Auburn is pursuing players who not only bring talent to the team, but also fit the style the team will play with.
Alex Golesh understands that he has his work cut out for him when it comes to building Auburn football's roster for next season, but this is something he doesn't intend to overthink.
Golesh is after players who are talented and capable of making an impact, but are also capable of playing in a specific style to help the team be successful.
"We’re going to go get the very best football players that fit what we do, that fit our culture, that can enhance our culture," Golesh said. "Whether that equates to a top-10 class or not I don’t know, but we’re going to recruit at the highest level you possibly can. The ultimate expectation would be that within this 250-mile radius we’re going to do everything we can to keep these kids home."
While Golesh intends to fill the roster with local players, he isn't opposed to finding players from out of the region, particularly when spots need to be filled. He also understands the role the transfer portal will play in getting the roster in a position to compete.
"We’re going to go national in some spots that we may not be able to get locally here, and then at the end of the day we’ll supplement, especially through this first year or two, with the portal," Golesh said. "I think the portal is always going to be real. It’d be silly not to, especially when guys from this area have left and there’s an opportunity to bring them back that are high-level players for a multitude of different reasons."
Golesh explained how Auburn's proximity to some of the best high school football in the country made an impact on his decision to take the job, as it makes building a roster through high school talent more doable.
"I think that’s why this job is so attractive, too, is because you look at whether it’s 250 or 300 miles around here, this is the best high school football in the entire country in that area," Golesh said. Guys will inherently, people come down here and recruit."
Golesh has a plan. If he is able to stick to it, Auburn will be back to its place as an annual threat in no time.