Know A Signee: Daren Bates

• Two star safety according to Rivals. Considered the "sleeper" of the class. Rated a 77/100 by ESPN.
• Olive Branch, Mississippi (Olive Branch High School)
• Born November 27, 1990
• Committed on January 29, 2009
• 5'11", 195 lbs, 4.5 sec 40 yard dash, 2.7 GPA
• Teammates with 2010 offensive line target Damien Robinson
• 2008 stats: 90 tackles and four interceptions in his senior season. Also had almost 900 offensive yards.
• Named to the MHSAA All Region 1 Class 5A team. Selected to the Commercial Appeal Shelby Metro All-Suburban team. Named BankPlus Player of the Week after a win in which he had 107 total yards, three touchdowns, ten tackles and an interception.
• Had offers from Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas State, Tennessee, Louisiana Tech and Central Arkansas.
• Took official visits to Auburn and Arkansas State.
• He was previously committed to Arkansas State. When Auburn offered, he changed his commitment within two days. Right before he committed, Alabama tried to get him to visit and he told them was was "all Auburn" now.
• Says he never spoke to the previous staff. Trooper Taylor began recruiting him at Oklahoma State and played a major role in pulling him to Auburn.
• Says if he did not go to Auburn he probably would have chosen Tennessee.
• Bates may need to take another class this summer before he can gain admittance. He will likely be ready to play in the fall.