ESPN College Football Recruiting

Gene Chizik made a promise to Dell McGee shortly after he was hired as Auburn's head coach, and last Friday night he backed up his words.

Chizik told McGee, the head coach at Carver High School in Columbus, Ga., that Auburn would have a strong presence in the Columbus area. And Chizik was in Columbus for the first half of Carver's 41-0 mauling of Shaw on Friday night.

"His attendance at our game was confirmation to me that what he said before was the truth," McGee told AuburnUndercover.com. "We spoke, and he was simply re-emphasizing everything he had told me previously. He told me he wants to make sure Auburn is in a good relationship with the Columbus area. I appreciated that."

McGee said he told his players before the game that Chizik would be in attendance.

"Players are always excited when a college coach is here," McGee said. "The ones who have interest in Auburn were especially excited. This was just a great opportunity for them to get noticed and show the head man what they can do. A lot of head coaches don't take those recruiting trips, so it meant a lot to our program to have him in Columbus."

Carver defensive end and Clemson commitment Corey Crawford, 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, said Chizik's visit was the first time a college head coach watched him play in a game.

"I thought it was big for Coach Chizik to come to our game," Crawford said. "I thought he was there to check out Brandon Smith, but I found out after the game he was there to see me too. I have always liked Coach Chizik. He is very straightforward, and he wants to help players further their lives, not just their football careers."

Crawford had Auburn in his top five before choosing Clemson, and he said he has not dropped Auburn from consideration. He said he wants to take all his official visits. He plans to be in Auburn when the Tigers play Alabama on Nov. 27.

Auburn extended an offer to Carver junior defensive lineman Gabe Wright, on the 2011 ESPNU 150 Watch List. Wright is projected as one of the state of Georgia's top prospects. Wright has Auburn at the top of his list. Two other juniors with an interest in Auburn include, offensive lineman Quincy McKinney and running back Isaiah Crowell.

McGee, a cornerback on Auburn's undefeated 1993 team, said when he initially talked with Chizik, he did not know Chizik would personally watch a Carver game, but it was a welcomed surprise.

"He told me the program would be a lot more involved than it was previously," McGee said. "Him showing up showed me that he was committed to doing what he said."

Carver has had solid production of Division I-A talent in the past few years. McGee led Carver to a state championship in 2007, and since then, six Carver players have earned scholarships from Division I-A programs.

Quarterback DeRon Furr signed with Auburn in 2008. Five Carver players earned Division I-A scholarships in 2009. Defensive end Jarvis Jones signed with USC, offensive lineman Chris Hubbard signed with UAB, linebacker LeRon Furr signed with Oklahoma State, cornerback Ryan Campbell signed with Ole Miss and cornerback Bill Alexander signed with Akron.

Cornerback Dquan Menzie was a member of the Class of 2009. He signed with Copiah Lincoln Community College out of high school and has Southern Mississippi, Auburn and Alabama at the top of his list for next year.

The Carver Class of 2010 already boasts three players verbally committed to Division I-A schools and one that has not made a commitment/

Crawford and offensive lineman David Beasley have committed to Clemson. Quarterback Devin Burns has committed to Maryland and linebacker Brandon Smith has Southern Mississippi, Florida State, Miami, Alabama and South Carolina in his top five.

A look around at some of the best ESPN affiliate team sites have to offer today. Some of the following links may require a premium subscription to the ESPN affiliate site.

Alabama (www.crimsonconfidential.com)

Recruiting update: news, notes, odds and ends

Mike Harris talks about the upcoming visit, expectations.

Arizona (www.wildcatsportsreport.com)

Arizona not only major program in on 2011 OL prospect Patrick Flavin.

Auburn (www.auburnundercover.com)

How they fared: A look at AU commitments, targets.

A look at AU commitments, targets fared over the weekend.

Recruiting rewind, Oct. 21: Tie at the top for Mack

Clemson (www.theclemsoninsider.com )

Clemson's newest commitment Cortez Davis joined us on The Tiger Blitz radio show last night.

Florida (www.gatorcountry.com)

Keels no longer under the radar.

Jacksonville prospects impress.

Florida State (www.noleinsider.com )

Brutus Picks Up FSU Offer.

Notre Dame (www.irishsportsdaily.com)

Riggs feels excitement in South Bend.

A weekly look at where Notre Dame stands with its offered recruits.

Ohio State (www.bucknuts.com)

Floyd to visit Columbus this weekend.

Oregon (www.duckterritory.com)

Troy Hill to make second Oregon visit?

2011 DT likes Ducks.

Penn State (www.nittanynetwork.com)

Floyd updates visit schedule.

USC (www.wearesc.com )

Defensive back Demetrius Wright has narrowed his list of schools to Washington and USC.

USC RB commitment Trajuan Briggs recently made his much anticipated return to action.

Texas (www.insidetexas.com )

Leroy Scott: 'Texas has my heart'

Texas commit Week 7 wrapup.

West Virginia (www.eersports.com)

Rodriguez battling West Virginia again.