3-star TE Martavious Collins commits to Auburn Tigers

Calhoun (Ga.) three-star tight end Martavious Collins originally committed to Alabama on July 20, but in February, he decided to reopen in his recruitment.

Over the past two months, Collins has looked for a school that made him comfortable and where he could see himself playing college football. That program turned out to Auburn, who he committed to on Friday afternoon.

“They made me feel like I was a super big target that they wanted,” Collins told On3. “The way their offense runs, they need tight ends that can flex out on one play, be at H-back another play, have their hand in the dirt and block down on another play and also, run routes and catch the ball.”

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder feels great about joining the other side of the Iron Bowl rivalry because Auburn has made him feel like a priority. He communicates with tight ends coach Ben Aigamaua daily and also speaks head coach Hugh Freeze once or twice a week.

Following his decommitment from Alabama, Collins visited The Plains for Auburn’s spring game on April 8. After meeting the Tigers’ new staff in person and learning about their plan to turn around the program, the Georgia native was ready to join Auburn’s top-15 recruiting class.

“The class that we’re about to bring in is going to shock a lot of people,” said Collins, the No. 514 overall prospect and No. 28 tight end in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. “I know with the recruits that we talk to, it’s a lot of stuff that’s gonna shock a lot of colleges. I know we have something very special coming.”

Collins believes in Auburn’s new coaching staff

Collins did not speak much with Auburn’s old staff. But once Freeze and Co. took over, the three-star’s interest in the Tigers skyrocketed.

Auburn’s new message to Collins was clear: “Come help build something that can be amazing.” That pitch resonated with him.

“They’re a family-oriented program,” Collins said. “They build a team off family and not just off football. They want to get to know you more personally than just you as a football player.”

Aigamaua and Collins have already built a close bond. Their numerous conversations revolve around not only football, but also life off the field. Freeze, meanwhile, has also made Collins feel wanted at Auburn. He quickly noticed that the Tigers head man gets along with, and communicates often, with his players.

Now that Collins is part of Auburn’s class, he is excited to join the Tigers. He is confident that Aigamaua and his plan can help him get to the NFL.

“It’s big for me to look into an offense that does these things where I can get the ball,” Collins said. “I can block and then split out wide to create a mismatch.”