AU team to beat for TE?

IMG Academy's Tre McKitty visited Auburn for fourth time Saturday

AUBURN | Tré McKitty doesn’t list a leader or even a top group of schools, but the No. 11-ranked tight end likes Auburn a lot.

He said so Saturday after attending BIG CAT.

“I wouldn’t say I have any leaders, but Auburn is high,” McKitty said. “After this visit and everything, I like Auburn a lot.”

McKitty, who attends IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., spent Saturday and part of Sunday in Auburn. He’d seen the campus and facilities during his previous three trips to the Plains. This visit was more about relationships, building on the ones he’d established a year ago, including one with tight ends coach Scott Fountain.

“Ever since last year when I was coming here, me and Coach Fountain have been building a really good relationship,” McKitty said. “I have a really good relationship with him and all of the coaches, and it’s a good feeling.”

McKitty also has relationships with current Auburn players, most notably 2016 receiver signee Nate Craig-Myers.

“I’ve always had a really good feeling about Auburn, and now that my former teammate, Nate (Craig-Myers), is here, he’s been telling me about it, too,” McKitty said. “I’m actually staying with him (Saturday night).”

McKitty, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds, plans to announce a commitment at The Opening in July. He has trips scheduled to Oregon and Florida before making a decision.

“Everybody is still in it,” McKitty said. “But I like Auburn a lot. I’ve been here enough to know what they have to offer.”

Rivals ranks McKitty the No. 62 player in Florida in the 2017 class.