Football News: 6-22-2026
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Dudley Dent
Jun 22, 2026, 8:07:56 AM (3 days ago) Jun 22
to Tiger Tracks
Auburn Football News: 6-22-2026
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 25:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-tigers-football-roster-jonathan-echols-tight-end-287881404/
Why ESPN's Tom Luginbill is high on Auburn QB Byrum Brown entering 2026:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/why-espns-tom-luginbill-is-high-on-auburn-qb-byrum-brown-entering-2026/
Path to the Plains: Offensive lineman Jo Simmons:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/path-to-the-plains-offensive-lineman-jo-simmons/
Auburn flips West Virginia RB commit Khamoni Williams:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/khamoni-williams-flips-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287883070/
Auburn Flips Big 12 Commit Amidst Dominant Recruiting Weekend:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/auburn-flips-big-12-commit-amidst-dominant-recruiting-weekend
Auburn adds commitment from in-state athlete Preston Williams:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/preston-williams-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287871255/
Auburn Snags Safety Recruit, Bolsters Top-10 Class:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/auburn-snags-safety-recruit-bolsters-top-10-class-01kvpezn1zhq
Auburn felt like home: 4-star EDGE James Pace commits to the Tigers:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/auburn-felt-like-home-4-star-edge-james-pace-commits-to-the-tigers/
BREAKING: 4-star edge James Pace commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/breaking-4-star-edge-james-pace-commits-to-auburn/
Auburn Leading in Iron Bowl of Recruiting Ahead of Tuesday Decision:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/auburn-leading-iron-bowl-recruiting-tuesday-decision-cedrick-simmons
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 25
By Nathan King
We're still in the heart of the college football offseason: two months removed from spring practice, more than a month from media days, and inside 100 days until the 2026 season, Auburn's first under head coach Alex Golesh.
So what better time to crank up the rankings? As we do annually this time of year, Auburn Undercover is counting down the top 25 most valuable players for the Tigers' 2026 season.
A few notes to set the table: These rankings are based on a player's previous contributions in college, as well as his assumed impact in 2026 — how important he is expected to be to Auburn's success in both production and the win-loss column. It is not simply Auburn's best players in descending order.
Our first player is one of several USF transfers: tight end Jonathan Echols, who was limited by an injury in spring practice but showed his potential last season as a big-bodied, athletic target within Golesh's offense.
AS A RECRUIT
Hometown: Franklin, Ga.
Class: 2024
247Sports ranking: 3-star, No. 18 TE
2026 transfer ranking: No. 9 TE
AS A PLAYER
Looking back at Echols coming out of IMG Academy in the 2024 class, he had heavy interest in major SEC programs, with offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and others. Like others on this Auburn roster, Echols was, at one point, committed to Tennessee when Golesh was the offensive coordinator there, but he later decommitted and wound up with Goelsh at USF.
Echols redshirted as a freshman with the Bulls, though his only catch of the season was still a touchdown in a blowout win over Tulsa. Then last season, Echols took a step forward and became a starting-adjacent piece of the USF offense. He was the No. 2 tight end behind Wyatt Sullivan, but he had more touchdowns (three), with a total of nine receptions on the season.
With all the weapons at USF's disposal last season, Echols was still able to carve out a role in Golesh's offense. Moreover, the new Auburn staff believes that Echols' best football is ahead of him, entering this season as only a redshirt sophomore.
2026 OUTLOOK
After transferring in, Echols was limited for Auburn's spring practices, but is expected to be fully available for fall camp. Even with his injury, Echols still took first-team reps in skeleton drills.
Echols, like many others within this offense, has a connection with quarterback Byrum Brown. He's one of the most athletically imposing players on this team, at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds.
Auburn's tight-end room was a black hole for this offense last season, and Echols may have the most potential to turn that around in 2026. He's closely joined in terms of anticipated production by North Carolina transfer Jake Johnson, a more veteran player but perhaps not as dynamic within the passing game.
Auburn hopes its wide receivers demand a lot of attention game by game, and if they do, the matchups problems presented by Echols — particularly in the red zone — could lead to a few touchdowns this fall.
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Why ESPN's Tom Luginbill is high on Auburn QB Byrum Brown entering 2026
By Justin Hokanson
Auburn enters the 2026 season with plenty of questions surrounding a new coaching staff, new systems and a roster full of fresh faces.
At quarterback, however, ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill believes the Tigers have one of the SEC’s better options in Byrum Brown.
Luginbill recently placed Brown among the top quarterbacks in the conference, citing both his playmaking ability and the experience he brings to an Auburn team undergoing significant change.
“I think he’s in the top five or six. I’m making that assessment having broadcasted two of his games last fall and how he can take over a game,” Luginbill said on Thursday during an interview with The Next Round.
While Brown’s game may not always look polished, Luginbill emphasized that effectiveness matters more than aesthetics.
“Now I’ll tell you guys and Auburn fans have seen it, I’ve seen all the social media clutter about it: it ain’t pretty. He ain’t a guy that you’re going to put up in a room on tape and say this is what the purity of the passer looks like. That is not Byrum Brown,” Luginbill said.
“Byrum Brown is a point A to point B, get it done, doesn’t matter what it looks like, ball goes where it’s supposed to go type of guy.”
Brown’s ability as a runner is another reason Luginbill is so high on him entering the season.
“And on top of that, he’s a dynamic, physical force as a runner. He is all of 6’3 235 and is a load to handle.”
After redshirting at South Florida in 2022, Brown became the Bulls’ starting quarterback when Alex Golesh arrived in 2023. During his career at USF, he threw for 7,690 yards and 61 touchdowns while adding 2,265 rushing yards and 31 more scores on the ground.
Brown is one of 11 players in NCAA history to tally over 3,000 passing yards and over 1,000 rushing yards in the same season.
“He’s tough as nails,” offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said this spring. “He’s full of grit and he’s a great competitor.”
To back up Luginbill’s opinion, USA Today recently drafted the league’s quarterbacks and Brown was the fifth quarterback taken. Trinidad Chambliss, Arch Manning, Gunner Stockton and Sam Leavitt are generally viewed as the SEC’s top four quarterbacks in some order. Marcel Reed and John Mateer are right there in the mix as well.
