Five recruiting storylines to watch with Malzahn out at Auburn

Auburn let Gus Malzahn go Sunday, just three days before the Early Signing Period begins. Some were surprised, some were not. This has been a difficult year, and it just got a little more difficult for those dozen prospects committed to the Tigers, and others that were thinking hard about signing with Auburn this week.

We take a look at five players either committed to Auburn or strongly considering the Tigers and speculate what this development will mean.

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After going back and forth the last few weeks, Trevin Wallace made the decision late last week to sign early. He was still listing schools like Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee along with Auburn, but the Tigers have been trending. He at one time said publicly that Auburn was his top school. Was he set to sign with Auburn Wednesday at 10:30 am? Maybe. Maybe not. As of now, it looks like Wallace will not sign with anyone until February.

Miami (Fla.) Central top 100 linebacker Terrence Lewis released his final two Monday and Auburn looks to be out of this race. A week ago, the Tigers were trending in a big way, but after the news Sunday, they are out. Maryland and Tennessee are his final two and he will be signing Wednesday, but holding the release of the school until Jan. 2 during an All-American Bowl presentation. The Vols never gave up, and they could be the team to beat, but the Terps have a connection with defensive lineman coach Brian Williams being south Florida. This one will be fun to watch.

When speaking with Tarvarish Dawson a month or so ago, he said, "I am still committed to Auburn, but looking at other schools." Florida State jumped in with an offer late, and Miami was very much involved with Dawson committed to the Tigers in May. Word is that Dawson is leaning towards not signing this week and waiting for February, so if that happens, expect the Seminoles and Hurricanes, maybe a few others, to take shots at the versatile athlete at Lehigh (Fla.) Lehigh Acres.

Entering the weekend, Starke (Fla.) Bradford cornerback Dontae Balfour was planning to sign early, but he wasn't sure who that was going to be with yet. As of Sunday morning, he was still in the same spot, but as Sunday rolled into Monday, there was chatter that Balfour now may wait and sign in February. A February signing is now likely based on what we are hearing.

He was down to Auburn and Missouri with Auburn his top schools, but Oregon, Tennessee and Washington State have offered in the last few days. He had a lot to think about, and now even more to think about with his top school without a head coach.

Just minutes after the Malzahn news broke, Penn State reached out to Ahmari Harvey. The Auburn commit out of Tallahassee (Fla.) Florida High took to social media later Sunday afternoon to say, "Things might get interesting signing day". What does that mean? Harvey is an early enrollee, and he is one of Auburn's top commitments, so will he stick with the Tigers? He has been strong since August when he chose the Tigers over schools like Florida and Florida State.