Auburn builds formidable base to 2026 class with trio of Big Cat commitments
In the span of four hours, Auburn has landed a whopping four commitments, kicking off Big Cat weekend with a bang. Three of those commitments have been in the 2026 cycle.
Huntsville (Ala.) Jemison four-star EDGE Hezekiah Harris was the first to pledge on Saturday morning and now headlines the class as the nation’s No. 19 overall prospect, No. 3 EDGE and No. 2 player in Alabama, per the On3 Industry Ranking.
Mobile (Ala.) Cottage Hill Christian four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle and Gulf Shores (Ala.) four-star LB JaMichael Garrett joined soon after, providing another major punch on the defensive side for Hugh Freeze and his staff.
The trio of commitments not only gives Auburn five total pledges in the 2026 cycle, but it also slots the program atop the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings for the junior class. While still far too early to count chickens, the Tigers have garnered some serious momentum on the trail and have built an impressive spine for its 2026 class.
Big Cat weekend brings the goods for the Tigers
Harris opened the run of commits, and if he stays in Auburn’s class, will likely remain at the top of Freeze’s pledge list. No one coveted Harris like the Tigers and that helped him come to his early decision.
“Auburn recruited me hard, I visited a lot and they moved to the top of my list over time,” Harris told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I got to know the coaches, I kept going back for visits and I just felt comfortable.”
“Coach Freeze is doing a great job recruiting players and getting Auburn back to the top,” he added. “He is a good coach who knows what he is talking about and he is recruiting the players to help Auburn win. Coach Freeze is a smart coach, he is fun to be around, he is easy to talk to and he is doing a great job.”
Toodle has been on campus frequently this year and also decided to leave The Plains as a Tiger this weekend. He is the No. 64 recruit, No. 4 LB and No. 3 player in Alabama right behind Harris. Garrett is another sought-after junior, checking in at No. 124 overall and No. 11 at the linebacker position.
All five of the commits in the class are four-stars. Canton (Ga.) Cass four-star interior offensive lineman Kail Ellis committed at the end of November, while Boynton Beach (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna four-star wide receiver Denairius Gray joined on New Year’s Day. Both Ellis and Gray are top-300 prospects.