4-star DL LJ McCray visits Auburn: ‘They are definitely up there’

Four-star defensive lineman LJ McCray, who is one of the top overall recruits in the country, returned to Auburn football this week for an official visit this week.

McCray, from Mainland High School in Delray Beach, Fla., arrived in Auburn on Monday and stayed until Wednesday morning. It was his second visit to the Plains. He previously took an unofficial visit in April.

“Everything went smooth and was super nice,” he said. “The people really stood out to me and also the facilities. Everything was really nice, but the people were super cool.”

McCray spent a lot of time with Auburn defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett. The two have developed a strong bond since Garrett and the Tigers began recruiting McCray.

“That’s my guy,” McCray said. “He’s a great coach with a great personality. He definitely knows what he’s doing.”

McCray’s player host familiar face

McCray’s player host was freshman defensive end Keldric Faulk.

“I knew him before he committed,” McCray said. “We met at an FSU camp (last summer).”

The two are similar players with similar builds. They both stand around 6-foot-6. Faulk has added weight since enrolling at Auburn in the spring. He’s now listed at 288 pounds. McCray, who just finished his junior year of high school, weighs 260.

McCray said Auburn is recruiting him to play defensive end, same as Faulk.

Following the visit, McCray said he’s hopeful to return to Auburn for a game in the fall.

“They are definitely up there,” he said. “I definitely enjoyed my visit. The people … that’s the biggest thing that stood out to me. But everything they have going with the coaching change and what Coach (Hugh) Freeze is doing…”

He is set to visit Georgia this weekend. The only other visit he has planned is an official visit to Florida State Oct. 7. He is in no rush to make a decision.

McCray ranks the No. 98 overall recruit in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking, an industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks the No. 14 defensive lineman in the country and No. 16 overall recruit in Florida.

Florida and Florida State are believed to be the frontrunners in his recruitment. The Gators lead, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) at 33%, followed by Florida State at 21% and Auburn at 14%. Miami, where McCray visited last weekend, also is listed at 9%.

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