SECOND STAGE: Getting into mid-morning

Gimel President doing what he does best.

Hey everyone.

TE Darrion Hutcherson, 6-7, 245, Dadeville/Dadeville H.S.
This is Auburn’s project player. Hutcherson won’t blow you away with skill or finesse, but how often do you see a kid this big with SEC-level speed? He looks like a monster on film because Hutcherson plays in Class 4A and no defender anywhere can come close to matching his size. He’s strong and willing to hit, which means he’ll have a chance to contribute on special teams or perhaps a situational blocker this fall. The upside here is massive. Hutcherson will need time to develop the proper skills. If it all comes together, he could be the biggest name in this class three years from now. He is a consensus three-star prospect.

(UPDATED @ 8:10 a.m. CDT) — And we have our first surprise of the day …
QB Jonathan Wallace, 6-2, 205, Phenix City/Central H.S.
Wallace was committed to Central Florida a few weeks ago after picking up zero major-conference offers. The Tigers dived in late, though, and gave Wallace a chance to play in the SEC. He didn’t delay. He has an exceptionally strong arm, though his accuracy wanes at times. Wallace operated a read-option attack at Central that worked much like Auburn’s despite using some different kinds of formations. He threw for 1,761 yards, rushed for 891 more and accounted for 40 touchdowns. Wallace is a consensus three-star prospect.

(UPDATED @ 7:48 a.m. CDT)
CB T.J. Davis, 6-1, 175, Tallahassee, Fla./Godby H.S.
Davis is a solid high-school prospect who is so-so in coverage, but remains fearless in the open field. He’s not very strong, but he finds ways to make the play anyway. Davis is an enthusiastic, talkative player who was his team’s emotional leader. My guess is that he’ll gain 15 pounds and emerge as a free safety beginning in 2013. Even in his current state, Davis looks like the kind of guy who will help Jay Boulware’s special teams units almost immediately. The kid will hit. Davis is a consensus three-star prospect.

DT Tyler Nero, 6-2, 285, Atmore/Escambia County H.S.
Nero’s commitment included some interesting timing. Another defensive tackle prospect from lower Alabama, Vigor’s Darius Philon, decommitted the day before Nero revealed his pro-Auburn allegiance. Was Philon concerned about competing with Nero for playing time? Nero said he hadn’t spoken to Philon in the days before or after his commitment in early August, so perhaps it was coincidence. Nero likely will play noseguard at Auburn behind Jeffrey Whitaker and Angelo Blackson until he can gain more muscle mass. Winning one-on-ones in the SEC trenches requires unusual strength. Nero chose Auburn over Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Georgia. He is a consensus four-star prospect.

(UPDATED @ 7:20 a.m. CDT)
OL Robert Leff, 6-6, 270, Fairhope/Fairhope H.S.
Leff wasn’t highly recruited and spent the fall as a Southern Miss commitment. He attended two summer camps at Auburn, but didn’t get an offer until December. Leff accepted it almost immediately. He doesn’t have outstanding measureables – that helps explain why Leff is a consensus three-star prospect – but Leff is a motivated player who wants to grow into the SEC. He’s almost guaranteed a redshirt season in 2012 because Leff simply isn’t strong enough to play at a high level right now.

(UPDATED @ 7:15 a.m. CDT)
DE Gimel President, 6-4, 240, Mount Pleasant, S.C./Wando H.S.
President was a quick and effective three-technique tackle in high school, but he isn’t big enough to play inside within the SEC. He doesn’t seem particularly strong on film and sometime loses control of gaps against average linemen. Still, President is able to shoot gaps effectively and he didn’t miss many tackles. He isn’t an elite athlete, but Auburn coaches love President’s attitude and work ethic. It’s important to have people like that around the program. He’ll probably need to some time to add bulk and improve his skill level. President is a consensus three-star prospect. I consider him the best sleeper in this class because I’m biased toward motivated kids who acknowledge their shortcomings and work diligently to improve.