Auburn playing host to long list of elite recruits for Penn State showdown

Much like Jimbo Fisher, his counterpart in the SEC West, Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin could use some good news on the recruiting trail.

The Tigers currently sit at No. 51 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings, and just lost their top commit — four-star wideout Karmello English — on Wednesday morning.

With Penn State making its way down south to The Plains, Auburn has all the ingredients for what could be a season- and program-defining weekend.

More than two-dozen 2023 and 2024 prospects will be inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, with none bigger than five-star defensive linemen and high school teammates James Smith and Qua Russaw. Alabama and Georgia are thought to be the two programs to beat with both — who plan to be a package deal — but Auburn has remained in it, and this will be their second visit to Auburn since the summer.

Among the official visitors are mostly current commits, but three-star offensive lineman Gernorris Wilson (considered a heavy Auburn lean) will also be on hand. Among the notable 2023 unofficial visitors, according to AuburnLive:

• 4-star LB Jaiden Ausberry, Baton Rouge, La. (University Lab) – Notre Dame commitment
• 4-star DL Darron Reed, Columbus, Ga. (Carver) – LSU commitment
• 4-star OL D.J. Chester, Conyers, Ga. (Eagle’s Landing)
• 4-star OT Bo Hughley, Fairburn, Ga. (Langston Hughes) – UGA commitment
• 4-star TE Jelani Thurman, Fairburn, Ga. (Langston Hughes) – Ohio State commitment
• 4-star DB DaKaari Nelson, Selma, Ala. – Penn State commitment
• 3-star DB Tyler Scott, Mableton, Ga. (Pebblebrook) – Arkansas State commitment
• 3-star OL Paul Mubenga, Buford, Ga. – LSU commitment

For the full list of visitors and coverage of Auburn’s major recruiting weekend, head to AuburnLive.