5-star defensive end Byron Cowart discusses his Auburn visit and why the Tigers are in the mix.
Seffner, Fla.--One of the nation’s top defensive line prospects, five-star end Byron Cowart made his official visit to the Plains this weekend to see the Auburn Tigers. Getting a chance to sit down with Gus Malzahn, Will Muschamp, Rodney Garner, Travaris Robinson and the entire coaching staff, Cowart said overall the trip went great.
“What stood out was him (Muschamp) being there and Coach T Rob,†Cowart said. “When they say family you really can feel it. It’s crazy. A lot of guys that work there, like the AD (Jay Jacobs), they played there. That’s crazy. At least I know that if football doesn’t work, if everything was to go wrong in life, if I was to go there I could always come back home. They’ll take care of their guys.â€
On the visit along with good friend and fellow five-star defensive end CeCe Jefferson as well as four-star linebacker Jeff Holland, Cowart said being able to be with them on the visit made things even better. As for the future, he said everyone will just have to wait and see.
“It was great,†Cowart said. “We just had fun. It felt like family, for real. This was the first time I was able to just go on a visit and relax. I asked my tough questions, but I felt at home. My mom liked it. Me, CeCe, Jeff, we all liked it. We’ll see.
“We’re all three going to stick together,†he added. “We’re all going to play at the same school because we know we can make an impact. One guy can’t make a difference at a school and I don’t think people understand that. You can be a great player, but you can’t make an impact going to a school by yourself. You’ve got to have a team, some guys that are going to go with you and change the whole program around.â€
A prospect that has a plan for his future, Cowart wants to get into broadcast journalism down the road and that a focus. Because of that his visit was important to him because Auburn showed him the plan he was looking for to be successful on the next level.
“It was good,†Cowart said. “I’m happy the SEC Network has gotten bigger because it gives more SEC schools the opportunity or the benefit of the doubt. It wasn’t the biggest, but I know they’re going to build on it. I feel good about that area.
“My biggest thing is being able to intern and start my major as soon as I get on campus,†he added. “I’m really strong about that. A lot of schools will tell you that you can’t get into your actual major until your junior or sophomore year. If I keep doing what I’m supposed to be doing on the field, I would be going to the NFL. I’m not going into the draft without my degree. That’s why I don’t want to waste time. I had to make sure they had the three-year plan written out for me, and they did. That means they care about what I have to say and what I want to do. That means a lot.â€
Cowart plans to make his decision on signing day and is expected to choose between Auburn, Floridaand Florida State.