Beyond the physical traits, Luginbill believes Brown’s familiarity with Golesh and the offensive staff will provide one of Auburn’s biggest advantages this offseason.
“That combined with the experience that he brings is invaluable,” Luginbill said.
“The experience combined with the knowledge of the coaching staff, how they want things relayed, how they want them coached, having his guys on the field during OTAs, being an extra coach in the building, knowing what the staff wants and him getting it right, I think that creates huge advantages during the summer and heading into fall camp.”
That experience stands out even more in an era of constant roster movement and transfer portal turnover. Brown already knows the offense, understands the expectations and can help bring teammates along as Auburn continues to build under Golesh.
“That’s something that in today’s world with roster turnover, transfer, a bunch of new faces and new guys, if your quarterback is already entrenched and engrained in what it is that you want to do, to me, that is invaluable right now.”
For Auburn, the hope is that Brown’s experience, leadership and playmaking ability can help accelerate the transition into the Golesh era.
Brown’s comments this spring may best capture his value: “I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
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Path to the Plains: Offensive lineman Jo Simmons
By Caleb Jones
Auburn’s roster will look almost brand new this fall.
It’s just how college football operates nowadays. The transfer portal makes it more rare than ever for fans to know the entire roster like they used to. And since there’s so much overturn on Auburn’s roster, there’s no better time than the summer to get to know the guys suiting up for the Tigers this fall.
Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a look at the projected two-deep and their journey to the Plains.
We started with quarterback Byrum Brown. Next up on the journey is offensive lineman Jo Simmons.
CIGNETTI SIGNS SIMMONS OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL
Simmons is originally from Dover, Del., where he had limited offers at the FBS level out of high school.
Liberty, Kent State and UMass were among the programs recruiting him before James Madison jumped in the picture — under then head coach Curt Cignetti. He committed to James Madison months later, signing as part of the Dukes’ 2022 recruiting class.
Simmons didn’t make an impact instantly. It took time. He didn’t play as a true freshman, using it as a redshirt season. In 2023, as a redshirt freshman, he only saw action in two games. Even after Cignetti left for the Indiana job ahead of the 2024 season, Simmons chose to stay the course with James Madison.
He started earning playing time as a redshirt sophomore that fall, appearing in 13 games and making his first career start in the Boca Raton Bowl against Western Kentucky. One season later, as a redshirt junior, Simmons had worked his way into the starting left tackle spot for the Dukes.
He started 13 games for James Madison at left tackle in 2025 — including the Dukes’ College Football Playoff game against Oregon.
TAKING THE NEXT STEP WITH AUBURN
Following the season, though, James Madison head coach Bob Chesney departed for the UCLA job.
And Simmons felt it was time to take his game to the next level, seeing that he only had one season remaining of eligibility.
“This decision comes from a place of growth and a desire to explore what’s next,” Simmons wrote in his goodbye to James Madison.
Two weeks after his announcement, Simmons took an official visit to Auburn. The Tigers subsequently won his commitment over Arizona State, seeking Simmons to fill the spot as the starting right tackle. However, as fellow transfer Stanton Ramil recovered from injury, Simmons saw plenty of reps at both tackle spots this spring for Auburn.
He started A-Day at left tackle, but is expected to resume his post at right tackle once Ramil returns to full strength.
“It’s been amazing,” Simmons said of his A-Day experience in April. “I’m just super excited to be here. The Tiger Walk was amazing. It gets me so used to go out there and run out to the crowd in the stands. That’s what you play for. All the hard work during the weeks in spring, fall, and summer, that’s what you play for. It’s a little taste of it, and I’m excited to see what it’s like in the fall.”
Auburn begins its season Sept. 5 in Atlanta, facing Baylor at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
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Auburn flips West Virginia RB commit Khamoni Williams
By Christian Clemente
Auburn worked in silence and got it done.
Committing to West Virginia on June 12, the Auburn staff hosted running back Khamoni Williams for a secret official visit the final weekend of the recruiting month before the dead period. He left that trip by committing to Alex Golesh and the staff.
From Southwind (Tenn.), Williams is listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds. He's ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 554 player, No. 36 running back and No. 24 player from Tennessee. 247Sports has him tabbed higher as an 89-overall, on the cusp of 4-star status, and ranked as the No. 23 running back and No. 17 player from Tennessee.
Vanderbilt was another school he officially visited this summer. Auburn previously hosted him in the spring and continued recruiting him as questions arose surrounding the commitment status of Kingston Miles, who officially visited Missouri after committing to Auburn. The top-ranked running back commitment is still of course Myson Johnson-Cook, who the Tigers landed a commitment from earlier in the year.
Running backs coach Larry Porter led the way in recruiting Williams and now gets him in the fold for Auburn's 2027 class.
While Williams is the third running back commitment in Auburn's class for right now, that's not expected to last long. Auburn opted to add Williams in place of the aforementioned Miles, who the staff decided to move on from and mutually part ways with. With the shakiness of his commitment, Auburn pivoted to another longtime top target in Williams who truly wanted to be on the Plains rather than trying to hold on to Miles throughout the rest of the cycle.
Auburn's class is technically at 22 commitments now with the addition of Williams and ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. Again, though, that's with Miles still part of the class — which he is not expected to be for much longer.
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Auburn Flips Big 12 Commit Amidst Dominant Recruiting Weekend
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers have been landing commitments left and right, but until Sunday night, they had not flipped a single prospect from another program. However, late into the weekend, Khamoni Williams announced he would flip his commitment from West Virginia to Auburn.
https://x.com/Rivals/status/2068858972048630223?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2068858972048630223%7Ctwgr%5E97cf3b754635b5b39e99615cadcec6f7dc28b9a3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Ffootball%2Fauburn-flips-big-12-commit-amidst-dominant-recruiting-weekend
Williams, who stands at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, is a three-star running back who is currently rated as the 23rd-best running back in his class as well as the 17th-best player from his home state of Tennessee. He had been committed to West Virginia since June 12.
