Goldberg: Tigers gearing up for Big Cat IV this weekend

[jbcarol]

Curtis Luper politely declined to say how many football recruits will be at Auburn's Big Cat Weekend this weekend, but a good guess would be around 30.

"It's pretty exclusive," Luper says.

Other schools might try to swoop in.

The 2009 and 2010 Big Cats ultimately produced 25 signees. Last year's event produced a dozen more.

[jbcarol]

To attract attention, Luper and Co. invented the Tiger Prowl limo tour and Big Cat recruiting weekend during Gene Chizik's first year as head coach. Alas, the NCAA legislated Tiger Prowl out of existence. But the weekend has survived all the way to this Big Cat IV.

Luper says it'll be like the others -- designed for fun and games and not so much about football.

"The productivity comes from the uniqueness of it of the event," Luper said. "Not anyone else in the country gets these many unofficial visits when it's not attached to a spring game or Junior Day or a camp. The reason it is popular is because kids know it's not going to be any football whatsoever, not unless it's someone here for the first time, and only then those guys will  get a small introduction to Auburn football.

"But it's really an opportunity for the players to socialize and for the families to socialize with our families and our players. They can forget about football and recruiting for a weekend. We have a lot of unique games and contests, some Family Feud-type contests, and other unique things."

Luper sees it as, ironically, a break from recruiting.

[jbcarol]

I would not choose a college off of how many girls they have in the area! I hate when coaches mention tht type of stuff~ immediate turnoff

-- Jaylon Smith

[jbcarol]

"A few years ago, coaches started thinking about branding unique recruiting weekends, it's all about differentiating yourself from the competition," Rivals.com national analyst Mike Farrell said.

"They aren't trying to get 500 kids there, it's very specialized," Farrell said.

Each of Auburn's last three recruiting classes have had prospects that have led the way in recruiting other prospects to join them in the Tigers' class. In 2009 it was players like Jake Holland and Ladarius Owens. In 2010 prospects like Kiehl Frazier and Reese Dismukes accepted that role. Last year, Zeke Pike and Cassanova McKinzy helped lead the way.

"It's important for someone to step up and be a leader for this class," Farrell said. "When I look at Auburn's class I don't see that guy yet. They need someone to step up and be that guy. As personable as Dee Liner is, as nice as Carl Lawson is, this is a big weekend for those guys to get to know each other. You want kids to get to know each other in the class and this should help that."

[Oxbaker]

HUGE success this weekend.  All the top talent will be on the AU campus to see what the AU coaching staff has to offer.  Probably get several silent commits and turn a few into AU locks.  Why doesn't Arkansas do something similar to try and create a little excitement about your program?  Would seem to be a better plan than dwelling on losing Petrino.  John L needs to start thinking outside the box.

[Virgil]

Your momma!!!

[Hawgndaaz]

HUGE success this weekend.  All the top talent will be on the AU campus to see what the AU coaching staff has to offer.  Probably get several silent commits and turn a few into AU locks.  Why doesn't Arkansas do something similar to try and create a little excitement about your program?  Would seem to be a better plan than dwelling on losing Petrino.  John L needs to start thinking outside the box.

do you mean outside the Xbox, since that is what your epic recruiting weekend is all about?


I don't mind our recruiting tactics. Less hokey pokey than your stuff. besides, you just get a bunch of drug heads and thiefs out of that whole deal.























oh, wait a minute.

[Oxbaker]

Your momma!!!

My mother is a saint you inbred hick.  Don't besmirch her name with your foul typitudes.

[T I G E R]

Because "Big Hog Weekend" doesn't sound as enticing... unless this guy is going to be there.

[Oxbaker]

do you mean outside the Xbox, since that is what your epic recruiting weekend is all about?


I don't mind our recruiting tactics. Less hokey pokey than your stuff. besides, you just get a bunch of drug heads and thiefs out of that whole deal.























oh, wait a minute.

You are mislead if you think that BCW is only about Xbox.  There are pie eating contests (various flavors, from what I'm told), three legged races, tether ball tournaments and trust falls among other bonding experiences.  Arky needs to step up their game if they want to hang.

[Inhogswetrust]

You are mislead if you think that BCW is only about Xbox.  There are pie eating contests (various flavors, from what I'm told), three legged races, tether ball tournaments and trust falls among other bonding experiences.  Arky needs to step up their game if they want to hang.

We hang just fine. What was that final score last season................?

[Inhogswetrust]

My mother is a saint you inbred hick.  Don't besmirch her name with your foul typitudes.

Saint Bernard's don't count.......................................

[hogginbama]

There are pie eating contests (various flavors, from what I'm told),

Let me guess the flavors.....blondes, redheads, brunettes....all college sweethearts trying to make their daddies proud by being the one to bring in the next "Cammie-Cam".

Sorry, couldn't resist this feable attempt at humor.

[cosmodrum]

Lol...tether ball. You guys tryin to sign Napoleon Dynamite? Just because his uncle could throw the football over mountains back in 82 doesn't mean he can.

[Virgil]

My mother is a saint you inbred hick.  Don't besmirch her name with your foul typitudes.

Your momma!!!

[jbcarol]

Tyshon Dye gets fast start to Big Cat Weekend

he dropped in Friday ahead of schedule and left saying he had a good feeling about the Tigers.

The four-star running back from Elberton, Ga., said family plans prompted the quick trip. 

"I would have loved to stay," he said.

Other Big Cat visitors stayed over for a Friday night of Family Feud-style games and relaxation. Auburn coaches say they stress building bonds with the players, not breaking open the playbook for Big Cat.

[jbcarol]

Big Cat notebook: A commitment for Auburn

Tight end Arshad Jackson left Big Cat Weekend as Auburn's only new commitment, but it sound (sic) as if the Tigers...

Jackson checked in and out as a 6-foot-6, 235-pounder from Lovejoy High in Hampton, Ga., as Auburn's 10t (sic) commitment for the 2013 signing class.

[jbcarol]

6-foot-6 Lovejoy TE Arshad Jackson was the only player to commit on Saturday.

Jackson said he was leaning to committing to Auburn before the weekend. After bringing his family to Big Cat, he said the decision was clear. Learning some of the nuances of Auburn's new offense from receivers coach Trooper Taylor and tight ends coach Jay Boulware didn't hurt, either. 

"I talked to coach Troop and coach Boulware, and they told me they were going to use me a lot. They said they would be throwing the ball more, and the tight end will be in the formation more," Jackson said.

[jbcarol]

Quarterback Jason Smith weighs the possibilities after Big Cat

McGill-Toolen Quarterback Jason Smith said committing to Auburn "crossed my mind" during the school's Big Cat recruiting weekend, but he stepped back and decided he wanted to visit other places before choosing where he'll play college football in 2013. 

"They said if I came and didn't start my freshman year, I would still get on the field because I'm dynamic and they couldn't let my abilities sit on the bench," Smith said. "They said they would have a package for me. I would be coming in as a quarterback and I will give it my all. It would be hard for the other guys because I'm going to bring it." 

He said earlier that Alabama talked to him about playing cornerback.

Rivals says Smith has offers from Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas and Ole Miss, among others.

[jbcarol]

247 Sports made defensive end Carl Lawson, who committed to Auburn in March, a five-star player in its new rankings.

Lawson was a visitor to Auburn's Big Cat Weekend that concluded Saturday. He said he spent part of the time recruiting others.