By Collin Mickle

Published: February 4, 2008

As time runs out in recruiting season, Auburn’s 2008 signing class keeps changing.

Late last week, the Tigers’ stable of verbal commitments shrank by two. But AU responded to those defections by extending offers to two more prospects this weekend.

Both players — Tucker, Ga., defensive back Neiko Lipscomb and Tampa, Fla., wideout Derek Winter — verbally committed to AU. Lipscomb made his commitment Sunday, while Winter committed Monday.

Later Monday, Auburn’s commitment list took another surprising turn: Columbus, Ga., wide receiver Jarmon Fortson is no longer committed to the Tigers and is expected to sign with Florida State, according to Auburnsports.com.

The Web site reported Fortson’s decision Monday evening, citing an unnamed source.

Fortson committed to Auburn in September, but appeared to waver after the December arrival of new coordinator Tony Franklin. Fortson’s interest in FSU climbed during the last month: He visited the Tallahassee, Fla., campus on three consecutive weekends.

Auburn now has 28 verbal commitments heading into National Signing Day, which is Wednesday. Signing Day is the first opportunity for high school recruits to sign binding National Letters of Intent.

Last week, Miami defensive back George Baker backed out of his verbal commitment to AU. The Tigers aren’t out of the running for Baker, who is also considering scholarship offers from Rutgers, South Florida and UCF, among others.

Prep-school defensive tackle Charles Deas also dropped off AU’s official verbal commitment list last week. Deas, who signed with LSU in 2006, spent the last two seasons at Milford Academy in New York. He committed to Auburn in December.

According to an online report at Auburnsports.com, Deas has failed to make the necessary academic progress at Milford and will soon enroll in a junior college.

Auburn didn’t waste any time turning to backup plans for Deas’ and Baker’s places on the list.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Lipscomb has been on the Tigers’ radar for months, but was waiting on a firm scholarship offer. When one came late last week, he accepted.

Rivals.com rates Lipscomb a three-star prospect. He chose AU over scholarship offers from Ole Miss, South Carolina and Michigan State, among others.

Lipscomb is the sixth defensive back to verbally commit to AU for 2008.

Winter adds to a deep group of wide receivers in this year’s class. He is the fifth wideout to verbally commit to AU this year.

The 6-foot, 178-pounder received a scholarship offer from AU late last week and accepted Monday, according to Auburnsports.com.

Rivals.com rates Winter a two-star prospect despite a strong senior season at Tampa’s Plant High: He finished with 75 receptions for 1,686 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Most of those passes came from Plant quarterback Aaron Murray, who will be a senior next season. Murray, who already has a scholarship offer from AU, is considered a four-star prospect by Rivals.com.

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