This article just feels weird....

[Townhallsavoy]

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Auburn has landed one of the nation's top quarterback prospects in Zeke Pike.
Now what does Auburn do about another highly rated blue-chipper closer to home?
And what does Jameis Winston do about Auburn?
Pike is rated the No. 2 prostyle passer in the country by 247 sports and No. 3 quarterback overall for the Class of 2012, according to Scout.com.
Winston, out of Hueytown, is ranked No. 2.
Winston has narrowed his list to four schools -- Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU.
But Auburn's commitment from Pike could change things.
"Now, they're going back-to-back with (2011 quarterback signee Kiehl) Frazier and Pike," said Hueytown coach Matt Scott.
"They're not going to burn another (scholarship on a quarterback).
It's not like the days of Coach Bryant, where you signed as many as you could to keep them from playing for someone else."
Pike going to Auburn didn't come out of the blue. The commitment was anticipated for months.
When Winston and his coach went on a recruiting visit a few weeks ago, Auburn was upfront that they were looking at other quarterbacks and had made offers.
Within an hour of Pike's commitment, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was on the phone to Scott, explaining the move.
Winston may still take visits to Auburn this summer and fall. Auburn will keep recruiting him. But for both the prospect and the school, it's merely a Plan B.
If Pike decides to change his mind or if Winston isn't happy with his other choices, maybe then the recruiting gets serious again.
"I don't think Jameis would be interested any longer, in that situation," Scott said of Winston and Auburn.
"He doesn't get a whole lot into 'so-and-so signed with so-and-so.' He's not afraid to compete with anyone.
"But, I feel as long as Zeke Pike's commitment stays there, they wouldn't be interested in taking Jameis now. And I don't think Jameis would be interested. It's a mutual thing."
Early QB pledges a national trend
Zeke Pike isn't the only highly rated quarterback making an early college decision.
Of the 18 quarterbacks on the ESPNU150 Watch List, 10 have already made the verbal pledge.
The Big 12 is the early leader with commitments to Texas (Connor Brewer of Scottsdale, Ariz.), Texas A&M (Trevor Knight of San Antonio) and Texas Tech (Clayton Nicholas of Abilene).
The SEC isn't doing too shabby. In addition to Pike to Auburn, Kentucky landed Patrick Towles of Fort Thomas, Ky. As for Jameis Winston, he said he would commit this summer.
What's the best name for an elite quarterback in the Class of 2012?
Hands down it's Gunner Kiel of Columbus, Ind., the only player listed above Winston and Pike on Scout.com's list of QBs.
State names on Scout's top list
Speaking of Jameis Winston, once again, he's the second player listed on Scout.com's very early list of top 10 prospects for the state in 2012.
Heading the list is Oxford linebacker Kwon Alexander. After Winston is linebacker Reggie Ragland of Bob Jones (Alabama commitment), Prattville defensive tackle Justin Shanks and Mobile defensive end Chris Casher (Florida State).
The second half of the list includes Thomasville linebacker Tyler Hayes (Alabama), Daphne running back T.J. Yeldon, Florence linebacker Beniquez Brown, Woodlawn linebacker Cassanova McKinzy (Auburn) and Prattville quarterback Justin Thomas (Ala bama).
"Alexander, Winston, and Ragland are all five-star prospects on Scout right now and the top spot is still very much up for grabs," said Chad Sim mons, Scout.com's regional analyst.
"This is just the beginning. We will be updating the rankings throughout the summer, fall, and up until Signing Day."
As Simmons said, the top three are interchangeable right now.
"Those three are very close and all bring a little something different to the table. I love what Alexander does right now. I feel he has as much upside as anyone. Winston could battle for the top quarterback in America before all is said and done, and Ragland can flat-out take over games when he wants to.
"It will be fun to watch these guys and the rest of the top prospects in Alabama fight for that top spot through early 2012."
Doug Segrest's SEC recruiting column appears weekly. Follow him at al.com/sports/birmingham. Write him at dsegrest@bhamnews

Related topics: Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Jameis Winston, Kwon Alexander, Reggie Ragland, Zeke Pike

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/04/fallout_of_zeke_pikes_commitme.html

[JR4AU]

All it says is the kid doesn't want to compete with Frazier and Pike, but he's not afraid of competition.   Honestly, can't blame the kid really. 

[Jumbo]

Winston's going to be drafted in the first round in this years Major League draft, so it really doesn't matter where he wants to go to school. He'll be in the Minor leagues next football season.

[JR4AU]

Winston's going to be drafted in the first round in this years Major League draft, so it really doesn't matter where he wants to go to school. He'll be in the Minor leagues next football season.

The proper answer is: "We didn't want him anyway."

[The Prowler]

I'd take Zeke Pike over Jameis Winston any day of the week.  If I got both Pike and Winston, Winston would be moved to WR.

[jmar]

I'd take Zeke Pike over Jameis Winston any day of the week.  If I got both Pike and Winston, Winston would be moved to WR.

That's just like you. You're one of them QB transitioned to WR dream killin' fellas.
Thank God for baseball Jameis Winston.

   AUBURN
 
...and statues.

