Auburn’s Ten Most Wanted … in Alabama
Who are Auburn’s top recruiting targets?
Welcome to the original Auburn Ten Most Wanted.
In the past, we’ve probably narrowed down the Tigers’ list of notable targets too early in the calendar year. So for the 2024 recruiting class, we’ve made a major adjustment.
For the next few months, we’re breaking this down into four regions. They are the ten most wanted in Alabama, in Georgia, in Florida, and from outside the footprint.
Then, come June 1 (or around there), when the board starts to come more into focus, we’ll drop those and go right to the all-encompassing Ten Most Wanted for the remainder of the cycle.
To compile theses lists, we’ve considered where we think each player sits on the Auburn board, Auburn’s need at the position, the Tigers’ chances of landing the prospect as well as the player’s skill set. Also, Auburn must have a legitimate shot of landing a recruit for him to make it.
These lists are extremely fluid. In recruiting, things can change on both sides in an instant. Auburn’s recruiting board will shift — and shift a lot — all the way up until National Signing Day in December.
Finally … please remember, this is our list, not Auburn’s.
Right now, the Tigers have five commitments and the No. 13 class in the country according to On3. That’s good for seventh-best in the SEC currently.
The Tigers hold in-state commitments from 4-star DB A’Mon Lane from Moody (Ala.), 4-star Jayden Lewis from Anniston (Ala.), and J’Marion “Phat” Burnette from Andalusia (Ala.).
Here are the top ten most wanted in Alabama ranked in three tiers to reflect where we see them sitting on Auburn’s board.
Tier 1
–Cam Coleman, WR, Central Phenix City (Ala.): Coleman very well could be the top overall target on Auburn’s board, period. He was recently named a 5-star recruit and the No. 6 overall player in the country by On3. Auburn, LSU, Clemson, Florida State, Kentucky and many others have been treating him as such for a long time now. Coleman has been up front about his interest in Auburn, but also that he wants to take his time. At this time, the Tigers appear to have a pretty good chance at landing him, but have to hold on for the long haul.
–Demarcus Riddick, LB, Chilton County (Ala.): Riddick is listening to Auburn’s pitch. The Tigers’ staff sees him as a high priority and will recruit him all the way until the end no matter his commitment status. Alabama is also making a major run at the Georgia commit. Riddick was a no-show for Auburn’s A-Day, and is currently scheduled to be at Alabama’s A-Day game. This recruitment is expected to go to the end and there could be many twists along the way. Auburn Live’s Cole Pinkston made an RPM prediction for Riddick to eventually flip from Georgia to Auburn.
–Joseph Phillips, LB, Tuskegee (Ala.) Booker T. Washington: The Tigers are putting the recruiting pressure on Phillips more than ever, and he loves it. We now know that Phillips is eyeing a commitment decision in early August with a top five of Auburn, Texas A&M, Georgia, Clemson and Tennessee. Its possible Auburn and Georgia have separated themselves from the pack. For now, we have no reason not to give Auburn the slight edge ahead of official visits to each of his top five.
–Perry Thompson, WR, Foley, (Ala.): Thompson may be behind Coleman here, but the two are both near the top for Auburn receiver targets, period. He also moves from tier 2 to tier 1 in today’s update. He’s committed to Alabama, but absolutely hearing Auburn out. He was on campus at least three times during the spring and has now locked in an official visit to Auburn. He also has an official visit set to Alabama. This recruitment has become a classic Iron Bowl battle, and the Tigers are working tirelessly to flip him.
Tier 2
–Jeremiah Beaman, DL, Birmingham (Ala.) Parker: To be clear, Beaman is a major want for Auburn, but continues to assure Auburn Live that he is in no rush with his recruitment. Auburn is one of many standouts among other top-tier schools. Clemson, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee all have major involvement with Beaman as well. He is easily one of the top, if not the top, defensive lineman on Auburn’s recruiting board and that has been portrayed well to him. Beaman trains with current Auburn defensive lineman Jayson Jones who he says recruits him without pressuring. He holds in tier 2 for now.
–Sterling Dixon, edge, Mobile (Ala.) Mobile Christian: Dixon went from not listed to tier 2 for today’s most wanted update. Dixon has recently shot up the board for Auburn’s coaching staff, especially for Hugh Freeze. The Alabama commit is feeling pressure from Auburn, but sticking to his Alabama commitment publicly. The Tigers, however, have his full attention and an official visit to Auburn is of strong possibility.
–D’Angelo “DJ” Barber, LB, Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville: It is clear that Barber is wanted by the Tigers and a push for a commitment is in the works. Can Auburn close the deal here? It seems likely. He is one of the top dogs at inside linebacker on Auburn’s board. Auburn Live’s Cole Pinkston and Jeffrey Lee have made an RPM pick in favor of the Tigers.
Tier 3
–Kevin Riley, RB, Northport (Ala.) Tuscaloosa County: Riley’s second time being on the most wanted list, but first time in tier 3. Riley is feeling the heat from Auburn and made it to campus for A-Day. Alabama, however, is the perceived team to beat. It’s possible the Tide has gotten closer to matching the push that Auburn has had on him. Riley is a priority recruit for the Tigers and will remain so, but if Alabama jumps, it will be hard to beat. For that reason, we lowered the chances for Auburn just a little for the time being.
–Jordan Ross, edge, Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills: Ross just missed the cut on our last most wanted update. He comes in this week at tier 3 because he is a want for Auburn, but it is still somewhat unclear what the Tigers’ chances are. He was an expected visitor for A-Day, but did not make it. Like with Riddick, he is also expected to attend Alabama’s A-Day. Could the Tide be ramping things up with Ross? Maybe. Tennessee and Georgia are also involved. Auburn continues to battle.
–Bradley Shaw, LB, Hoover (Ala.): Shaw has been seen multiple times by Auburn coaches. That includes a visit from Tigers’ defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. Shaw is another linebacker who can play inside or outside, and even line up on the edge if needed. His value is high for the Tigers. The reason he is lower on this list is because he seems to be hearing out many programs and is not in a rush to make a move, much like with Beaman. Georgia, Florida seem to be major contenders. Shaw also could be lower the some others for the Tigers, but more than likely would be a take if he wanted in.
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