Liner says hes 100 percent to Auburn
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Without question, Muscle Shoals (Ala.) junior defensive end Dee Liner was among the players who impressed most at the Under Armour Combine on Saturday.
Anyone on hand could attest to that.
Advertisement
"I think I did real good," Liner told Rivals.com. "I think I only lost one battle."
The 6-feet-4, 255-pound Liner committed to Auburn last June, but the fight for his services has not ended. Alabama is pursuing him hard, he said. Ditto for "Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU."
"I'm hearing a lot from them," Liner said.
Particularly the Crimson Tide.
"I talk to [assistant Mike Groh]," Liner said. "He says he's real interested in me. It's a good relationship. He thinks I'd be able to play early if I work hard and all that."
Although Liner has a positive relationship with Groh and the Tide, he made it sound Saturday as if he was firm with his pledge to Auburn.
"I'm 100 percent … 100 percent," Liner said. "[Auburn assistant Phillip Lolley] is a great guy. He stays in touch with me all the time."
Auburn was the second program to offer Liner, following Kentucky. According to Liner, he attended "four or five" Auburn games in 2011, and had a positive experience at each.
"I like the coaches and it's a great atmosphere down there," Liner said. "And I've been an Auburn fan my whole life."
For now, Liner seems focused on improving, not his recruitment.
"I think I've progressed a lot," Liner said. "I think I've gotten stronger and more quick with my hands. Since I play on the right side, I need to get down on my left hand and work on that."
Keith Niebuhr can be reached at Keithrivals@yahoo.com. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithRIVALS.