AUBURN, Ala. — Call them the Dedicated Dozen. The Trustworthy Twelve. So firm was their commitment to Auburn, the 12 players who signed with the Tigers Wednesday stayed true to the orange and blue even amid a coaching change.
"These 12, they showed a commitment to Auburn University that is the kind of commitment you want in the fourth quarter of the Iron Bowl," interim head coach Kevin Steele said. "They did not waver. They were committed to finish for Auburn. That's huge."
Auburn's 12-member class signed with the Tigers despite not being able to take official visits for the past nine months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Auburn is a family place," Steele said. "It's built on family. The challenges of recruiting without being able to bring prospects to the Auburn campus so they could feel Auburn. Auburn is very much about the feel once you get here."
To compensate, Auburn's coaching staff recruited virtually, sharing videos and making FaceTime calls to try to build relationships and simulate the experience of being here, while evaluating prospects via video.
"That was a challenge because Auburn sells itself when you get them on campus," Steele said. "We adjusted the best we could. We went on the road, technically."
Auburn's coaches not only held together the class of previously committed prospects, with one exception, they also reached out to players committed to other schools, offering a chance to wear the orange and blue.
"Opportunity," Steele said. "Opportunity to come to a great university, get a great education, be around a great family and have a chance to go to Atlanta and win a ring, which would then put you in position to play for it all. You can do that every year at Auburn. It's expected at Auburn.
It's selling a vision."
Auburn signed five players on offense in the early signing period, including quarterback Dematrius Davis.
"He's very athletic, strong arm, accurate, can beat you with his legs, can beat you with his arms," Steele said. "Extremely competitive. He's won championships. He's getting ready to play for his third state championship in a row. In the state of Texas, that's hard to do."
The Tigers signed four defensive lineman, including Lee Hunter from Blount High School in Mobile.
"He's a very athletic defensive lineman," Steele said. "His skillset is very high. He has the ability to be an exceptional player in this league. His personality fits Auburn. He had made a commitment pretty early. There had been a lot of communication and so the relationship eventually was the thing that kept it where it was."
With its remaining available scholarships in the 2021 recruiting class, offensive line and linebackers will be a priority, Steele said.
Additions to the class of 2021 will join the Dedicated Dozen, a group that Auburn fans will likely appreciate and remember for their honoring their commitment to the Tigers.
"You wake up and win the day," Steele said. "Auburn sells itself. It's an easy place in a lot of way to recruit to because it sells itself.
"Sometimes you're behind in the fourth quarter, you've got to fight. You can't give up. You've got to buckle your chin strap, you've got to him them in the mouth and attack things, win the down and play the next play. It's not a time to sit there and worry about how you feel.
"It's not that way when it's in the fourth quarter of a big game, and it's not that way when it's in this situation today."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
Grant Calcaterra TE 6-4 242 Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/Oklahoma
Dematrius Davis QB 6-0 195 Houston, TX/North Shore
A.D. Diamond DB 5-11 170 Mobile, AL/Blount
Kamal Hadden CB 6-1 185 River Rouge, MI/Independence CC
Ahmari Harvey S 6-0 175 Tallahassee, FL/FS University School
Lee Hunter DT 6-5 300 Mobile, AL/Blount
Landen King TE 6-5 220 Beaumont, TX/Atascocita
Garner Langlo OT 6-7 280 Inverness, FL/Trinity Catholic
Ian Mathews DL 6-5 270 Columbus, GA/Pacelli
Tobechi Okoli DE 6-5 255 Kansas City, MO/Lincoln Prep
Hal Presley WR 6-3 197 Mansfield, TX/Mansfield Summit
Marquis Robinson DT 6-4 300 Milton, FL/Milton
Grant Calcaterra (TE, 6-4, 242; Oklahoma; Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.): Graduate transfer tight end from Oklahoma … earned first team all-Big 12 recognition as a sophomore, with 26 receptions for 396 yards and six TD … averaged 15.5 yards per catch (41/637 yards) during his Sooner career … four-star ranking by ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 24/7 coming out of Santa Margarita Catholic High ... invited to the finals of The Opening ... caught 57 passes for 958 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and added 48 receptions for 926 yards and nine scores as a junior for the Eagles
Dematrius Davis (QB, 6-0, 195; North Shore HS; Houston, Texas): Outstanding dual-threat quarterback who has led North Shore High to an 11-0 record and district and bi-district titles thus far in 2020 … 2,453 yards passing with 30 TD and 529 yards rushing with 14 scores as a senior for Coach Jon Kay … junior year, led North Shore to a 15-1 record and second straight state championship … District 21-6A MVP as a sophomore as the 16-0 Mustangs won the Texas 6A D-I state title … MaxPreps sophomore of the year … ESPN rates him No. 4 dual-threat recruit nationally … top 12 player at his position nationally by Rivals, 24/7, PrepStar … among top 40 prospects in Texas … also a track and field letterman
