In recent weeks, two of Auburn’s most touted commitments — 5-star linebacker Trenton Simpson and 4-star receiver Ze’Vian Capers — have visited other schools. What does it mean? What are we hearing? Here’s the latest …
-Recently, Simpson, who committed to the Tigers in May, attended North Carolina’s home game against Clemson, which the Tar Heels nearly won. North Carolina was the Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek’s No. 2 school when he chose the Tigers and the Tar Heels have not stopped pursuing him. Simpson did not attend that game as a recruit. He apparently sat with fans in the stands — not in the prospect section. That said, there was some concern at Auburn and we were told North Carolina thinks it has a shot. The visit, which was Sept 28, took place the same day 4-star linebacker Desmond Tisdol visited Auburn. The Tigers, having three linebackers committed, are almost certainly done at that position. But in recruiting you have to explore every scenario. And that includes the possibility someone could de-commit. It’s our understanding that why Tisdol was invited to Auburn. It was a case of the Tigers covering all their bases should something fall through with another linebacker commit later in the cycle. If you don’t do things like this, you can sometimes come up empty. In any event, we’re told Auburn’s communications with Simpson have again increased in the past couple weeks and that has erased some of its concerns. Intel suggests the Tigers feel good at this time about keeping him in the class. Apparently, both Simpson and his parents remain high on Auburn. Nonetheless, this is something we’ll continue to monitor. Simpson will sign in December and is an early enrollee. He’s a hugely important recruit.
-Capers, who is having a big senior season at Alpharetta (Ga.) Denmark, got a visit from Auburn coach Gus Malzahn and receivers coach Kodi Burns last Friday. The next day, he attended the Georgia-South Carolina game in Athens, Ga. According to Capers’ teammate, 2021 Auburn quarterback commit Aaron McLaughlin, Capers “went to the UGA game with our running back because he asked him to go. UGA invited all of us but hadn’t offered a single one so I think it was just a mass invite thing because I got the invite from the official UGA football account not a coach.” We are told the Auburn staff knew about the visit and isn’t overly concerned. We’ve heard nothing to suggest he’s wavering — and to our knowledge the Bulldogs haven’t offered. That said, given Capers is playing so well, one source told us they wouldn’t be surprised if the Bulldogs would push for Capers at some point. We’ll keep you posted should anything change.
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