With this commitment, the Auburn Tigers now have three running backs in their 2027 class, including Williams, four-star Myson Johnson-Cook and four-star Kingston Miles. Johnson-Cook is currently rated as the fifth-best running back in the country, and Miles is currently rated as the 18th-best.
The Tigers already had incredible depth in their running back room, complete with Jeremiah Cobb, a senior, Bryson Washington, a junior, Omar Mabson, a sophomore and former five-star Alvin Henderson, a sophomore. Now, their future looks to be even more stacked than their present, despite the fact that Auburn’s rushers have already set a precedent in total production.
Alex Golesh was clear from the first time he stepped onto the Plains: the Tigers, under him, were going to run the ball often and effectively. He has built a class to match, complete with four high-level offensive linemen to open lanes for his top-level backs in the future.
Williams marks the third commitment (and the second with the last name Williams) this weekend, as on Friday, the Tigers committed James Pace, the No. 2 edge rusher in Maryland. Then, just a few hours before Williams’ commitment, the similarly named Preston Williams, a three-star safety, also announced his pledge to the Plains.
Now, the Tigers’ class boasts an impressive, well-rounded makeup of one quarterback, three running backs, one wide receiver, four offensive linemen, a tight end, two defensive linemen, two edge rushers, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, three safeties and a kicker. It is currently ranked among the top 10 by ESPN and 247Sports, while Rivals has them sitting just outside at No. 12.
Who is next for the Tigers? The only real hole in their 2027 class is the wide receiver position, and Golesh’s program is already trending for two of the nation's best. Cedrick Simmons, a three-star target for the Tigers, is set to announce his commitment tomorrow after visiting Auburn this past weekend, while Hall recently received multiple predictions in favor of his landing on the Plains.
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Auburn adds commitment from in-state athlete Preston Williams
By Christian Clemente
It's a bit of a dream come true for Preston Williams.
Growing up in the state of Alabama and playing at George W Long, Williams grew up a fan of the Tigers and envisioned himself playing for Auburn one day. He came to an Auburn camp earlier this summer and worked in hopes of impressing the coaching staff. He did just that, earned an offer, officially visited over the weekend and now is committed to the Tigers after that visit.
"I want to thank God for guiding me every step of this journey," Williams said of his choice. "My parents always taught me to live a faithful life in God, and to honor Him in all I do! Philippians 4:13: 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Today, that faith and hard work have lead me to a dream come true. I am blessed and honored to announce my commitment to Auburn University. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Especially my parents for always believing in me! Truly, I've always been an Auburn man! I Love Auburn and believe in it! War Eagle!"
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Williams is ranked as a safety but recruited by Auburn as a defensive athlete capable of playing multiple positions in the backend of the secondary for the Tigers. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite has Williams as the No. 1,736 player, No. 166 safety and No. 63 player from Alabama in the 2027 recruiting class.
He also took an official visit to Jacksonville State the prior weekend, with head coach Charles Kelly pushing to try and land him but unable to beat his alma mater in Auburn for Williams.
"It's special to me," Williams said. "Everybody is trying to get on the field, but if I come here I feel like I can learn the program, do what I have to do, put my mind to it, I'm going to bet on myself anyways. With the ability God gave me, I feel like I can do whatever I want to do and play as early as I want to play depending on what time I put into it.
"I like the culture. I grew up an Auburn fan. I came to the Cal game two years ago. I know they didn't perform well, but the crowd was loud. I was like, 'Who wouldn't want to play in a stadium like this?' That's really what attracted me (to Auburn), and the coaches."
Williams is commitment No. 21 for Auburn in the 2027 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings.
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Auburn Snags Safety Recruit, Bolsters Top-10 Class
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers have been on a recruiting heater as of late, and Alex Golesh and company seem to be showing no intent of slowing down. On Sunday night, Auburn landed its second commitment of the weekend in three-star safety Preston Williams.
https://x.com/PrestonWil1910/status/2068839613519614372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2068839613519614372%7Ctwgr%5Ef4166698db366df3159c65c6ae6f86de890e74d1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Ffootball%2Fauburn-snags-safety-recruit-bolsters-top-10-class-01kvpezn1zhq
Williams is a three-star safety who is currently rated as the 167th-best safety in the 2027 class as well as the 63rd-best player in the state of Alabama. He chose the Tigers over programs like Jacksonville State and South Alabama.
At the time of his commitment, Williams was listed as having a 51% chance to land at Auburn, while Jacksonville State stood behind with a 43% chance. This is one of the closest races Auburn has had with another program this season, and Williams visited both programs in the two weeks before his decision.
Interestingly, Williams received his offer from Auburn on June 3, just 18 days before his commitment. This is one of the fastest turnarounds Tiger fans have seen from Golesh, who is now working at a fever pace as he continues to bolster his already top-level 2027 class.
In fact, Golesh has worked so hard on his class that it is now ranked as the ninth-best in the nation, per 247Sports. The Tigers were ranked around the No. 12 mark for most of last week before their jump in ranking began on Friday with the commitment of four-star edge rusher James Pace.
Now, the Tigers’ class boasts an impressive, well-rounded makeup of one quarterback, two running backs, one wide receiver, four offensive linemen, a tight end, two defensive linemen, two edge rushers, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, three safeties and a kicker. It is currently ranked among the top 10 by ESPN and 247Sports, while Rivals has them sitting just outside at No. 12.
So, are the Tigers done, and if not, who is next? The short answer to the first question is a resounding no. Williams was a part of an exclusive three-player visit group this past weekend, where Auburn-committed offensive lineman Layton von Brandt and uncommitted Auburn target Cedrick Simmons joined him.
With Williams’ commitment, the Tigers have landed one of their two targets from that visit and can fully turn their attention to Simmons, who is a three-star wide receiver who could bolster the only soft spot in the Tigers’ class: the wide receiver room. Additionally, the Tigers are suddenly favorites in the commitment of Deshawn Hall, a four-star wide receiver who, until recently, was upwards of a 90% favorite to land at Penn State.
