Auburn, AL (EETV) - The first Wednesday in February is upon us once again. National Signing Day, otherwise known as Christmas in February, did bring some nice surprises for the Auburn Tigers Recruiting Class of 2017. With high powered recruiters Rodney Garner and Scott Fountain, Auburn added 3 more players to the already loaded 2017 Class, which had 20 commits, seven of these being early enrollees. Here is the breakdown of the 16 signees of today:
Calvin Ashley, OT, 6-7/310, District of Colombia (St. Johns College High School)
The most anticipated commit of this class has to be five-star Calvin Ashley. The No. 1 player in D.C. started his high school career at The IMG Academy in Orlando, Florida, before moving to D.C. to compete. Coming in at 6-7, his size and quickness off the ball are what set him apart from the crowd. Ashley also competed in the Under Armor All American Game and The Opening. The Rivals No. 4 player in the nation was also voted on to the All-State, All-Metro, All-Conference and First Team All-Metro in D.C.
Austin Troxell, OT, 6-7/325, Madison, Alabama (Madison Academy)
This four-star offensive tackle comes from familiar territory for the Tigers. Troxell joins two former teammates in the likes of running backs Kerryon Johnson and Malik Miller. Scout has him ranked at the No. 2 offensive tackle in the state and 247sports ranked him at the No. 5 player in Alabama. With the help of his solid technique, Troxell helped lead Madison Academy to the State Championship where they were the runner-up. The size being similar to Ashley, these two will be a sight to see in the coming years for Tiger fans.
John Samuel Shenker, TE, 6-3/240, Moutltrie, Georgia (Colquitt County High School)
Shenker is a talented three-star tight end coming out of Georgia. He is the ranked No. 3 tight end in his state by Scout.
Noah Igbinoghene, WR, 6-0/190, Trussville, Alabama (Hewitt-Trussville High School)
Igbinoghene could be the most athletic player is this class. He is the son of two Olympians and already won a National Championship in the triple jump. As expected, this four-star receiver is extremely fast and gets downfield in a jiffy. Scout ranked him as the No. 3 receiver in the state and the No. 22 receiver in the nation. He represented Alabama in the Alabama Mississippi All-Star game where he was selected as an All-Star. This in-state talent also helped lead Hewitt-Trussville to the second round in the state playoffs.
JaTarvious Whitlow, WR, 6-1/200, Lafayette, Alabama (Lafayette High School)
Whitlow was a shocking commit that occurred Wednesday morning after he received a call from Defensive Coordinator Kevin Steele telling Whitlow that Auburn badly wanted him. He is the No. 5 athlete/receiver in Alabama by Scout and the No. 14 player in the state by 247sports. He is a three sport athlete for Lafayette, where he won the 2A Basketball State Championship and was the MVP of the game. Auburn fans can look forward to the instinct and athleticism he brings to the position.
Devan Barret, RB, 6-1/190, Tampa, Florida (Tampa Catholic High School)
This four-star running back was voted on to the Florida All-State team this year because of his sharp instincts and competiveness. Scout ranks Barret as the No. 1 athlete in Florida and the No. 8 running back in the country by Rivals. He also played in the secondary for Tampa Catholic High School, but is best when the ball is in his hands.
Alaric Williams, RB, 6-0/200, Gadsden, Alabama (Southside High School)
The in-state talent of Williams is the second running back in the 2017 Class, joining Barret. The four-star is rated the No. 2 running back in the state and Rivals has him as the No. 9 player in the state while also being the No. 15 running back in the country. He has great hands and is a power load running in the inside. He and Barret will add needed depth at the running back position for the Tigers.
Alec Jackson, DE, 6-5/270, Montgomery, Alabama (Jefferson Davis High School)
Jackson was a long time target for the Tigers that committed around Christmas, a perfect gift for the Auburn Coaching Staff. Scout rates him as a three-star prospect and 247Sports has him as the No. 25 defensive end in the country. His explosiveness and frame contributed to Jefferson Davis’s playoff berth late in the season. He also represented Alabama in the Alabama Mississippi All-Star Game.
Markaviest Bryant, DE, 6-4/226, Cordele, Georgia (Crisp County High School)
Bryant is another player that committed on National Signing Day. The four-star end was the Christmas present in February the coaching staff was hoping for. He competed in the Under Armor All-American Game. His closing speed and athleticism helped him earn the rating of No. 1 defensive end in Georgia.
Tyrone Truesdell, DT, 6-2/306, Augusta, Georgia (Laney High School)
The other prospect to commit on Signing Day was Truesdell. He is most noted for his strength, size, and quickness. With his size, the three-star athlete could be a great option at nose and will take on multiple blockers. He is ranked at the No. 3 defensive tackle in Georgia by Scout.
Tadarian Moultry, LB, 6-2/225, Birmingham, Alabama (Jackson-Olin High School)
In a recruiting class full of linebackers, Moultry is the only one to not enroll early. He is also the highest ranked out of the three to sign. Moutlry comes in as a five-star linebacker that received All-City honors. 247Sports has him as the No. 1 linebacker in Alabama, No. 2 player in Alabama and the No. 18 player in the country. His speed, strength and hard hitting helped Jackson-Olin receive a playoff berth this season. Moultry also represented Alabama in the Alabama Mississippi All-Star Game.
Traivon Leonard, CB, 6-0/190, West Palm Beach, Florida (Oxbridge Academy)
Leonard received an offer from Auburn later in the recruiting season. He was originally committed to Florida Atlantic and the University of North Carolina. Shortly after receiving the Auburn offer, he de-committed from UNC and joined Auburn’s recruiting class. He is an all-around three-star corner that was ranked the No. 13 cornerback in Florida. Leonard has quick feet and a hard hitter in the secondary.
Jordyn Peters, S, 6-2/181, Muscle Shoals, Alabama (Muscle Shoals High School)
Peters expressed interest in Auburn at a young age and has said that this is his dream school. The three-star commit helped lead Muscle Shoals to the third round in the Alabama playoffs. Scout has him at the No. 4 safety in the state. He also competed in the Alabama Mississippi All-Star game. Auburn fans can look forward to contact he brings and his “ballhawk” nature to go get the ball.
Carlito Gonzalez, S, 6-1/184, Stone Mountain, Georgia (Stephenson High School)
This out of state talent has been committed to Auburn for quite some time now and has stuck with the Tigers through many coaching changes at his position. Gonzalez was given a four star rating by Scout and was also the No. 4 safety in Georgia. He also has experience at wide receiver. Playing both safety and receiver, Gonzalez has proved that he has great hands. Fans can also look forward to his size, toughness and hard hits in the secondary.
Anders Carlson, K, 6-4/190, Colorado Springs, Colorado (The Classical Academy)
Carlson is coming out of high school rated the No. 1 kicker in the nation. He played in the Under Armor All American Game and also punted in high school. The last name should look familiar and bring excitement to Auburn fans because he is fan-favorite Daniel Carlson’s younger brother.
Bill Taylor, LS, 6-4/235, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (American Christain)
Taylor is a three-star long snapper rated the No. 2 in his position by 247Sports.com. In his senior season, he helped lead American Christian to a playoff berth.
These 16 signees also join the following seven early enrollees: Malcolm Askew, Nick Brahms, Kenney Britt, Salvatore Cannella, Jarrett Stidham, Malik Willis and Chandler Wooten.
