2/8/23 Auburn Articles

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College football recruiting rankings: Charles Kelly tops 25 best recruiters for 2023 class

Brad Crawford

10–13 minutes

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Take a glance at college football's top 25 recruiting classes for the 2023 cycle and that group will coincide with the nation's top assistants on the trail, the guys who are adept at convincing high school talent to come their way. National championships are won in December and February in recruiting and proof is in the pudding. Over the last decade, every College Football Playoff champion has averaged a top-five signing class — per 247Sports' rankings — over the previous three cycles leading up to the title. TCU had a chance to buck that trend in January, but lost to Georgia, 65-7.

The early signing period in December provided a good idea of which programs won the offseason talent accumulation title.

The SEC leads the way with a wealth of the nation's top-rated players and to no one's surprise, employs many of the top individual recruiters. 

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Here are the nation's 25 best at acquiring talent from the 2023 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite recruiter rankings.

(Photo: Matt Cashore, 247Sports)

25. Brad Davis, OL coach, LSU (4 commits)

Brian Kelly's top recruiter this cycle for the Tigers, Davis was credited with four players, including five-star offensive tackle Zalance Heard, the No. 15 player nationally.

24. Al Washington, DL coach, Notre Dame (5 commits)

Washington is Marcus Freeman's ace in the hole with the Fighting Irish. He was the lead recruiters for five players this cycle, including four of the four-star variety.

23. Tosh Lupoi, DL coach, Oregon (7 commits)

Acquiring help along the defensive front was Lupoi's primary focus this cycle and the Ducks assistant did not disappoint. Matayo Uiagalelei was his most notable landing.

22. Kevin Wilson, TE coach, Ohio State (5 commits)

One of a couple Ohio State assistants ranked among this year's top 25 recruiters, Wilson helped the Buckeyes with five four-stars. He has since departed for the head coach vacancy at Tulsa.

(Photo: John Whittle, 247Sports)

21. Sterling Lucas, OLB coach, South Carolina (6 commits)

The single-most important assistant for the Gamecocks this recruiting cycle, Lucas aided in getting five-star Nyckoles Harbor on Signing Day. He was also the lead recruiter for four additional four-stars, including quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who he flipped from Syracuse during the early signing period. 

20. Brennan Marion, OC, UNLV (3 commits)

Marion, who recently joined Barry Odom's UNLV staff as their new OC, helped Texas sign several elite wideouts this cycle, including five-star Johntay Cook II.

19. Glenn Schumman, co-DC and inside LB coach, Georgia (3 commits)

Georgia's co-defensive coordinator was the lead recruiter for five-star linebacker Raylen Wilson and four-star linebackers CJ Allen and Troy Bowles.

18. Larry Johnson, assistant head coach, Ohio State (4 commits)

Tabbed with helping the Buckeyes revamp their defensive front, Johnson signed a quartet of four-star pass rushers for 2023.

(Photo: 247Sports)

17. Demetrice Martin, CB coach, Oregon (6 commits)

Oregon closed strong on Signing Day thanks to Martin, who landed four-star cornerback Rodrick Pleasant to secure a top-rated class for the Ducks. Martin helped Oregon get two other four-star cornerbacks as well.

16. Jeff Choate, co-DC, Texas (6 commits)

Five-star linebacker Anthony Hill was the gem of this cycle for Choate, who also led five four-star players to the Forty Acres.

15. Jay Valai, co-DC, Oklahoma (6 commits)

The Sooners need immense help on defense and Valai is doing all he can to ensure that happens. He flipped five-star safety Peyton Bowen during the early signing period and signed five additional four stars.

14. Chidera Uzo-Diribe, OLB coach, Georgia (3 commits)

Uzo-Diribe dipped into Florida for all three of his edge recruits this cycle, including five-star Damon Wilson.

(Photo: © Tim Warner, Getty)

13. Sean Spencer, co-DC, Florida (6 commits)

Billy Napier is thankful for Spencer, Florida's top recruiter this cycle after he helped the Gators sign six four-stars under his watch, including wideout Eugene Wilson.

12. Jeff Banks, ST coordinator, Texas (7 commits)

The co-recruiter on record for five-stars Anthony Hill and Johntay Cook II, Banks helped secure the Longhorns' most notable studs for 2023.

