4-star safety Eric Winters commits to Auburn: "Auburn is home"

Enterprise (Ala.) four-star safety Eric Winters has committed to Auburn.

He chose the Tigers over Georgia and Miami.

“Since Hugh Freeze got there, Auburn has been recruiting me hard,” Winters told On3. “He is a big part of why I committed to Auburn. He loves his players, he is a family guy and we built a great relationship. Coach Freeze is doing big things at Auburn and he made me feel like a priority and made me feel comfortable.”

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Winters has visited the Plains a lot. He is familiar with the environment, the people and that factored into his decision as well.

“Auburn is the school I have visited the most. I have been going there since my freshman year, and it feels like family. Since coach Freeze took over, the atmosphere has changed and I like the feeling when I am there. I was always looking for that comfortable feeling and I found that at Auburn. I like it and my family does too.”

As soon as he arrived Friday morning, he let the staff know. There was a staff meeting going on and Winters entered the office and shared the news with all at one time.

Winters is staying home with Auburn

At different times in 2024, Winters has had Georgia and Miami high on his list. Auburn was always right there though. Winters had Auburn was in his top two consistently, and now the home state school is on top.

“Auburn is home,” Winters said. “I sat down and talked it over with my mom and Auburn is the place for me. I was feeling Georgia not too long ago, but Auburn is where I want to be. It started to really hit me about two weeks ago.

“I wanted to take the visits to Miami and Georgia first, but I knew about two weeks ago it was Auburn. What coach Freeze is building, how the coaches want to use me and just staying home feels right.”

Now he wants to recruit others to join him on the Plains.

“I am already working guys. It starts with my teammate Zion Grady. I am going after Alvin Henderson, Julian Lewis, KJ Lacey and some others. Coach Freeze has this group of defensive players in Alabama he wants called the Super 7. Guys like Jared Smith, Anquon Fegans, Naeem Offord and Zion are guys that haven’t committed yet. I will be on all of those guys.”

Auburn’s plan for him appeals to Winters

Charles Kelly was a factor in this decision. DJ Durkin was too. Their history has the No. 106 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking likes their track record.

“They have coached some top NFL players. They know how to coach players, develop players and make them their best. That was important to me too. Then I have a great relationship with coach Kelly and me and coach Durkin have a connection too.

“They have both coached guys that are like before too. Coach Kelly coached Derwin James and coach Durkin coach Jabril Peppers. They are versatile guys that are bigger safeties and I like how they want to use me.

“Those guys, coach Freeze and the staff at Auburn all made an impact on me. They made me feel comfortable and I like their plan for me.”