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Auburn felt like home: 4-star EDGE James Pace commits to the Tigers
By Chad Simmons
Director of Recruiting, Rivals
Auburn has landed one of its biggest defensive commitments of the cycle.
Four-star edge rusher James Pace has committed to Alex Golesh and the Tigers, giving Auburn a major recruiting win in the DMV region and another blue-chip defender for its growing class.
The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic standout ranks as the No. 155 prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking and chose Auburn after a recruitment that featured national attention from programs across the country.
The decision came on his official visit earlier this month.
“Auburn was already my number one before the visit, then they went up even higher while I was on it,” Pace told Rivals. “When I went up there, I definitely didn’t think I was going to go up there and commit. It was hard to keep it quiet. It was a great visit.”
Auburn answered lingering questions, reinforced existing relationships and delivered the feeling Pace had been searching for throughout the recruiting process.
“The first time I went up there, I focused on the feeling. The second time, it felt like home for sure. I got to see everything.
“They just embraced me with open arms. They showed me that they really cared and that they wanted me there.”
The atmosphere around Auburn always impressed.
“It feels good there,” he said. “It makes me feel ready to play ball. Everywhere I go, gas stations, stores, it’s Auburn all the time, everywhere. They’re definitely all about football up there, and that’s somewhere I want to be.”
Pace is excited about the future at Auburn
When it came decision time, that authenticity resonated with both Pace and his family.
“Coach Hutzler is a great guy, family man, just like us,” Pace said. “Everything just fell into place with them. There’s nothing bad about it.”
The Tigers also made a strong impression through the vision laid out by Golesh.
Pace believes Auburn is building toward something bigger.
“He told me he sees a lot in me and believes I can come in and make an impact. I definitely believe in him. I think he can get Auburn back to the top and competing with Georgia, Alabama and those schools.”
What stood out most was the consistency of the message. The answers reinforced everything he had already experienced.
“A lot of coaches fake it when they want you to go there,” Pace said. “I asked people if it was real, and they told me it’s the same every day. I could tell it was genuine.”
When it came time to make a decision, three factors separated Auburn from the competition.
“The relationships were huge,” Pace said. “The brotherhood was huge too. I’m looking for relationships that last your whole life because football won’t last forever.
“I know the type of person I am,” he said. “Auburn is football and school. I wanted somewhere I could keep the main thing the main thing.”
The No. 155 overall prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking gives the Tigers a versatile edge defender with length, athleticism and upside, while continuing Auburn’s recruiting momentum on the defensive side of the ball.
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BREAKING: 4-star edge James Pace commits to Auburn
By Jeffrey Lee
DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) four-star edge James Pace has committed to Auburn.
Pace, who is ranked the No. 4 overall recruit in Maryland, announced his decision Friday night during a ceremony with family and friends. He chose Auburn over Colorado, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, among others.
“I feel comfortable every minute I’m (at Auburn),” Pace said. “There is a lot of love from the faculty and staff, and the players already make me feel like I’m in the brotherhood.”
Pace said he knew it would be Auburn following an official visit May 29-31.
“They showed me how much of a priority I am,” Pace said. “I definitely feel loved and get a lot of love (at Auburn). I also like the way they make me feel like a priority and it’s genuine.”
Auburn edge coach Coleman Hutzler and assistant edge coach Wayne Dorsey both played big roles in Pace’s decision.
“(Dorsey) is from where I’m from, so that played a big part of it,” Pace said. “That started it all with the whole spark with Auburn. Me and my dad talk to Coach Dorsey a lot and relate to him a lot.
“(Hutzler) is a real standup guy. I have good relationships with Coach Dorsey and Coach Hutz.”
Pace’s commitment comes two days after his teammate, three-star safety Knyair Cumb, committed to Auburn.
Pace is the 20th commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and second edge, joining fellow four-star from Maryland, Rion Jackson.
The Rivals Industry Ranking ranks Pace the No. 167 overall recruit in the country and No. 18 edge.
https://twitter.com/i/status/2068129177010577609
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Auburn Leading in Iron Bowl of Recruiting Ahead of Tuesday Decision
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers have been on a recruiting heater as of late, but there has been some speculation that new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh and his staff were struggling to land in-state prospects.
That could change on Tuesday, though, as a top target is set to announce his commitment, and Auburn is currently leading the race over its in-state rival.
Cedrick Simmons, the prospect in question, is a three-star wide receiver who is currently rated as the 39th-best athlete in the 2027 class as well as the 24th-best in-class player from the state of Alabama.
Hailing from Southside Selma High School, Simmons accounted for 2,192 yards in his junior season of high school as well as 20 touchdowns on just over 100 receptions. Averaging over 20 yards per reception, Simmons is a clear difference-maker on the field, and both major in-state colleges are highly interested.
As it stands, the Tigers currently lead in Simmons’ recruitment, boasting a 51.6% chance to land the wideout, though the Alabama Crimson Tide follow closely behind with a 26.3% chance. Ironically, the main recruiter for Simmons at Alabama is Derrick Nix, who served as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator in 2025.
Simmons told Jeffrey Lee of On3 that the race may even be closer than their recruiting prediction percentages may suggest.
“It’s [Auburn and Alabama] fighting for me,” he said, “and I like both of them. I have a hard decision to make.”
Helping Simmons’ Auburn case is his recent visit, as he took a trip to the Plains this past weekend, in what will be the last visit of his non-committed career. He is set to make his official announcement on Tuesday, so the Tigers getting the last in-person word in before his commitment certainly bodes well for his chances to land on the Plains.
Auburn’s 2027 class, for all its strengths, is nearly devoid of wide receivers, as Golesh’s class boasts just a single wideout commit: three-star Brylan Odour. The addition of Simmons could bolster that position group, and there are a few other receivers on the Tigers’ radar who could also commit in the coming days.
It starts with Simmons, though; he is the next commitment expected to be announced in the coming days (at least, of those interested in Auburn), and if the Tigers can land him, they may bolster their already-dominant recruiting momentum to unprecedented heights.
