Auburn football has its first five-star of the 2019 class. And it came over rival Georgia.
Linebacker Owen Pappoe committed to the Tigers on Tuesday afternoon after a recruiting battle between Auburn and his home state Georgia Bulldogs.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defender is listed as the No. 1 outside linebacker, No. 8 overall and No. 2 prospect from the state of Georgia according to 247Sports. His versatility as a pass rusher and as someone who could drop back in coverage has made him a hot commodity from schools across the country.
Boom!!!!!! War Eagle!
— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) May 1, 2018
Pappoe is a much-needed piece to Auburn’s linebacker core after Deshaun Davis, Darrell Williams and Montavius Atkinson will graduate after this season.
“My relationship with coach T-Will is probably the best of any coach I’ve been recruited by since eighth grade," Pappoe told SEC Country's Benjamin Wolk. "I could see myself coming in here and playing early, too. That’s a really big factor for me,” Pappoe said. “Him and my position coach in high school now, they’re the same people. They always keep it real with you, high-energy guys, run around with you in practice on the field. That’s the kind of coach I want to be coached by.”
Auburn has struggled to secure recruits from the state of Georgia in recent years and with Pappoe’s commitment early in the recruiting process, the Tigers may gain traction in the state.
Pappoe is the sixth Tiger in the 2019 class, joining quarterback Bo Nix, wideout George Perkins, corner Cordale Flott, center Jakai Clark and new commitment Jaylin Simpson. The commitment also marks Auburn’s first five-star since Calvin Ashley in 2017.
"I am going to start recruiting immediately," Pappoe told 247Sports. "My class will have the No. 1 recruiting class in 2019. I have some secrets that I can't let out yet. You will see. We will have the No. 1 class. I am ready to get my work."
With this commitment, Auburn vaults seven spaces in the 247Sports composite to the No. 19 recruiting class.
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