Apparently they are letting high school and JUCO football players sign letters of intent in December now. Yeah. Have you heard this? What are they going to do with all the hats?
But really, this is awesome. It sorta kills National Signing Day in February which has totally jumped the shark, and just lets teams get the bulk of their no-nonsense signees out of the way early. Auburn signed 15 (they signed 23 total last February), there were no real surprises, and they did well.
Here are the rankings as of today, according to the big three: ESPN – #9, Rivals – #9, 247 – #10.
Keep in mind that these are counting signees and commits that won’t sign or could flip by February. Basically, a lot could change.
All in all, Auburn signed a top 10 class in the early signing period and will likely finish with one in a few months. But just in this period, they signed eleven 4-stars and four 3-stars. In terms of a positional breakdown, it goes as so: 3 LB, 3 DB, 2 WR, 2 OL, 1 DL, 1 QB, 1 RB, 1 DE, 1 ATH, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Joey Gatewood
4-star QB, 6-5, 230; Bartram Trail HS; Jacksonville, Fla.
Talented quarterback who will enroll in January … led the Bartram Trail Bears to the Florida state Class 7A finals … passed for 1,468 yards and 12 TD and rushed for 1,100 yards with 16 scores as a senior … high school coach was Darrell Sutherland … Elite 11 finalist … Under Armour All-American Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … also a sprinter in track and field
Michael Harris
4-star LB, 6-2, 215; Tucker HS; Tucker, Ga.
Explosive linebacker prospect who led the Tucker Tigers to the Class 6A state semifinals … high school coach was Bryan Lamar … first team all-state as a junior and Clayton News-Daily defensive player of year … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … 15th-ranked OLB nationally according to ESPN
Jalil Irvin
4-star OL, 6-3, 300; Stephenson HS; Stone Mountain, Ga.
Outstanding offensive line prospect … played for Coach Ron Gartrell at Stephenson High … helped the Panthers to an 8-4 record and the Georgia Class 6A state playoffs … Offense-Defense All-American Bowl … Rivals and 247Sports four star … No. 5-rated center nationally according to ESPN
Asa Martin
4-star RB, 6-0, 205; Austin HS; Decatur, Ala.
Productive running back who will enroll in January … rushed for 2,228 yards and 33 TD as a senior … Alabama state Gatorade Player of the Year for Coach Jeremy Perkins at Austin High … led the Black Bears to the Class 6A quarterfinals … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … No. 9-rated RB nationally by 247Sports … also a track and field letterman
Zakoby McClain
4-star LB, 6-0, 205; Valdosta HS; Valdosta, Ga.
Physical linebacker prospect … high school coach at Valdosta High was Alan Rodemaker … 123 tackles, 20 TFL as a junior, leading the Wildcats to a state title … nominated for U.S. Army All-American Bowl … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … ranked No. 12 outside linebacker nationally by ESPN
Smoke Monday
4-star DB, 6-3, 190; Carver HS; Atlanta, Ga.
Physical safety who plans to enroll in January … led the Carver High Panthers to the Georgia state Class 5A semifinals … high school coach was Darren Myles … Under Armour All-American Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … No. 8-ranked safety according to ESPN and No. 9 athlete nationally by 247Sports … also a track and field letterman … given name is Quindarious
Kayode Oladele
4-star DE, 6-5, 250; Champagnat Catholic School; Miami, Fla.
Relative newcomer to American football … attended Champagnat Catholic School in Miami … coach was Dennis Marroquin … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … ESPN’s No. 19-defensive end prospect nationally … native of Nigeria
Jamien Sherwood
4-star DB, 6-2, 200; Jensen Beach HS; Jensen Beach, Fla.
Terrific safety prospect who plans to enroll in January … high school coach was Tim Caffey … Offense-Defense All-American Bowl … nominated for U.S. Army All-American Bowl … all-state and all-area … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … also a track and field letterman in the sprints
Shaun Shivers
4-star Ath, 5-7, 175; Chaminade-Madonna Prep; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Electric all-purpose back from Chaminade-Madonna Prep … led the Lions to the Florida Class 3A state championships … high school coach was Dameon Jones … rushed for more than 6,000 yards in his prep career … all-Broward defensive player of year … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … state runner-up in the 100 meter dash
Christian Tutt
4-star DB, 5-11, 195; Thomson HS; Thomson, Ga.
Outstanding cornerback prospect for Coach Rob Ridings at Thomson High … led the Thomson Bulldogs to a 10-2 record and the semifinals of the Georgia 4A state playoffs … compiled 51 tackles and had 522 yards of total offense with 11 touchdowns as a senior … U.S. Army All-American Bowl … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … nephew of former NFL linebacker Danny Verdun Wheeler
Seth Williams
4-star WR, 6-3, 215; Bryant HS; Cottondale, Ala.
Versatile contributor at receiver and safety who helped Bryant High to an Alabama Class 6A state playoff berth … high school coach was Eldrick Hill … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports four star … fifth-rated player in Alabama according to 247Sports … ranked as the No. 10 athlete nationally by ESPN …also an all-state honoree in basketball and a state medalist in the long jump and high jump
Shedrick Jackson
3-star WR, 6-1, 185; Hoover HS; Birmingham, Ala.
Wide receiver who will enroll in January … helped Hoover Buccaneers win Alabama state Class 7A championship … high school coach was Josh Niblett … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports three star … nephew of Auburn great Bo Jackson
Josh Marsh
3-star LB, 6-2, 215; Decatur HS; Decatur, Ala.
Speedy linebacker with great production … high school coach was Jere Adcock … led the state of Alabama as a junior with 206 tackles … nominated for Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports three star … also a track and field letterman … active in mission work
Daquan Newkirk
3-star DL, 6-3, 280; Mississippi Gulf Coast CC; The First Academy, Orlando, Fla.
Nation’s top-ranked junior college defensive end prospect who will be a January enrollee … recorded 48 tackles, 9 TFL at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College last fall … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports three star … nationally ranked as a Top 10 overall JUCO prospect by ESPN and 247Sports … played at The First Academy in Orlando for Coach Leroy Kinard … Class 3A all-state … Florida Athletic Coaches Association all-district at running back and defensive line … Blue-Grey All-America Game
Kameron Stutts
3-star OL, 6-4, 330; Brooks HS; Killen, Ala.
Agile offensive line prospect … helped the Brooks Lions to the Alabama state Class 5A playoffs … high school coach was Brad Black … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports three star