Most Valuable Tigers: No. 25:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/auburn-tigers-football-roster-jonathan-echols-tight-end-287881404/
Why ESPN's Tom Luginbill is high on Auburn QB Byrum Brown entering 2026:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/why-espns-tom-luginbill-is-high-on-auburn-qb-byrum-brown-entering-2026/
Path to the Plains: Offensive lineman Jo Simmons:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/path-to-the-plains-offensive-lineman-jo-simmons/
Auburn flips West Virginia RB commit Khamoni Williams:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/khamoni-williams-flips-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287883070/
Auburn Flips Big 12 Commit Amidst Dominant Recruiting Weekend:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/auburn-flips-big-12-commit-amidst-dominant-recruiting-weekend
Auburn adds commitment from in-state athlete Preston Williams:
https://247sports.com/college/auburn/article/preston-williams-commits-to-auburn-tigers-football-recruiting-287871255/
Auburn Snags Safety Recruit, Bolsters Top-10 Class:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/football/auburn-snags-safety-recruit-bolsters-top-10-class-01kvpezn1zhq
Auburn felt like home: 4-star EDGE James Pace commits to the Tigers:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/auburn-felt-like-home-4-star-edge-james-pace-commits-to-the-tigers/
BREAKING: 4-star edge James Pace commits to Auburn:
https://www.on3.com/teams/auburn-tigers/news/breaking-4-star-edge-james-pace-commits-to-auburn/
Auburn Leading in Iron Bowl of Recruiting Ahead of Tuesday Decision:
https://www.si.com/college/auburn/recruiting/auburn-leading-iron-bowl-recruiting-tuesday-decision-cedrick-simmons
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By Nathan King
We're still in the heart of the college football offseason: two months removed from spring practice, more than a month from media days, and inside 100 days until the 2026 season, Auburn's first under head coach Alex Golesh.
So what better time to crank up the rankings? As we do annually this time of year, Auburn Undercover is counting down the top 25 most valuable players for the Tigers' 2026 season.
A few notes to set the table: These rankings are based on a player's previous contributions in college, as well as his assumed impact in 2026 — how important he is expected to be to Auburn's success in both production and the win-loss column. It is not simply Auburn's best players in descending order.
Our first player is one of several USF transfers: tight end Jonathan Echols, who was limited by an injury in spring practice but showed his potential last season as a big-bodied, athletic target within Golesh's offense.
AS A RECRUIT
Hometown: Franklin, Ga.
Class: 2024
247Sports ranking: 3-star, No. 18 TE
2026 transfer ranking: No. 9 TE
AS A PLAYER
Looking back at Echols coming out of IMG Academy in the 2024 class, he had heavy interest in major SEC programs, with offers from Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and others. Like others on this Auburn roster, Echols was, at one point, committed to Tennessee when Golesh was the offensive coordinator there, but he later decommitted and wound up with Goelsh at USF.
Echols redshirted as a freshman with the Bulls, though his only catch of the season was still a touchdown in a blowout win over Tulsa. Then last season, Echols took a step forward and became a starting-adjacent piece of the USF offense. He was the No. 2 tight end behind Wyatt Sullivan, but he had more touchdowns (three), with a total of nine receptions on the season.
With all the weapons at USF's disposal last season, Echols was still able to carve out a role in Golesh's offense. Moreover, the new Auburn staff believes that Echols' best football is ahead of him, entering this season as only a redshirt sophomore.
2026 OUTLOOK
After transferring in, Echols was limited for Auburn's spring practices, but is expected to be fully available for fall camp. Even with his injury, Echols still took first-team reps in skeleton drills.
Echols, like many others within this offense, has a connection with quarterback Byrum Brown. He's one of the most athletically imposing players on this team, at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds.
Auburn's tight-end room was a black hole for this offense last season, and Echols may have the most potential to turn that around in 2026. He's closely joined in terms of anticipated production by North Carolina transfer Jake Johnson, a more veteran player but perhaps not as dynamic within the passing game.
Auburn hopes its wide receivers demand a lot of attention game by game, and if they do, the matchups problems presented by Echols — particularly in the red zone — could lead to a few touchdowns this fall.
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Why ESPN's Tom Luginbill is high on Auburn QB Byrum Brown entering 2026
By Justin Hokanson
Auburn enters the 2026 season with plenty of questions surrounding a new coaching staff, new systems and a roster full of fresh faces.
At quarterback, however, ESPN analyst Tom Luginbill believes the Tigers have one of the SEC’s better options in Byrum Brown.
Luginbill recently placed Brown among the top quarterbacks in the conference, citing both his playmaking ability and the experience he brings to an Auburn team undergoing significant change.
“I think he’s in the top five or six. I’m making that assessment having broadcasted two of his games last fall and how he can take over a game,” Luginbill said on Thursday during an interview with The Next Round.
While Brown’s game may not always look polished, Luginbill emphasized that effectiveness matters more than aesthetics.
“Now I’ll tell you guys and Auburn fans have seen it, I’ve seen all the social media clutter about it: it ain’t pretty. He ain’t a guy that you’re going to put up in a room on tape and say this is what the purity of the passer looks like. That is not Byrum Brown,” Luginbill said.
“Byrum Brown is a point A to point B, get it done, doesn’t matter what it looks like, ball goes where it’s supposed to go type of guy.”
Brown’s ability as a runner is another reason Luginbill is so high on him entering the season.
“And on top of that, he’s a dynamic, physical force as a runner. He is all of 6’3 235 and is a load to handle.”
After redshirting at South Florida in 2022, Brown became the Bulls’ starting quarterback when Alex Golesh arrived in 2023. During his career at USF, he threw for 7,690 yards and 61 touchdowns while adding 2,265 rushing yards and 31 more scores on the ground.
Brown is one of 11 players in NCAA history to tally over 3,000 passing yards and over 1,000 rushing yards in the same season.
“He’s tough as nails,” offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said this spring. “He’s full of grit and he’s a great competitor.”
To back up Luginbill’s opinion, USA Today recently drafted the league’s quarterbacks and Brown was the fifth quarterback taken. Trinidad Chambliss, Arch Manning, Gunner Stockton and Sam Leavitt are generally viewed as the SEC’s top four quarterbacks in some order. Marcel Reed and John Mateer are right there in the mix as well.
