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Auburn still waiting for results from some five-star recruits
By Corey Long
Published:
Auburn has piled up the top 10 recruiting classes over the past few years, several of whom were five-star prospects.
While not every five-star prospect has worked out (Christian Westerman) most have contributed and several other talented recruits have played at a five-star level, including offensive lineman Greg Robinson, a four-star prospect and the eventual No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Here’s Auburn’s five-star recruits over the past five years.
2011
Christian Westerman, OL: Westerman had accolades from every publication after his senior year in 2010. He selected Auburn after being committed to Texas in what was a bit of a surprise at the time. Westerman redshirted in 2011 and dealt with an ankle issue in 2012 and only played in a couple games. Westerman announced he was going to transfer to Arizona State shortly after Auburn fired Gene Chizik. He recently finished his career with the Sun Devils while Auburn had two offensive linemen rated lower in the class that ended up being drafted (LT Greg Robinson and C Reese Dismukes).
2012
None (highest rated recruit was OT Avery Young)
2013
Montravius Adams, DT: Adams has been a solid performer all three seasons at Auburn, starting more than 20 games in the past two seasons. As a junior Adams had 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. For his career, Adams has 107 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
Carl Lawson, DE: Lawson was a freshman All-American after recording 20 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles as a freshman. Unfortunately Lawson has dealt with an assortment of lower-body injures, mostly dealing with his hip, that have sidetracked a promising career. He missed 2014 and part of 2015 with injuries but had 17 tackles and three tackles for loss this season.
2014
Roc Thomas, RB: Some Auburn fans expected Thomas to come in and sort of take the role that Tre Mason had in 2013 as a lead running back. Thomas has played in 24 games in two seasons but with limited results. Thomas has 475 yards rushing and three touchdowns in two combined seasons so far.
Tre’ Williams, LB: Williams made one start as a freshman in 2014 but really emerged as a top defensive performer for the Tigers as a sophomore where he took a starting linebacker spot and had 55 tackles with four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
2015
Byron Cowart, DE: Consensus top player in the nation played in all 13 games as a freshman, primarily on passing downs. He had six tackles and no sacks this season and will be working for a bigger role in 2016 under new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
