Previewing decision day for Auburn DL target Malik Blocton

Defensive lineman Malik Blocton from Pike Road (Ala.) is set to make his decision on Saturday. Blocton is the younger brother of Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris. Before Harris transferred from Kansas to Auburn, Blocton was already being recruited by Auburn.

Blocton has been to more Auburn home games than he can probably count. The Tigers have been seen as the favorite several times before, but other schools continued to join the mix. Schools such as Florida, Texas and Clemson began recruiting him heavily.

He was even offered by Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, USC, Tennessee and many others earlier this year. Blocton has continued to develop as a prospect and is set to make one fanbase very happy on Saturday.

Here is a quick preview of Blocton’s commit announcement:

TIME: 3 p.m. CT. (or just after) at Pike Road High School

RANKING/RATING: Blocton, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, is the No. 41 defensive lineman in the country for the On3 Industry Ranking. He is the No. 25 recruit in the state of Alabama and is No. 459 nationally. Blocton holds a 88.76 On3 Industry rating and an 88 rating from On3. Blocton is considered a 4-star on Rivals.

THE 411: Blocton, while receiving offers from many big schools, has always been perceived as liking Auburn. While the Tigers have consistently recruited him, other programs such as Texas and Florida began to press on him a good bit.

Blocton was blown away by his Texas visit and heard constantly from Florida. At one time, it seemed more likely that he could pick a school other than Auburn. Then the Tigers decided to apply more pressure as to not let him get away from home.

Going into the commitment, the Tigers feel good about not letting Blocton slip away.

Quotes of note

— “Auburn has been consistent. No matter who the coaching staff was, Auburn has been consistent with me. Auburn has had a new defensive line coach almost every year since I been in high school. No matter who it was, from Coach (Nick) Eason to Coach (Jimmy) Brumbaugh to Coach (Jeremy Garrett), all of them have made me a priority for them. Coach Garrett told me that when I come in, he wants me to play end (5) at first and then gradually moving inside (4i).”

— “He (Garrett) just wanted me to know that he’s been here, that he’s been recruiting me from the beginning. Before he was even at Auburn he was recruiting me when he was at Liberty. It was last year on June 1. I was at camp and he was there. When he saw me he offered me on the spot. I knew Coach Freeze from a long time ago because he was recruiting my brother. When my brother was coming out of high school, Liberty was one of his top schools. So me and Coach Freeze, we’ve known him.”

Why it could be Auburn/Our pick

RECRUITING PREDICTION MACHINE: The RPM favors Auburn at 95.9%

IF AUBURN LANDS HIM: It would give the Tigers commitment No. 10 in the 2024 class and possibly jump a few spots.

WHY IT COULD BE AUBURN: Relationships with Freeze and Garrett, connection with Auburn and brother Marcus Harris, proximity to home.

WHY IT COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE: Texas’ Bo Davis, former Alabama defensive line coach, has been on Blocton for a while. Texas made a favorable impression on both Malik and his mom. The Longhorns have recruited him well.

OUR PICK: Auburn. Even with Texas having a good bit to offer, including early playing time, Blocton will more than likely choose to stay close to home at a school he could not be more familiar with.