Auburn football’s fifth annual Big Cat weekend hopes to impress some of nation’s top high school prospects May 24-25 with its unique approach to recruiting. Started by former head coach Gene Chizik in the summer of 2009, Big Cat has paid for itself time and time again, pulling in recruits from across the country. Current head coach Gus Malzahn was offensive coordinator under Chizik for three Big Cat weekends and knows its success firsthand, deciding to bring the event back for a fifth time. Since 2010, a total of 42 commitments have come from players who were in attendance at Big Cat. This year should prove just as successful as some of the nation’s top recruits have pledged their presence over the Memorial Day weekend. Big Cat differs from traditional recruiting visits by providing a more personal approach toward recruits and their families. The focus of the event is not necessarily on football, but to establish relationships between the recruits and current coaches, players and members of the athletic department. Traditionally Big Cat weekend featured a fun-filled two days complete with socials, cookouts and family activities that included games of Family Feud. The Auburn Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts will be a large part of the festivities this weekend. As the official hosts of the athletic department, the Tigerettes and Tiger hosts are students responsible for touring recruits and their families as well as assisting coaches in day-to-day recruiting activities. “Big Cat is a chance for recruits to really get to see Auburn and get to know the coaches,” said Weston Awtry a second-year Tiger Host. “They're going to be going through a mix of camp-type activities with the experience of an unofficial visit.” Big Cat is a break for the high school prospects with no football related activities unless a recruit has never visited before. Summer is full of recruiting camps where players run drills and scrimmage against one another hoping to impress college scouts and raise their recruitment stock. Big Cat weekend offers a carefree environment before camps start and helps build a connection between recruits and the school. “It’s much more laid back than a typical visit. Big Cat weekend gives prospects more time to talk amongst one another and have a good time,” said Wayne Parnell, a first year Tiger Host. “Auburn can set themselves apart from other schools with this event alone.” Auburn hopes to bring its top 25-30 targets for the class of 2014 this weekend and some of the nation’s top prospects will be in attendance. Four-star linebacker Tre Williams committed to Auburn May 8 and has been excited to attend Big Cat V. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Vigor High School rising senior is ranked No. 2 at the inside linebacker position and 33 overall in the nation according to the Rivals 100. “I'm happy Auburn is being different, you can actually sit down and talk to coaches, laugh with them and get to know other players. I think you can get to know people better at 'Big Cat' than at a Junior Day,” Williams told Rivals.com. Joining Williams will be the nation’s No. 3 defensive tackle and No. 39 overall prospect in Elisha Shaw. At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds Shaw is quickly becoming one of the best players in the class of 2014 and is expected to rise in national rankings. “I want to learn more about Auburn during the visit. I like the sound of a relaxed, stress-free visit,” said Shaw to AuburnSports.com. “I want to see Auburn behind-the-scenes. The players will shoot you straight.” With just over a week until Cedartown, Ga running back Nick Chubb announces his college commitment, Big Cat could prove the final push for the No. 70 player in the country. Chubb currently has 18 offers from schools and has Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina high on his list. Before the big decision he plans to visit all three schools in three days that includes Big Cat on Saturday following a visit to Georgia Friday and South Carolina Sunday. “We've got a lot of big time recruits coming in this weekend,” said Awtry. “Overall we’re really looking forward to it. Big Cat shows the ambitions and goals of this program.” As of now, eight players in Rivals’ top 250 list of ranked prospects have confirmed their attendance at Big Cat. If the past four Big Cats and recent recruiting success of the new staff under Malzahn are any indication of what is to come, Auburn could see multiple commitments following the Big Cat weekend.

Auburn second baseman Jordan Ebert was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday, May 13, after a breakout week that helped Auburn go 4-1. “I set a goal earlier in the year,” Ebert said. “I wanted to be named SEC Player of the Week, and to get this award means a lot to me.” Ebert batted 11 for 19 with two doubles, one home run, four RBI and five runs score. His improved play could not have come at a better time for the Tigers, who clinched an opportunity to play in the SEC Tournament after a series victory against Florida. Ebert is Auburn’s first SEC Freshman of the Week since pitcher Dillon Ortman received the award April 11, 2011. “It means a lot to play a role that helps this team,” Ebert said. “It felt good to have the performance that I had against guys who throw 92-94 mph.” While Ebert has received praise for his hot bat, his fielding and progression at second base has helped tighten the Auburn defense. Last week, Ebert converted all 33 fielding opportunities without committing a single error. Auburn assistant coach Ty Megahee has noticed Ebert’s improvement on the field. “He’s not what you would call a typical infielder,” said Megahee. “We always knew he could swing the bat, but coming into the season we had to find a spot for him on the field.” Megahee praised Ebert for his work ethic and focused on his development on the field. “You can see the improvement,” Megahee said. “He puts in a lot of work and it’s great to see it paying off for him.” Ebert’s maturation process has led to him seeing more time on the field in pivotal spots for the Tigers. “Earlier in the year, we would pull him and put in another fielder in the later innings,” Megahee said. “But he has earned our trust to be out there when it counts.” Ebert’s leadership role on the team has increased as his confidence has. “He is very outgoing,” Megahee said. “He brings passion and energy to the clubhouse and the field. He’s definitely earned the respect of his teammates and he is definitely becoming a leader on this team.” As Ebert has improved, the team has also steadily improved. Megahee believes that Ebert’s progress is symbolic of the strides the Tigers have made since February. “Jordan started the year slowly as he tried to adapt to the college game,” Megahee said. “His progress sort of reflects the attitude and improvement of the team and it’s not a surprise to me that he’s playing his best baseball at the same time the team is.” Ebert said that although winning the award is gratifying, the most important factor is the overall well being of the team. “People were counting this team out a few weeks ago, but we haven’t given up,” Ebert said. “Lately, we’ve been playing like we could make some noise in the postseason.” At this stage in the season, every game is pivotal, and the challenge is not one Ebert, or his teammates, want to shy away from. “I want to see us go as far as we can,” Ebert said. “I want us to prove how good we can be.”