Class of 2025 top-50 recruit Zion Grady visits Auburn: ‘It’s just different’

Zion Grady, one of the top overall recruits in the 2025 class, was in Auburn on Wednesday.

Grady, from Charles Henderson in Troy, Ala., had seen the Tigers campus many times before, including his last visit in January. Wednesday’s visit was more about seeing Auburn in action.

Grady till toured the campus and facilities, but he was mainly there to see a practice.

“And it was good,” he said. “I liked the intensity from the players and coaches.”

Grady is ranked the No. 5 edge in the ’25 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, an industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. It’s the position Auburn is recruiting him to play. It’s why he spent time with Ron Roberts, who coaches the edge/jack linebacker position for Auubrn.

“Coach Roberts, I think he’s a good person,” Grady said. “He checks on me, and every time I come up here, he tries to get me to come back for more visits and stuff like that. He tries to get closer with me.”

Familiarity with Etheridge ‘big deal’ to Grady

So does Zac Etheridge, who recruits the area for Auburn. Etheridge is familiar with Troy. He’s familiar with Charles Henderson High School. Etheridge was a standout defensive back there before signing with Auburn.

Having Etheridge as a recruiter, the familiarity, is big for Grady.

“It’s a big deal,” he said. “(Etheridge) brags about it every time he sees me. He says he’s the best athlete to come through our school.”

Etheridge also is pushing hard for Grady to follow him to Auburn.

“He’s trying to get me to come home, to get me to come play at Auburn,” he said.

So far, Grady is listening. He said Auburn will be a big factor in his recruitment.

“It’s just different,” he said. “I feel comfortable here.”

In addition to being the No. 5 edge in the ’25 class, Grady also is ranked the No. 5 overall recruit in Alabama and No. 46 in the country.

Auburn currently leads according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). The Tigers have a 40% chance of signing Grady. Alabama isn’t too far behind at 26%, followed by Florida State at 15%.

Grady said he plans to visit Georgia and Georgia Tech this spring.

He has several early offers, including Auburn, Alabama, Florida State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Georgia Tech, among others.

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