Auburn LB commit surprised by DC news
While most of the players on Auburn's commitment list were sounding off about the decision by the Tigers to dismiss defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson, three-star Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes linebacker Montavious Atkinson hadn't even heard the news yet prior to be reached for comment by Rivals.com on Sunday night.
"Well that's crazy," the 6-foot-1, 205-pound prospect said. "I don't know what to say to that. As long as it allows Coach Harbison to stay then it won't impact me much. I know they are going through a lot over there so I'm not totally surprised."
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When asked about how important his relationship with Harbison is to his commitment, Atkinson said it's a "9 out of 10." He also said that while he's sad to see Johnson go, they didn't have much of a relationship.
"I didn't know him that well," Atkinson said of Johnson. "I never really knew him on a personal level. We met and we talked when I was there but I wasn't that close with him and we didn't talk or anything outside of visits."
Atkinson said he plans to reach out to Harbison and other Auburn assistants tonight and will be watching the process to replace Johnson closely.
"I'm going to call them and see what's up with everything," he said. "After that I will wait and see what they do."
Ideally, Atkinson said a new defensive coordinator would be in place by his official visit on Dec. 12.
"I think all the commits are going down that weekend so it would be a good chance for us to get to meet whoever it is," he said.
Being a member Auburn's class for months, Atkinson said he paid close attention to the team this season and while it may not have lived up to preseason expectations, he still considers the 2014 campaign a success.
"It was a pretty good season but you can tell that they had some new guys and there and everyone just wants on the same page all together yet," he said. "It was a pretty good season but hopefully next year every will be clicking and they can get back to where they were last year."
Atkinson isn't planning on taking a visit this weekend, but did say he plans to visit Tennessee, Georgia and perhaps N.C. State following the winter break dead period.