R250 DB flips to Auburn
The Auburn Tigers 2016 recruiting class added another big piece on Monday when Rivals250 Atlanta (Ga.) Grady defensive back Marlon Character flipped his commitment from South Carolina to the Tigers.
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"After careful reconsideration and talking it over with my family I've decided forgo my commitment to South Carolina and take my talent as well as further my education at Auburn University," Character said.
The decision comes after months of speculation that Character would end up with the Tigers and he said that even when he was committed the school was always on his mind.
"Ever since the beginning Auburn has been pushing for me," Character said. "They love me and I love them and I just feel like it's the place for me."
Before he committed to the Gamecocks back July, Character had nearly committed to the Tigers just a few days earlier. Once he had some time to distance himself from the situation, he knew he wanted to give Auburn another shot.
"Ever since I committed I couldn't stop thinking about Auburn," he said. "Coach T-Rob [Auburn defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson] would tell me every day how much they wanted me."
The relationship between Robinson and Character is a good one and that's something Character said he couldn't ignore.
"He's a great coach and he's a guy I've really gotten to know during the process," Character said. "He knows a lot about me and I know a lot about him. Of all the coaches I talked to at all the schools he gave me the most information and I feel like he can help me on and off the field."
Character is a versatile playmaker who can play either cornerback or safety and he said he believes Robinson will put him in the best position to make plays.
"I feel like he can develop me and make me a better player," Character said. "I can learn so much from him. Just working with him at camp over the summer showed me what he can teach me and I've learned a bunch already."
Auburn has had an up and down season this fall, but Character said he's seen plenty to encourage him about the future.
"I still feel like there's great potential in the young guys they have playing," Character said. "I see them getting better every game. I hate that they took the loss this weekend but I saw some good things and I see myself being able to come in and get on the field and help them."
Character has yet to take his official visit to Auburn and said he's eyeing the Georgia game later this month for a visit. Whether it's an official or not has yet to be determined, but Character said he has no plans to visit other programs going forward.
"I will take an official to Auburn but I think I'm probably done visiting," Character said. "Auburn was clear that they want me and they kept telling me, 'we're going to get you.' Now that I'm committed that's going to be my choice."
Character is commitment No. 13 for the Tigers in the 2016 class and joins John Broussard as the second four-star defensive back in the class.