11. Brandon Hall, S coach, Oklahoma (5 commits)

One of two Oklahoma assistants inside the top 15 for 2023, Hall's most important role was assisting with five-star Peyton Bowen's flip to Norman.

(Photo: 247Sports)

10. Zac Etheridge, S coach, Auburn (11 commits)

Etheridge was a major reason for Hugh Freeze's success in his first recruiting class at Auburn after the Tigers' safeties coach landed a nation-leading 11 players.

9. Holmon Wiggins, WR coach, Alabama (6 commits)

The Crimson Tide needed elite pass-catchers this cycle and Wiggins delivered. He's the first of several Nick Saban assistants ranked inside the top 10 and was credited with five-star wideout Jalen Hale along with five other four-stars for 2023.

8. Fran Brown, DB coach, Georgia (7 commits)

Brown signed five of the top 200 players nationally for the Bulldogs this cycle per 247Sports, including five-star Joenel Aguero.

7. Alex Mirabal, OL coach, Miami (5 commits)

Mario Cristobal's best recruiter on staff, Mirabal locked up two five-star offensive linemen for 2023 — Francis Mauigoa and Samson Okunlola. They're two of the top four players in the country at their position.

(Photo: 247Sports)

Eason earned the title of Dabo Swinney's top recruiter at Clemson in 2023 with five commits, headlined by Peter Woods, a five-star pass rusher from Alabama that every elite program in the country wanted this cycle. Eason also coaxed four other defensive linemen to the Tigers, including two inside the top 100 players nationally. Considering how many early-round edge guys the Tigers have placed in the NFL in recent years, this group appears to be next in line for future stardom up front.

(Photo: Ben Jackson, Getty)

Ohio State's newly-named offensive coordinator, Hartline has been the program's best recruiter for several years and is considered one of college football's brightest young minds on offense. The former Buckeyes wideout has made the same position his speciality in the coaching ranks and once again delivered with four players for 2023, including Brandon Inniss. Hartline has made Ohio State "Wide Receiver U" in recent years with a plethora of first-round selections. Ohio State's expecting another — or two — in the 2024 NFL Draft, led by All-American candidate Marvin Harrison Jr.

(Photo: Mark Brennan-FOS/247)

Seider is a major reason why Penn State signed one of the Big Ten's top classes this cycle after landing nine commits, including eight four-stars. To beat Ohio State and Michigan at the top of the conference, the Nittany Lions need to load up on elite players and Seider is doing what he can to ensure that happens. He recruited offensive lineman, safeties, linebackers, athletes and running backs and wide receivers during this cycle, a true Swiss Army Knife when it comes to recruiting.

(Photo: Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)

Only one assistant coach in college football was credited with more commits than Roach this cycle, but Alabama's defensive line coach was No. 1 in terms of overall quality. He helped the Crimson Tide flip five-star offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor from Iowa and was instrumental in signing five-star pass rushers James Smith and Yhonzae Pierre. Among the other players in which Roach was the lead recruiter, top-rated JUCO wideout Malik Benson committed to the Crimson Tide. Roach's 95.7 player rating average was third-best nationally, which ironically ranked third-best on Alabama's staff overall.

(Photo: Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama announced the addition of Gillespie in January 2021 and, since his arrival, the Crimson Tide's running backs coach has been one of the program's best on the recruiting trail. During the 2023 cycle, Gillespie assisted in Alabama landing four players, highlighted by five-stars Keon Keeley, Justice Haynes and Desmond Ricks. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Ricks ranked as the nation's No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 prospect overall. He also strongly considered Florida and LSU. Keeley was a former Notre Dame commit who backed off of his pledge in August and took officials to Ohio State and Alabama before committing to the Crimson Tide Dec. 12.

(Photo: Denon McMillan, 247Sports)

The 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year for 2023, Kelly helped Alabama secure two five-stars in the nation's top-ranked signing class before departing for Colorado to become Deion Sanders' defensive coordinator. In the short time he's been with the Buffaloes, Kelly was instrumental in helping Coach Prime flip five-star Miami commit Cormani McClain, the top-rated cornerback in the 2023 cycle. Per 247Sports director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong, the 55-year old Ozark, Alabama, native has been on the move several times in his career — the epitome of a seasoned coaching veteran, who began his career at Phenix City (Ala.) Central before taking a graduate assistant post at Alabama in 1993. He has coached everything from running backs at Jacksonville State to defensive backs at Henderson State. At the turn of the century he returned to the high school level at Eufaula High before his path took him to Nicholls State, to Georgia Tech, to Florida State to Tennessee back to Alabama and now he’s beginning latest chapter with the Buffaloes.

