Auburn trending for 4-star OT Carde Smith

Mobile (Ala.) Williamson four-star offensive tackle Carde Smith is one of the Yellowhammer State’s most wanted targets in 2025.

Programs across the Southeast are in pursuit of him, with the in-state Auburn Tigers very much in that mix. Smith visited The Plains again this weekend, and coming out of that trip, it’s Auburn trending as the top program in his recruitment.

On Saturday night, AuburnLive.com recruiting insider Jeffrey Lee logged an expert prediction in the Tigers’ favor in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

That pick follows one from AuburnLive’s Cole Pinkston earlier this month.

“According to our latest intel, 4-star offensive tackle Carde Smith from Mobile (Ala.) Williamson has jumped up the Tigers’ offensive line board as of late,” Pinkston wrote on March 5. “His last visit to Auburn was for the Iron Bowl in November. That will probably change in March. I have logged a prediction for Auburn to land Smith with 60 percent confidence.

… Smith told Auburn Live his top two were Auburn and Tennessee back in November. We don’t think much has changed, at least for where Auburn stands.”

Hugh Freeze, coaching staff making a strong impression on Smith

Smith has now been to Auburn twice during Freeze’s tenure, and each time only reinforces how he feels about the Tigers staff.

“Coach Thornton is a great coach, I like the way he interacts with his players,” Smith told AuburnLive. “Tell them when they’re wrong, pull them to the side.”

Smith met with Freeze during the visit as well.

“We talked about life, we didn’t really talk about football,” Smith said. “We talked about life and how he would develop me as a man and as a football player at the same time. It’s great, you have to have people on your side to lean on when times get rough. Your head coach will always be there when nobody else is.”

He doesn’t currently have a decision timeline, but he does know the Tigers sit among his top schools.

“They’re definitely top three,” Smith said. “(With) Mississippi State and Florida State.”

The 6-foot-6, 300-pounder is the No. 262 overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 24 offensive tackle and the No. 16 recruit in Alabama.