[Townhallsavoy]

All it says is the kid doesn't want to compete with Frazier and Pike, but he's not afraid of competition.   Honestly, can't blame the kid really.

It just gave me an icky feeling.

Maybe because he brought up the Bear and the fact that Malzahn called to explain the situation to him even though they knew ahead of time that Pike was a likely commitment. 

Also it says Winston is not afraid of competition and Pike's commitment should have no effect on him, but then the coach says Winston won't be interested in that situation anymore. 

[jmar]

True and it does  feel very odd to me now how Barker seemed to "gush" over the signing of Pike a bit too much, overboard really from his usual hey Auburn signed a LB/QB blah, blah. It sickens me to hear him offer congrats to Auburn with his fake tone.

All sorts of situations arise and I recall that position stacked once during the Dye era and I think it actually weakened the position. Maybe it was Jeff Burger that emerged from a large pack, but only after some left. 
Eh, at any rate Gus will manage. 

And Winston will either sign to play baseball or get in line somewhere else. Hey Auburn has room at both LB and RB and they mysteriously sign at Turdville where it is five deep at both spots.

[Buzz Killington]

So, does this mean the coach is now "on board"?

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

Man, imagine the shitstorm that would happen if the rest of the football universe knew that the Bear used to do that shenanigan move with scholarships and.... wait.. what?   Oh, you mean everyone knows anyway?  Oh.. nevermind.

Didn't make me feel "icky" at all.    The kid just knows we have what we have and that we're probably not a good fit.  It might even have a smattering of spite, considering the reality that he was picked over for someone else.  Sounded like he's bummed, but understands.

Just my opinion...

[JR4AU]

Man, imagine the shitstorm that would happen if the rest of the football universe knew that the Bear used to do that shenanigan move with scholarships and.... wait.. what?   Oh, you mean everyone knows anyway?  Oh.. nevermind.

Didn't make me feel "icky" at all.    The kid just knows we have what we have and that we're probably not a good fit.  It might even have a smattering of spite, considering the reality that he was picked over for someone else.  Sounded like he's bummed, but understands.

Just my opinion...

^^^This

Or maybe pissed that his agent couldn't conclude payment negotiations...wait...

[jmar]

^^^This

Or maybe pissed that his agent couldn't conclude payment negotiations...wait...

I'm going to choose to believe that if it comes down between a prospect that might bolt to baseball at the drop of a hat or a kid that could play on defense (according to Auburn recruiting barker Jay) which IMO Auburn made the correct choice.
Or you could pull a Bryant and package the coach and player(s) and sort it all out later.

[djsimp]

It didn't make me feel icky either. I think most people get the feeling he is on his way to the MLB anyway. So, what would have been said if Jameis would have committed instead losing out on Pike. Then later on Winston bolts for baseball. It would have been Auburn left hanging. Lets not forget that the battle b/w Auburn and bama was/is at 50/50 for Winston anyway.

If Winston really loves competition so much, he wouldn't shy away from battling Frazier and Pike like THS said.

[jmar]

It didn't make me feel icky either. I think most people get the feeling he is on his way to the MLB anyway. So, what would have been said if Jameis would have committed instead losing out on Pike. Then later on Winston bolts for baseball. It would have been Auburn left hanging. Lets not forget that the battle b/w Auburn and bama was/is at 50/50 for Winston anyway.

If Winston really loves competition so much, he wouldn't shy away from battling Frazier and Pike like THS said.

Neither are true no-huddle guys and I would always go with the brawny kid that says he wants to help recruit at Auburn over one flirting with the idea such as two sport phenom Desmond Jennings of Pinson HS  who finally chose baseball over Alabama back in 2008. You go with the higher percentage of success and moreover, the one that wants YOU. Just sayin'!

[djsimp]

You go with the higher percentage of success and moreover, the one that wants YOU. Just sayin'!

That usually turns out to be the best decision.

[Townhallsavoy]

The strangeness, I guess, was created by the numerous stories I've read on al.com about how stud players go to Alabama no matter how much talent they already have committed or on roster. 

The same is obviously not true for Auburn.  We get a little talent?  Then the other guys go elsewhere because they aren't interested "in that situation." 

[jmar]

The strangeness, I guess, was created by the numerous stories I've read on al.com about how stud players go to Alabama no matter how much talent they already have committed or on roster. 

The same is obviously not true for Auburn.  We get a little talent?  Then the other guys go elsewhere because they aren't interested "in that situation."

You are right. Alabama gets those duplicates at positions whereas Auburn can present the ideal situation and fire blank. IMO, no way John Jenkins doesn't take a hard look at Auburn  with PT right away but he went to Georgia.
And Jerrel lPowe and Enrique Davis jerked Auburn around when there was plenty of room for them so we know it just isn't Bammer.

[JR4AU]

The strangeness, I guess, was created by the numerous stories I've read on al.com about how stud players go to Alabama no matter how much talent they already have committed or on roster. 

Typical bammer dumbassery.  They constantly crow about how "we don't want no kid that's afraid of competing for his position". Understanding that there's an overload of talent at your position on a particular teams roster doesn't necessarily = fear of competition.  And yes, they have kids on their roster who factored in the depth chart in their decision to go to bammer.