Beyond the physical traits, Luginbill believes Brown’s familiarity with Golesh and the offensive staff will provide one of Auburn’s biggest advantages this offseason.
“That combined with the experience that he brings is invaluable,” Luginbill said.
“The experience combined with the knowledge of the coaching staff, how they want things relayed, how they want them coached, having his guys on the field during OTAs, being an extra coach in the building, knowing what the staff wants and him getting it right, I think that creates huge advantages during the summer and heading into fall camp.”
That experience stands out even more in an era of constant roster movement and transfer portal turnover. Brown already knows the offense, understands the expectations and can help bring teammates along as Auburn continues to build under Golesh.
“That’s something that in today’s world with roster turnover, transfer, a bunch of new faces and new guys, if your quarterback is already entrenched and engrained in what it is that you want to do, to me, that is invaluable right now.”
For Auburn, the hope is that Brown’s experience, leadership and playmaking ability can help accelerate the transition into the Golesh era.
Brown’s comments this spring may best capture his value: “I’ll do whatever it takes to win.”
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Path to the Plains: Offensive lineman Jo Simmons
By Caleb Jones
Auburn’s roster will look almost brand new this fall.
It’s just how college football operates nowadays. The transfer portal makes it more rare than ever for fans to know the entire roster like they used to. And since there’s so much overturn on Auburn’s roster, there’s no better time than the summer to get to know the guys suiting up for the Tigers this fall.
Over the next several weeks, we’ll take a look at the projected two-deep and their journey to the Plains.
We started with quarterback Byrum Brown. Next up on the journey is offensive lineman Jo Simmons.
CIGNETTI SIGNS SIMMONS OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL
Simmons is originally from Dover, Del., where he had limited offers at the FBS level out of high school.
Liberty, Kent State and UMass were among the programs recruiting him before James Madison jumped in the picture — under then head coach Curt Cignetti. He committed to James Madison months later, signing as part of the Dukes’ 2022 recruiting class.
Simmons didn’t make an impact instantly. It took time. He didn’t play as a true freshman, using it as a redshirt season. In 2023, as a redshirt freshman, he only saw action in two games. Even after Cignetti left for the Indiana job ahead of the 2024 season, Simmons chose to stay the course with James Madison.
He started earning playing time as a redshirt sophomore that fall, appearing in 13 games and making his first career start in the Boca Raton Bowl against Western Kentucky. One season later, as a redshirt junior, Simmons had worked his way into the starting left tackle spot for the Dukes.
He started 13 games for James Madison at left tackle in 2025 — including the Dukes’ College Football Playoff game against Oregon.
TAKING THE NEXT STEP WITH AUBURN
Following the season, though, James Madison head coach Bob Chesney departed for the UCLA job.
And Simmons felt it was time to take his game to the next level, seeing that he only had one season remaining of eligibility.
“This decision comes from a place of growth and a desire to explore what’s next,” Simmons wrote in his goodbye to James Madison.
Two weeks after his announcement, Simmons took an official visit to Auburn. The Tigers subsequently won his commitment over Arizona State, seeking Simmons to fill the spot as the starting right tackle. However, as fellow transfer Stanton Ramil recovered from injury, Simmons saw plenty of reps at both tackle spots this spring for Auburn.
He started A-Day at left tackle, but is expected to resume his post at right tackle once Ramil returns to full strength.
“It’s been amazing,” Simmons said of his A-Day experience in April. “I’m just super excited to be here. The Tiger Walk was amazing. It gets me so used to go out there and run out to the crowd in the stands. That’s what you play for. All the hard work during the weeks in spring, fall, and summer, that’s what you play for. It’s a little taste of it, and I’m excited to see what it’s like in the fall.”
Auburn begins its season Sept. 5 in Atlanta, facing Baylor at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
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Auburn flips West Virginia RB commit Khamoni Williams
By Christian Clemente
Auburn worked in silence and got it done.
Committing to West Virginia on June 12, the Auburn staff hosted running back Khamoni Williams for a secret official visit the final weekend of the recruiting month before the dead period. He left that trip by committing to Alex Golesh and the staff.
From Southwind (Tenn.), Williams is listed at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds. He's ranked in the industry-generated 247Sports Composite as the No. 554 player, No. 36 running back and No. 24 player from Tennessee. 247Sports has him tabbed higher as an 89-overall, on the cusp of 4-star status, and ranked as the No. 23 running back and No. 17 player from Tennessee.
Vanderbilt was another school he officially visited this summer. Auburn previously hosted him in the spring and continued recruiting him as questions arose surrounding the commitment status of Kingston Miles, who officially visited Missouri after committing to Auburn. The top-ranked running back commitment is still of course Myson Johnson-Cook, who the Tigers landed a commitment from earlier in the year.
Running backs coach Larry Porter led the way in recruiting Williams and now gets him in the fold for Auburn's 2027 class.
While Williams is the third running back commitment in Auburn's class for right now, that's not expected to last long. Auburn opted to add Williams in place of the aforementioned Miles, who the staff decided to move on from and mutually part ways with. With the shakiness of his commitment, Auburn pivoted to another longtime top target in Williams who truly wanted to be on the Plains rather than trying to hold on to Miles throughout the rest of the cycle.
Auburn's class is technically at 22 commitments now with the addition of Williams and ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings. Again, though, that's with Miles still part of the class — which he is not expected to be for much longer.
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Auburn Flips Big 12 Commit Amidst Dominant Recruiting Weekend
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers have been landing commitments left and right, but until Sunday night, they had not flipped a single prospect from another program. However, late into the weekend, Khamoni Williams announced he would flip his commitment from West Virginia to Auburn.
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Williams, who stands at 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, is a three-star running back who is currently rated as the 23rd-best running back in his class as well as the 17th-best player from his home state of Tennessee. He had been committed to West Virginia since June 12.
With this commitment, the Auburn Tigers now have three running backs in their 2027 class, including Williams, four-star Myson Johnson-Cook and four-star Kingston Miles. Johnson-Cook is currently rated as the fifth-best running back in the country, and Miles is currently rated as the 18th-best.
