Pink’s Perspective: ‘Turning point’ season, old school still wins, an unexpected angle with a 5-star recruit, and more

Some may say Auburn is stuck in the past and trying to hold on to old school culture is a mistake—I disagree. I think it will hold strong in the winds of change across college football. Let us talk through what Auburn is doing differently than others while simultaneously adapting to new ways. I had an interesting conversation about a 5-star offensive tackle that needs to be discussed as well.

‘Turning point’ season

June and July have been referred to as a few things: Camp season, official visit season, commit season, etc.. I’m calling it turning point season.

This is the time of year that big targets will come off of the board (for now), schools will grab the momentum and perception that is so desperately wanted and need, and recruits who are on the bubble will become takes for big schools.

I think it is important that Auburn seizes momentum during this time. Right now, Auburn is set up to have the biggest summer of any school in the country. The official visit schedule is star-studded, the camps/7-on-7’s will be highlighted by blue chip players, and crucial recruitments will be decided sooner rather than later.

Buckle up.

‘You don’t necessarily see that in the players’

One of the things I want to start doing more of is breaking through cliches. There is a recurring cliche when recruits talk about Auburn: it feels like “family.” It loses its luster when each and every recruit mentions it. On one hand, it gives Auburn a distinct narrative from the outsider’s perspective, but at some point, there needs to be some context around this, I think.

Isaiah Gibson, a major Auburn edge target who is currently committed to USC, broke through the cliche with a quote. It was the quote the stood out to me the most during the On3 Nashville Event. I asked him first if Auburn was seriously in contention for him. He said, “yes sir.” I then asked him what, specifically, was keeping Auburn in the race…

“Honestly, I would say it’s the players–the players and coaches for sure. When I was at the spring game, I could see how the players were encouraging each other. You don’t necessarily see that in the players. Some players are like, ‘You don’t talk to me like that.’ But, they weren’t. They get better and better from each other. That matters for sure.” – 5-star USC Edge commit Isaiah Gibson.

The old school approach will pay off in recruiting

There is PLENTY of concern around the college football world that players (who could be getting paid more than most coaches on staff in some cases) will be problems in the locker room. In my opinion, it is a valid concern. Hugh Freeze has voiced his concern for it, unashamedly.

“I just don’t feel comfortable with some of the bidding wars for some of the top guys in the portal. Not that we’re not very fair. It’s just, I want to build the whole roster and try to do it with guys that fit, somewhat, your culture. I think our collective is very fair. But, if that is the only purpose in a kid’s decision, I feel uncomfortable about that, going that route.”

Recruits and their families have sensed that Auburn is maintaining somewhat of an old school way of doing things. The players on the team have adopted the “brotherhood” mentality and it stands out to recruits. Gibson is not the only recruit that has pointed this out to me, either.

“It’s a brotherhood, they treat you like family. They got great people and that’s what it’s all about. The football is going to be there, but it’s about being around great people and they have a lot of great people on this staff.” – 5-star wide receiver target Caleb Cunningham after viewing an Auburn spring practice.

There is a different feel at Auburn that recruits are beginning to expound more and more on with each visit. The families of the recruits, though, walk away feeling a high level of comfortability–and it is happening more often in the last few months. I think this is yet another positive trend for the Tigers under Hugh Freeze.

A unexpected perspective on a 5-star recruit

I spoke with a surgeon recently.. This surgeon routinely works with athletes and has a keen sense of the new college football world as he follows sports closely while working with collegiate athletes. One can imagine what kinds of conversations take place when injuries and surgeries are discussed with the kind of money we know is on the line.

For those who do not know, priority Auburn offensive tackle target, Andrew Babalola, is high on both Auburn and Stanford among others. His father is also a surgeon. There is no indication that Babalola is set to enter the medical field, mind you, but sources have indicated that academics play a significant role in his decision.

From what I understand, Babalola, himself, has some autonomy with his decision and his family is open to the opportunities laid out for him.. Still, I got another perspective on what Babalola could be thinking in terms of Stanford. Bottom line, the surgeon I spoke with heavily favored Stanford and not passing up an opportunity like this. That is not surprising, but it was interesting that the mind of a surgeon immediately goes there. From the injury side of football (a surgeon’s standpoint), that perspective leans heavily toward a Stanford degree–seeing it as more of a sure thing, it seems.

The Babalola camp very well may have a totally different perspective, but I wanted to pass this along as every angle is worth exploring. For what it is worth, playing football can make you as much money as being a surgeon in today’s world. Football is much less of a guarantee, of course. From observing and covering the recruitment of Babalola, I don’t think money plays that big of a factor. Just a hunch, really.

I do want to be clear, though.. I continue to hear the most buzz about Auburn in this recruitment. I’ve heard from multiple different sources now that Auburn is in the driver’s seat. I don’t think anything has been decided–nor is it quite close to that yet–but this is buzz worth passing along again..

The post Pink’s Perspective: ‘Turning point’ season, old school still wins, an unexpected angle with a 5-star recruit, and more appeared first on On3.