Hugh Freeze and the Tigers’ staff finished national signing day with the No. 6 recruiting class in the nation – marking just the third ever class to be ranked sixth or better nationally by 247 Sports for Auburn. The Tigers’ 2025 class is also back-to-back top-10 classes for Freeze now three classes into his Auburn tenure.
“I thought it would take three top-10 classes to overhaul our roster to get it to where it's apples to apples with the elite in the country. And man, today's one of those days where the first emotion you probably feel is relief and excitement is the next one,” Freeze said on signing his second top-10 class with the Tigers.
Auburn was also able to sign eight of the top-10 highest rated recruits from the state of Alabama – the other two went to Oregon and Ohio State.
Below is a quick run through with quotes from Freeze on each of the Tigers’ 25 signees from Wednesday.
Jared Smith - EDGE - Five Star - Thompson High School
Smith, rated 98 overall by 247 Sports, signed with the Tigers over Georgia, USC, Florida State, Tennessee and others. The Thompson edge rusher recorded 21.0 tackles-for-loss and 47 solo tackles during his senior season with the Warriors.
“I think his ceiling is just, I mean, I think he's just beginning to see how good he could be,” Freeze said of Smith.
Malik Autry - DL - Five Star - Opelika High School
The ‘big, big dude’ recorded 8.0 tackles-for-loss and 18 solo tackles during his senior season and is rated 98 overall by 247 Sports making him the third highest rated player in the state of Alabama and fifth highest rated defensive lineman in the class of 2025.
“He helped us,” Freeze said of Autry’s efforts of recruiting other potential teammates. “He and Jordan and some of the others that have been long-time commitments really helped hold this class together.”
Deuce Knight - QB - Four Star - George County High School
The 6-foot-4 quarterback was rated 95 by 247 Sports which put him as the sixth highest rated quarterback in the country for the class of 2025. Knight threw for 2082 yards, completing 100 of his 165 attempts with 24 touchdowns to just five interceptions during his senior season.
The quarterback signee also rushed for a total of 450 yards his senior season averaging 6.1 yards per carry with nine touchdowns on the season.
“Deuce was kind of my first choice when I first got here,” Freeze said of his newest quarterback.
Anquon Fegans - S - Four Star - Thompson High School
The fourth-best player in the state of Alabama and 79th overall player nationally, per 247 Sports, recorded 23 total interceptions in high school while adding 248 total tackles.
"I don’t think anyone could argue that we signed two of the better safeties in the country in Anquon Fegans and Eric Winters. They were a priority from day one,” Freeze said of the two safety signees.
Eric Winters - S - Four Star - Enterprise High School
Winters, rated at 93 overall by 247 Sports, is the fifth highest rated recruit in the state of Alabama and the seventh safety in the class of 2025. Primary recruiter Charles Kelly fought off Georgia, Miami and others for Winters’ commitment.
“They’re from great programs and have two great head coaches in those programs and have been coached well, know how to practice, know how to compete. Their families fit with us and they add good size to us, which is something we’re lacking in the back end,” Freeze said of Winters and Fegans.
Jakaleb Faulk - LB - Four Star - Highland Home High School
Faulk, who will join up with his brother Keldric at Auburn, stands at 6-foot-3 and is a top-ten recruit in the state of Alabama as well as the seventh ranked linebacker in the country by 247 Sports. He boasts a 94 rating by 247 Sports and a 0.9378 composite ranking.
“They're Auburn men and Auburn people. And you know, JJ, his length and just his demeanor. And I love everything about that family,” Freeze said.
Jourdin Crawford - DL - Four Star - Parker High School
The Birmingham, AL native was the eighth highest rated recruit in the Tigers home state and the 13th overall defensive lineman in the class of 2025 with a 94 overall rating by 247 Sports. Crawford signed with Auburn over LSU, Alabama, Arkansas and others after recording 39 solo tackles and 7.0 tackles-for-loss during his senior season at Parker.
“One of the strongest D linemen I've witnessed in a long time,” Freeze said of Crawford.
Derick Smith - WR - Four Star - Southside High School
Flipping from Alabama to Auburn back on July 29, Smith, the Tigers’ highest rated wide receiver to sign, is rated as the ninth best player in the state of Alabama and fifth overall athlete in the country.
“I love the Smith family. I love their father Derick. He’s one of the hardest working men I’ve ever known. He’s raised some fine sons,” Freeze said of Derick and Erick Smith’s family.
Antonio Coleman - DL - Four Star - Saraland High School
Recording 20-plus tackles-for-loss in both his junior and sophomore seasons, Coleman, a ‘quick Twitch guy’, standing at 6-foot-2, 275 pounds is rated at 93 overall on 247 Sports and is the tenth highest rated recruit in the state of Alabama.
Blake Woodby - CB - Four Star - St. Frances High School
One of Auburn’s three commits from St. Frances high school, Woodby is the fifth highest rated player from the state of Maryland and is rated at 92 overall by 247 Sports.
