AUBURN, Ala. – While Gus Malzahn and his assistant coaches eagerly anticipate closing out Auburn's 2019 recruiting class on Wednesday's National Signing Day, Malzahn on Monday spotlighted a seasoned group of returning Tigers who will mentor the newcomers.
"We've got eight young men that seriously considered coming out for the NFL," Malzahn said. "They chose to come back."
Defensive linemen Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson and Nick Coe, defensive backs Jeremiah Dinson, Daniel Thomas and Javaris Davis, and offensive linemen Prince Tega Wanogho and Marquel Harrell all decided to put off professional football to return to Auburn for the 2019 season.
Derrick Brown
"These are my brothers," said Brown, who cited completing his degree before entering the NFL as his primary reason for returning. "We've been through it all together, emotionally, physically, mentally. At the end of the day, it doesn't make [returning] hard at all."
The return of Brown, Davidson and Coe gives Auburn one of the most experienced, productive D-lines in the SEC.
Nick Coe (91) and Marlon Davidson (3)
"I love the atmosphere," said Coe, a redshirt junior. "I like being in the stadium when the crowd goes crazy. I like everything about it, to be honest -- the coaches, how they love me and how I love them back. How everyone treats you well and you just feel like you're at home."
Marlon Davidson
"I've got all the pieces to the puzzle," said Davidson, who's positioned to be a four-year starter at defensive end. "I'm ready to put them all together and finish this thing on top. If I ever wanted to do it again, I would choose Auburn."
Prince Tega Wanogho
Auburn's offensive line returns all five starters from last season, including Wanogho at left tackle.
"It's Auburn," he said. "It's that family atmosphere. At the end of the day, the NFL is going to be there, and there, it's straight business. Auburn is family, friendship, teammates, the brotherhood. I want to enjoy that."
Prince Tega Wanogho (76) and Marquel Harrell (77) Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
"The pros of coming back were greater than the pros of going to the National Football League," said Harrell, in line to be a two-year starter at left guard. "I'm excited to come back. I'm excited to be here for my brothers for another year and lead Auburn to a national championship."
Javaris Davis (13) and Daniel Thomas (24).
Like the defensive line, Auburn's secondary will be experienced this fall, with safeties Thomas and Dinson, and cornerback Davis all starting in 2018.
"It was right to come back, to do this thing the right way," Dinson said. "I was like, 'Let's give it one more shot.' The relationships I have built around here, the Auburn Family, the Auburn traditions, the relationships that I have with the coaches and my teammates. I wasn't ready to leave that yet."
During a roundtable session with reporters about their decisions to remain on the Plains for one more season, words like family and brotherhood were mentioned often.
"It's a family here," Thomas said. "I want to enjoy my last year with my brothers -- my family -- just finish what we started. I feel like we can have one of the best secondaries in the nation. We continue to have that bond, that chemistry. I feel like we can do something special this year."
Daniel Thomas (24) and Jeremiah Dinson (20)
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer