:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48598271/usa-today-8839984.0.jpg)
One of the inevitable consequences of a new football staff coming in is that recruits who had been onboard start looking elsewhere. But the other side of that coin is that recruits who either weren't interested in playing for the prior staff or weren't even recruited by the prior staff jump onto the recruiting board. Such has been the case lately with Thomaston defensive end David Marshall.
Marshall wasn't a priority for Jeremy Pruitt and his defensive staff. In fact, he didn't even have a scholarship offer. Having watched Marshall this struck me as a little odd. The 6'3, 270 pounder is a versatile athlete who could play inside in a 4-3 scheme or at end in a 3-4. He has a good first step, is relentless in pursuit, and plays well against the run.
And it's looked for a while as if Marshall would be using those skills against the Bulldogs. He's committed to Auburn not once, but twice. Marshall officially visited the Plainsmen last weekend and came away declaring himself "100%" committed to the Tigers. Then this happened.
Great visit #DawgsOnTop pic.twitter.com/tiTYVk1zmj
— DEC. 13th (@dee_hooper35) January 18, 2016
Auburn fans wouldn't have much reason to worry based solely on that tweet. Except that Marshall has also set up an upcoming visit to Athens. And noted that...
My family is now coming with on my Official visit to UGA !
— DEC. 13th (@dee_hooper35) January 18, 2016
I still think prying Marshall away from the Fightin' Malzahns will be a tall order. While Marshall is reportedly pretty good friends with Bulldog freshman Trent Thompson, he's had a long time to build friendships on the Auburn squad. Marshall's main recruiter is Rodney Garner, and as Bulldog fans know firsthand, you don't want to bet against Garner late in the recruiting cycle. The guy closes the deal more often than not.
But the new staff's dogged pursuit of Marshall is a good indication of what you can expect from them going forward. While Mark Richt had a reputation in recruiting circles as a coach who would back off on prospects from whom he wasn't getting a good vibe, Smart is notoriously tenacious. Once he identifies a player as a priority he doesn't stop calling until you stop picking up the phone. Over the long run this strategy could pay real dividends, even if there are going to be some misses in the class of 2016. Until later...
Go 'Dawgs!!!
More of David Marshall from his junior season below......