The Tigers already had incredible depth in their running back room, complete with Jeremiah Cobb, a senior, Bryson Washington, a junior, Omar Mabson, a sophomore and former five-star Alvin Henderson, a sophomore. Now, their future looks to be even more stacked than their present, despite the fact that Auburn’s rushers have already set a precedent in total production.
Alex Golesh was clear from the first time he stepped onto the Plains: the Tigers, under him, were going to run the ball often and effectively. He has built a class to match, complete with four high-level offensive linemen to open lanes for his top-level backs in the future.
Williams marks the third commitment (and the second with the last name Williams) this weekend, as on Friday, the Tigers committed James Pace, the No. 2 edge rusher in Maryland. Then, just a few hours before Williams’ commitment, the similarly named Preston Williams, a three-star safety, also announced his pledge to the Plains.
Now, the Tigers’ class boasts an impressive, well-rounded makeup of one quarterback, three running backs, one wide receiver, four offensive linemen, a tight end, two defensive linemen, two edge rushers, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, three safeties and a kicker. It is currently ranked among the top 10 by ESPN and 247Sports, while Rivals has them sitting just outside at No. 12.
Who is next for the Tigers? The only real hole in their 2027 class is the wide receiver position, and Golesh’s program is already trending for two of the nation's best. Cedrick Simmons, a three-star target for the Tigers, is set to announce his commitment tomorrow after visiting Auburn this past weekend, while Hall recently received multiple predictions in favor of his landing on the Plains.
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Auburn adds commitment from in-state athlete Preston Williams
By Christian Clemente
It's a bit of a dream come true for Preston Williams.
Growing up in the state of Alabama and playing at George W Long, Williams grew up a fan of the Tigers and envisioned himself playing for Auburn one day. He came to an Auburn camp earlier this summer and worked in hopes of impressing the coaching staff. He did just that, earned an offer, officially visited over the weekend and now is committed to the Tigers after that visit.
"I want to thank God for guiding me every step of this journey," Williams said of his choice. "My parents always taught me to live a faithful life in God, and to honor Him in all I do! Philippians 4:13: 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Today, that faith and hard work have lead me to a dream come true. I am blessed and honored to announce my commitment to Auburn University. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Especially my parents for always believing in me! Truly, I've always been an Auburn man! I Love Auburn and believe in it! War Eagle!"
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, Williams is ranked as a safety but recruited by Auburn as a defensive athlete capable of playing multiple positions in the backend of the secondary for the Tigers. The industry-generated 247Sports Composite has Williams as the No. 1,736 player, No. 166 safety and No. 63 player from Alabama in the 2027 recruiting class.
He also took an official visit to Jacksonville State the prior weekend, with head coach Charles Kelly pushing to try and land him but unable to beat his alma mater in Auburn for Williams.
"It's special to me," Williams said. "Everybody is trying to get on the field, but if I come here I feel like I can learn the program, do what I have to do, put my mind to it, I'm going to bet on myself anyways. With the ability God gave me, I feel like I can do whatever I want to do and play as early as I want to play depending on what time I put into it.
"I like the culture. I grew up an Auburn fan. I came to the Cal game two years ago. I know they didn't perform well, but the crowd was loud. I was like, 'Who wouldn't want to play in a stadium like this?' That's really what attracted me (to Auburn), and the coaches."
Williams is commitment No. 21 for Auburn in the 2027 recruiting class, which is ranked No. 9 in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings.
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Auburn Snags Safety Recruit, Bolsters Top-10 Class
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers have been on a recruiting heater as of late, and Alex Golesh and company seem to be showing no intent of slowing down. On Sunday night, Auburn landed its second commitment of the weekend in three-star safety Preston Williams.
https://x.com/PrestonWil1910/status/2068839613519614372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2068839613519614372%7Ctwgr%5Ef4166698db366df3159c65c6ae6f86de890e74d1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fcollege%2Fauburn%2Ffootball%2Fauburn-snags-safety-recruit-bolsters-top-10-class-01kvpezn1zhq
Williams is a three-star safety who is currently rated as the 167th-best safety in the 2027 class as well as the 63rd-best player in the state of Alabama. He chose the Tigers over programs like Jacksonville State and South Alabama.
At the time of his commitment, Williams was listed as having a 51% chance to land at Auburn, while Jacksonville State stood behind with a 43% chance. This is one of the closest races Auburn has had with another program this season, and Williams visited both programs in the two weeks before his decision.
Interestingly, Williams received his offer from Auburn on June 3, just 18 days before his commitment. This is one of the fastest turnarounds Tiger fans have seen from Golesh, who is now working at a fever pace as he continues to bolster his already top-level 2027 class.
In fact, Golesh has worked so hard on his class that it is now ranked as the ninth-best in the nation, per 247Sports. The Tigers were ranked around the No. 12 mark for most of last week before their jump in ranking began on Friday with the commitment of four-star edge rusher James Pace.
Now, the Tigers’ class boasts an impressive, well-rounded makeup of one quarterback, two running backs, one wide receiver, four offensive linemen, a tight end, two defensive linemen, two edge rushers, two linebackers, two cornerbacks, three safeties and a kicker. It is currently ranked among the top 10 by ESPN and 247Sports, while Rivals has them sitting just outside at No. 12.
So, are the Tigers done, and if not, who is next? The short answer to the first question is a resounding no. Williams was a part of an exclusive three-player visit group this past weekend, where Auburn-committed offensive lineman Layton von Brandt and uncommitted Auburn target Cedrick Simmons joined him.
With Williams’ commitment, the Tigers have landed one of their two targets from that visit and can fully turn their attention to Simmons, who is a three-star wide receiver who could bolster the only soft spot in the Tigers’ class: the wide receiver room. Additionally, the Tigers are suddenly favorites in the commitment of Deshawn Hall, a four-star wide receiver who, until recently, was upwards of a 90% favorite to land at Penn State.
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Auburn felt like home: 4-star EDGE James Pace commits to the Tigers
By Chad Simmons
Director of Recruiting, Rivals
Auburn has landed one of its biggest defensive commitments of the cycle.
