CHIZIK LANDS SIGNING SURPRISE

Long thought to be headed to LSU, one of the top receiving prospects in the country, DeAngelo Benton, has shocked and stunned some in the recruiting world by switching his commitment to SEC rival Auburn.Twice Benton had signed with the Tigers, but both times he was deemed academically ineligible.New Auburn head coach Gene Chizik -- whose hiring was nationally criticized at the time it was announced -- and his recruiting staff got an “in” with Benton in recent weeks and was able to pull off the unexpected signing, with it coming at the expense of a bitter conference rival simply serving as the icing on top of the recruiting cake.Early speculation is that the decision of fellow WR Reuben Randle to cross Auburn off his list could be related to this development, as well as Auburn’s apparent signing of Emory Blake.