Published Jan 28, 2009
Texas-ties key to luring Sulphur Springs QB to Auburn
David McNabb
TheOldCoach.com Senior Editor
Auburn has landed a commitment from the nation's No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in Sulphur Sulphur Springs'Tyrik Rollison and Texas High receiver Cobi Hamilton committed to Arkansas.
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"I just committed to Auburn," Rollison said. "I know Auburn is where my heart was leading me. It's hard to believe I'm going to Auburn. Earlier in the process, I wasn't even being recruited by Auburn, but I went and visited and it's an amazing place.
Rollison was a U.S. Army All-American selection as a senior.
"Once I leave my family in Texas and go to Auburn, it's like I'm going to a whole other family."
Rollison was recruited to Auburn by assistant Curtis Luper. He had Rollison interested in Oklahoma State before Luper made a move to Auburn.
"I talked to Coach Luper and told him I was committing. He was excited," said Rollison. "Me and Coach Luper have a great relationship. I've known him for a while. That kind of helped everything."
The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder gave his verbal pledge to Auburn after taking an official visit to the Plains this past weekend.
Rollison chose the Tigers after narrowing his list to Auburn and Kansas State. He also had offers from Kansas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Florida State, Oregon and Arizona among others.
This past fall as a senior, Rollison threw for a school-record 4,728 yards and 53 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,094 yards.
Rollison led Sulphur Springs to the Class 4A Division II state championship. In the title game, a game Sulphur Springs won 69-49 over Dayton, Rollison combined for 517 yards and seven touchdowns. He connected on 23-of-29 passes for 398 yards and four scores, and also added 127 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
As a junior, Rollison completed 296-of-423 passes (69.9%) for 3,691 yards and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed for 554 yards and seven more scores.
"I'm solid," he said. "I'll sign with Auburn."
Rivals.com rates Rollison the No. 9 overall recruit in the state of Texas and No. 60 in the country. He is the Tigers' 22nd commitment in the 2009 class and second quarterback. Leroy (Ala.) High's Clint Moseley has said he will also sign with Auburn.