The Tigers may be playing catch-up with their 2023 recruiting, but things may be a lot different for the class of 2024. As Bryan Harsin heads to Atlanta for SEC Media Days this coming week, preparations are being made back on The Plains for Big Cat Weekend at the end of the month. And rumor has it the hugely popular event could very well be the destination for not one, but maybe two big commitments…
Founded back in 2009 under former head coach Gene Chizik, Big Cat Weekend is The Tigers’ yearly bonding session for friends, family and a host of high school talent considering Auburn as their future home. It’s a laid-back event that allows coaches and potential commits to build relationships over barbecue and games. There are no football-related activities over the two days, but it’s proved a real hit when it comes to recruiting. At least one target usually uses the opportunity to declare for The Tigers. And the carnival atmosphere can lead to a snowball effect, encouraging other attendees to consider doing the same.
Much like every year, current players and staff will welcome a host of recruits from the upcoming cycle. But there’s a growing buzz of excitement around campus. Could a pair of marquee talents from the 2024 class target the event to pledge their allegiance to the blue and orange?
Air Noland
The protracted commitment of 2023 QB Brock Glenn might not be headed the way Harsin and his staff hoped, but 2024 already looks to be a different story. Prentiss Noland, from Fairburn, GA, has been recruited heavily by Auburn, and the admiration appears reciprocal. The young gunslinger, nicknamed ‘Air Noland’ due to his live arm, has visited Jordan-Hare an impressive six times already. He’s expected to attend Big Cat Weekend too, an exciting sign he’s close to pinning his flag to the Auburn mast. And whilst nobody at Auburn is counting their chickens just yet, there are suggestions he’s going to commit at the event.
Both On3 Recruiting and 247 Sports have Auburn as heavy favorites for the QB. In a recent interview with Auburn Live, Noland outlined his intention to commit early. And once he’s on board, he’ll get straight on the recruiting trail himself:
“I’ve definitely been thinking about committing soon. Either before the season, mid-season or right after it. I want to start recruiting for the school I’m going to. Getting the team loaded basically. And also, I feel like I’m getting very comfortable with the schools I’m considering.”
Langston Hughes high school is a talent factory proving to be fertile hunting ground for The Tigers. Four-star safety Terrance Love has already committed to Auburn and Harsin has been aggressive in trying to flip his teammate. However, offensive lineman Bo Hughley eventually opted for their SEC rival Georgia.
AU have also prioritized a third kid from the school in Jelani Thurman, who intends to commit on Sunday. The tight end has a list of eight teams he’s still considering, and he took an official visit to Auburn in June. The Tigers will be hoping that Love can help convince his colleagues that The Plains is the place to be.
Sterling Work
Most of the buzz surrounding a Big Cat Weekend commitment has been directed at Noland. However, another 2024 name expected to attend also has Auburn high on his list. Edge rusher Sterling Dixon is a highly coveted recruit out of Mobile, with 25 offers on the table at the time of writing. The four-star prospect has visited Jordan-Hare three times already and many have The Tigers as favorites to land him.
Dixon recently was on record as being impressed with the pitch by Coach Bellantoni. Speaking to Auburn Live, he recounted the moment he was offered by AU:
“Coach Roc took me around campus, toured the facilities and then pulled me to the side. He asked me how many offers I had and I told him 20. He then told me that offer No. 21 isn’t just any offer, it’s an offer from the Auburn Tigers. Coach Harsin and Coach Roc then went over film with me and showed me how they’re going to use me. That meant a lot to me, too.”
With COVID forcing Big Cat Weekend to take a hiatus, it’s back with a bang in 2022. The Tigers might not have the numbers other schools can boast in their 2023 class, but it’s 100% ‘Blue Chip.’ Signs look more than promising for 2024. Let’s hope the marquee event turns the recruiting momentum in AU’s favor and ends July with a big boost. WDE!
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