CARROLLTON, Ga. - Auburn travels to Georgia Saturday to face the top-ranked Bulldogs.
Over the next two years the two oldest rivals in the Deep South will wage war on the recruiting trail for five-star running back Zach Watts (Carrollton), one of the nation’s top recruits regardless of class.
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The 2029 prospect holds 35 offers. He’s still working for offers from Oregon and Texas.
He said, even though it’s early, three programs are recruiting him hard: Georgia, Miami and Auburn.
“I don’t really be able to talk to (colleges) so that’s hard,” Watts recently told Auburn Undercover at his high school. “It’s kind of hard since they can’t really talk to me.”
The All-American visited Auburn September 19 when the Tigers hosted Florida.
It’s the third time he’s been on campus this year.
“I like their tradition and everything they’ve been doing,” Watts said. “I’m just really looking forward to getting back up there and finding some more things I like about them.”
Tigers running backs coach Larry Porter is heading this recruitment for Auburn.
“Love him. He’s a great dude,” Watts said. “I can also tell he knows a lot about the game. He has a very good track record with what he’s done with other running backs.”
Watts has a special tie to Auburn as his granddad, Chris Shelling, is in the Auburn Hall of Fame.
Shelling earned First Team All-American honors as a defensive back for the Tigers in 1994.
“He loved it (at Auburn),” Watts said. “Maybe, definitely (I could do that one day).”
Watts, who is also an unreal punt returner, is looking for a specific dynamic when he makes his college choice in two summers prior to his senior season.
“Just to be ale to get developed and go to the next level,” Watts said.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and holds a 4.0 GPA.
As a sophomore, Watts has rushed 46 times for 523 yards, for an 11.1 yards per carry average, and 13 touchdowns.
As a freshman, at Carver (Columbus, Ga.), Watts rushed 108 times for 1,037 yards, for a 9.6 yard per carry average and 17 touchdowns.
Carrollton (7-0) hosts Northgate (Newnan, Ga.) Friday.
“Our next game is our best game,” Watts said. “We don’t even think about the future. Our goal is going to be the state championship, but right now we are focused on the next week.”
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