A.D. Diamond (DB, 5-11, 170; Blount HS; Mobile, Ala.): In-state cornerback prospect who was also a key contributor at receiver for Coach Lev Holly and the Blount High Leopards … 38 catches for 756 yards, 24 returns for 580 yards and 25 tackles, 21 PBU, 7 interceptions his senior season … scored receiving, rushing, punt return TD during his career … 31 tackles, 8 PBU as a junior, along with 27 catches for 619 yards and five touchdowns … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … rated among the top 60 overall recruiting prospects in the state of Alabama by 24/7 and ESPN … 24/7 and ESPN rate him among the top 125 defensive back recruits nationally
Kamal Hadden (CB, 6-1, 185; Independence (Kan.) CC; River Rouge HS; River Rouge, Mich.): Tenacious defensive back with a strong upside … totaled 21 tackles, 8 PBU, 3 forced fumbles in 2019 for the Independence CC Pirates … ESPN and 24/7 rate him a top five prospect at corner … two-year starter for Coach Corey Parker at River Rouge High … all-conference as a senior for the 10-1 Panthers … also a basketball letterman
Ahmari Harvey (S, 6-0, 175; Florida State University School; Tallahassee, Fla.): Explosive, athletic safety prospect from Florida State University School … despite a shoulder injury, helped Coach Jarrod Hickman's Seminoles to a 10-1 record in 2020 … scored receiving, interception and KOR touchdowns … first team all-Big Bend as a sophomore and junior … as a junior, 40 catches for 642 yards and 7 scores, along with 94 tackles and 6 interceptions … MaxPreps small school All-America … ESPN rated him the No. 4 safety prospect nationally … one of top 30 Florida products by 24/7, ESPN, PrepStar … state long jump qualifier
Lee Hunter (DT, 6-5, 300; Blount HS; Mobile, Ala.): Strong, athletic defensive line prospect … recorded 54 tackles, 20 TFL, 4.5 sacks as a senior for Coach Lev Holly and the Leopards … also scored rushing and receiving TD and had 9 catches for 149 yards … 77 tackles, 23 TFL as a junior … first team AHSAA Class 6A all-state … AL.com A-List … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game selection … rated a top five overall recruit from Alabama by ESPN, 24/7, Rivals, PrepStar … nationally ranked No. 7 among defensive tackle prospects by ESPN and 24/7
Landen King (TE, 6-5, 220; Atascocita HS; Beaumont, Texas): Tall, versatile receiving target from Atascocita High … 39 receptions for 471 yards and five TD as a senior … first team all-district as a junior for Coach Craig Stump's Eagles, with 53 catches for 853 yards and nine scores … rated the No. 9 tight end prospect nationally by ESPN … top 50 player from the state of Texas by Rivals … also a basketball letterman
Garner Langlo (OT, 6-7, 280; Trinity Catholic HS; Inverness, Fla.): Strong, aggressive offensive lineman with plenty of potential … helped Coach John Brantley's Trinity Celtics to the state Class 3A semifinals with an 11-1 record … Ocala Star-Banner all-county … rated among the top 90 overall prospects in Florida by Rivals and 24/7 … rated No. 22 nationally among offensive guard recruits by PrepStar
Ian Mathews (DL, 6-5, 270; Pacelli HS; Columbus, Ga.): Talented athlete who is still gaining football experience along the defensive front … recorded an impressive 32.5 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 PBU, 4 QB pressures, 2 forced fumbles as a senior for Coach Dwight Jones at Pacelli High … also posted a receiving touchdown … first team all-region … 43 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries and 3 TD catches as a junior … 24/7 rates him among the top 60 overall prospects in the state of Georgia … also a basketball standout for the Vikings, earning honorable mention all-Bi-City honors
Tobechi Okoli (DE, 6-5, 255; Lincoln Prep Academy; Kansas City, Mo.): Powerful athlete with impressive coordination … recorded 41.5 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 7 sacks for Coach William Lowe and the Blue Tigers as a senior … top 10 overall prospect from the state of Missouri by Rivals, ESPN, 24/7, PrepStar … rated No. 25 at his position nationally by PrepStar; 24/7 No. 26
Hal Presley (WR, 6-3, 197; Mansfield Summit HS; Mansfield, Texas): Fluid performer with speed and quickness … 32 catches for 755 yards and 13 TD as a senior thus far for Coach Channon Hall at Mansfield Summit High in Arlington, Texas, as the Jaguars have advanced to the Region I-5A Division I bi-district finals … as a junior, 45 catches gained 874 yards with 8 scores, earning first team all-district honors … District 7-6A offensive sophomore of year … SportsDay Top 100 … rated among the top 60 overall prospects from the state of Texas by ESPN, 24/7, Rivals … also a track and field letterman
Marquis Robinson (DT, 6-4, 300; Milton HS; Milton, Fla.): Powerful defender with exceptional leverage … 39 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 23 QB hurries as a senior for Coach Harry Lees at Milton High … two-Rivals and 24/7 … year totals: 53 tackles, 15.5 TFL … all-Northwest Florida defense and all-area … Panhandle Playmakers … ESPN ranks him the No. 15 prospect nationally at his position and a top 35 overall recruit from Florida
