Auburn’s season has not gone the way Tiger fans had hoped. With losses to Clemson and Mississippi State already in the books and games against Arkansas, Alabama, LSU and Georgia still on the docket, things will have to change in a hurry if Auburn is to get where many thought they could go in 2012.
Auburn Recruits Remain Confident In Tigers Despite 0-2 Start
But Auburn’s commitments aren’t wavering, the AJC reports.
“You know, they’re struggling. But they’re just going to have to overcome the areas they are struggling in and finish the season strong. I think they’ll be fine, even if this is a down year or whatever. They’ll come back. They’ll rise up. Nobody just stays on the top, and nobody just stays on the bottom. It always changes, and they will come back up.” Johnson plans to visit other schools and has not revealed which ones, but said that Ohio State and Florida State are recruiting him the hardest, along with Auburn. “It’s kind of open with my visits. I haven’t set up anything yet. I’m playing it by ear. Right now, I’m trying to focus on the season. We’re 2-0 and we’re trying to make a run this year.” Johnson did say his flirtation with UGA is over. He visited with the Bulldogs over the summer, but hasn’t had any communication since. “I didn’t really talk to the coaches that much while I was there. I was mainly talking to the players. The coaches came around, and we said a couple of words. We kind of talked a little bit. But you know, Georgia is not really the place for me. I just didn’t feel it like I felt other places.”
These reactions are consistent with the observation of many recruiting analysts, who state that a team’s record is not nearly as important as many of the other factors a school sells to recruits.
What can matter, however, is a coaching change. It doesn’t appear one is in the cards at Auburn, however, since its head coach received an extension after winning the 2010 National Championship.
For more on War Eagle football, visit Auburn blog College And Magnolia, plus SEC blog Team Speed Kills.
