College Football Recruiting Roundup: Alabama And Auburn After The Same Quarterback

Nov 12, 2011; Athens, Ga, USA; Auburn Tigers mascot greets fans as they welcome the team to Sanford Stadium, prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers

Norman (Okla.) 2014 quarterback prospect David Cornwell earned an invitation to the Elite 11 finals, AL.com reports. Cornwell is a four-star recruit per Rivals.com, and the No. 56 overall prospect in the FanSided 150.

Cornwell has a bevy of offers — surprisingly, none yet from the hometown Oklahoma Sooners. Southeastern Conference programs are getting a jump on the 6-foot-5, 235-pound play caller, who ESPN Recruiting reports is drawing comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger.

SEC rivals Alabama and Auburn could be among what SB Nation calls Cornwell’s “secret top four” destinations. The Tide and Tigers have extended their Iron Bowl tussles to the college football recruiting trail, particularly in recent years with high profile battles for players like Dee Liner and Reuben Foster.

Both Liner and Foster were in-state products. The jockeying for Cornwell takes the rivalry onto the national recruiting trail, but perhaps more intriguing is the position being pursued. Alabama is a strict Pro Set offensive team, while new Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn has been known for employing a spread offense built around dual threat quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Ryan Aplin.

Boston College Eagles
Nov 3, 2012; Winston Salem, NC, USA; A Boston College Eagles player raises his helmet during kickoff in the first quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB
Soaring To Glory has a detailed look at the verbal commitment of dual threat quarterback Darius Wade, a three-star prospect from Middletown, Del. Wade’s commitment could come with a surprise; read the linked STG piece for details.

New Eagle head coach Steve Addazio inherits a Boston College program that has struggled to establish an offensive identity in recent years. In particular, the Eagles’ quarterback play has been lackluster since the departure of Matt Ryan after the 2007 season. Addazio ran a spread system as offensive coordinator at Florida, and in his two seasons as head coach at Temple.

Wade’s commitment is indicative both of the style change likely to ensue with Addazio’s arrival, and the new head coach’s more aggressive recruiting strategy. BC recently landed a pledge from three-star cornerback Isaac Yiadom, a prospect from Worcester, Mass. STG takes a look at the renewed emphasis Addazio is placing on local recruits.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Unofficial visit to Mississippi State netted Dan Mullen two nods of confidence this week, per FanSided 150. Wide receiver Malysha Flanders and quarterback Elijah Staley named Mississippi State their leader. Of course, it’s a long way to National Signing Day 2014, and Marietta, Ga. prospect Staley has plenty more SEC suitors as FS150 outlines.