Auburn Football Recruiting Hot Board: Defense

Auburn has 16 high school commitments in its 2025 recruiting class with eight projected to play on defense.

Needless to say, there is still plenty of work to be done before the early signing period begins in December.

What is left for Auburn on defense in the 2024 class? Who are the top recruits at each position and what are Auburn’s chances with each?

The Hot Board has the answers.

Below are the recruits I believe are the top targets at each position and my guesses at Auburn’s chances of signing them. Keep in mind, the percentages are Auburn’s chances against the field.

Defensive line (4-5)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJourdin Crawford (4)Birmingham, Ala.–AUAUMalik Autry (4)Opelika, Ala.–AUAUZavion Hardy (4)EMCC (JUCO)–35%35%Floyd Boucard (3)Miami, Fla.–25%20%Walter Mathis (3)Savannah, Ga.6/1045%20%Antonio Coleman (4)Saraland, Ala.6/7ALA/20%ALA/20%Nate Marshall (4)Oak Park, Ill.6/7MICH/20%MICH/20%Javeon Campbell (4)Frankfort, Ky.6/10UK/20%UK/20%Kalen Edwards (4)Dyersburg, Tenn.5/31UK/15%UK/10%

Auburn has commitments from Crawford and Autry and both seem very solid. Mathis appears set to commit to LSU. Hardy and Boucard both plan to visit in the fall. The Tigers will be patient moving forward with the goal to keep Crawford and Autry and add two more before December.

Buck linebacker (2)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJared Smith (4)Alabaster, Ala.9/2745%55%Herbert Scroggins (4)Savannah, Ga.6/14MIA/20%MIA/20%Isaiah Gibson (5)Warner Robins, Ga.6/10UGA/15%UGA/15%Zion Grady (4)Enterprise, Ala.6/10OSU/15%OSU/15%

Smith will announce his commitment on Aug. 3 with a final group of Auburn, South Carolina, Florida State, USC, Georgia and Ole Miss. I like where Auburn stands as of today. He’s scheduled to be at Big Cat on July 27, one week before his announcement.

Linebackers (2-3)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJakaleb Faulk (4)Highland Home, Ala.6/14AUAUDarrell Johnson (4)Eastman, Ga.6/14ALA/40%ALA/40%Elijah Melendez (4)Kissimmee, Fla.5/31MIA/35%MIA/35%Jadon Perlotte (4)Buford, Ga.–UGA/25%UGA/25%Christian Jones (4)Omaha, Neb.6/725%25%Tyler Lockhart (4)Winona, Miss.6/720%20%Logan Anderson (3)Fyffe, Ala.–20%20%

Auburn’s recruitment of the linebacker position hit a snag with the de-commitment of Lockhart. The Tigers, however, continue to be a factor for Johnson, Melendez and Perlotte. I wouldn’t be surprised to see all at Big Cat.

Cornerbacks/Nickels (3-5)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentDevin Williams (4)Buford, Ga.6/14AUAUDante Core (3)Fort Walton Beach, Fla.6/14AUAUDonovan Starr (4)Brentwood, Tenn.6/4AUAUBlake Woodby (4)Baltimore, Md.5/3185%85%Na’eem Offord (5)Birmingham, Ala.5/31OSU/35%OSU/35%Shamar Arnoux (3)Carrollton, Ga.6/14USC/20%USC/20%

Auburn appears to be in a great spot for Woodby, who will return for Big Cat. He’s narrowed his options to Auburn, Oregon and Maryland and a commitment is expected later this month. The Tigers will continue to recruit both Offord and Arnoux and hope to get both back for Big Cat.

Safeties(2-3)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentEric Winters (4)Enterprise, Ala.6/14AUAUAnquon Fegans (4)Alabaster, Ala.9/2790%90%Rasean Dinkins (3)Warner Robins, Ga.–GT/20%GT/20%Martels Carter (4)Paducah, Ky.–UK/15%UK/15%Tae Harris (4)Cedartown, Ga.–CLEM/15%CLEM/15%

Auburn has a commitment from Winters and continues to be the overwhelming favorite for Fegans, who has set a commitment date for July 29 (two days after he visits for Big Cat). The Tigers could add Fegans and be done here.

Athlete (1)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentBryce Deas (3)Baltimore, Md.–AUAU

Deas is a big-time athlete who could play multiple positions on defense. He was a huge standout at camp, received an offer and committed the next day. He plans to return to Big Cat with his teammate and close friend, Blake Woodby.

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