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Just like every other college football prospect in the nation, Jalin Buie is looking for the program that fits him best.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound star from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., committed to Auburn as a sophomore in January 2014. He picked the Tigers over offers from Louisville, Boston College, Indiana and Duke.
It was an early decision, but Buie felt comfortable with the coaches and believed he could be a success on the Plains.
“Watching Tre Mason as a young kid, I thought, ‘Wow if I get put in that situation, I can make those same plays, maybe even better, so I may as well jump on board.’ But since I’ve been committed, I haven’t had much communication with the coaches. I don’t know if they really want me. I’m still open — that’s why I need to get up to Auburn.”
Buie plans to attend Auburn’s A-Day game in April 18, which will be his first visit to the campus since his commitment. He attended several games at Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2010 when his older brother, Andrew, was being recruited by the Tigers before signing with West Virginia.
Buie met with his primary recruiter, Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner, a few times last fall when Garner was at his school recruiting linebacker Jeffery Holland and defensive tackle Kendrick Norton. Holland signed with the Tigers in February, while Norton inked with Miami.
“(Garner) was more focused on those guys,” Buie said. “It didn’t make me mad or anything, but I’m committed and nobody was coming up to talk to me.
“I want a team that wants me. I don’t want to be another kid on the roster. If you’re recruiting me, I don’t want to just sit my four years and have my career go to waste. I want to stay committed to Auburn, but if I’m not the one they want, there’s no point in wasting my time. That’s a place I dream to go. Their offense fits me so they don’t have to show me too much more, but I’m looking for loyalty. I don’t want to get in a dishonest relationship with them.”
Buie says South Carolina, Tennessee and South Florida have been showing him the most interest as of late. He has visited Columbia and Knoxville and hopes to make it to UCLA this fall, but doesn’t have any upcoming visits planned outside of the Auburn trip.
“I talk to Coach (Steve) Spurrier at South Carolina sometimes, Coach (Ron) Dugans at USF and Coach (Robert) Gillespie up at Tennessee,” he said. “Those are really the schools that are staying in touch with me. Those are the coaches who make me feel comfortable when they talk to me.” Continue Reading by Clicking Here
By Wesley Sinor | wsinor@al.com
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