By Alec Nederveld
After a three day stretch from July 27th-29th where Auburn landed eight commitments between the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes, Hugh Freeze struck again. He secured a commitment from Jared Smith, a four-star from Alabaster, AL (Thompson) and was the highest ranked uncommitted EDGE in the class. Auburn’s class is still ranked fifth nationally, pushing close to jumping LSU for the fourth spot.
This all comes off the heels of a very successful Big Cat Weekend, the unofficial recruiting visit that brings many recruits, both committed and uncommitted to the plains to get another look at what Auburn is all about. It’s existed since Gene Chizik was the Tigers Head Coach and has typically been successful for Auburn. For example, last year’s Big Cat Weekend flipped Perry Thompson from Alabama and acquired the verbal of Malcolm Simmons. Both were four-star receivers from Alabama.
Smith (#57 NAT, #5 EDGE, #4 AL) joins 2025 recruits Blake Woodby (#99 NAT, #11 CB, #3 MD), Antonio Coleman, (#153 NAT, #20 DL, #13 AL), John Alan Macguire (unranked punter), Anquon Fegans (#44 NAT, #3 S, #2 AL), Derick Smith, (#51 NAT, #2 ATH, #3 AL) who all committed in the past week. In 2026, Hezekiah Harris (#32 NAT, #4 EDGE, #2 AL), Shadarius Toodle, (#70 NAT, #5 LB, #4 AL), and JaMichael Garrett (#125 NAT, #10 LB, #8 AL) committed.
The biggest surprise with Auburn’s commitments is where they’re from. Of the top 20 recruits in Alabama, Auburn has nine of them committed. Additionally, the Tigers have four of the top five recruits in-state. Alabama (who still has the No. 2 ranked class) only has four, none ranked higher than No. 7. The trend is set to follow in 2026 as Auburn has three of the top eight recruits with crystal balls for three more prospects including Anthony Jones, a five-star ranked No. 6 nationally and the top EDGE in the class.
For reference, Alabama had seven and Auburn had six of the top 20 Alabama recruits in the class of 2024. Alabama also had seven top-20 Alabama recruits in 2023 compared to three for Auburn. Hugh Freeze is drastically improving Auburn recruiting, especially compared to the disaster of Bryan Harsin, and is keeping the best players in state home. Additionally, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer has taken a more national approach to recruiting compared to Nick Saban.
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With 21 commits, Auburn’s 2025 class is mostly locked up. I do think they fall slightly from their No. 5 national ranking but stay in the top 10 for the second year in a row. 2026 could be an even better class, especially if the Tigers improve on the field this fall. Auburn’s class was ranked No. 1 after the trio of Harris, Toodle, and Garrett committed, but recently got bumped by Penn State for the lead.
Could we see Auburn finish with a higher class than Alabama in 2026? It’s not out of the realm of possibilities and would send shockwaves throughout the SEC and the country.
