New On3 Recruiting Prediction: Auburn will add in-state OL Reese Baker to 2024 class

Auburn has been the team to beat for in-state offensive lineman Reese Baker since the Tigers offered in May, and I don’t see that changing.

Baker camped at Auburn in June and left with the Tigers atop his list of favorites. He’ll be back on campus this weekend for Big Cat and could have a decision soon.

It’s certainly possible, if not likely. And I think his choice will be Auburn.

It’s why I have logged a prediction for Baker to Auburn with a 65 percent confidence level. I’m not going out on a limb here. Auburn already was the big leader for Baker, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Even before my prediction, the Tigers were the outright leader at 99 percent. Auburn Live’s Cole Pinkston logged a prediction in favor of Auburn in May shortly after Baker received the offer.

I believe it’s only a matter of time before that prediction comes to fruition.

More on Baker from Pinkston…

Pinkston’s evaluation of Baker

Offensive line is a difficult position to predict success 3-4 years down the road. There’s so much growth, strength, and work ethic that cannot be determined by watching film or even by in-person evaluation.

What is evident, however, is an athletic ceiling. With Baker, that ceiling is high.

In the clip above, Baker side swipes the defender in front of him to get out in space and take care of the outside backer for the screen play. The quickness in which he gets out of his stance, throws the defensive lineman aside, and finds his target out in space is impressive for a guy his size (currently listed 6-5 260).

Then, he finishes the block with some violence.

The clip above is a very similar play call with the tunnel screen look. He, once again, gets out in space in a hurry and finds a man to block opening up room for the ball carrier to run.

He moves just as quickly as the running back who comes out to block. When trying to evaluate high school offensive linemen, the combination of a good frame (which Baker has) and good athleticism is really where it all starts.

There are many college offensive lineman who have a hard time learning how to climb when in a zone combo block. In the clip above, he is the right tackle who clears the way for the quarterback keeper.

Baker has a great first step, he takes the time to wash the defensive lineman out of the way, then seamlessly moves up to second level and takes care of the linebacker. This is an advanced play.

He eventually gets that linebacker on the ground nearly 15 yards down field.

Pinkston’s eval of Baker continues HERE.

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