The Auburn Tigers began their Fall camp this week, but the big news wasn’t about the practice sessions. Instead, the Auburn 2025 recruiting class saw a boost in talent this week, moving them up to the fifth spot nationally according to 247Sports.
When head coach Hugh Freeze was hired, recruiting was a key focus, and he has effectively enhanced the roster. Freeze has emphasized developing the program through high school recruiting rather than relying on the transfer portal like some other programs.
Auburn Strengthens 2025 Recruiting Class with New Wide Receiver Addition
New Talent on Offense for the Tigers
While recent commits for the Tigers have mostly bolstered the defense, Auburn has also added significant offensive talent. Wide receiver coach Marcus Davis excelled in the last recruiting cycle by bringing in standout players like Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain, and Malcolm Simmons.
Last weekend, the coaching staff successfully flipped Alabama commit Derick Smith from Southside Selma. Although Smith is listed as an athlete, he is expected to play as a wide receiver.
Smith demonstrated his versatility at Southside Selma, excelling both as a receiver and running back. He caught 46 passes for 1,487 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also rushing 65 times for 1,036 yards and nine touchdowns. Additionally, he played linebacker in 2023, recording 74 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. According to 247Sports, Smith is ranked as the second-best athlete and seventh overall player in Alabama.
Strengthening the Secondary
A major concern heading into the upcoming season is the Tigers’ secondary. Keionte Scott is the only returning player from last season, as the team has lost key contributors like Nehemiah Pritchett, Jaylin Simpson, Donovan Kaufman, and Zion Puckett. While there is talent stepping in to fill these gaps, the program has focused on future prospects as well.
They secured a commitment from four-star cornerback Blake Woodby, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. Coaches Wesley McGriff and Charles Kelly played pivotal roles in this recruitment. Woodby also boasts track experience and was named to the MaxPreps Junior Preseason All-American team in 2023.
Another important addition to the defensive backfield is safety Anquon Fegans. A four-star recruit from the highly regarded Thompson Warriors, Fegans is ranked as the third-best safety and the second-best player in Alabama. Last season, he recorded 59 tackles, including two tackles for loss and seven interceptions.
This is a significant commitment, especially since Auburn has historically found it challenging to recruit players from Thompson during the Nick Saban era at Alabama. Coach Freeze is taking full advantage of Saban’s retirement.
Defensive Lineman Switches Commitments
Smith wasn’t the only Alabama commit to switch schools recently. Four-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman from Saraland changed his commitment from the Tide to the Tigers. This isn’t Coleman’s first time flipping between the two programs. Last season, he was a standout on the field, recording 22.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, totaling 62 tackles overall in 2023. Coleman is currently ranked as the tenth-best player in the state and 14th at his position.
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