Defensive tackle Gabe Wright has just become Auburn’s third commitment live on ESPNU today, wrapping up the Tigers’ outstanding 2011 recruiting class. Wright followed wide receiver Quan Bray in sending his letter of intent:
**
QUAN BRAY, RB/WR; LaGrange, Ga.
EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the fifth-best all-purpose back and 109th-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the eighth-best prospect in Georgia…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the fifth-best “athlete” and 40th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.
GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Trooper Taylor and Tracy Rocker, Quan was brought in to play wide receiver for the Tigers. His spurning of the Georgia Bulldogs on national television (“I’m going to Auburn! Whoa Eagle babuh!”) was a cattle prod to the ass of the Bulldog faithful, but the Georgia native has been in love with the Tigers since his cousin Jayson Bray was a defensive back under Terry Bowden. Since he’s now signed, forget about the win in the border battle over Georgia. This kid is here to play. Says ESPN: “This guy has a chance to be special at the next level. Bray is an electrifying athlete that can run like the wind and possess outstanding quickness and chance-of-direction skills.” With the departure of receiving targets Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery, now is an opportune time to be an electrifying athlete.
PROJECTION: If he stays focused, he could be Emory Blake’s understudy in less than a year. While the spots after Blake are up for grabs, there will be a lot of competition early (i.e. Trovon Reed, Shaun Kitchens) that would get that initial slotting. Bray’s major impact will most likely be felt a season or two from now.
**
GABE WRIGHT, DT, Columbus, Ga.
EVALUATIONS: Four-star prospect on Rivals Recruiting and ranked as the 13th-best defensive tackle and 141st-best prospect in the nation; Ranked as the 13th-best prospect in Georgia…Four-star prospect on ESPN and ranked as the third-best defensive tackle and 26th-best prospect in the nation…2011 Under Armour All-American Game Participant.
GRITTY: Recruited to Auburn by Tracy Rocker and Curtis Luper, Gabe has been one of the biggest targets in Auburn’s eyes since the start of the recruiting process for the 2011 class. He finally pledged to the Tigers this afternoon. Thanks to the departure of Nick Fairley (and Mike Blanc AND Zach Clayton), Gabe will play immediately. Gabe holds what is easily my favorite analysis of any incoming Auburn player saying that “Wright is a high motor kid who needs to channel some of his energy into better technique at times to maximize his abilities, but you like the way he plays the game with a violent nature and could be a productive college defender.”
PROJECTION: Are you kidding me? Do you want me to retype that ESPN quote again? Holy mackerel, I never thought Auburn could top last year’s Nick Fairley game vs. Georgia, but here it is. “High motor kid…with a violent nature.” And he’s from the state of Georgia? How sour are Georgia fans going to be when a home state player rips out their souls a la Fairley? I’m giddy.
**
This will be the final live update for the day. Look for a recruiting wrap-up featuring some of Gene Chizik’s comments on Friday.
The Jungle Cat is an online magazine dedicated to Auburn Tigers Football, written by David Smith.
