Hugh Freeze has Auburn Tigers rising in 2025 recruiting rankings after several elite prospects commit

The summer months were great for Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers. Despite finishing the 2023 season 6-7 and losing one-score games to Georgia, Ole Miss, and Alabama, the Tigers have surged in key recruiting battles. The latest 2025 recruiting rankings show the Tigers are on their way to resurgence.

The latest ESPN top 25 list shows the Tigers rising nine spots to the fifth-best class in 2025. They jumped over Notre Dame, Tennessee, Miami, Texas A&M, and Oregon. Now with 13 ESPN 300 commitments, the Tigers have an elite class.

Auburn Tigers 2025 Recruiting Class Ranking Jumps Up

ESPN recruiting expert Craig Haubert had this to say about Auburn's current class:

Several SEC foes still sit ahead of Auburn in the class rankings, but the Tigers, spurred by a late-summer surge, were able to make a big jump. Their Big Cat Weekend event brought them several ESPN 300 prospects, including the top four commits currently in the class. Among the new additions was Blake Woodby, one of the top cornerback prospects in the class, who brings a wealth of confidence as well as outstanding speed. Auburn won some big in-state recruiting battles, landing promising edge defender Jared Smith, No. 2-ranked safety Anquon Fegans and athlete Derick Smith, whom they flipped from rival Alabama. All three are among the top-five prospects in the state, and Derick Smith gives the Tigers a lengthy and explosive prospect who could play on either side of the ball but who projects to further build and deepen an improving receiver corps.

The Tigers have effectively addressed their need for a receiver in the 2024 class, continuing to bolster that position with talent. Among their recruits, they managed to secure Derick Smith, a standout prospect from Alabama known for his length and explosive abilities.

Smith is versatile enough to play on either side of the ball but is expected to shine as a wide receiver for the Tigers. Additionally, the team has fortified its offensive line by adding several notable players, including ESPN 300-ranked Tavaris Dice and Broderick Shull. Dice impresses with his physical stature, flexibility, and strength, while Shull offers agility and significant potential for growth.

Running back Henderson, who switched allegiance from Penn State to the Tigers, is poised to thrive behind this enhanced offensive line as a forceful and swift player capable of making impactful plays.

On the defensive side, the Tigers are strengthening their front line with several key recruits. They have secured commitments from a group of ESPN 300-ranked defensive linemen from within the state, including Jourdin Crawford, Jakaleb Faulk, Malik Autry, and Antonio Coleman.

Crawford stands out with his substantial build and surprising agility for a 300-pounder. Faulk brings length, quickness, and the skill to change direction effectively as an edge player. Autry adds another dose of power in the trenches, while Coleman, who has oscillated between commitments to Auburn and Alabama, ultimately chose the Tigers, bringing explosive power and a proven track record of disruption on the interior defensive line.

Furthermore, Jared Smith, another valued recruit, offers promising talent as an edge defender with his length and agility.

Although officially listed as a safety, Eric Winters brings a mix of size (6-2, 205) and speed (20.7 Max Speed) that makes him a versatile defender in the back seven. The Tigers also successfully recruited a top-five cornerback, Woodby, whose outstanding speed and confidence are key attributes for his position.