BREAKING: 4-star ATH Derick Smith flips commitment from Alabama to Auburn
Southside (Selma, Ala.) four-star athlete Derick Smith has flipped his commitment from Alabama to Auburn.
Smith, who is ranked the No. 3 athlete in the country, announced his decision Monday after visiting for Auburn’s Big Cat recruiting event on Saturday.
He had been committed to the Tide since March 11.
“I just love the atmosphere (at Auburn),” Smith said. “It gets better and better every time I come. I ain’t gonna lie, I love the fans here. I have great relationships with the coaches.”
Smith is being recruited to Auburn by both Marcus Davis and Charles Kelly. Davis is the wide receivers coach while Kelly coaches the safeties. Smith could project at either of the two positions at Auburn.
“But they really want me at wide receiver,” he said.
And that’s ok with Smith.
“I love Coach (Hugh) Freeze and how he develops good receivers in the NFL,” he said. “He said he can develop me to be next.”
As for Auburn in general, he is excited about the program under Freeze.
“It’s a good school,” he said. “I like what they’re doing. I like what they’re building.”
Smith is the second commitment Auburn has flipped from Alabama in the past few days. four-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman flipped his commitment from the Tide to the Tigers on Saturday.
Smith is the 20th commitment in Auburn’s 2025 class and first wide receiver.
On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power on Smith
“Derick Smith is one of the top two-way players in the 2025 cycle as a standout receiver and safety. He’s a dominant player on Friday nights, totaling over 2,500 yards from scrimmage as a junior. We love his physicality, effort level and play speed on defense. Smith is a menace with his ability to run sideline to sideline and blow up ball carriers.
“On offense, he’s at his best as a tough runner after the catch, picking up most of his yards after the catch. Regardless where he ends up positionally, Smith is a tough, pure football player with room to continue improving once he gets to Auburn. He’s another big in-state get for the Tigers under Hugh Freeze.”
