As June approaches along with the 2024 season, teams will be hosting potential recruits for the 2025 signing class. The Auburn Tigers currently sit ranked 11th nationally according to 247Sports. That puts them fifth in the SEC with the ten commits they have so far. Hugh Freeze and staff have gone heavy on the offensive and defensive line with seven of the ten. Auburn has also signed a tight end, linebacker, and cornerback. Obviously, there is plenty of time between now and National Signing Day, but it is a good start for the Tigers. Let’s take a look at the 2025 Auburn recruiting class.
A Look at the 2025 Auburn Recruiting Class
Offensive Line
There can never be too much depth on the offensive line for any football team at any level. It has been said plenty of times, but in recent years the Tigers have struggled at that spot. The end of the Gus Malzahn era and the short tenure of Bryan Harsin set them back. Freeze has tried to address the issue through the transfer portal, but the development of high school recruits is needed for long-term success.
Auburn has two four-star linemen committed to help solidify that. Tackle Tavaris Dice picked the Tigers over SEC schools Arkansas and Florida. At 6-4 and 295 pounds, the recruit from Langston Hughes High School (Fairburn, Georgia) should bring plenty of athleticism. He played basketball in high school and Gabe Brooks of 247Sports projects him as high-level potential as a multi-year starter with NFL Draft upside.
Another four-start tackle who has committed to the 2025 class is Carde Smith out of Mobile, Alabama at Williamson High School. Smith is ranked as the 16th-best player in the state of Alabama, and according to Cooper Petagna excels as a run blocker. Petagna also states that Smith will need some development as a pass blocker. Williamson is coming off a 3-7 season, and Smith was able to still excel despite the down season.
Three-star tackle Spencer Dowland committed to the Tigers back in September and measures 6-6 and 290 pounds. He comes from a successful 6A program out of Athens, Alabama. His team was 8-3 last season with a first-round exit in the AHSAA State Playoffs. He is ranked 32nd in Alabama. Another three-star Tai Buster is listed as an inside offensive lineman. He is out of Kannapolis, North Carolina where he played at A.L. Brown High School. He is ranked 21st in North Carolina and played left tackle. He helped guide his team to the 4A State Playoffs.
Defensive Line
Flipping over to the defensive side, the Tigers added someone with a familiar last name. Edge rusher JaKaleb Faulk committed to Auburn in August as a four-star from Highland Home High School. The in-state prospect is the younger brother of Keldric Faulk who signed in 2023. Last season for the Flying Squadron, Faulk collected 58 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He also played wide receiver and caught 13 passes for 246 yards. Highland Home is a 2A school, and playing both sides of the ball is the norm at that level. As a sophomore, he played for the basketball team and scored 16 points in the state semifinals. He is ranked as the 4th best prospect in Alabama.
Another in-state commit is four-star Malik Autry out of Opelika where he plays for Opelika High School at the 7A level. Autry had a tremendous year for the Bulldogs in 2023 collecting 56 tackles and nine tackles for loss. He also had seven quarterback hurries and three-and-a-half sacks. The Opelika-Auburn News selected them to their All-Area Team. He is ranked third in the state ahead of Faulk.
Another four-star added to the defensive front for the 2025 class is Jourdin Crawford. Like Faulk and Autry, he is an in-state recruit. He plays for Parker High School out of Birmingham at the 6A level. 247Sports has him ranked eighth in the state and helped guide Parker to the fourth round of the playoffs where they lost to Clay-Chalkville. He is a track and field athlete.
More Defensive Commits
Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin will also serve as linebackers coach for the Tigers. He has already shown his recruiting skills by getting a commitment from four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart from Winona, Mississippi. Lockhart attends Winona High School and is ranked as the fourth-best prospect in Mississippi. Last season, Lockhart totaled 100 tackles with 28 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. He also has one career interception that went for a touchdown.
Defensive backs coach Wesley McGriff also earned a commitment from a four-star prospect. Cornerback Devin Williams committed to the Tigers in late February and is ranked as the 23rd-best player in Georgia. Williams plays for Buford High School out of the town of Buford. He is a two-way player spending some time as a wide receiver as well. He has had a good track and field career.
A Tight End Added
Lastly, a look back at the offense with the commitment of tight end Ryan Ghea. If 2024 is a breakout year for Rivaldo Fairweather, the Tigers will be looking for new production at the position. Ghea is a three-star prospect out of Alpharetta, Georgia where he plays at Milton High School. Last season, Ghea caught 32 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns. Milton High School won the state championship in 7A. Ghea is an all-around athlete playing basketball and baseball while also running track. The Tigers did add former Maryland tight end Rico Walker from the transfer portal.
