AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn football’s 2026 recruiting class has plummeted to No. 86 nationally per 247Sports, trailing FCS programs like the Idaho Vandals, a previous FBS member and Group of Five schools like Miami (Ohio), Colorado State, Fresno State, Sacramento State, Tulsa and Temple. 2026 Auburn Football recruiting is a total mess.
Dead last in the SEC with just seven commits, the Tigers’ recruiting woes have intensified scrutiny on head coach Hugh Freeze, whose frequent golfing is being blamed as Alabama and Georgia dominate the region.
Freeze’s 2026 class has been gutted by decommitments, including four-star linebacker Shadarius Toodle to Georgia and four-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan to Alabama. Auburn’s lone in-state commit, four-star edge Hezekiah Harris, is a bright spot, but the Tigers missed on top Alabama prospects like five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, who flipped to Alabama.
The Crimson Tide’s 2026 class, ranked No. 4, boasts four five-star commits, including cornerback Jorden Edmonds and linebacker Xavier Griffin. Georgia, at No. 2, has five five-star pledges, including quarterback Jared Curtis and edge rusher Isaiah Gibson, pulling elite talent away from Auburn’s backyard.
Auburn’s on-field struggles aren’t helping. Freeze’s 11-14 record, including a 5-7 mark in 2024, marks the program’s first back-to-back losing seasons since 1975-76.
Losses to Alabama (31-10) and Georgia (42-10) in 2024 exposed the gap with the SEC’s elite. Fans on X have criticized Freeze’s 11 golf rounds in June, calling it a distraction from recruiting. One post quipped, “Freeze’s putting game is better than his recruiting rank.” Auburn’s 2025 class, ranked No. 8 with nine in-state signees, now feels like a distant memory.
With the season opener against New Mexico on Aug. 30, Freeze faces a critical 2025. His 3-9 SEC record and lack of bowl wins have Athletic Director John Cohen signaling a need for results. Alabama and Georgia’s recruiting dominance, with 10 of the top 15 in-state prospects for 2026, leaves Auburn fighting for scraps.
Unless Freeze can flip targets like four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone or land uncommitted in-state stars like Landon Duckworth, the Tigers risk further irrelevance, and Freeze’s job could be on the line by December.
The full 2026 team recruiting rankings on 247Sports can be found here.
Meanwhile, NASCAR was put on blast Sunday for its officiating decisions at the end of the race in Chicago.
2026 Auburn Football Recruiting needs a massive overhaul and fast.
