AUBURN, Ala. - Balancing bowl practice with recruiting, Auburn's assistant coaches multitasked their way to assembling the foundation of a class they believe can contend for championships.
"It's very exciting because we feel really good about the group we've brought in," said recruiting coordinator and running backs coach Tim Horton. "We've got some high caliber players, and at the same time, we've got some high caliber people. Great additions to the Auburn family. I think across the board we've helped ourselves really at every position. It's a great day."
Auburn announced the signing of 16 student-athletes Wednesday, including a pair of five-star prospects, linebacker/safety Owen Pappoe and quarterback Bo Nix, who associate head coach Rodney Garner described as "pretty special."
"I've been in this thing for 29 years now and I think he's one of the best quarterbacks I've ever seen coming out of high school," Garner said. "He's a coach's son. Grandfather was a coach. He's grown up doing this his whole life."
Nix will enroll next month after leading Pinson Valle High School to back-to-back 6A state championships in Alabama. Bo's father, Patrick, Auburn's quarterback from 1992-95, coached his son in high school.
"It's great to be able to see that for him and for his family," Garner said. "Just knowing how important Auburn is to that family. I think he's the glue that really held this class together because I think he's an Auburn man through and through."
Like Nix, Pappoe will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
"He fits this place," linebackers coach Travis Williams said. "It's definitely a need in our own room. He's a kid everybody in the country wanted. He's a kid who stuck by his word. It was good for him to show that character, being a high profile guy going through the recruiting ranks. I thought he showed the type of person he is. We already know the type of athlete he is."
While many of Auburn's signees have been committed for many months, defensive lineman Derick Hall from Gulfport High School in Mississippi announced his commitment Wednesday morning.
"That's a huge get for us," said defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson. "He fits Auburn and Auburn fits him as well. We're fortunate to land him."
Auburn signed two tight ends, both early enrollees, Luke Deal from Greenwood, South Carolina and Tyler Fromm from Warner Robins, Georgia.
"I think they're truly guys who will be great ambassadors for the university, but also outstanding football players," assistant coach Larry Porter said. "Tremendous character. Great students and really good football players. When you think about being Auburn tough, they're a great symbol of that."
Auburn signed a pair of offensive linemen, Justin Osborne from Flower Mound, Texas, and Keiondre Jones from Callaway High School in LaGrange, Georgia.
"Really excited about these two kids," offensive line coach J.B. Grimes said. "Both them have the size, the quickness, the intelligence, the football IQ. All of the things you look for in an offensive lineman, they've got it."
While the national letters of intent arrived, Auburn's staff quickly transitioned from recruiting to coaching, conducting the Tigers' final on-campus practice leading up to the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 28 at 12:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.