Auburn Adds Verbal Commitment From One Of The Nation's Most Versatile Defensive Line Recruits

Auburn’s 2025 recruiting class reaches 22 commitments by adding one of the state of Alabama’s elite prospects.

Coming to the Plains is a recruit ranked as a 5-star prospect by 247, as well as a 4-star by Rivals, On3, and ESPN. It's not surprising that Jared Smith is one of the nation’s heavily recruited defensive ends.

Beyond Auburn, he has offers from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, and Southern California, among others.

At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, it’s not surprising each of those programs desire Smith’s services because he’s more than just a big body to place along the defensive front. Smith has a unique blend of arm length, quickness, power, and technique to create mismatches along the trenches.

The Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson prospect’s all-around skill set will also bring with him the option to play multiple positions. That is very valuable to Auburn’s defensive efforts because opposing teams will not automatically know where he’s going to line up. Now, where does Smith begin his Auburn career for his base position?

This is a topic that many college coaches probably ponder to this day because teams operate different types of defensive fronts. In a 4-2-5 that Auburn will use, he’s certainly a possibility at either weak-side or strong-side defensive end with his hand in the dirt.

In variations of a 3-3-5, Smith could also play standing up as a hybrid defensive end who also sometimes drops into coverage. There’s also the long-term outlook.

Smith is likely to add a considerable amount of weight and muscle mass to his frame. He has size 18 shoes, as another point of reference. In a few years, he could at least play some defensive tackle during obvious passing downs. That further adds value to what Auburn’s defense can do and how well NFL scouts will one day look at Smith as a draft prospect. His skills are also a joining a great group of recruits.

Smith adds to a defensive front with three defensive tackles: Malik Autry , Jourdin Crawford , and Antonio Coleman . Another possible defensive lineman would be Jakaleb Faulk , who could play either linebacker or defensive end for the Tigers.