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Bowl eligibility for Auburn in 2023? One expert entertains the possibility

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

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After watching Hugh Freeze perform a miracle in the recruiting game in such a short period, Auburn fans are anxious and stoked for the 2023 season to begin.

Sure, expecting Freeze to lead Auburn to the College Football Playoff in his first season may be excessive, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could put together a bowl-eligible team. Despite last season’s turmoil, Auburn still ended up one win shy of bowl eligibility. The surplus of talent that Freeze has reeled in from the transfer portal could push Auburn over the hump.

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What is a realistic expectation for Hugh Freeze’s first-season win total? Brad Crawford of 247Sports weighs in.

Crawford puts Auburn’s win total at 7.5 as the calendar turns to February. He predicts that the Tigers’ strength of schedule can push them through the threshold.

Admittedly, trying to project Hugh Freeze’s first season on the Plains is a bit fuzzy in February, but you have to appreciate what the Tigers have done in terms of immediate roster building through the transfer portal. And given Auburn’s cakewalk in the non-conference, there’s four wins almost by showing up (UMass, Cal, Samford and New Mexico State). Toss in a trip to Vanderbilt the Tigers should win and Auburn is near bowl eligibility without a quality victory. This sets up nicely for Freeze to make a splash in 2023.

Crawford believes that Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss as SEC teams that should reach seven wins this season. Georgia is projected to win the most games in the SEC in 2023 according to Crawford, who puts them at 11.5 wins.

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Auburn football among SEC's most experienced teams in 2023

Lance Dawe

~2 minutes

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It's that time of the year.

College football may be in its offseason, but there are plenty of analytical articles and breakdowns that will be released throughout the spring both recapping the 2022 season and preparing us for 2023.

ESPN's Bill Connelly, the GOAT of all things college football statistics, has released his annual college football teams' returning production article ($), which ranks every single FBS team's returning production for the upcoming season.

Auburn, who experienced a decent amount of roster turnover, finds themselves just outside the top 25 at No. 28 nationally in returning overall production. They were 66th last season at 65% and 54th in 2021 at 73%.

The Tigers bring back 71% of their overall production, 72% on offense (44th nationally) and 71% on defense (38th nationally).

The 71% overall is good for 3rd in the SEC, behind Texas A&M (No. 7, 80%) and Missouri (No. 9, 78%).

There are now 133 FBS teams, as Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State have made their way up. Florida State leads all teams returning 87% of their production from a season ago.

Full SP+ projections for the 2023 season will be out next week, according to Connelly.

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247sports.com

 

Why ‘havoc rate’ is Auburn DC Ron Roberts’ top priority

Nathan King

5–7 minutes

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Quite literally, Ron Roberts is coming to Auburn to wreak havoc.

The veteran defensive coordinator inherits a unit that had an uncharacteristically below-average campaign in 2022, as compared to the previous several seasons, where Auburn was usually a top-25 defense in most metrics. On top of their struggles, the Tigers lose their top three defensive linemen, along with their top linebacker and leading tackler over the past two seasons.

Part of Roberts’ plan to to restore Auburn to the consistency the program has become accustomed to is his signature formula for defensive disruption.

“We call it havoc — the havoc rate,” Roberts said last week. “We calculate tackles for loss, sacks, PBUs (pass breakups), interceptions, turnovers, any of that stuff. Our goal as a defense is always to work in the 20 percent category. That means on 20 percent of the plays, we've got to work to create havoc. If you do that, you're gonna be in the top 20 in the country. What does that mean? How do you control that? You control that with attempts at the ball. You control some of that, schematically, with how tackles for losses occur. Tackles for loss typically occur off of D-line movement, stunts, pressure. If you're gonna get them, you've got to do it. If you're gonna sit there in a base defense, the only way you get them then is if my guy is better than your guy and whoops him and gets a TFL.

“But the nature we play, we're gonna go after it and get tackles for loss, get behind the sticks and put us in favorable downs.”

