Another-National Signing Day has come and gone without a bit of Auburn controversy, right?
With five star linebacker Rashaan Evans deciding to skip town and play for Alabama, Auburn has now lost two five-star recruits from its own backyard to the Crimson Tide on consecutive Signing Days.
Losing Reuben Foster to the Tide in 2013 was slightly less surprising; the Tigers were coming off a program worst 3-9 season and Alabama had just won back-to-back national championships.
Evans' decision, meanwhile, came as a major shock to many who were covering his recruitment.
Though he didn't have an Auburn logo tattooed on his forearm, his status as a local football star combined with his presence at the 2013 Iron Bowl convinced many that he was a lock to sign with the Tigers.
Additionally, Evans' size and athleticism seemed to make him a perfect fit for the "Star" role in Ellis Johnson's 4-2-5 defense.
It all seemed too good to be true, and apparently it was.
This annual college football holiday is usually an offseason dream for fans needing a college football fix less than a month after the season has ended.
When else do grown men huddle around their workplace computers, desperately watching Twitter and Internet webcams for those all-important Letters of Intent?
It's difficult to understate the importance of recruiting in college football; the foundation of a college football program is built in recruiting, and competing in the SEC requires bringing in talent at the highest level.
So when things don't go according to plan, it's common to see panic and anger ripple through social media over a high school athlete's college decision.
While losing top in-state talent to Alabama is never a positive, it's hard not to notice the impeccable job Gus Malzahn and his staff have done in filling Auburn's needs.
Derrick Moncrief, Nick Ruffin and Kalvaraz Bessent add size and athleticism to Auburn's diminutive secondary, which was so painfully exposed in the closing moments of the BCS National Championship Game.
Malzahn and staff were able to keep Mobile's Tre Williams, who was courted by schools from across the nation, in state. Williams will likely compete for an inside linebacker spot alongside Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost.
D'haquille Williams, the nation's top JUCO recruit, was brought to The Plains behind the recruit prowess of Dameyune Craig and figures to add another vertical threat opposite Sammie Coates.
Braden Smith, a 6-foot-6 offensive guard from Kansas, brings his 515-pound bench press ability to an offensive line trying to replace a potential first round pick in Greg Robinson.
The signing of 5-star running back Racean "Roc" Thomas even softens the loss of Heisman finalist Tre Mason.
Losing local talent to rival schools rarely looks good for a program, but top 10 classes are still top 10 classes.
Rashaan Evans will be missed, but Auburn will survive.
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