Auburn lands important four-star forward

Technically, Bruce Pearl can't even speak to Auburn recruits until the calendar turns to the 24th of August. That hasn't stopped his staff of assistant coaches from putting in serious work, though, and that work was rewarded on Friday night.

While competing in the Under Armour Elite 24 Slam Dunk and Three Point Championship, four-star forward Danjel Purifoy announced that he would play his college ball at Auburn.

A 6-foot-6 native of Alabama who is spending his senior season at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave Military Academy, Purifoy is exactly the type of player that Tiger fans hoped Pearl and his staff would be able to lure to campus.

Pearl has always loved athletes who can be used interchangeably and that's exactly what Purifoy is. He's a strapping 210 pounder who is a physical competitor. He specializes slashing to the hoop in transition or off of dribble drives, he rebounds very well and he can be a very good defender.

Long term, Purifoy needs to improve his jump shooting from deep but he also adds versatility. Though technically a little short for a power forward at the SEC level, Purifoy can easily slide over from the wing and play on the interior. His long arms and physical toughness allow him to defend bigger players effectively and because of that Pearl and his staff will be able to use him in just about any kind of lineup they would like to use.

Currently ranked No. 82 in the class of 2015, Purifoy is a four-star prospect and the first player to give Auburn a nod from the class of 2015. Given Pearl's history of success on the recruiting trail and that he's just a few hours from the NCAA allowing him to have contact recruits, Purifoy is likely the first of many ranked prospects that will make their way to Auburn as long as Pearl is there.