Top DE Byron Cowart picks Auburn over Florida – SportingNews.com
Auburn won the opening battle of the “Florida Four,” but it took a while to get confirmed.
Byron Cowart, the nation’s No. 3 overall recruit and No. 1 defensive end according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, announced his commitment to sign with Auburn on Wednesday morning — the first major news of National Signing Day.
MORE: SN’s National Signing Day live updates | Cowart’s scouting report
However, a controversy about whether his National Letter of Intent was faxed to Auburn — one that included coach drama and conflicting reports — was not resolved until about 4 p.m. ET, when Auburn coach Gus Malzahn confirmed the Tigers received the recently sent fax.
The 5-star from Seffner, Fla., had narrowed his decision to the Tigers and Florida. Cowart’s announcement was the first signing in a major recruiting war Wednesday between the two SEC schools, which went head-to-head for several blue-chip stars.
Cowart’s recruitment was greatly aided by Auburn’s hiring of former Florida coach Will Muschamp to be the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.
Got to give Muschamp a ton of credit for landing Cowart. Can flat out recruit.
— Matt Hayes (@Matt_HayesSN) February 4, 2015
Cowart was a first-team USA Today All-American after compiling 140 tackles, 24 sacks and seven forced fumbles in his junior and senior seasons at Armwood High School. Sporting News contributor TJ Gaynor says Cowart’s power, magnetism to the ball and “halfback hips” made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.
Cowart’s signing brings Auburn’s class up to No. 9 in the country, according to 247Sports’ composite team rankings. The Tigers jumped three spots with the announcement, and their coaching staff was quite pleased with the news.
Boom! #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/VF6M9ykrvh
— Auburn Tigers (@AuburnTigers) February 4, 2015
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