Auburn Making Big Moves in Early Recruiting

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Harris | Last updated Mar 13, 2025 1:51 PM ET

The 2026 college football recruiting class is ramping up, and the Auburn Tigers are making early waves by securing top talent.

It’s still early in the recruiting process for this class, but Auburn’s strong start sets the tone for attracting more top recruits.

Auburn is currently tied for fifth in the rankings with five blue-chip commitments, according to On3. These blue-chip athletes—four and five-star recruits—signal the program’s upward momentum.

While USC, Texas A&M, Oregon, and Clemson lead the pack, Auburn isn’t far behind. The Tigers have only just begun to make their case.

A deeper look at Auburn's 2026 commitments shows a strong emphasis on defense. Four of their six recruits (five four-stars and one three-star) are defenders, while the offensive side features two four-star wide receivers.

These additions bolster the roster and provide critical support for quarterback Deuce Knight, the highly-touted five-star from the 2025 class.

Hugh Freeze has made it clear he’s determined to elevate Auburn beyond their disappointing 2024 campaign. Building on the eighth-ranked 2025 recruiting class, the Tigers are showing early promise in their 2026 efforts.

Though it’s still early in the 2026 recruiting process, Auburn is laying the groundwork for a return to college football greatness. With momentum on their side and an emphasis on both defensive depth and offensive firepower, the Tigers are shaping a well-rounded team for the challenging SEC.

Their strategic recruiting efforts reflect the coaching staff's commitment to securing top-tier talent and building a championship-caliber program. Auburn fans have every reason to be optimistic as the team positions itself for a bright future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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