New Auburn Recruiting Weekend Draws NCAA’s (and Saban’s) Interest

Say this for Gene Chizik, he’s got a career in marketing if this football coaching thing doesn’t work out. For a coach who won a combined five games in his two seasons running the Iowa State program, he’s done wonders earning respect from prospects in the recruiting world. After taking the state of Alabama by storm with its “Tiger Prowl,” as it’s coaches rolled in style in stretch limousines (genius?), Auburn continued its high-profile offseason with a “Big Cat” recruiting weekend.Planned as a star-studded unofficial recruiting weekend, Chizik and his Auburn staff hosted two-dozen blue-chip prospects, and pitched them on bringing Auburn’s football program back to the top of the SEC. Yet that recruiting weekend is drawing the ire of the NCAA, as Auburn’s athletic offices are investigating if any NCAA violations occurred.It looks as if the answer to that question is a resounding yes, if we’re to watch either of the two videos circulating the internet. While NCAA bylaws prevent publicizing an athlete’s visit to campus or participating in public activities, more than 100 fans showed up for the rolling of Toomer’s Corner, after the event was publicized on three major Auburn fan websites. The Tigers might also draw the wrath of the NCAA for assistant head coach Trooper Taylor yelling player introductions of recruits to a cheering crowd (seen here and here).More troublesome than any secondary NCAA violations might be comments from five-star running back Lache Seastrunk, one of Auburn’s top targets. Specifically, Seastrunk takes his moment in the sun to make a declaration to fire a shot at Alabama’s head coach."Tell Nick Saban he’s S.O.L!” Seastrunk proclaimed, drawing a large rise from the crowd.Seastrunk took another chance to address the head coach of the Crimson Tide, mugging for the cameras and simply yelling “What’s up, Nick Saban?"It’s probably good news for Auburn fans that Seastrunk is calling his latest trip to Auburn “the best ever,” but the young running back is certainly putting a bullseye on his back before he ever plays in an Iron Bowl.