Sting Factor: Brian Dilworth's decommitment from Auburn
When a major program loses a key recruit, Rivals.com takes a look at how big of a blow it is to the respective school, analyzing it from a local and national level. To quantify the “sting” of each decommitment, we assign a score from 1-10, with one being no big deal and 10 being a catastrophic hit.
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CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
COVERAGE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
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THE STORYLINE
When Brian Dilworth committed in May, the landscape at Auburn looked completely different.
Gus Malzahn was the coach. Wesley McGriff was still on staff. There was a comfort level there for the high three-star cornerback from Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna.
But things have changed drastically over the last few months as Malzahn was fired. Bryan Harsin was hired as the new head coach and McGriff left for an assistant job at Florida.
So in recent days, Dilworth backed off his pledge and has reopened his recruitment. Since decommitting, the South Florida prospect said Penn State, Georgia Tech, Miami, UConn and Wake Forest have reached out. Others will probably inquire as well on Dilworth, who has had 10 interceptions over the last two seasons.
There is a chance Dilworth can stay in-state but the Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna standout has also proven he’s willing to look elsewhere at schools and right now his recruitment is considered wide open.
LOCAL REACTION
“Dilworth committed to Auburn last May. He committed to Gus Malzahn. He committed to former defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff. Neither are at Auburn anymore. Dilworth, like fellow 2022 DB and former Auburn commitment Andre Stewart, needed a fresh start. He needed to reset his recruitment, and it's exactly what he's done. Good for him.” - Jeffrey Lee, AuburnSports.com
Sting factor: 4
NATIONAL REACTION
“There is going to be some turnover when a new coaching staff comes in and especially when the prospect’s position coach also leaves so it’s understandable that Dilworth reopened his recruitment. This is not exactly what he signed up for when he committed to Auburn. So this is not exactly a sign that further negative news will come for the Tigers or that Harsin is not resonating with Southeast prospects.
“But it’s also going to be crucially important for Harsin and his staff to stand their ground and win some major recruiting battles across the region. Florida – McGriff included – just hosted Auburn commit Jarell Stinson on a virtual visit. Some traction and some further good news on the recruiting front will be important as Harsin gets the 2022 class going.
"It’s understandable why Dilworth reopened his recruitment but Florida is going to be important recruiting ground and some big wins have to come through the spring.” - Adam Gorney, National Recruiting Director
Sting factor: 6