Commitment analysis: Derick Hall to Auburn

THE SITUATION

This is a recruiting battle that went on much longer than expected. Derick Hall was on the verge of committing to Auburn over the summer, but instead, took more visits, and ended up holding off until December 19.

Mississippi State was viewed as the favorite one day, then it was Auburn, and Ole Miss jumped in late, but in the end, the four-star linebacker out of Gulfport (Miss.) chose the Tigers.

WHY ITS BIG FOR AUBURN

It is impressive that Auburn was able to go into Mississippi and pull one of the top prospects in that state out. Not too many of the best get out of there. Ole Miss received the last visit and there was some buzz there. Mississippi State was looked at as the favorite on and off, so to pull Hall out of Mississippi is impressive.

Then, you look Hall as a player, and it is even more impressive. Hall is an edge rusher who is very long and athletic. He has some good film at tight end too, but defense will be his home on the Plains. He has good speed, he can close on the quarterback and he really covers a lot of ground. It will be fun watching how he develops at Auburn. Will he stand up? Will he play with his hand in the dirt? He will likely do both. Auburn had to work hard for this one and this is a big win for Gus Malzahn and his staff.

WHAT SCHOOLS IT HURTS MOST

Mississippi State is the biggest loser here. The bulldogs invested so much time into Hall's recruitment. On more than one occasion it looked like Hall was about to commit to Mississippi State. He visited Starkville more than any other campus, so this loss really stings. He is an in-state talent, he was a top target for Joe Moorhead and he chose another SEC West school, so this is a very tough loss.

Ole Miss would be next because of it being an in-state school. They did not put near as much time into his recruitment, and they really just became a real player in this race in the last six weeks.