December 4th marked the date of College Football’s Early Signing Day, when eligible high school athletes across the country would put pen to paper and commit to playing football at the school of their choice. Signing day was admittedly boring (in a good way) for Auburn fans, as there weren’t many major surprises and luckily they were able to keep majority of their class in the fold.
Hopefully you didn’t spend your Wednesday watching the Na’eem Offord commitment live stream only to see him toss the Auburn ball cap across the room. I’ll try and keep this one shorter (and less disappointing) than that.
Here’s where they stand now. Of course Rivals has them the lowest.
247 Sports – #6
On3 – #6
ESPN – #7
Rivals – #8
Here’s the full list of current signees with a nice little write up on each (via Auburn Athletics):
Malik Autry (DL, 6-6, 325; Opelika HS; Opelika, Ala.): Explosive defender with plenty of power … dominant defensive lineman for Coach Bryan Moore at Opelika High … 152 career tackles, 26 TFL, 19 sacks … U.S. Navy All-American Bowl, Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … Rivals camp MVP … O-A News Super 8 Senior, AL.com A-List … all-area, ASWA all-state … 247 Sports rates him the third best prospect in Alabama and the No. 5 recruit at his position nationally … top 10 DL recruit nationally by Rivals, ESPN and On3 … A-B Honor Roll, national English honorary … also a basketball and track and field letterman … son of Rachel and McCarty Autry
Tai Buster (OL, 6-4, 290; A.L. Brown HS; Kannapolis, N.C.): Versatile offensive line prospect who can play multiple positions … four-year starting tackle for Coach Justin Hardin in helping the Wonders to the Class 4A state playoffs … WSOC Big 22 … Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas … all-state, two-time all-Greater Metro Conference … rated the No. 11 overall prospect in North Carolina by ESPN, Rivals … honor roll student … also a track and field letterman … son of Mike Buster and Erin Wells
Antonio Coleman (DL, 6-2, 270; Saraland HS; Saraland, Ala.): Agile and active defensive line prospect … versatile contributor for Coach Jeff Kelly and the top-ranked Class 6A Saraland Spartans with 153 career tackles, 53 TFL, 10 sacks, 27 QB hurries, scoring 3 TD … 62 tackles, 22.5 TFL as a junior … 2x area defensive lineman of month … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … AL.com A-List, first team class 6A all-state … rated a top 15 overall prospect in the state of Alabama by On3, 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals … top 20 nationally at his position … also a basketball letterman … son of Omekia Coleman
Jourdin Crawford (DL, 6-2, 325; Parker HS; Birmingham, Ala.): Productive defensive lineman with impressive strength … two-year all-state selection for Coach Frank Warren at Parker High with 155 career tackles, 38 sacks … team MVP, all-state, all-region … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … first team Class 6A all-state, AL.com A-List … 67 tackles, 17 sacks (most in region) as a junior … ranked No. 8 overall prospect in Alabama by 247 Sports, ESPN … top 15 at his position nationally by ESPN, On3, 247 Sports .. honor roll student … also a track and field letterman in shot put … son of Antonio Robinson and Patsy Crawford
Hollis Davidson III (TE, 6-5, 230; McIntosh HS; Peachtree City, Ga.): Fluid tight end with strong receiving skills … career numbers of 72 receptions for 1,033 yards and 7 touchdowns for Coach Derek Smith at McIntosh High … all-region honoree for the Chiefs and GASC all-state … Fayette Super 12 … top 20 ranking at his position nationally by 247 Sports, On3, ESPN, Rivals … 247 Sports ranks him among top 30 overall recruits in Georgia … also a soccer letterman … son of Hollis II and Lendy Davidson
Bryce Deas (LB, 6-2, 215; St. Frances Academy; Upper Marlboro, Md.): Productive defender from a perennially prominent program … team captain for Coach Messay Hailemariam at St. Frances Academy and the nationally ranked Panthers … projects as a linebacker at the collegiate level … Rivals rates him the No. 8 overall prospect from Maryland; 247 Sports and On3 rank him in top 20 … also a track and field letterman … son of Eugene and Shadawn Deas
Kail Ellis (OL, 6-5, 300; Cass HS; Canton, Ga.): Athletic, powerful offensive interior lineman with strong technique … team captain for Coach Steve Gates at Cass High … all-state and three-year all-region honoree for the Colonels … 99.8% snap efficiency as a junior and senior with no sacks allowed … rated a top 5 center prospect nationally by ESPN and Rivals … also a basketball and wrestling letterman … son of Matt Ellis and Sheree Twilley
J.J. Faulk (LB, 6-3, 230; Highland Home HS; Highland Home, Ala.): Talented defender with great versatility … team captain at Highland Home High for Coach Justin Bragg … 58 tackles with 13 TFL, 3 sacks, 19 QB hurries as a junior … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … AL.com A-List … 247 Sports, On3 rank him among the top 10 overall prospects in the state of Alabama … No. 7 nationally at his position by 247 Sports; top 20 by On3, ESPN, Rivals … A-B Honor Roll … also a basketball letterman who was final four MVP for the state runners-up … brother of current Auburn all-SEC defender Keldric Faulk … son of Lakendral Barnes
