RPM Rundown: Where Auburn stands with 5 RPM predictions and a potential prediction
The Auburn football staff had a hot start to June with impressive official visitors, commitments, and several talented prospects on campus for camps. With the hot start came a bit of a lull at the end of June.
The NCAA recruiting dead period has come and gone, Big Cat Weekend is on deck, and gears are turning for Auburn recruiting.
Are the Tigers getting ready to fill some more spots? Probably.
I have five open RPM predictions logged for big Auburn targets (and thinking about adding another). We will update each on how I am feeling about those picks as of today.
These previous predictions for class of 2024 recruits have made their decisions:
Correct (RPM: 3/8/23): TE – Martavious Collins, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed 4/14/23)Correct (RPM: 7/11/22): DB – A’Mon Lane, 80 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 7/30/22)Correct (RPM: 2/9/23): RB – J’Marion Burnette, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 3/24/23)Correct (RPM: 6/11/23): WR – Bryce Cain, 80 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 6/13/23)Correct (RPM – 6/13/23): DB – Kensley Faustin, 80 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 6/13/23)Correct (RPM – 2/14/23): LB – Joseph Phillips, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 6/15/23)Correct (RPM – 6/10/23): OL – Kahlil House, 60 percent confidence to Stanford (Committed to Stanford, only correct due to last minute change of pick from Auburn to Stanford)CORRECT (RPM – 3/8/23): LB – D’Angelo Barber, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 6/4/23) INCORRECT (RPM – 6/3/23): WR – Cam Coleman, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed to Texas A&M)CORRECT (RPM – 5/24/23): DL – Malik Blocton, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 6/8/23)CORRECT (RPM – 6/30/23): CB – Jalyn Crawford, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 7/15/23)CORRECT (RPM – 3/8/23): LB – Demarcus Riddick, 60 percent confidence to Auburn (Committed: 7/26/23)
OT, Reese Baker, Huntsville (Ala.) Madison Academy
PICK: Auburn – 65% confidence, 5/2/23
FEELING: Great
WHY THE PICK WAS MADE: I put in a prediction for Baker to land with the Tigers shortly after the offer was announced. He had been on Jake Thornton’s radar for some time and the timing of the offer says that Thornton was ready to make a move for Baker. I think Auburn is the clear front runner and could add Baker to the class when the time is right. However, there is something worth tracking here…
NEW: Auburn hoped to get Baker in the boat earlier in the summer. Now that he is going to be at Big Cat Weekend, things will pick up where they left off: The Tigers working to get Baker in the boat. This time, I do not think Baker leaves uncommitted. If he does, something will more than likely come soon after.
RB, Alvin Henderson, Elba (Ala.)
PICK: Auburn – 60% confidence, 6/12/23
FEELING: Good
WHY THE PICK WAS MADE: Henderson lived at Auburn for almost a full week during June. He was in town for a basketball camp, but during his down time, was with Auburn coaches. Even before this, it seemed the Tigers were gaining some momentum. Florida State, Oregon, and Georgia seem to be the biggest threats, but the Tigers have the momentum right now.
NEW: Henderson will visit Oregon instead of attend Big Cat Weekend, but the Tigers are still in great position to possibly land him. It is not difficult for Henderson to get to campus at Auburn. It is something he did a good bit over the summer. Henderson is the Tigers’ to lose for now even as he takes other visits. A decision could come at any time.
LB, Wyatt Simmons, Searcy (Ark.) Harding Academy
PICK: Auburn – 60% confidence, 6/16/23
FEELING: Neutral
WHY THE PICK WAS MADE: Tigers’ linebackers coach Josh Aldridge’s relationship with Simmons’ dad, Paul Simmons, is key here. Aldridge played for Simmons at Harding University. The Tigers have also made it clear that he is wanted and sooner rather than later. Clemson and Arkansas are also in the mix, but it feels as though the Tigers have the edge.
NEW: While Simmons could easily choose Auburn when he decides to make his decision, it seems less likely today than it has in a while. Simmons is not expected at Big Cat Weekend, and another linebacker target is. There is one spot remaining according to our intel. Does Auburn want to wait on Simmons? Possibly not. This is one of the more fluid recruitments, but confidence is dropping some on my end.
DL, TJ Lindsey, Bryant (Ark.) IMG Academy
PICK: Auburn – 60% confidence, 7/27/23
FEELING: Good
WHY THE PICK WAS MADE: Lindsey told Auburn Live that the two official visits that stood out were Texas and Auburn. Lindsey will release a top five, but we believe it is truly a two-team race as he said. Since his Auburn official visit, the Tigers’ staff led by defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett, have turned up the heat with Lindsey.
NEW: We give Auburn the slight edge over Texas, and the gap could be growing. Auburn is not yet running away with this one and Texas is absolutely heavily involved. The Tigers, though, are in a pretty good spot with Lindsey getting ready to publicly narrow his schools down to five. He could have a decision shortly after releasing those schools. The sooner the better for Auburn right now.
WR, Malcolm Simmons, Alexander City (Ala.) Benjamin Russell
PICK: Auburn – 65% confidence, 7/27/23
FEELING: Great
WHY THE PICK WAS MADE: Simmons was on campus for Elite Camp the same day that both Bryce Cain and Walker White performed in camp. All three looked like the real deal. Simmons left with less hope of being in the class than Cain at the time. He did say that the coaches would be watching him closely. The coaches were telling the truth. The chances of Simmons joining the class are rising by the day. Simmons impressed coaches at camp more than even he thought.
NEW: The only thing holding us back from making a prediction was the numbers situation at the receiver position. Now, there is a spot for Simmons, and he will probably take it. This was never a matter of if Simmons wanted to look elsewhere. Auburn seems to be where he wants to be.
Potential prediction
If things do not work out with Wyatt Simmons, might the Tigers turn their attention to Bradley Shaw, a 4-star linebacker from Hoover (Ala.)? The scenario is becoming more likely, especially with Shaw expected to be at Big Cat Weekend. The timing of Shaw being on campus is interesting and could result in a new push from the Tigers.
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