5-star QB target Torrance Gibson now calls Auburn his leader. Auburn hosted Big Cat Weekend — its signature recruiting event — on Saturday. Here are five things we learned ...

1. No commitments, no problem: The Tigers didn’t get a single commitment from a prospect at the event (Saturday’s verbal came from Chandler Cox, who couldn’t make it), but it is doubtful anyone at Auburn HQ was complaining. For starters, Auburn already has 15 commitments. By comparison, last year the Tigers had about one-third of that entering the event, so a few pickups at BCW were critical.

Now? Not so much.

Auburn’s staff is off to such a quick start for 2015 it now is focused on some pretty big fish — the kind of prospects that don’t typically decide early. With those players, the Tigers weren’t putting the finishing touches on things, they were laying the groundwork for the long ride ahead.

While it’s always nice to get a pledge or two during a big weekend, there really is no sense of urgency at Auburn right now. The Tigers are ahead of schedule. Judging by the comments of the players on hand Saturday, Big Cat Weekend was a success. The commits bonded with each other. The targets seemed impressed by the laid-back atmosphere. A handful of uncommitted players now call Auburn their leader. And, the Tigers made a strong impression on the players committed elsewhere that attended. Despite the lack of a public commitment, the word is the Auburn staff was thrilled with the turnout and the response from those at the event.

One 5-star recruit on hand, QB target Torrance Gibson, said Auburn has moved ahead of Tennessee. The No. 1 player in the country, DT Trent Thompson of Albany (Ga.), said the Tigers are getting “close” to his leader, Georgia. Five-star DT Daron Payne said Auburn is pretty much even now with longtime favorite Alabama.

[blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"][p]Just leaving Auburn. I had a AWESOME "Big Cat Weekend" #WarEagle #WDE