Official visit recap: Reviewing a busy weekend in Auburn
It was another huge recruiting weekend for Auburn as four targets, including two 5-stars, officially visited Bryan Harsin’s program Friday-Sunday. Here’s a brief recap of each for the busy Tiger fan …
***Qua Russaw, edge, Montgomery (Ala.) Carver
ON3 CONSENSUS RANKING: No. 23 overall recruit in the country.
ONE NOTE: This was Russaw’s fifth known visit to Auburn since last fall and he is likely to return for multiple games this upcoming season.
ONE QUOTE: “It’s right down the street and just feels like home,” Russaw said. “It’s just different. I like the coaches. They are great coaches. I just like that they treat you like family. My grandad, he was a big Auburn fan.”
***Cedrick Hawkins, safety, Cocoa (Fla.)
ON3 CONSENSUS RANKING: No. 13 safety in the country.
ONE NOTE: Hawkins committed to Ohio State in January and said Sunday he remains firm with the Buckeyes.
ONE QUOTE: “It was a great visit,” Hawkins said. “It was nice to meet everybody, nice to see what Auburn is like. It was great. I loved the environment. It was cool. But I’m going to State. I’m pretty much all Ohio State.”
Recruits came to Auburn from three different states
***Phil Picciotti, LB, Perkasie (Pa.) Pennridge
ON3 CONSENSUS RANKING: No. 12 recruit in Pennsylvania.
ONE NOTE: Picciotti already had visited Michigan, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently favors Oklahoma at 66.3%, followed by Penn State at 27.5% and Michigan at 1.5%.
ONE QUOTE: “(Linebackers coach Christian Robinson) is a great guy. He knows his stuff,” Picciotti said. “I think if I did come here, he’d definitely help me out a lot. I’ve been in heavy contact with him for a while. I’m a priority here. They need a replacement for Owen (Pappoe).”
***James Smith, DT, Montgomery (Ala.) Carver
CONSENSUS RANKING: No. 6 overall recruit in the country.
ONE NOTE: Smith, who is 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, is the highest-ranked Auburn target to officially visit this cycle.
ONE QUOTE: “It’s just Auburn,” Smith said. “I don’t know, it’s a good environment. The people here are real nice, cool. I’m getting to know the place a lot better.”