AnQuon Fegans (S, 6-1, 185; Thompson High; Alabaster, Ala.): Defensive back who combines tremendous experience and instincts … team captain for Coach Mark Freeman at Thompson High, which plays in this week’s Class 7A state title game … career totals of 234 tackles, 22 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles for the Warriors … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, Under Armour All-American Game … MaxPreps All-America … AL.com A-List … top four prospect in state of Alabama by Rivals, On3, ESPN, 247 Sports … On3, ESPN, 247 Sports rate him in the top six nationally at his position … A-B Honor Roll … also a basketball letterman … son of Antwon Sr. and Tanquella Fegans … older brother Antwon is an Auburn safety
Ryan Ghea (TE, 6-6, 240; Milton HS; Milton, Ga.): Tight end prospect equally skilled as a receiver and blocker … team captain for Coach Ben Reaves at Milton High … 53 receptions for 651 yards, 4 TD … first-team all-region for the Class 7A state champion Eagles … ESPN ranks him the No. 9 tight end prospect nationally … top 75 recruit in Georgia by Rivals, ESPN, 247 Sports and On3 … also a baseball and basketball letterman … son of Thomas and Nicole Ghea
Alvin Henderson (RB, 5-10, 200; Elba HS; Elba, Ala.): Record-setting tailback who is the first 10K-yard rusher in Alabama state history … team captain for Coach Marc Sieving at Elba High and the three-time region champion Tigers … 10,923 career yards on 748 carries (14.6 avg.) with 202 total TD … averaged 192 yards per game … 46 100-yard games while setting 15 state records … Class 1A back of the year, AL.com A-List … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, U.S. Navy All-American Bowl … Rivals rates him the top running back prospect in the nation … No. 2 recruit in the state according to Rivals; top 12 overall recruit from Alabama by On3, ESPN and 247 Sports … active in community service … also a baseball and basketball letterman … son of Catina Washington
Deuce Knight (QB, 6-4, 210; George County HS; Lucedale, Miss.): Five-star dual-threat quarterback … team captain for Coach James Ray at George County High … career totals of 7,855 passing yards with 56 TD and 1,361 rushing yards with 31 scores … U.S. Navy All-American Bowl, Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … rated among the top three overall recruits from Mississippi by 247 Sports, Rivals, On3 and ESPN … Rivals and ESPN rank him the No. 2 recruit nationally at his position … also a basketball and track and field letterman … son of Justin and Jacqueline Knight
John Alan McGuire (P, 6-2, 205; Thompson HS; Alabaster, Ala.): Outstanding prep specialist for Coach Mark Freeman at Thompson High … all-state, all-region, all-county, all-metro as a punter and kicker for the Warriors, who play in this week’s Class 7A state title game … averaged 42.8 yards per punt during his career with a long of 63 and 27 placed inside the 20 … U.S. Navy All-American Bowl … rated a top five punter nationally by On3 and 247 Sports … National Honor Society, Beta Club … also a soccer letterman … son of Chris and Sarah McGuire
Elijah Melendez (LB, 6-2, 225; Osceola HS; Kissimmee, Fla.): Linebacker prospect with size, speed and savvy … tallied 69 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 interceptions as a senior for Coach Eric Pinellas at Osceola High, leading the Kowboys to the Florida Class 6A semifinals this weekend … Rivals, On3, ESPN rank him among the top 25 prospects in Florida … rated No. 4 among ILB recruits nationally by Rivals, ESPN … son of Miguel and Linnette Melendez
Broderick Shull (OL, 6-6, 310; Bixby HS; Bixby, Okla.): Impressive offensive line prospect with strong athleticism … has allowed zero sacks his senior season for Coach Loren Montgomery at Bixby High … part of state championship teams in Oklahoma and Missouri … all-state … On3 rates him the seventh-best overall recruit at his position … top 5 in Oklahoma by On3, Rivals, ESPN … also a basketball letterman and involved in theatre … honor roll student and all-academic … son of Jonathan and Gretchen Shull
Darrion Smith (DL, 6-2, 265; St. Frances Academy; Annapolis, Md.): Explosive defender who plays with great body control … dominant pass rusher for Coach Messay Hailemariam at St. Frances Academy … ranked among the top 15 overall recruits in the state of Maryland by Rivals, 247 Sports … top 60 prospect nationally at his position by 247 Sports, Rivals, On3, ESPN … son of Tina Barnes
Jared Smith (DL, 6-6, 245; Thompson HS; Alabaster, Ala.): Dominant defender with a tremendous upside … 78 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 20 QB hurries as a senior for Coach Mark Freeman at Thompson High, which plays in this week’s Class 7A state title game … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, Under Armour All-American Game … AL.com A-List … rated the No. 2 overall recruit in Alabama by On3, 247 Sports, ESPN … consensus top 5 nationally at his position … also a basketball letterman … son of Tiffany Threadford
Duke Smith (WR, 6-2, 190; Southside HS; Selma, Ala.): Highly productive offensive weapon for Coach Charles Moody at Southside High … rushed for 1,036 yards and had 1,487 receiving yards as a junior, scoring 23 touchdowns … team captain … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, U.S. Navy All-American Bowl … ranked among the top five athlete recruits nationally by 247 Sports, Rivals, On3 and ESPN … top 5 in-state prospect by On3 and ESPN … also a basketball letterman … twin brother of fellow Auburn signee Erick Smith … son of Derick Smith Sr.
