Auburn lands 5-star prospects at key positions, gets late pickups but loses major target

FILE - In this file photo from Jan. 15, 2014, Racean Thomas, of Oxford High School, talks to the media before the Mr. Football banquet in Montgomery, Ala. Wednesday's, Feb. 5, 2014, is national signing day for the NCAA college football. Thomas has committed to Auburn. (AP Photo/AL.com, Julie Bennett) MAGS OUT. (The Associated Press)

Rashaan Evans smiles after the Auburn High School football player announced that he will attend Alabama during a national signing day ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (The Associated Press)

The Auburn Tigers landed highly rated recruits at positions where they could use immediate help.

Coach Gus Malzahn and the Tigers capitalized on a surprising run to the national championship game with a Top 10 recruiting class on Wednesday.

The class was highlighted by a trio of five-star players: junior college receiver D'haquille Williams, linebacker Tre' Williams and running back Roc Thomas.

Malzahn says he feels like Auburn got players who can make a quick impact, at least in providing depth and possibly starting.

The Tigers landed signing day commitments from defensive end Andrew Williams and guard Braden Smith. They lost five-star Auburn High School linebacker Rashaan Evans to rival Alabama in another Wednesday announcement.

Malzahn says they got guys "who can help us win a whole lot of games."