IOL Jacobe Ward commits to Auburn: ‘I can definitely see coach Freeze getting Auburn back to the top of the SEC’

Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School three-star interior offensive lineman Jacobe Ward made his first trip to Auburn for an unofficial visit in March. Ward and his parents were impressed by the Tigers’ coaching staff and the 6-foot-4, 340-pound recruit quickly “felt like home” on The Plains. 

Auburn proceeded to host Ward two more times, including for an official visit from June 7-9. These trips helped the SEC program separate itself and Ward eventually committed to the Tigers over LSU and Tennessee on Saturday.

“I like everything at Auburn,” Ward told On3. “I was impressed by the people, the environment of the school and the coaches. My relationships with coach Jake Thornton and coach Hugh Freeze are great. Those are the guys who I am trusting to develop me into a very good person off the field and a very good football player.” 

Ward believes that Auburn is on the rise

Ward’s visits to Auburn kept getting “better and better” and he enjoyed spending time with the Tigers’ players. Thornton – Auburn’s offensive line coach – told him that he was “his top guy” and discussed with him where he would fit on the roster. 

The Auburn assistant also told Ward that he is going to be held to a high standard after the No. 68 player in Georgia shared with him that he wants to be an All-American. Ward is looking forward to playing for Thornton, as well as helping Freeze take Auburn to new heights. 

“I can definitely see coach Freeze getting Auburn back to the top of the SEC,” said Ward, On3’s No. 46 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 cycle. “Since he’s gotten to Auburn, they’ve been steadily progressing. But this year, Auburn is going to be a top team in the SEC.” 

Ward is excited to play for Freeze and Thornton

Freeze and his staff have been successful on the recruiting trail across the last two classes. Ward marks their latest win, as the three-star held offers from more than 40 other schools. 

Ward is excited to see where Freeze takes Auburn in the coming years. He believes that the Tigers’ head man will help him grow both inside and outside of football. 

“Coach Freeze is a very cool guy,” Ward said. “I could see myself becoming a better person by being around coach Freeze because he develops kids into young men. He’s a very down-to-earth guy.” 

Thornton is another Auburn staffer that Ward is close with. The Tigers assistant made Ward feel like a priority, which helped the offensive lineman pick Auburn. 

“He’s a very intense guy on and off the field,” Ward said. “In the relationship between me and him, he took the extra step over the other coaches that recruited me. He is always texting and checking in on my family. He’s a very cool dude.”