Erick Smith (WR, 6-6, 190; Southside HS; Selma, Ala.): Athletic wide receiver prospect … team captain for Coach Charles Moody at Southside High … rated among the top 50 overall prospects in the state of Alabama by 247 Sports … also a basketball and track and field letterman … twin brother of fellow Auburn signee Duke Smith … son of Derick Smith Sr.
Donovan Starr (CB, 6-0, 175; Ravenwood HS; Brentwood, Tenn.): Versatile athlete with a myriad of skills … Mr. Football state finalist for Coach Will Hester at Ravenwood High … all-region honoree for the two-time region champion Raptors … state 100 meter and high jump champion … 247 Sports rates him the top prospect in the state of Tennessee … top 20 corner recruit nationally by On3, 247 Sports … also a basketball and track and field letterman … son of Amy Starr
Sam Turner (WR, 6-2, 195; Southwest DeKalb HS; Decatur, Ga.): Athletic wide receiver with tremendous production … caught 56 passes for 903 yards, 6 TD as a junior for Coach Marion Bell at Southwest DeKalb High … 61 catches as a senior for 1,100 yards, 17 TD … DeKalb career receiving TD record … all-state and all-Region 6-4A selection for the Panthers and county offensive player of year … Rivals ranks him top 35 overall prospect in Georgia and top 40 receiver nationally … Mr. Southwest DeKalb, honor roll student, H-Pride award … also a baseball and basketball letterman … son of Corey and Vanshelle Turner
Jacobe’ Ward (OL, 6-4, 330; Benedictine Military School; Savannah, Ga.): Competitive offensive line prospect with great size and strength … GACA all-state performer for Coach Danny Britt at Benedictine Military School … helped the Cadets win the state Class 4A championship as a freshman and sophomore; made state semis as a junior … first team all-Greater Savannah and all-region … U.S. Army Bowl … ESPN and Rivals rate him among top 40 interior line prospects nationally … top 100 recruit in Georgia by On3, Rivals, ESPN … John E. Dolan Memorial Scholarship … also a wrestling and track and field letterman … son of Jeffrey Ward and Elisa Golden
Devin Williams (CB, 5-10, 170; Buford HS; Dacula, Ga.): Impact prospect at cornerback with impressive speed and ball skills … first team all-region and all-county as a junior for Coach Bryant Appling at Buford High … team captain … Wolves won the 2021 Class 6A state title and three regional crowns … Gwinnett Daily Post Super Six … MaxPreps All-America … ESPN rates him the No. 19 prospect in state of Georgia … top 50 corner recruit by ESPN, On3, 247 Sports … National Honor Society … TD Club of Atlanta all-state … Gwinnett County sprint champion in track and field … son of Frederick and Toka Williams
Eric Winters (S, 6-2, 205; Enterprise HS; Enterprise, Ala.): Versatile defender who has great knowledge of the game … 75 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 INT as a senior while scoring 11 TD on offense … explosive athlete for Coach Ben Blackmon at Enterprise High, where he was six times player of the week … Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game … U.S. Navy All-American Bowl … Rivals camp MVP … Class 7A all-state … AL.com A-List … consensus top 10 national prospect at safety … On3 and 247 Sports rate him among top five overall recruits in Alabama … also helped the basketball Wildcats to the state finals … son of Trista Crislip
Blake Woodby (CB, 5-11, 180; St. Frances Academy; Upper Marlboro, Md.): Speedy, aggressive prospect for the secondary … projects as a college cornerback … team captain for Coach Messay Hailemariam at St. Frances Academy … Under Armour All-American Game … MaxPreps preseason All-America … ESPN and Rivals rank him the top overall prospect in the state of Maryland, with a top five national corner rating … also a track and field letterman … son of Tyrin and Aja Woodby
