2024 4-star QB Walker White commits to Auburn

Little Rock (Ark.) Little Rock Christian Academy four-star quarterback Walker White had a busy two weeks last month. Between Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, he visited multiple schools, including his top three programs: Auburn, Baylor and Clemson.

White enjoyed seeing each of his finalists, yet he sensed something special on The Plains. While taking a nighttime walk through Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Arkansas native told himself, “This is it.” On Friday, White followed up on that feeling by committing to the Tigers.

“At the end of the day, Auburn was still in my heart and I needed to listen to that,” White told On3. “For me, everything lined up perfectly for me to go to Auburn: The quarterback situation and just how experienced the offensive staff is at Auburn and how much they can develop me. For me, that’s my biggest thing. At the end of the day, my goal is the NFL. Auburn has the coaches to get me to that potential.”

White’s decision was not an easy one, especially since Clemson did an “outstanding job” on his visit to Death Valley. Before choosing Auburn, he and his family prayed for clarity. Additionally, White’s brother called him one morning at 1:00 a.m. to discuss his choice.

Talking with his brother enabled White to share thoughts and feelings about his recruitment. It eventually gave him the confidence to realize that Auburn was the best school for him.

“At the end of the day, I’m going to honor my commitment and I’m going to go full force for my class at Auburn and classes below that,” said White, the No. 165 overall prospect and No. 13 quarterback in the 2024 On3 Consensus. “I’m going to work really hard to try to get really good players around me and I will be taking multiple trips to Auburn to help recruit. I’m at Auburn. I’m going to honor that. I won’t take any more trips anywhere else. Auburn’s my place.”

White believes Auburn’s coaches can ‘get me to my best’

White, who was at Auburn on Jan. 16, did not tell the Tigers’ coaches about his decision. He wanted his commitment to “be fun for them and be a surprise for them.”

During his recruitment, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound signal-caller built close bonds with multiple members of Auburn’s new staff. They include head coach Hugh Freeze, offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, offensive senior analyst Jesse Stone and special assistant to the head coach Kent Austin.

“Every single one of those guys are more than capable to help develop me and get me to my best,” White said. “Coach Freeze, I have full confidence in what he can do and what his experience is and tag along with coach Montgomery and coach Austin and coach Stone. All of their minds together to create one offense is gonna be very special and I’m very excited about that because they really know what they’re doing. They’ve had success wherever they’ve been, so I’m just really on fire for that staff.”

According to White, Freeze was “very active” and “really awesome” during his recruitment. The Tigers’ head man texted almost every day and FaceTimed him on numerous occasions.

One day, Freeze and Montgomery went to see White throw at his school. That was a “really special” moment for the future Auburn Tiger.

“They’ve seen me throw a couple times, so they do know what they’re getting into, which gives me more confidence,” White said. “To see their confidence in me gives me that reassurance because they have seen many great players and they have assured me that I can do what they need me to do to win games.”