Looks like Kirby Smart is not giving up on flipping an Auburn commit
Let’s follow the orange-and-navy blue brick road on David Marshall’s recruiting story. Marshall was committed to Auburn for a time but backed off and named Ole Miss as his leader before renewing his pledge to Gus Malzahn’s team.
Then Kirby Smart got hired by UGA. The Bulldogs made the 3-star linebacker/defensive end hybrid a recruiting priority.
He felt the “love” from UGA to the point that it was becoming the trendy pick to expect a flip to UGA in time. Maybe even after his official visit to UGA this coming weekend.
There were some red-and-black bricks along his path now.
But then Auburn re-sold him on joining their defense on his official visit this past weekend. Marshall said all the right things about new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and his relationship with defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
Marshall also told SEC Country’s Chuck Kingsbury that his family really wanted him at Auburn.
“It stands out now,” Marshall said of his commitment to Auburn. “My family loves it here. They really want me to come here instead of other schools. They feel comfortable with me coming here. It means a lot to me that my family feels comfortable with me coming here and them coming over for games.”
He still planned to take his official visit to UGA, but he felt he was going to “stick” with Auburn.
Kingsbury reported that Marshall was accompanied on the Auburn visit by his father and grandmother, who was close to former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. The Thomaston, Ga., native says both his father and grandmother interacted well with Steele, and the bond they formed would be tough for contending schools to overcome.
His family — a vital part of his decision — was not expected to join him on his remaining official visits.
“They really aren’t going to Georgia or Ole Miss with me,” Marshall said of his father and grandmother. “This is the only school they wanted to come visit. It means a lot to me.”
Then Smart charged after Marshall again. The new UGA coach used his only in-home visit with the Upson-Lee standout on Monday. His assistant coach Glenn Schumann was also with him. He’s gotten to know Marshall well since he came over with Smart from Alabama.
What happened next? Well, let’s allow a few tweets to further the story.
Great visit ?? #DawgsOnTop pic.twitter.com/tiTYVk1zmj
— DEC. 13th (@dee_hooper35) January 18, 2016
Wait, there’s a little more.
My family is now coming with on my Official visit to UGA !
— DEC. 13th (@dee_hooper35) January 18, 2016
It looks like Marshall’s story will be one of the most interesting pursuits among the Class of 2016.
Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.
Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.
