National Signing Day 2016 has come to an end. There weren’t many surprises. No major flips. No missing faxes. It was sorta… boring, but it ended well with Derrick Brown picking Auburn over pretty much everybody else. You can read up to the minute updates from yesterday’s running post here. Lots of other people did. Lots. Go read it.
All in all, Auburn signed a top 10 class, including two five-stars. In terms of a positional breakdown, it goes as so: 5 DL, 4 WRs, 4 DBs, 2 QBs, 2 OL, 2 LBs, 1 RB, and 1 TE.
That’s 21 new Tigers (with all of their accolades and highlights below), with the possibility of maybe picking up another OL (Tyler Catalina) and DB (Stephen Davis, Jr.). It was a good day.
Early Enrollees
John Broussard, Jr. (3-star DB – Phenix City, AL)
Versatile cornerback with exceptional coverage skills … January enrollee in business … defensive player of the year for Coach Jamey Dubose at Central High, posting 35 tackles, 6 PBU and an interception as a senior … all-region, all-bi-city and Class 7A all-state … Under Armour All-America Game … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ESPN (4), 247 Sports (6), Rivals (18) top prospects in Alabama … USA Today all-state … also ran track.
Marlon Davidson (5-star DE – Greenville, AL)
One of the nation’s top defensive prospects who makes impact plays … January enrollee in sports management … recorded 65 tackles, 19 TFL, 8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, a pair of interceptions and two defensive touchdowns as a senior for Coach Josh McLendon at Greenville High … Under Armour All-America Game … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ASWA Super 12 and Class 5A lineman of year … Rivals Top 25 and No. 2 in Alabama … No. 4 SDE by 247 Sports … PrepStar 150 … USA Today, MaxPreps All-America … also a basketball letterman … brother Ken Carter was an Auburn defensive lineman (2010-13).
Kyle Davis (4-star WR – Lawrenceville, GA)
Athletic receiver who ranks among the most skilled nationally at that position … January enrollee in kinesiology … career totals of 1,499 receiving yards and 18 TD … all-county, all Gwinnett metro and all-state honoree for Coach Andy Dyer … Under Armour All-America Game … MVP of The Opening … top 10 WR prospect by 247 Sports and ESPN … Scout, Rivals top 140 … USA Today all-state … also a track and basketball letterman … peer leader at Archer High.
John Franklin III (4-star QB – Scooba, MS)
Big-time athlete who can impact every aspect of the offense … JUCO All-American … January enrollee in public administration … passed for 733 yards (64-110) and seven scores and rushed for 451 yards and nine TD at East Mississippi CC, helping Coach Buddy Stephens’ Lions to a No. 3 national ranking and the MACJC North title … against Mississippi Delta, rushed for 172 yards (5 TD of 65, 33, 29, 13, 5 yds) on just 10 carries, and 10-16 passing for 119 yards, 1 TD all in first half … redshirted 2013 season at Florida State, winning offensive scout team player of the year honors … member of ACC champion 4×100 relay team … led Coach Doug Gatewood’s Paladins to 9-2 record, FHSAA 8A playoff berth at South Plantation (Fla.) High … Brian Piccolo Scholar-Athlete Award … state 4×100 relay champion and 100m runner-up as a senior … also a basketball letterman.
Antwuan Jackson, Jr. (4-star DT – Ellenwood, GA)
Often unblockable defensive tackle with strong credentials … January enrollee in kinesiology … recorded 96 tackles, 52 TFL, 12 sacks for Coach Jermaine Smith at Cedar Grove High … Class AAA GSWA state defensive player of year … all-state, all-metro, DeKalb County defensive player of year … U.S. Army All-American Bowl … Scout, Rivals, 247 Sports, ESPN rate him among the top 10 defensive tackles … MaxPreps All-America … PrepStar Top 150 … USA Today all-state … also a baseball letterman.
