AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn coaches still spend each January recruiting student-athletes who will star at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but thanks to the December signing period, the winter recruiting period is now more geared to future classes.
"It's different," said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, who signed five players Wednesday to complete the Tigers' 21-member class. "We're at a new day. There's a lot more stress in the first part of signing day than there is with this one.
"This last signing period really is mostly directed toward younger guys. It gives the staff more time to recruit the next class and the class behind it. So I think that's a trend that we will continue to see."
MAGNOLIA MAGIC
While landing the majority of its recruits in Auburn's traditional recruiting ground of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, the Tigers ventured west, signing three players from Mississippi, a state Malzahn targeted when he hired Mississippi native Marcus Woodson to coach Auburn's defensive backs.
"Marcus Woodson has done a super job with his connections in that state," Malzahn said. "I think you'll see that continue. He's a great person, a hard worker, and he has very good connections.
"That's usually what happens. You get a couple of guys from a certain state and they have success, and it's easier to recruit the next time. There's some great players in the state of Mississippi and I think you'll see that continue -- seeing players from Mississippi come play for Auburn."
BROTHERLY LOVE
For the second time under Malzahn, brotherhood will apply literally to the 2019 Tigers. Signee Kameron Brown, a 6-0, 230-pound linebacker, will join his older brother, defensive lineman Derrick Brown. In 2017, kicker Anders Carlson redshirted while older brother Daniel Carlson became the SEC's all-time scoring leader.
"Being familiar with Derrick's brother, you get updates from time to time and things would catch my eye with his tackles and big hits, so I really kept my eye on him throughout this year," Malzahn said. "He has the intangibles, kind of like Deshaun Davis. I know he's excited and will come in with a chip on his shoulder ready to go."
SPRING PRACTICE
Auburn will start spring practice on March 18, the first Monday after spring break.
"I know our guys are pretty excited about getting it going and started so I think there's a lot of excitement," Malzahn said. "For our coaches, we've been recruiting the 2020 and 2021 classes, so this will give us some time and then you go to spring break and then get it all started."
Unlike previous springs, Auburn will practice four times each week during spring practice.
"It gives our guys two more weeks to train, which I think is very important with their development," Malzahn said. "Strategically, the way we're practicing, Fridays will be set up a little bit more drill-specific. And then of course Saturdays are always our scrimmage days. I'm looking forward to the changeup with the spring practice schedule."
HEAD START
Auburn's nine mid-year enrollees will participate in spring practice, their first chance to impress coaches in a bid to earning playing time this fall.
"They're off to a great start from Coach Russell's standpoint," Malzahn said. "The nine freshmen, they're together, they're starting to get acclimated with older guys. We're not starting spring ball until after spring break this year to give Coach Russell a couple more weeks to train, which I think is really good."
NEW COACHES
Newly hired assistant coaches Kenny Dillingham, Auburn's offensive coordinator, and running backs coach Carnell Williams contributed to Auburn's recruiting efforts.
"Kenny Dillingham is a young and very energetic guy who hit the ground running," Malzaah I think he will be an excellent recruiter and just the time we've spent in bowl prep, he did an excellent job as far as teaching and the relationships he has built with our guys.
"Cadillac, combined with our offense and the success we've had with our running backs, being a guy with his experience and expertise, being a top five pick and rookie of the year, I think he's going to be a great recruiter.
"He's very genuine and honest. When he walks into a room everyone knows who he is -- he has a great name. I'm always looking for fit within our staff. Both those guys are a really good fit for our staff. I'm very excited to work with those two guys and they'll do great."
FRESHMAN RUNNING BACKS
Auburn signed two running backs in the Class of '19, D.J. Williams in December and Mark-Antony Richards in February.
"We think we signed two of the best running backs in the entire country," Malzahn said. "D.J. (Williams) is different than Mark-Antony and that's a good thing. When you look at our past when we've had our best offenses, we've had different guys with different skill sets. That way you can put them on the field at the same time. With those two guys, combined with what we have coming back, I feel good about the running back position."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer