the group, IMO. 6' or 6'1 with freakishly long arms and very
sound fundamentals. Bessent (if he isn't kicked out of the class due to
issues) provides a guy that could develop into a great player with
added weight. Stephen Roberts projects best at safety to me and did
great there in the Under Armour practices. Derrick Moncrief was the #1
JUCO Safety and is huge at 6'3, 225. He'll provide immediate help back
there with Ryan Smith gone.
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