Paul James III (3-star LB/DE – Wesson, MS)
Talented edge rusher who can make an impact … January enrollee in sociology … 47 tackles, 14 sacks (fifth in NJCAA), 22 TFL at Copiah-Lincoln for Coach Glenn Davis … NJCAA Region 23 Defensive Most Valuable Player, MACJC Most Valuable Defensive Lineman, first-team all-state … played 2014 season at Illinois, appearing in four games … all-Dade County, second-team Florida 5A all-state selection for Coach Daryle Heidelberg at Norland High, helping the Vikings to the 2012 state title … also played baseball.
Malik Miller (4-star ATH – Madison, AL)
Powerful running back with great downhill speed … January enrollee in biomedical sciences … all-state running back for Coach Eric Cohu, helping the Mustangs to three consecutive state titles … 713 yards rushing, 15 TD in eight games as a senior … second team 3A all-state … U.S. Army All-American Bowl nominee … ranked among top 15 prospects in Alabama by Rivals, ESPN, 247 Sports … also a basketball letterman.
Landon Rice (4-star TE – Calhoun, GA)
Tight end with capable hands and strong run-blocking potential … January enrollee in agriculture … all-region and all-area for Coach Hal Lamb at Calhoun High … Yellow Jackets won the 2014 AAA state title with 12-0 record … voted team captain at Under Armour All-America Game … GSWA first team all-state … Rivals, 247 Sports, ESPN rank him a top 10 TE prospect … also a basketball letterman … active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes … brother Logan is an Auburn wide receiver.
Tre Threat (4-star LB – Spanish Fort, AL)
Hard-hitting tackler who can play inside or out … January enrollee in exercise science … two-year all-county and second team all-state … recorded 252 tackles, 26 TFL, 12 sacks, 29 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 interception and scored two defensive touchdowns for Coach Ben Blackmon at Spanish Fort High … Toros were 15-0 and won 6A state title … Under Armour All-America Game … USA Today, MaxPreps All-America … Rivals top 15 ILB … ESPN top 20 OLB … USA Today all-state … also a baseball and track letterman … active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Signing Day Signees
Woody Barrett (3-star QB – Winter Gardens, FL)
Strong-armed dual-threat quarterback … 2,018 yards passing, 20 TD, with 1,413 yards rushing, 23 TD for Coach Bob Head at West Orange High, leading the Warriors to the state semifinals … Class 8A all-state and Florida Dairy Farmers 8A player of year and Mr. Football finalist … Under Armour All-America Game … Academy athlete of year … top 10 QB prospect by 247 Sports and ESPN … Rivals top 40 in Florida … PrepStar 350.
Derrick Brown (5-star DT – Sugar Hill, GA)
Extremely powerful athlete who is quick off the snap …106 tackles, 42 TFL, 12 sacks as a senior for Coach Korey Mobbs at Lanier High … career 270 tackles, 81 TFL, 33.5 sacks … U.S. Army All-American Bowl defensive player of year … MaxPreps national player of year … GSWA player of year and Class 5A all-state … ESPN, Scout, 247 Sports No. 9 national prospect … Rivals Top 20 and No. 3 DT … USA Today All-American, state player of year … also a basketball letterman … Lanier Student Leadership Team.
Marlon Character (4-star DB – Atlanta, GA)
Rangy safety prospect with plenty of size and outstanding ball skills … 57 tackles, five interceptions his senior season for Coach Earthwind Moreland at Grady High … first team GSWA Class 4A all-state … South Fulton all-metro and AJC all-city … Rivals 250, Scout 300, PrepStar 350 … also a track letterman.
Nick Coe (4-star DE – Asheboro, NC)
Dominating defensive end prospect with great athleticism … 68 tackles, 15 TFL as a senior for Coach Owen George at Asheboro High, taking the Blue Comets to the second round of the state playoffs … 34 career TFL … first team all-state … 247 Sports and Rivals rank him among top 12 prospects in North Carolina … No. 13 at SDE by 247 Sports … USA Today all-state … state wrestling champion at 285 lbs. and won two NHSCA national titles.