Roberts’ units, among other successes that made him one of the most respected defensive minds in the sport, usually excel at forcing turnovers. Baylor was top 30 nationally in two of his three seasons as the Bears’ defensive coordinator, including the 2021 season, when they tied for the seventh-most takeaways in the country. His Louisiana defense in 2019 was also top 40 in takeaways per game.

Roberts said in 2021, when Baylor had one of the best defenses in the country to lead the team to a Big 12 championship, his unit had a 27 percent havoc rate. Last year, the group was at 18 percent, he said.

Though Roberts didn’t offer his exact formula for havoc rate — it’s an extensive calculus, he said — but Auburn registered a sack, tackle for loss, pass breakup or turnover on just over 14 percent of its defensive snaps last season.

Of course, Auburn has to play with discipline on all three levels to make Roberts’ philosophies worthwhile. And over the course of a game, he may dial back the havoc rate depending on how the group is playing, and what the opposition is doing to adjust.

“It's really, like, what are you risking?” Roberts said. “It depends. Pressure doesn't always mean you're in zero coverage or in man coverage or even putting your coverage at risk. Obviously, you don't want to do that if you've got, like, a 14-point lead and the clock becomes your friend. All of that, obviously, depends on the context of your game.”

In addition to Roberts’ recent success at Baylor, and how those philosophies mesh with what Hugh Freeze prioritizes defensively, Auburn’s new head coach said he was also impressed by the high-profile defensive minds who have blossomed under Roberts’ tutelage over the years.

“If you look at all the really good ones that have come from his tree, that learned from him, that speaks probably about as much as anything to me,” Freeze said.

Former Alabama and new Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding was Roberts’ DC at Delta State; Baylor head coach Dave Aranda was his linebackers coach; Florida co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Patrick Toney coached defensive backs for Roberts at Southeastern Lousiana and Louisiana; and Seattle Seahawks secondary coach Karl Scott was a grad assistant turned linebackers coach turned defensive coordinator under Roberts at Southeastern Louisiana, just to name the most notable.

“I think I’ve been fortunate, again, and I think in all those situations when you work — I always consider it to be work with, not for — so I think I’ve been really fortunate to have some good people around me,” Roberts said. “I think that goes with the same thing. I think, if anything, I was probably good at identifying people that were hungry, people that were humble and people that wanted to really have a desire to be really good at what they wanted to do.”

The baseline definition of Roberts’ defense is a 3-4, but he, along with Auburn’s new defensive assistant coaches, all preached the importance of versatility in today’s game. Especially on the defensive front, the Tigers will be expected to flex to various positions when Roberts alters his looks to counter offensive personnel.

“You have to be multiple nowadays in college football and the SEC,” Roberts said. “You've got to have multiple. We can't just sit in a front, unless you have better players than everybody else. You can't do that. Offensive coordinators will pick you apart. The skill level is too good. They'll find a weakness.

“We'll be multiple in what we do, but we will play with aggression. We will blitz. We will pressure. We will be an aggressive defense.”

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College Sports Wire lists Brian Battie as an ‘impact transfer’

Taylor Jones

~2 minutes

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Auburn Football gained a wave of experience in multiple areas during the first transfer portal window. One of those additions was running back Brian Battie.

Battie joins the Tigers’ program from USF, where he rushed for over 100 yards in nine games from 2020-22. His addition will be vital to the running back corps, as he will provide extra depth alongside Jarquez Hunter, Damari Alston, and Jeremiah Cobb.

Battie is such a vital piece to the Auburn roster, and those who cover the sport nationally are taking notice.

Patrick Conn of College Sports Wire recently released a list of the most impactful free-agent acquisitions of the first transfer portal window. Among those impactful players is Battie. Conn says that Battie’s versatility will be crucial for Auburn in 2023.

New head coach Hugh Freeze won’t have Tank Bigsby on his team in 2023 but he did add an all-purpose back in Brian Battie. He can run the ball for the offense and add a little something in the return game. Battie accounted for 2,035 yards from scrimmage with 10 touchdowns in three seasons. He also returned 59 kickoffs for 1,427 yards and 3 touchdowns in that same span.

Auburn will look to replace Tank Bigsby at the running back position in 2023 after he declared for the NFL Draft. Auburn returns 795 rushing yards between Hunter and Alston from last season.