Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Chaminade-Madonna’s Dilworth commits to Auburn
Chaminade-Madonna defensive back Brian Dilworth still has two more years of high school left, but he already knows where he wants to play after he graduates.
The Lions’ Class of 2022 cornerback committed to Auburn on Tuesday, announcing his decision on his Twitter account.
“I felt like I only have one opportunity, and I need to take advantage of it right now,” Dilworth said. “It’s a school that fits me. I feel like this school fits me, and I could … become one of the top players.”
Dilworth, who chose Auburn over Indiana, Kentucky and Louisville among others, said the Tigers’ coaching staff was what drew him to the program.
“Auburn is a really nice school, and the coaches treated me like family,” Dilworth said. “I feel like I can talk to them about anything, not just on sports. I can just talk to them, personally, and I just bond with the coaches. … I just had that connection with them.”
Dilworth said he recently took a virtual visit with the Auburn staff, which helped him make his decision. He has not yet had a chance to visit the campus but hopes to do so once the coronavirus pandemic slows down. The NCAA has extended a recruiting
dead period through June 30, prohibiting in-person contact between college staff members and recruits.
“[I’ll visit as] soon as the pandemic clears up and everything is OK to go up there,” Dilworth said.
As a sophomore, Dilworth played a large role on the Lions’ title-winning defense. He finished the year with 29 tackles, three interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries and was an all-county honorable mention.
Dilworth is only the second member of Auburn’s 2022 recruiting class. He said the coaching staff hasn’t talked to him about recruiting other South Florida standouts to the Tigers, but Dilworth said that could happen.
“I haven’t talked too much about that yet, but I’ll definitely tell some in my class that Auburn is a great school and you should commit because it really is,” Dilworth said. “I just haven’t got onto the coaches about that yet.”
Chaminade has sent a couple of key players to Auburn in the past few years. Running back Shaun Shivers signed with the team as part of the 2018, and wide receiver Elijah Canion signed in the 2020 class. Deerfield Beach defensive back Phillip O’Brien Jr. is also committed to Auburn; he is a member of the 2021 class.
“[Canion will] tell me more about the school and how to maneuver around things and learn more about the school up there,” Dilworth said. “I wouldn’t be alone. I would have some type of family up there with me.”