Fresh News; Auburn Tigers’ Top Recruit From last Year’s Top-10 Class, Is Set To Make His College Debut In Two Months. While Alabama A&M May Seem like An Easy Game For Auburn, Many View Super-star As A Trailblazer, Signaling Future Success.
Wide receiver Cam Coleman, Auburn Tigers’ top recruit from last year’s top-10 class, is set to make his college debut in two months. While Alabama A&M may seem like an easy game for Auburn, many view Coleman as a trailblazer, signaling future success.
Coleman’s journey to The Plains, in recent history, is both unique and frustrating, though not due to his actions. It reflects a purposeful decision. For decades, the University of Alabama dominated recruiting in Eastern Alabama and Columbus, Ga., either through weak efforts or outright neglect. Now, there’s hope that Coleman’s recruitment will strengthen Auburn’s ties to the area.
Football Talent in the Region
Coleman hails from Phenix City, Ala., located on the western side of the Chattahoochee River Valley, just 40 minutes from Auburn. This area, part of the Columbus-Auburn-Opelika metro region, is home to 563,967 residents and a wealth of football talent. Hall of Fame linebacker DeMarcus Ware grew up in Auburn, and his high school teammate, Super Bowl champ Osi Umenyiora, also calls the area home. Despite the area’s abundant talent, the question remains: how did Auburn allow so many local players to sign with other schools? Instead of a recruitment pipeline from Columbus to Auburn, it extended everywhere else.
Missed Opportunity
Looking at a map of Alabama, one detail stands out. Tuscaloosa, the home of Alabama, is over three hours away from Columbus, Ga., the furthest point in the Chattahoochee Valley. The Georgia Bulldogs are also three hours away, depending on traffic in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Auburn University is only a 45-minute drive. Recruits could easily visit Auburn, and coaches could make the short drive to local schools.
DeMarcus Ware and Osi Umenyiora, both from Chatt Valley, ended up at Troy University rather than Auburn. Coaches could have easily visited their schools, but local talent slipping away was a concern for many. It was especially troubling that Alabama, located four times farther away, had no trouble recruiting from this area.
Auburn’s Territory
Consider the analogy of wanting a McDonald’s meal but being told “we have McDonald’s at home.” In recruiting terms, Auburn has talent right at home. Expanding recruitment efforts is important, but securing talent from Chatt Valley should be a priority. As poet Ron Padgett wrote, “Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room before you save the world. Then, save the world.” Auburn must ensure that every top prospect east of Tuscaloosa, all the way to Columbus, is recruited by Auburn coaches.
A Change in Direction
Cam Coleman is important for Auburn both on and off the field. His recruitment signals a shift in Auburn’s strategy. The Plains remain rich with football talent, and leaving that talent to be recruited by others doesn’t make sense. Auburn, with Coleman’s recruitment, has signaled a new era. Now, it’s time to capitalize on that success.
