TYRONE, Ga. - Auburn Undercover caught up with Tigers wide receiver great Karsten Bailey to get his thoughts on Auburn’s recent hire, their recruiting efforts in Georgia and much more.
Bailey played at Auburn from 1995-98. He caught 150 balls for 2,174 yards with 17 touchdowns. He ranks third all-time in Tigers history in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1999 NFL draft . He played in the league from 1999-2003 for the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
Bailey now is an assistant coach for Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)
AUC: You have two beautiful junior corners I came to see in Justin Austin and Nathan Holston. What do you like about their upside?
Bailey: “Both of them are 6-3 and you can’t coach that. Height you can’t coach. It’s rare that you find two 6-3 corners in the same program that are elite. Auburn should be here recruiting them. Trying to get them guys to come down for at least a visit and you know show them around.”
AUC: The sophomore tight end Trey Love has great genes with a dad that played in the NFL and mom that played in the WNBA. I think he’s just scratching the surface.
Bailey: “Yes sir. Again, 6-3. You can’t coach size. That’s one I’ve always learned since I’ve been coaching and playing. That’s one thing Trey Love has got: size and speed. He’s also a great basketball player as well. He’s young. He’s 15 years old. So he should be highly recruited by everybody in the country and they’ll see as he comes out here and continues to perform and continues to get better.”
AUC: One guy you’re really going to like is from your high school - East Coweta (Sharpsburg, Ga.) - is four-star defensive back Chance Gilbert. Are you familiar with him and obviously you love his commitment to your school (at Auburn)?
Bailey: “I’m not familiar with him but my oldest son played with him at East Coweta. I don’t hear nothing but great things about that kid. I’m just so happy that Auburn finally came back down to East Coweta to recruit some of our players. Because East Coweta has some talented players. I think the last time they were down there where somebody committed to Auburn was Antwoine Nolan who came out in 1996. So it’s been a long time since we had someone from East Coweta and we’ve had some talented players since then that’s come through that school. But we’ve never had anyone since that’s got the opportunity to get offered by Auburn and come play for Auburn.”
AUC: I think when Auburn does it right 90% of the roster comes from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. What’s your thoughts on that coach?
Bailey: “Well I just think they have to recruit a lot of more on the southside (of Atlanta). Starting at East Coweta and worked their way up 85. You have to pass Sandy Creek High School to get to the Bufords, the Langston Hughes, the Graysons. They just need to stop by here and have a chat. See what kind of talent we have over here. Because we have a lot of talent here at Sandy Creek High School.”
AUC: Let me pick your mind of this. Auburn’s two best QBs in the last 20 years happen to be dual-threats from the state of Georgia with Nick Marshall and Cam Newton. Clemson won three National Titles and all three QBs were from the state of Georgia that could move. Auburn has one committed now from Brookwood (Gary Chatman). What do you think about dual-threat QBs from the state of Georgia because it’s been awfully, awfully kind to your alma mater?
Bailey: “See the success we’ve had when we’ve had those. Cam obviously won a National Championship. And Nick Marshall went down there and took us and played for a National Championship. So the proof is in the pudding with dual-threat quarterbacks. I’ve seen the Brookwood quarterback play because we threw against them this summer at the University of Georgia 7-on-7. I think he’s elite and he could potentially be the next one to come down there and hopefully give us a chance to play for a National Championship.”
AUC: One question I’ve asked every high school coach that I’ve been at their school at the 45+ high schools I’ve been at in the last month in the state of Alabama and Georgia is, what are your thoughts on the new hire at Auburn and how have they recruited your area and your school so far since being hired?
Bailey: “I think it’s a great hire. The biggest thing I’ve noticed about him is getting all the former players to come back down to Auburn and show this group and this class what Auburn is all about. You know how you love Auburn, you’re going to eventually fall in love with Auburn. They have sparingly been coming through here. I have a good friend who works at Auburn Jeris McIntyre and we communicate and I try to tell him to send some guys over here to recruit our guys. We’ve got good players, too. Not just the Grayons and the Bufords. We have good players over here, too. Just stop by and give a look. Stop by a spring practice or a practice and talk to our head coach Darius Smiley and see what we got over here.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