Four-star edge rusher James Pace has committed to Alex Golesh and the Tigers, giving Auburn a major recruiting win in the DMV region and another blue-chip defender for its growing class.
The Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic standout ranks as the No. 155 prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking and chose Auburn after a recruitment that featured national attention from programs across the country.
The decision came on his official visit earlier this month.
“Auburn was already my number one before the visit, then they went up even higher while I was on it,” Pace told Rivals. “When I went up there, I definitely didn’t think I was going to go up there and commit. It was hard to keep it quiet. It was a great visit.”
Auburn answered lingering questions, reinforced existing relationships and delivered the feeling Pace had been searching for throughout the recruiting process.
“The first time I went up there, I focused on the feeling. The second time, it felt like home for sure. I got to see everything.
“They just embraced me with open arms. They showed me that they really cared and that they wanted me there.”
The atmosphere around Auburn always impressed.
“It feels good there,” he said. “It makes me feel ready to play ball. Everywhere I go, gas stations, stores, it’s Auburn all the time, everywhere. They’re definitely all about football up there, and that’s somewhere I want to be.”
Pace is excited about the future at Auburn
When it came decision time, that authenticity resonated with both Pace and his family.
“Coach Hutzler is a great guy, family man, just like us,” Pace said. “Everything just fell into place with them. There’s nothing bad about it.”
The Tigers also made a strong impression through the vision laid out by Golesh.
Pace believes Auburn is building toward something bigger.
“He told me he sees a lot in me and believes I can come in and make an impact. I definitely believe in him. I think he can get Auburn back to the top and competing with Georgia, Alabama and those schools.”
What stood out most was the consistency of the message. The answers reinforced everything he had already experienced.
“A lot of coaches fake it when they want you to go there,” Pace said. “I asked people if it was real, and they told me it’s the same every day. I could tell it was genuine.”
When it came time to make a decision, three factors separated Auburn from the competition.
“The relationships were huge,” Pace said. “The brotherhood was huge too. I’m looking for relationships that last your whole life because football won’t last forever.
“I know the type of person I am,” he said. “Auburn is football and school. I wanted somewhere I could keep the main thing the main thing.”
The No. 155 overall prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking gives the Tigers a versatile edge defender with length, athleticism and upside, while continuing Auburn’s recruiting momentum on the defensive side of the ball.
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BREAKING: 4-star edge James Pace commits to Auburn
By Jeffrey Lee
DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) four-star edge James Pace has committed to Auburn.
Pace, who is ranked the No. 4 overall recruit in Maryland, announced his decision Friday night during a ceremony with family and friends. He chose Auburn over Colorado, Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina, among others.
“I feel comfortable every minute I’m (at Auburn),” Pace said. “There is a lot of love from the faculty and staff, and the players already make me feel like I’m in the brotherhood.”
Pace said he knew it would be Auburn following an official visit May 29-31.
“They showed me how much of a priority I am,” Pace said. “I definitely feel loved and get a lot of love (at Auburn). I also like the way they make me feel like a priority and it’s genuine.”
Auburn edge coach Coleman Hutzler and assistant edge coach Wayne Dorsey both played big roles in Pace’s decision.
“(Dorsey) is from where I’m from, so that played a big part of it,” Pace said. “That started it all with the whole spark with Auburn. Me and my dad talk to Coach Dorsey a lot and relate to him a lot.
“(Hutzler) is a real standup guy. I have good relationships with Coach Dorsey and Coach Hutz.”
Pace’s commitment comes two days after his teammate, three-star safety Knyair Cumb, committed to Auburn.
Pace is the 20th commitment in Auburn’s 2027 class and second edge, joining fellow four-star from Maryland, Rion Jackson.
The Rivals Industry Ranking ranks Pace the No. 167 overall recruit in the country and No. 18 edge.
https://twitter.com/i/status/2068129177010577609
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Auburn Leading in Iron Bowl of Recruiting Ahead of Tuesday Decision
By Brooks Crew
Auburn Tigers on SI
The Auburn Tigers have been on a recruiting heater as of late, but there has been some speculation that new Auburn head coach Alex Golesh and his staff were struggling to land in-state prospects.
That could change on Tuesday, though, as a top target is set to announce his commitment, and Auburn is currently leading the race over its in-state rival.
Cedrick Simmons, the prospect in question, is a three-star wide receiver who is currently rated as the 39th-best athlete in the 2027 class as well as the 24th-best in-class player from the state of Alabama.
Hailing from Southside Selma High School, Simmons accounted for 2,192 yards in his junior season of high school as well as 20 touchdowns on just over 100 receptions. Averaging over 20 yards per reception, Simmons is a clear difference-maker on the field, and both major in-state colleges are highly interested.
As it stands, the Tigers currently lead in Simmons’ recruitment, boasting a 51.6% chance to land the wideout, though the Alabama Crimson Tide follow closely behind with a 26.3% chance. Ironically, the main recruiter for Simmons at Alabama is Derrick Nix, who served as the Tigers’ offensive coordinator in 2025.
Simmons told Jeffrey Lee of On3 that the race may even be closer than their recruiting prediction percentages may suggest.
“It’s [Auburn and Alabama] fighting for me,” he said, “and I like both of them. I have a hard decision to make.”
Helping Simmons’ Auburn case is his recent visit, as he took a trip to the Plains this past weekend, in what will be the last visit of his non-committed career. He is set to make his official announcement on Tuesday, so the Tigers getting the last in-person word in before his commitment certainly bodes well for his chances to land on the Plains.
Auburn’s 2027 class, for all its strengths, is nearly devoid of wide receivers, as Golesh’s class boasts just a single wideout commit: three-star Brylan Odour. The addition of Simmons could bolster that position group, and there are a few other receivers on the Tigers’ radar who could also commit in the coming days.
It starts with Simmons, though; he is the next commitment expected to be announced in the coming days (at least, of those interested in Auburn), and if the Tigers can land him, they may bolster their already-dominant recruiting momentum to unprecedented heights.
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