AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn's dogged recruiting of four-star offensive lineman Alex Kozan paid off Monday when he signed a scholarship with the Tigers.

Don't be confused: He's a member of the 2012 signing class, and is the Tigers' 22nd player in the class. He's the seventh offensive lineman to sign. Scout rated Auburn's offensive line signees the second-best group in the country before Kozan's signing.

Kozan committed to Iowa a couple of days before the Feb. 1 National Signing Day, but changed his mind. He eventually ruled out Iowa and chose Auburn over Michigan.

The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder from Castle Rock, Colo., is ranked as high as the 12h best guard in the country, by Rivals. Scout says ranks him at No. 16.

He had narrowed his final choices to Auburn and Michigan, but had offers from many of the top schools in the nation, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, South Carolina and most of the schools in the Midwest, according to Rivals.

Auburn has been busy with its 2013 recruiting class as well.

when Dothan defensive back Kamryn Melton said he'll sign with the Tigers next February.

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