Auburn Football Recruiting Hot Board: Defense

Auburn has 17 commitments in its 2024 recruiting class with 11 projected to play on defense.

There’s still plenty of work to be done before the early signing period begins in December. There’s also plenty of time.

RELATED: Auburn’s 2024 commitment list

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)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentMalik Blocton (3)Pike Road, Ala.11/24AUAUTJ Lindsey (4)Bryant, Ark./IMG6/2AUAUDimitry Nicolas (3)Opa Locka, Fla.–85%AUJeremiah Beaman (4)Birmingham, Ala.–UA/20%UA/20%LJ McCray (4)Daytona Beach, Fla.6/1215%15%Kamarion Franklin (4)Lake Cormorant, Miss.9/1OM/10%OM/10%

Auburn on Friday added a commitment from Nicolas. The Tigers likely will be very selective moving forward.

Linebackers (4)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentDemarcus Riddick (5)Clanton, Ala.6/9AUAUJoseph Phillips (4)Tuskegee, Ala.–AUAUD’Angelo Barber (3)Pinson, Ala.–AUAUBradley Shaw (4)Hoover, Ala.–55%55%Jamonta Waller (4)Picayune, Miss.–UF/15%UF/15%

Shaw and Waller appear to be the top two targets here. Auburn continues to be the presumed favorite for Shaw and continues to work on Waller, the four-star Florida commit.

Cornerbacks (3)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentJayden Lewis (4)Anniston, Ala.6/12AUAUJalyn Crawford (4)Lilburn, Ga.6/9AUAUJalewis Solomon (4)Ellaville, Ga.–AUAUAntonio White (3)Lilburn, Ga.–RU/25%RU/25%

With three of Auburn’s top targets committed, the Tigers could be done here. White, however, is one to track should Auburn decide to add another.

Safeties/nickels (3-4)

Name (star rating)HometownOVPreviousCurrentA’Mon Lane (4)Moody, Ala.–AUAUKensley Faustin (4)Naples, Fla.6/9AUAUZaquan Patterson (4)Hollywood, Fla.–50%30%KJ Bolden (5)Buford, Ga.10/65%FSU/5%

Patterson is set to announce his decision today around noon. CT. He’s expected to do it during halftime of Chaminade-Madonna’s nationally-televised game on ESPN, which begins at 11 a.m. CT. I have heard neither buzz nor confidence out of Auburn over the past 48 hours. I’ve waited until Saturday morning to see if that would change. It hasn’t. It’s been quiet on Auburn’s end in regards to Patterson. That’s usually not a good sign. It would take some Jalewis Solomon/Joe Phillips-type maneuvering for Auburn to be the pick.

Miami, maybe? Florida State? Michigan? I’m not plugged in enough to know which one. Some in the industry feel FSU could be the pick. The ‘Noles lead in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). Others like Miami as the pick. I don’t have reason to doubt any of them. In the past 24 hours, I have heard both schools mentioned from the Auburn side, which is something that hadn’t happened all week.

I will post an update if things change over the next few hours. But as of now, my pick is “not Auburn.”

The post Auburn Football Recruiting Hot Board: Defense appeared first on On3.