4-star RB J'Marion Burnette commits to Auburn: 'It is the best school for me'

Andalusia (Ala.) four-star running back J’Marion Burnette grew up an Alabama fan. However, Auburn quickly caught his attention during the recruiting process.

Burnette visited the Tigers multiple times and grew close with running backs coach/associate head coach Cadillac Williams. Once Hugh Freeze became Auburn’s new head coach, “things just got better.”

It ended up being a catalyst for Burnette to commit to the Tigers over Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida State and Penn State.

“My relationship is best with Auburn,” Burnette told On3. “I told coach Caddy about a week ago. Then I told coach Freeze about my decision on Monday. Coach Caddy can get me where I want to be. Coach Freeze can take Auburn to the top. He will bring Auburn up just like he did at Ole Miss. I think Auburn will win it all under coach Freeze. It is the best school for me.”

Auburn’s coaches played a big role in Burnette’s decision

Burnette is returning to The Plains for Auburn’s spring game on April 8. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound tailback has visited the Tigers nearly 10 times, including twice since Freeze took over.

When Freeze came to Auburn, Burnette felt like an immediate priority to the Tigers.

“Coach Freeze came after me as soon as he got there,” said Burnette, the No. 192 overall prospect and No. 16 running back in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. “He is a great coach. I love him and what he can do. He has a great personality and he is going to make Auburn special again. Coach Freeze knows offense, he will run the football and I like the fit there.”

Another reason Auburn stands out to Burnette is its fanbase, which the four-star called “one of a kind.” He expressed high praise for the environment inside Jordan-Hare Stadium and would put the Tigers’ fans “up against anyone in the nation.”

Williams also played a “big part” in Burnette’s decision. The Alabama native shared that Williams has recruited him since his sophomore year and “been the same from day one,” even following the Tigers’ coaching change.

“We know each other very well,” Burnette said. “We talk on the phone, we have hung out on visits and he has been down to my school to check on me as much as he can. The relationship we have is different. My recruitment is all about connections and coach Caddy made me feel like family. We talk about everything. It is different every time we are on the phone. We have that type of relationship.”