Top RB target picks up offer from Auburn
Jeffrey Lee
AuburnSports.com Associate Editor
With Auburn not signing a running back in the 2005 class, the Tigers will look to sign a pair this year. Atop the list of candidates is Franklin (Ga.) Heard County's
Carlos Brown.
Brown, who is 6-foot, 200 pounds, is one of the top running backs in the nation. He had already pocketed four offers before his Auburn recruiting coach
Hugh Nall called Heard County coach
Tim Barron with the good news.
"Auburn called and said they are going to offer," said Barron. "I talked to Hugh Nall last week and he said they were going to sign two running backs and that they were going to offer Carlos."
Brown already had offers from Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Michigan State and Duke. He was excited with the other offers, but when he found out the call from Auburn came, it was different.
"I was walking into the library and (Coach Barron) said he talked to Auburn and they were going to offer," said Brown. "I was amazed and excited.
"It's Auburn," he added. "They were the No. 2 team in the nation. I was very proud and it felt great. That was big-time."
As a junior, Brown compiled more than 2,000 all-purpose yards including 1,284 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He Also threw for a score, returned a punt for a touchdown and caught a touchdown. On defense, he totaled more than 60 tackles, six caused fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
"I've been in it for 11 years and I've never had an athlete as talented as Carlos," said Barron. "I've never had anybody who can run like him, and he's still going to get better. He's a great kid, but I don't think he realizes how good he can be."
Brown is a four-sport star for Heard County. He excels in basketball, baseball and track when he's not scoring touchdowns. He also gets the work done in the classroom.
"He runs track when he doesn't have a baseball game," said Barron. "He plays basketball and football, and throughout all of this he maintains an 88 average in all of his classes. He's just a good kid."
Barron has sent video highlights of Brown all over the country. College coaches and recruiters only confirm to him that Brown is the real deal when it comes to running the football.
"Nobody that I've sent video to has said they are not interested," said Barron. "Auburn is very interested and he's very interested in them."
One advantage Auburn has is the aviation program on campus. Brown wants to be a commercial pilot and with the Tigers offering a good aviation program, it is an advantage to them.
"He wants to be a commercial pilot and they have a program geared for that," said Barron.
Brown lists Auburn, Georgia Tech and Ohio State as the three schools he's interested in the most right now. He has attended Junior Days at Tech as well as Georgia and plans on making another trip to the Plains this spring. He and his coach visited Auburn over Christmas break to take in a bowl practice.
Brown hopes to do as much research as possible before deciding on a college of choice. He has plenty of time until February to do just that.
"I'm studying up on the schools and where I would fit in and play," said Brown. "Hopefully, I'll get to visit a lot of colleges (this spring and summer) and find the right one for me."
Brown, who runs a 4.50 40-yard dash, sports a 295-pound bench press, 495-pound squat and a 34.5-inch vertical leap. He has made an 890 on the SAT and plans to retake the test soon.