Auburn Football Recruiting Hot Board: Defense

Auburn has 22 high school commitments in its 2025 recruiting class with 12 projected to play on defense.

Needless to say, there is still 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 (3-4)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJourdin Crawford (4)Birmingham, Ala.–AUAUMalik Autry (4)Opelika, Ala.–AUAUAntonio Coleman (4)Saraland, Ala.6/7AUAUNate Marshall (4)Oak Park, Ill.6/7MICH/35%MICH/35%Darrion Smith (3)Baltimore, Md.–TENN/35%TENN/35%Zavion Hardy (4)EMCC (JUCO)–30%30%Joseph Mbatchou (3)Loganville, Ga.–UF/20%UF/20%Walter Mathis (3)Savannah, Ga.6/1015%15%

The Tigers have not given up on Marshall despite his commitment to Michigan. Another visit this fall could be in the cards. Same for Smith with Tennessee.

Buck linebacker (2)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJared Smith (4)Alabaster, Ala.9/27AUAUZion Grady (4)Enterprise, Ala.6/10OSU/45%OSU/45%Herbert Scroggins (4)Savannah, Ga.6/14MIA/35%MIA/35%

Auburn has Smith committed and would like to add one or both of Grady and Scroggins.

Linebackers (2-3)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJakaleb Faulk (4)Highland Home, Ala.6/14AUAUTyler Lockhart (4)Winona, Miss.6/760%60%Darrell Johnson (4)Eastman, Ga.6/14ALA/25%ALA/25%Elijah Melendez (4)Kissimmee, Fla.5/31MIA/20%MIA/20%Christian Jones (4)Omaha, Neb.6/715%15%

Faulk is committed and Auburn continues to be in a good spot to get Lockhart back in the class. The in-state schools, however, aren’t making it easy.

Cornerbacks/Nickels (5-6)

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.5/31AUAUNa’eem Offord (5)Birmingham, Ala.5/31OSU/50%OSU/50%Shamar Arnoux (3)Carrollton, Ga.6/14USC/45%USC/45%

Offord is at the top of the list and Hugh Freeze is determined to get him in the class. I would not bet against him. The Tigers certainly seem to be trending in the right direction, although a decision one way or the other likely won’t happen until late in the cycle. Auburn also remains a factor to flip Arnoux from USC.

Safeties(2)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentEric Winters (4)Enterprise, Ala.6/14AUAUAnquon Fegans (4)Alabaster, Ala.9/27AUAU

Auburn has commitments from Winters and Fegans and could be done here.

Athlete (1)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentBryce Deas (3)Baltimore, Md.9/14AUAU

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.

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