Auburn 5-star commits Perry Thompson, Demarcus Riddick visiting Alabama

Tuscaloosa is currently hosting a boatload of elite prospects, as Alabama welcomes Texas to Bryant-Denny Stadium for one of the most highly-anticipated games of the 2023 college football season.

The game is so big that it’s even drawing in recruits that are committed to the Crimson Tide’s archrival. Auburn‘s two highest-ranked commits — per the On3 Industry Ranking — Foley (Ala.) five-star wide receiver Perry Thompson and Clanton (Ala.) Chilton County five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick are both in T-Town this weekend.

Both are no strangers to Nick Saban and the Alabama program, especially Thompson. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder was committed to the Crimson Tide from June 2022 up until he flipped to Hugh Freeze and the Tigers on July 29.

“I can go build that legacy at Auburn,” Thompson told On3. “I can be someone that helps turn things around and be the guy for the program. It is just the place I feel is the best first for me

…Since Hugh Freeze got to Auburn, he and the staff made me a top priority. Coach Freeze, Coach Marcus Davis, the whole staff and the fan base makes me feel wanted. The feeling for me is just different at Auburn.”

Riddick also flipped his commitment, joining Auburn’s pledge list after originally choosing the Georgia Bulldogs. The elite linebacker was supposed to visit Alabama last weekend, but opted to visit the Plains instead.

“Man, I ain’t going to lie to you, I love it,” Riddick told Auburn Live. “Coach Freeze did his thing today. The defense and offense, they all did their thing today. I loved it. I’m glad I came today. I’m glad I didn’t go to Alabama. If I had gone there, and I didn’t spend the day here, I would have been mad with myself.”

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Auburn chasing Alabama in the 2024 recruiting rankings

Thompson is the No. 30 overall prospect and No. 8 WR in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Riddick is right behind as the No. 32 recruit and No. 3 LB.

The in-state duo are two of Auburn’s 18 commits, creating the Tigers’ No. 13 recruiting class in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. That’s still well behind Alabama, however. The Tide check in with the No. 4 class in the country, led by Carlsbad (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Julian Sayin and Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville five-star athlete Jaylen Mbakwe.

Of the 20 highest-ranked prospects in the state of Alabama, 11 are committed to the Tigers or the Tide. Bama’s class is bolstered by the likes of Birmingham Parker four-star defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman and Mobile Spanish Fort four-star LB Sterling Dixon, while Auburn is set to also welcome in Tuskegee Booker T Washington four-star LB Joseph Phillips and Andalusia four-star running back J’Marion Burnette, among others.