With Auburn sitting at 2-4 this season, much of the conversation surrounding the team is focused on the future. A key element of that future is recruiting, and Auburn’s 2025 class is currently ranked No. 3 nationally, according to 247Sports. This follows a strong 2024 class, which ranked No. 8, with many of those players already making an impact as freshmen.
Despite the team’s on-field struggles, head coach Hugh Freeze remains confident in maintaining their commitments. When asked about this challenge, Freeze emphasized Auburn’s appeal: “That’s why they want to come here. You can go to programs already winning, or you can help revive one that’s proven it can win too,” he said in a press conference.
A significant focus for Auburn’s 2024 and 2025 recruiting efforts has been in-state talent. Of the 27 commitments for 2025, 11 are from Alabama, and 10 of the 20 signees in 2024 were from in-state as well. Notably, eight of the top 10 players in Alabama have committed to Auburn, with the remaining two choosing Ohio State over other SEC schools.
The recruiting process isn’t over, though. Freeze acknowledged that keeping top players committed requires ongoing effort, but he feels optimistic about finishing with another top-five class. Auburn’s recruiting momentum recently got a boost with four-star quarterback Deuce Knight flipping from Notre Dame. Ranked as a top-100 player, Knight is now the third-highest ranked recruit in Auburn’s 2025 class and its only quarterback commitment.
With Payton Thorne exhausting his eligibility after this season and the unpredictability of the transfer portal, signing a top quarterback like Knight is a key piece of Auburn’s future plans.