"I think Blake Woodby, the other corner, his competitive spirit is off the charts. He’s another one that stayed really strong and loyal to us,” Freeze said.
Alvin Henderson - RB - Four Star - Elba High School
Henderson, out of Elba high school, became the 12th running back in the history of high school football to rush for 10,000 career yards on Nov, 8. The signee finished his senior season with 3456 total yards averaging 13.8 yards-per-carry with 61 touchdowns.
“Anytime you sign a guy that, nationally, is one of the top ever in production, that's a pretty good sign. Alvin has been a joy to recruit, a joy to get to know,” Freeze said.
Hollis Davidson - TE - Four Star - McIntosh High School
One of six Georgia signees for the Tigers, Davidson put up career numbers of 72 receptions for 1,033 yards and 7 touchdowns for Coach Derek Smith at McIntosh High.
“I love Hollis and Ryan both. I think they're Auburn men through and through. Their families are both incredible. They're long, I love length,” Freeze said. “Hollis can really, really run and has tremendous ball skills.”
Bryce Deas - LB - Four Star - St. Frances High School
A team captain out of St. Francis high school, Deas was the Tigers lowest rated four-star signee by 247 Sports at 90 overall. The 6-foot-2 linebacker was the eleventh rated player out of the state of Maryland.
“Bryce, man, that dude is a competitive guy. Man, I mean competes for a really good high school program, and just loved his competitive spirit and nature every time he was around us,” Freeze said.
Elijah Melendez - LB - Three Star - Osceola High School
The Tigers’ highest rated three-star signee tallied 69 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 interceptions as a senior for Osceola High, leading the Kowboys to the Florida Class 6A semifinals this weekend.
“Elijah looks like a senior right now. He's the most rocked up high school linebacker I've ever signed,” Freeze said.
Darrion Smith - DL - Three Star - St. Frances High School
Flipping from Tennessee to Auburn this morning, the 6-foot-2, 265 pound lineman was on the fringe of becoming a four star by 247 Sports rated at 89 overall making him the 15th highest rated player from the state of Maryland.
“I think, is going to be the best pass rusher. That was a big pickup here late,” Freeze said of Smith.
Broderick Shull - OT - Three Star - Bixby High School
Shull has allowed zero sacks during his senior season at Bixby High and is rated at 89 overall by 247 Sports.
“I think he may be one of the most underrated in the class. I think he’s going to be pushing for playing time early and really thankful that he stood so strong with us and not being regional really. He and his family knew they fit here,” Freeze said.
Sam Turner - WR - Three Star - Southwest Dekalb High School
Flipping to Auburn from Georgia Tech back on October 10, Turner caught 56 passes for 903 yards, 6 touchdowns as a junior and 61 catches as a senior for 1,100 yards, 17 touchdowns – now holding DeKalb career receiving touchdowns record.
“At receiver, to add the Smith brothers and Sam Turner to give us additional depth there,” Freeze said.
Ryan Ghea - TE - Three Star - Milton High School
A team captain at Milton, Ghea put together 53 receptions for 651 yards and 4 touchdowns during his senior campaign.
“Ryan is going to hopefully be that guy that hopefully grows into that Luke Deal-type. So we've got two different types there that we have to add to that room with B-Frazier coming back,” Freeze said.
Devin Williams - CB - Three Star - Buford High School
Williams, rated at 88 overall by 247 Sports, stands at 5-foot-10 and was the final Tiger to sign with the program on Wednesday afternoon.
“That really completes that secondary for us to add a guy like Devin. Obviously he had to sit out because of his knee, but before that he was an explosive, twitchy guy,” Freeze said.
Kail Ellis - IOL - Three Star - Cass High School
Ellis recorded a 99.8% snap efficiency as a junior and senior with no sacks allowed for Cass High School.
"Kail Ellis, boy he’s a fighter and he knows how to play the game and thrilled that he reclassified and we could get him in this class, start getting him developed,” Freeze said.
Tai Buster - IOL - Three Star - A L Brown High School
Buster was a four-year starting tackle helping the Wonders to the Class 4A state playoffs.
"Tai Buster I think has position flexibility and improved week after week,” Freeze said.
Jacobe Ward - IOL - Three Star - Benedictine Military High School
Ward helped the Cadets win the state Class 4A championship as a freshman and sophomore; made state semifinals as a junior.
"Jacobe is a large human being, and we’ve got to get some bigger dudes that look like the ones we’re playing against, and he fits that mold,” Freeze said.
Erick Smith - WR - Three Star - South Side High School
Brother of signee Derick Smith, is rated 85 overall by 247 Sports standing at 6-foot-6.
John Alan McGuire - P - Three Star - Thompson High School
Rated at 81 overall by 247 Sports, McGuire averaged 42.8 yards per punt during his career with a long of 63 and 27 placed inside the 20.
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Patrick is a junior from Auburn, Alabama, double majoring in journalism and marketing. He started with The Plainsman in the fall of 2022.
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