Ranking Auburn’s 2025 class so far
Auburn has already hit the ground running with the 2025 class. So far, the Tigers have 13 commitments, the No. 9 class in the country, and No. 4 in the SEC.
This ranking is one man’s opinion and is for fun. It’s tough to put someone in last place on these as Auburn, once again, has a talented class top to bottom so far. Everyone loves a good ranking. We will update this list as the Tigers’ 2025 class continues to grow.
The updated list with the commitments of Dante Core, Donovan Starr and Broderick Shull.
No. 1: OT – Tavaris Dice, Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes
Dice, as we have said, is one of the most physically impressive recruits in the 2025 class, period. He moves to the top of our list with Jourdin Crawford being right on his heels. For now, it seems that Dice checks so many boxes for Auburn, but most of all, he’s got the traits to be an early contributor on the offensive line… and that is not an easy task.
***NEW No. 2: OT – Broderick Shull, Bixby, Ok.
This is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in this ranking process. I want to put Shull at No. 1, but I am a firm believer that Dice will be every bit as advertised on the next level. I do, however, think Shull has a higher ceiling, but that’s more of a bet at this point if that makes sense. I think he will reach it, but there is no 100 percent guarantee. Even with such a high ceiling, he is already very good as well. Shull is elite in my opinion, so putting him at No. 2 was tough.
No. 3: DL – Jourdin Crawford, Birmingham (Ala.) Parker
Crawford comes in at No. 2 behind Dice, but could easily re-take that No. 1 spot before it is over. He is a problem on the interior which is something Auburn has needed badly recently. Not only does he stop the run, he can get after the quarterback, too. Crawford can be dominant and take over games. He is our top pick on the defensive side for now.
No. 4: LB – Tyler Lockhart, Winona (Miss.) Winona Secondary School
The battle between Lockhart and Faulk is real. As of right now, I give Lockhart the slight edge because he seems to be a better all-around football player right now. The debate on who has the highest ceiling as a football player probably leans toward Faulk. So, this is an on-going battle. Either way, these two deserve to be in the top five for this class as it is today. Lockhart is fast, he’s big with room to add a lot of weight, and he is a playmaker. There are too many key tools available here not to be excited.
(Up 1) No. 5: DL – Malk Autry, Opelika Ala.
Autry keeps adding good weight to his elite frame. Right now, Autry is well north of 300 pounds and still moves extremely well. His junior tape is less important to me at this time compared to what I saw from the Under Armour Camp. I like that Autry showed up to Auburn’s practices and studied the defensive line pretty intently. Autry has gone up in my book and I expect his senior tape to take a jump as well. He has since made another jump, this time over Faulk, which was very hard to do. With his combination of size and athleticism, his ceiling is just getting higher and higher.
(Down 1) No. 6: LB/Edge – Jakaleb ‘JJ’ Faulk, Highland Home (Ala.)
The ceiling for Faulk is as high as anyone in this class, and it really isn’t that close. Just like his older brother, Faulk’s best football is way ahead of him. The younger Faulk is more apt to play in space than his brother. He can play inside backer or on the edge. He is a unique athlete with plenty of speed for his 6-foot-4 230 pound frame and can fly around the field. Faulk has elite potential. He and Lockhart are very close at the moment. Based on how the senior seasons go, this battle will be monitored closely.
**NEW No. 7: CB – Donovan Starr, Brentwood, Tenn., Ravenwood
Another really tough call to make here. Both Starr and Williams are speedsters. Williams has the more explosive highlights, but Starr has small nuances on tape that show the potential to be elite. He probably has a slight edge in pure speed, too. I am very impressed with the speed and stick-and-go ability that will translate so well to playing corner. So, Starr gets the nod for now. But, it was super close.
No. 8: CB – Devin Williams, Buford, Ga.
There probably isn’t better game film on this entire list than Devin Williams. Not to mention, Williams is doing it all against some of the best talent in the state of Georgia. Remember, though, it is not about how good a player is today.. what can they be at Auburn? I think Williams will be good at Auburn, but his lack of great size and length will keep him a little lower on this list for now. As far as playmaking ability, Williams would be top two with Jourdin Crawford in that category right now.
No. 9: OL – Tai Buster, Kannapolis (NC) AL Brown
For now, we see Buster as a developmental offensive lineman with very high upside. Now, that very well may change when he gets to his senior year. He seems like he is primed to make a jump on the film. Right now, for me, I am relying on flashes of brilliance along with some other film that doesn’t blow us away. With consistency in his game might come a rise in my rankings. The future outlook, nonetheless, for Buster is big.
**NEW No. 10: CB – Dante Core, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Core is a bit of a wildcard for me. I personally could see him being a good nickel or safety player on the next level. I could also see him playing well at corner. I don’t see the pure speed in him like I see in Starr and Williams, but there is plenty of gamesmanship. I like Core and think he has a different skillset altogether as a corner. He certainly has the length and frame to add to.
No. 11: OT – Carde Smith, Mobile (Ala.) Williamson
Smith starts low on my list, but his ranking with me will rely heavily on his senior tape. Love Smith’s frame, love his tenacity as a run blocker, and even like his pass set for what little I have seen of it. Right now, Smith is not overly flexible and does most of his damage without great technique. He’s raw, but his body control is getting better and better. Smith is a high ceiling guy with a ways to go in that aspect in my opinion. His senior tape will be very intriguing.
No. 12: OL – Spencer Dowland, Athens (Ala.)
Dowland has an excellent frame and great raw power. He comes in lower on the list as he is still learning how to get his pad level down and get consistency with his feet. Dowland is going to put his opponent on the ground more times than not. That raw power may translate to playing on the interior as his feet and other technical things are still coming along.
No. 13: TE – Ryan Ghea, Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton
Ghea is last on the list for now, but he is another with big potential. Right now, he is more of blocking tight end with the ability to make plays in the field, too. Ghea is tall and rangy. As he develops, he will become more of receiving threat and mismatch problem. He will have to continue to improve his raw power to be a good blocker on the next level. I will say, Ghea has a chance to make a move for me because, much like Malik Autry, he keeps growing. Elite frame.
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