Nate Craig-Myers (4-star WR – Tampa, FL)
Receiver with speed and ball skills to rank among the nation’s best … 1,018 receiving yards, 16 TD as a senior for Coach Mike Gregory at Tampa Catholic … Under Armour All-America Game … Tampa Tribune all-Tampa area … Tampa Bay Times HomeTeam 100 … Class 3A all-state … USA Today, MaxPreps All-America … ranked among nation’s top 10 WR by ESPN (2), Rivals (3), 247 Sports (6), Scout (8) … top 10 prospects in Florida.
Brodarious Hamm (3-star OL – Griffin, GA)
Powerful offensive line prospect who can play guard or tackle … all-area lineman for Coach Nick Davis at Spalding High, leading the Jaguars to the playoffs … second team Class 4A all-state as an offensive and defensive lineman … Scout top 15 offensive guard prospects … top 40 recruits in Georgia by Rivals, ESPN, 247 Sports … MaxPreps All-America … AJC Elite Junior Classic best lineman … also a basketball letterman.
Tashawn Manning (2-star DT – Apopka, FL)
Big-bodied defensive tackle prospect … all-conference defender for Coach Kenard Lang at Wekiva High … Florida Class 8A first team all-state … Central Florida All-Star Game invite … 247 Sports and ESPN top 75 defensive tackles … also throws the shot put and discus … father played football and mother played basketball at Marshall.
Marquis McClain (3-star WR – Crestview, FL)
Speedy wide receiver with exceptional hands … all-panhandle performer for Coach Tim Hatten at Crestview High … NWF Daily News Dandy Dozen … helped the Bulldogs to a district title in basketball … top 75 receiver by Scout, Rivals, 247 Sports … also a track letterman in sprints and jumps.
Jayvaughn Myers (3-star DB – Dade City, FL)
Outstanding athlete who projects at cornerback … 18 tackles, two interceptions, and a kickoff return touchdown as a senior for Coach Tom McHugh at Pasco High … Under Armour All-America Game … Tampa Bay Times HomeTeam 100 … No. 23 corner prospect by Scout … top 50 recruits in Florida by Rivals and 247 Sports … also ran sprints and long jumped.
Prince Michael Sammons (4-star DE – Cincinnati, OH)
Impressive athletic lineman who excelled on both sides of the ball in high school … 60 tackles, four sacks as a senior for Coach Eric Taylor … Cincinnati Enquirer all-area … Division V defensive player of year … MaxPreps All-America as junior and senior … top 25 prospect at his position by 247 Sports, ESPN, Rivals, Scout … top 10 in Ohio by 247 Sports, ESPN … USA Today all-state … also played basketball.
Elijah Stove (4-star WR – Niceville, FL)
Elusive receiver who ranks among the most athletic at that position … career receiving totals of 1,878 yards on 136 catches with 22 TD for Coach John Hicks at Niceville High, helping the Eagles to the regional finals … 978 all-purpose yards and 11 TD as a senior … Under Armour All-America Game … first team Class 6A all-state and NWF Daily News all-area and Dandy Dozen … Rivals and ESPN rate him among top 15 WR prospects … also a track letterman.
Daniel Thomas (2-star DB, Montgomery, AL)
Speedy safety prospect with a nose for the football … 87 tackles, five TFL, seven interceptions, two interception TD and three punt return TD as a senior for Coach Tyrone Rogers at Robert E. Lee High … first team all-metro … second team ASWA Class 7A all-state … top 100 position prospect by Scout, 247 Sports.
If you’d like to read Gus Malzahn’s thoughts on the class, you can do so here. If you’d like to watch him speak other words on the class, you can do so here.
War Eagle.
Notes via Auburn Athletics.
