Where the top-25 recruits in Alabama are trending

The state of Alabama is loaded this recruiting cycle and the numbers don’t lie. There are five 5-stars in the class in the On3 Consensus ratings —and an astounding 15 more 4-stars. With that kind of talent, it’s no wonder some say this is the state’s best group in years. Where does Auburn stand with these players? Here’s a quick overview …

No. 1. James Smith, DL, Montgomery Carver: Officially visiting Auburn this weekend. Alabama (47.2 percent) is the favorite to land Smith in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, followed by Georgia (40.3 percent) and then Auburn (10.2 percent). Smith has visited the Tigers multiple times, but this weekend’s official is his most important trip to Auburn to date. Smith is friends with Auburn defensive lineman Marcus Harris and they train at the same local gym in Montgomery. This won’t be an easy get but Auburn is putting everything it has into it. This recruitment is likely to go into December.

There are two 5-star DBs in the class

No. 2. Tony Mitchell, CB, Alabaster Thompson: Auburn is a finalist, along with Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M. He already has scheduled an official visit with Auburn for the weekend of Oct. 29. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine projects Mitchell to Alabama (54.7 percent) with Texas A&M next (31 percent). The Tigers are fourth at 1.1 percent but potentially could soon pass Florida (10.3 percent). Many thought the Gators would make Mitchell’s cut. He’s not expected to make a decision until late in the year. Might a strong season give Auburn a boost? It’s possible.

No. 3. Jahlil Hurley, CB, Forence: Committed to Alabama on Feb. 22. The Tigers continued to heavily recruit him and there was some chatter this spring indicating he was considering a flip. It didn’t happen and in a recent interview with On3’s Chad Simmons, Hurley said he was locked in with the Tide. Nevertheless, expect Auburn to keep pursuing Hurley while hoping a successful 2022 season will sway him.

The state of Alabama is loaded with defensive linemen and edge rushers

No. 4. Qua Russaw, edge, Montgomery Carver:  Officially visiting Auburn this weekend. Georgia is the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine favorite (50 percent) with Alabama (33 percent) next, then Auburn (14.5 percent). Between Smith and Russaw, some sources think Auburn may have a better shot with the latter. With major losses coming at the edge position in the near future at Auburn, the chance to play and play a lot in Year 1 is there. While Russaw told Auburn Live this week that isn’t a huge factor, it’s at least something for him to think about. He’s not expected to have a commitment decision anytime soon.

No. 5. Peter Woods, DL, Alabaster Thompson: Woods will announce his commitment July 8. Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Jackson State are the finalists.

No. 6. Christopher Vizzina, QB, Birmingham Briarwood Christian: Committed to Clemson in April.

No. 7. A.J. Harris, CB, Phenix City: Committed to Georgia on June 16.

No. 8. Kelby Collins, DL, Gardendale: Alabama is thought to be the overwhelming favorite, with schools such as Florida, Clemson, Georgia and South Carolina also in the mix.

Tigers trending for elite edge

No. 9. Keldric Faulk, edge, Highland Home: Auburn has a massive lead in the RPM (91%) with Florida Florida State, which is hosting him on an official this weekend, next (4%). Faulk will announce his commitment July 5 and right now things look fairly good for the Tigers, who would get a huge boost should they adcd this top-100 recruit to the class.

No. 10. Wilkin Formby, OT, Tuscaloosa Northridge: Committed to Alabama on June 20.

No. 11. Tomarrion Parker, edge, Phenix City Central: Committed to Penn State on June 21.

No. 12. Hunter Osborne, edge, Hewitt-Trusville: Osbourne was scheduled to officially visit Auburn earlier this month but cancelled at the last minute — one week after visiting Clemson. He’s at Tennessee for an official this weekend.

No. 13. Karmello English, WR, Phenix City Central: Auburn is thought to be the favorite for the 4-star receiver and he will announce his commitment July 2. The Tigers hosted him on an official visit earlier this week. This weekend, he’s at Michigan. Kentucky, which hosted him earlier this month, probably is the other program to watch. The confidence at Auburn is high right now.

No. 14. Yhonzae Pierre, DE, Eufaula: Committed to Alabama in April.

Auburn is trending for a top running back target

No. 15. Jeremiah Cobb, RB, Montgomery Catholic: Auburn is a big favorite with the RPM (95.8%) but he recently took an official visit to Clemson and left impressed. This weekend, Cobb is at Tennessee. That said, proximity to home and his relationship with running backs coach Cadillac Williams has Auburn in a good spot with a decision expected soon. He officially visited Auburn on June 17-19.

No. 16. Sylvester Smith, S, Munford: Smith committed to Tennessee in April. 

No. 17. Stanton Ramil, OT, Alabaster Thompson: Ramil recently released a top eight of Auburn, Clemson, Michigan State, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Tennessee. He is a priority target for Auburn, which leads big in the RPM (87.8%). Despite that, there is some real competition to land him and there is no clear-cut favorite in our opinion. This week, Ramil checked out Penn State. This weekend, he’s at Michigan State. This recruitment could go in a number of directions. That said, he probably has visited Auburn more than any school.

No. 18. Avery Stuart, S, Montgomery Alabama Christian Academy: At this time, Florida State, which he is officially visiting this weekend, and Kentucky, which already hosted him on an official, are two to watch.

No. 19. DaKaari Nelson, S, Selma: Committed to Penn State on Saturday. That said, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Auburn continued to recruit him.

No. 20. Dallas Young, CB, Gardendale: Young committed to Arkansas last November. 

The state of Alabama has great depth in the 2023 class; Auburn should benefit from that

No. 21: Karmelo Overton, LB, Ozark Carroll: Overton claims nearly 20 offers, but Auburn hasn’t yet made that move. But we’ve learned he is on Auburn’s board so he’s definitely someone to track. A few weeks ago, Overton was an MVP award winner at an elite Tigers camp. Should Auburn offer, it would be a big factor in his recruitment. A game-changer in fact.

No. 22. Ryqueze McElderry, OL, Anniston: McElderry committed to Georgia last November but since then Auburn has made a significant push — and move. So much so that a flip is possible. The 4-star player officially visited the Tigers in May and next hit Georgia. Alabama apparently also is in the mix. A final decision is expected this summer. It could go either way.

No. 23. Bradyn Joiner, OL-C, Auburn: The 3-star recruit committed to the Tigers on Jan. 1 and appears to be firm with his verbal. In fact, he has been a relentless recruiter for the program since the day he joined the commit list.

No. 24. T.J. Metcalf, S, Pinson Valley: Claims multiple Power 5 offers across several conferences. The RPM currently has Ole Miss (26.5%) as the favorite followed closely by Arkansas (23.2) and Penn State (19.9). Although Auburn has had Metcalf, cousin to NFL star receiver D.K. Metcalf, on campus, the Tigers have yet to offer.  

No. 25. Vysen Lang, OL, Pike Road: This has been a difficult recruitment to read. Although Auburn is the RPM leader, Lang appears to be open and the Tigers haven’t pushed. Arkansas and Tennessee are two programs to watch.

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