Surprise! 2026 WR Devin Carter commits to Auburn during Navy All-American Bowl

In a surprise Navy All-American Bowl live commitment, Douglasville (Ga.) Douglas County High On300 2026 receiver Devin Carter announced his commitment to head coach Hugh Freeze and Auburn.

The On3 Industry’s No. 6 receiver and No. 43 prospect overall chose the Tigers over Alabama, LSU and Ohio State among many others.

Carter talked with On3 on Thursday about why he was headed to Auburn.

“That’s the program for me because of what Coach Freeze is doing on The Plains with Coach (Marcus) Davis as the receivers coach. I feel like they’re developing something special over there.

“You see in the portal they got quarterbacks. They got a quarterback out of this 25 class (Deuce Knight) that is a pretty solid quarterback that can get me where I want to go. I feel like Coach Davis is developing those receivers to what they need to be and I’m watching and I’m very excited to keep watching and that’s why I pledged to the Eagles.”

The 6-foot, 165-pound Carter becomes commit No. 6 for Auburn in the 2026 cycle, joining a class that previously ranked No. 9 nationally per the On3 Industry Team Rankings.

Carter is a smooth, sure-handed receiver that creates easy separation and can also make big plays after the catch. Other offers included Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami, Texas, Oregon and Florida State where his father Dexter played before becoming a first round pick in the NFL Draft.

The younger Carter will blaze his own trail at Auburn.

“After I took my spring visits I learned a lot about all the schools and then I doubled back in the fall to the schools I liked and Auburn was one that just stuck out,” Carter explained. Kenyatta Watson was also a big factor in the Tigers push to land the Peach State blue-chipper. 

“They treated me like family every time I went,” Carter continued. “The games were always entertaining. I feel like those close games they’ll be able to pull out in the years coming especially with the classes coming in. I’m excited about the future.”

Carter will be back at Auburn on January 25.

“The culture for sure,” Carter said. “The culture they’re building, that Coach Freeze is building on The Plains is something else I look at. I want to be part of a strong well built culture that feels like family and that everyone’s got everyone’s back on the team and that’s what I feel like they got on The Plains.”