Auburn and Alabama, two prominent college football teams, are known for their intense rivalry on the field. Off the field, they engage in a fierce competition for top recruits. Recently, Auburn emerged victorious in the recruitment battle for one of the top linebackers in the southern region, securing a significant win in the ongoing recruiting war between the two teams.

Auburn and Alabama are adjusting to new coaching staff within their programs.

In the 2022 season, Auburn welcomed new head coach Hugh Freeze, who previously served as the head coach at Ole Miss from 2012 to 2016. Despite his SEC experience, Freeze’s first year with Auburn resulted in a 6-7 record, with a loss to Maryland in the Music City Bowl. Meanwhile, Alabama also has a new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, who is making his debut as a head coach in the South.

While DeBoer has done a commendable job so far, he was unable to prevent Auburn from securing the commitment of a highly sought-after four-star linebacker recruit, a significant loss for the Crimson Tide in the ongoing recruiting battle between the two rivals.

The Auburn Tigers secured a significant commitment from Tyler Lockhart, a highly-regarded four-star linebacker from Winona Secondary School in Mississippi. Lockhart, who stands at 6-4 and weighs 195 pounds, is considered one of the top prospects in the region and is ranked as the No. 146 player in the nation and the No. 16 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class.

He chose Auburn over other prominent programs such as Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Alabama, and his commitment marks the Tigers’ 10th verbal commitment in the 2025 cycle. Lockhart’s athleticism and versatility make him a valuable asset for the Tigers, and his addition is expected to boost the team’s roster in the upcoming season

Four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart has made a commitment to Auburn University, choosing the Tigers over several prominent schools in the region. According to On3.com, Lockhart’s options included Ole Miss, Mississippi State, LSU, and Alabama, but he ultimately decided to join the Auburn program.

Four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart from Winona Secondary School in Mississippi has committed to play football for the Auburn Tigers in 2025. Lockhart, ranked as the No. 146 overall prospect and No. 16 linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class by the On3 Industry Ranking, chose Auburn over offers from other top programs such as Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Alabama, and LSU.

The 6-4, 195-pound linebacker is considered one of the best prospects in the region and the No. 6 ranked player in Mississippi. His commitment marks a significant addition to Auburn’s 2025 recruiting class, which now stands at 10 verbal commitments.

Lockhart is ranked as the 16th best linebacker in his recruiting class.

 

As per the On3.com Industry Rankings, Lockhart is positioned as the 146th top prospect overall and the 16th linebacker in the 2025 class. Hailing from Winona, Mississippi, the 6-foot-4 linebacker holds the sixth spot in the state rankings. In the previous season, Lockhart, a native of Mississippi, showcased his skills by tallying 100 tackles, including 28 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.