By Apollo Lundin
The University of Auburn is one of the more historic schools in the nation. Before 2021, the Tigers were a mainstay in the polls, being ranked at one point in every year besides this century besides 2012. The Tigers have been rebuilding from the disastrous Bryan Harsin era and despite Saturday’s loss, Coach Hugh Freeze looks to be turning the program with a fantastic 2025 recruiting class led by EDGE Jared Smith and plentiful in-state players.
Jared Smith
Alabaster, AL (Thompson)
#19 NAT, #2 EDGE, #2 AL
At 6’6” and 235 lbs., Jared Smith has a great build for an edge rusher. Smith is agile and quick to get off blocks and can bring down the quarterback with force. His backfield tackling is textbook, wrapping up the quarterback around the waist and not letting go until the whistle blows. Over the first two games in his senior season, Jared Smith has six tackles for loss, three sacks, 12 solo tackles, and 21 total tackles. Smith should be a wrecking ball aimed at quarterbacks all over the SEC.
Smith also plays basketball for Thompson and made the Alabama state 7A final four as a freshman and sophomore. He held 20 offers but chose the Tigers over schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee when he added to Auburn’s run of commits in August.
Malik Autry
Opelika, AL (Opelika)
#29 NAT, #4 DL, #3 AL
At 6’5” and 320 lbs., Malik Autry is a big body on the defensive line. For his size, Autry impresses with his quickness. He uses this to fill running gaps and hold offenses to short gains in addition to getting to the quarterback. Autry is also very powerful, possessing the ability to drive and turn opposing guards and centers back to get easy lanes to the quarterback. On outside runs, Autry shows a great understanding of angles and uses his speed to cut off the runner. Autry is a future pro, and the combination of Smith and Autry should create one of the best defensive lines in the nation down the road.
Despite being committed to Auburn since early 2023, Ohio State and Florida trying to force Autry to flip his commitment. Autry has visited both schools which are among his 21 offers, also including LSU and Oregon.
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Derick Smith
Selma, AL (Southside)
#78 NAT, #2 WR, #7 AL
Although Auburn will be adding two key players on the defensive line, Hugh Freeze did not forget about offense. At 6’1”, 185 lbs., wide receiver Derick Smith should be a nice offensive target for the Tigers. Smith is tough and quick, making him able to break off of tackles and keep moving downfield, transforming him into a threat in short and long plays. He is patient in his route running, which lets him get open when the quarterback needs to extend plays. Smith does a great job working back to the ball and possesses great skills as a ball carrier, which will help him make an impact at Auburn.
Derrick Smith is a tri-sport athlete, playing baseball and basketball in addition to football. Smith’s skills used in baseball and basketball translate to the football field, specifically as a ball carrier.
Smith, a former Alabama commit, held 15 offers but ultimately chose Auburn over schools like Miami, Michigan, and Penn State.
