Auburn continues run of elite in-state recruiting wins landing 4-star EDGE Jared Smith

The fallout from Auburn’s Big Cat weekend at the end of July continues to reverberate throughout the nation, as the Tigers have struck some major momentum on the recruiting trail.

That continued on Saturday night, as Hoover (Ala.) Thompson four-star EDGE Jared Smith became the third top-60 overall prospect to commit to the Tigers since July 29. The No. 4 EDGE and No. 2 player in Alabama in the 2025 cycle chose the in-state program over South Carolina, Ole Miss and others.

“I chose Auburn because I get to stay home, because of the culture and I see the vision coach Hugh Freeze has. I see where the program is going and I want to be a part of it,” Smith told On3.

With the addition of Smith, Auburn has strengthened its No. 6 class in the nation, but perhaps more importantly, added another in-state recruiting victory to the mantle. Nine of the top 15 prospects in the state of Alabama — per the On3 Industry Ranking — are now committed to the Tigers.

Freeze Warning in full effect on The Plains

There was plenty of juice surrounding the Big Cat festivities, but expectations have still been exceeded in a big way.

Baltimore St. Frances Academy four-star cornerback Blake Woodby helped kick things off on July 27, as the former Ohio State commit pledged to the Freeze and Co. Later that night, Sarland (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman once again flipped his commitment from Alabama to the Tigers. Both are top-140 overall recruits.

July 29 proved to be even bigger for the 2025 class, as Selma (Ala.) four-star athlete Derick Smith followed Coleman and also flipped from the Crimson Tide. Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson four-star safety Anquon Fegans committed later that night, adding the No. 52 and No. 57 prospects in the cycle to the class.

Not to be forgotten, the Tigers’ 2026 class ranks No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings following a trio of in-state blue-chip commits. Huntsville (Ala.) Jemison four-star EDGE Hezekiah Harris is a top-20 junior recruit, Mobile (Ala.) Cottage Hill Christian four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle is a top-75 prospect and Gulf Shores (Ala.) four-star LB JaMichael Garrett checks in just outside the top 100.

In-state prospects are flocking to Auburn

Two additional top-100 recruits from Alabama are in Auburn’s 2025 class, too. Enterprise (Ala.) four-star safety Eric Winters is the No. 7 safety in the nation and was one of the first big dominoes to fall back in June. Opelika (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Malik Autry is the No. 7 DL and has been in the mix since Feb. 2023.

It doesn’t stop there, either.

Highland Home (Ala.) four-star linebacker Jakaleb Faulk is a top-15 player at his position. Elba (Ala.) four-star running back Alvin Henderson flipped to Auburn in June after originally committing to Penn State in the spring and is a top-10 burner. Birmingham (Ala.) Parker four-star DL Jourdin Crawford was one of the first to join the class, doing so last October.

In total, 11 in-state commits are in Auburn’s 2025 class — half of the 22 pledges in the mix for Freeze and his staff overall.