Few programs hotter than Auburn on the recruiting trail, and more fireworks are on the way

Big Cat weekend was a success for Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers . They flipped Antonio Coleman from Alabama again. The four-star defensive lineman out of Saraland (Ala.) has now been committed to Alabama and Auburn twice. The Tigers are back on top.

Blake Woodby finally announced his commitment to the Tigers. He is a four-star cornerback out of Baltimore St. Frances Academy who was at one time committed to Ohio State.

The Freeze Five in 2026 consists of Vodney Cleveland , JaMichael Garrett , Hezekiah Harris , Anthony Jones and Shadarius Toodle . Garrett, Harris and Toodle committed to Auburn on Saturday.

The only prospect with buzz around him entering the weekend that came out of the visit in the same spot was Alabama athlete commit Derick Smith . He was on campus, and he was one of the last prospects to leave, but the four-star out of Selma (Ala.) Southside did not flip to the Tigers. Multiple sources still feel Auburn has a real chance to do that sooner than later, but it did not happen over the weekend.

4-star safety Anquon Fegans is next to announce

He was at Alabama on Sunday and Anquon Fegans visited LSU before he made it to Auburn for Big Cat. Auburn had the momentum heading into the visits and nothing has changed. Auburn is still considered the team to beat with the Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson safety is set to announce his commitment on Monday at 7pm ET. He feels like a priority for the staff, his brother Tre’quon Fegans is on the team and he has bonded with numerous Auburn commitments.

4-star EDGE Jared Smith is one week away from his commitment

Fegan’s teammate Jared Smith will announce his commitment on Monday, Aug. 3. Auburn grabbed the momentum in this race after a summer unofficial visit in June and the buzz hasn’t slowed down after his visit over the weekend. Smith has really connected with the staff on the Plains, he feels comfortable at the in-state school and Auburn continues to be the team to beat.

Auburn continues to recruit Five-star Plus+ CB Na’eem Offord

Na’eem Offord was back at Auburn over the weekend. The Ohio State commit will likely take in a game or two as well this fall. Oregon is another school on his list, but if there is a No. 2 on his list, Auburn could be that school. The elite cornerback out of Birmingham (Ala.) Parker is expected to be tough to flip, but Auburn will continue to recruit Offord and see if they can get it done come December.

Auburn wants 4-star LB Tyler Lockhart back

Mississippi State is an in-state school and his brother plays for the Bulldogs, but Tyler Lockhart was at one time committed to Auburn. The Tigers want him back and they continue to battle the program in Starkville. Lockhart is a priority for Jeff Lebby and his staff, but Lockhart has remained in contact with Auburn and the visit for Big Cat went well. The linebacker out of Winona (Miss.) Winona Secondary School is not one to say much about his recruitment, but Auburn is battling Mississippi State and could be trending again.

Georgia Tech 3-star WR commit Sam Turner is thinking about Auburn

Decatur (Ga.) Southwest Dekalb wide receiver Sam Turner is committed to Georgia Tech, but Auburn has given him a lot to think about. Auburn has made Turner feel like a priority in recent weeks. After a strong visit to the Plains over the weekend, the Tigers are picking up some momentum in this race. Turner remains committed and he hopes to have a final decision the first half of August. Auburn has a real chance to flip him from a school in his backyard.

2026 quick hits

• Auburn made a move for tight end Xavier Tiller . He is a teammate with 2025 commit Tavaris Dice .
• 5-star EDGE Anthony Jones is expected to come down to Alabama or Auburn. LSU is another school that could be in the top three. He is a major target for Auburn.
• Cederian Morgan is top wide receiver target in 2026. He is not expected to commit too soon, but coming out of the weekend, the Tigers are in a good position.
• Auburn is, and had been, a strong player for defensive lineman Bryce Perry-Wright . This weekend only helped their standing.
• Tyler Atkinson is an elite linebacker in the next cycle and Auburn is a top contender. Georgia and Ohio State are high on his list, but Auburn is up there too.

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