Junior college football rookie Jeffrey M’Ba Pens announces Auburn’s engagement

Jeffrey M’Ba is one of America’s most recruited prospects, with 30 offers since joining the Junior College scene at Independence CC, Kansas. He has agreed to give Sports Illustrated exclusive access to his world by recounting his journey in football from his time in France to his recruiting and preparation for Sunday’s hiring decision.

Hello everyone! It’s me again, Jeffrey M’Ba.

Today is the day.

I am ready to share my commitment with all of you. I sent my national letter of intent to the school of my choice earlier this week, and as you have probably all been watching a few seconds ago, I announced my decision live on TV from home. me in France. But now I want to share the exclusive story behind my decision to pick the Auburn Tigers with you!

I am very happy to be a part of this program. I’m an SEC defensive lineman now! I needed to be at the SEC because it’s the best conference, and I’m going to be able to show my versatility. I want to make sure all the coaches and scouts in the NFL have no doubts about what I can do on the field. If I had maybe gone to the ACC again, they might have had their doubts that I was playing against the best, but now I can make sure to show everyone.

It was a long process for which I am very grateful that led me to this decision. I did a lot of tours and got to see a lot of amazing places and coaches. It was hard to fit it all in, but I was glad I made these trips because, in the end, I knew Auburn was the place for me. They were confident in what they could do with me there, and they wanted me to take all of my tours because they were confident that I would come there.

When I visited the other schools, it just wasn’t the same as Auburn. I didn’t feel like they were so confident about what they had, and I didn’t really like it. I really like Coach Nick Eason there, and I could see myself fighting for him and playing hard. I felt like the coaches were different there, all of them, Coach (Bryan) Harsin, and I love it there.

When I first went there I had no idea this was where I wanted to go. I felt better talking to other coaches on the phone but the feeling I got in real life was amazing. In fact, I told Coach Harsin and Coach Brad Bedell about it when they came to Kansas for my home visit.

They didn’t know I was actually ready to commit or anything like that. When we took a picture, I told them I was engaged. They couldn’t believe it. They started to scream and were happy. It was a great moment together. After that, I didn’t tell anyone about it and signed on the 15th.

This process has been a huge blessing to me. It wasn’t always easy, and the COVID issues really changed everything. Being in online classes and being able to take things at my own pace has helped me a lot to adjust to the college process. But, it really changed a lot of things too. I was angry at first because it changed things with my SAT and got to where I couldn’t go to college, but then I came to Indy (Independence Community College) and met all the coaches, and, man, they changed my life.

They changed the way I play. They changed everything, and now I feel ready to play in college. I knew the whole recruiting process this year was my time, and I worked the hardest with my coaches and coaches, and did all I could to be the best. I can now say that I am glad it is done and I have found my home.

I am so happy to be an Auburn Tiger! War eagle!

I want to thank you all for following my journey and for Sports Illustrated for allowing me to share a part of my life and my recruiting process with all of you. I can’t wait to see the next chapter, and hope you all hear from me very soon!

Jeffrey M’Ba blog archives

introduction

Recruitment season

Ambitious visit schedule

Home stretching

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