Hugh Freeze on DeMarcus Riddick: ‘He’s Going To Be Outstanding’

The Auburn Tigers were solid at linebacker during the 2023-24 season.

Eugene Asante quickly became a fan favorite. Elijah McAllister and Larry Nixon III also made an impact.

The Tigers had some shoes to fill at the position ahead of the 2024-25 season. One addition made to the room is expected to contribute early.

Demarcus Riddick, a native of Clanton, Ala., was one of the highest-rated recruits Auburn landed in its 2024 recruiting class.

Head coach Hugh Freeze talked about the freshmen who have stood out during training camp so far and Riddick was the first name he mentioned.

“I would start with Demarcus Riddick," Freeze said. "He’s going to be outstanding. He’s gotten bigger and can run. I would start right there."

Riddick, a 6-foot-2, 216-pounder, was one of the first recruits to commit to the Tigers in a run they went on last summer.

Riddick flipped his commitment from the Georgia Bulldogs to Auburn prior to the 2023 edition of Big Cat Weekend, Auburn football's biggest annual recruiting event.

According to 247Sports , Riddick was a four-star prospect with a 0.9699 composite rating. He was the No. 63 player nationally, the No. 7 linebacker and the No. 6 player in the state of Alabama.

Riddick was the fifth-highest-rated prospect in Auburn's 2024 recruiting class behind Cam Coleman, Amaris Williams, Perry Thompson and Walker White.

Riddick chose Auburn over programs such as Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State and Tennessee.

Riddick is expected to be an early contributor to Auburn's efforts on the defensive side of the ball.