4-star RB J'Marion Burnette reopens recruitment
Four-star running back J’Marion Burnette has reopened his recruitment. Burnette, who is from Andalusia, Ala., announced his decision Thursday on social media. He had been committed to Auburn since the summer.
Burnette is the third recruit to de-commit from Auburn since October 1. He joins four-star defensive back Jalewis Solomon and four-star defensive back Jayden Lewis. Solomon since has committed to South Carolina.
Auburn now has 16 commitments and only six on offense: quarterback Walker White, offensive lineman DeAndre Carter, wide receivers Perry Thompson, Malcolm Simmons and Bryce Cain and tight end Martavious Collins. However, Collins likely is reopening his recruitment soon.
The On3 Industry Ranking, which is a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, ranks Burnette the No. 258 overall recruit in the country and No. 20 running back. He also ranks the No. 14 recruit in Alabama.
On3 is not as high on Burnette as other networks. On3 ranks him the No. 40 running back in the country and No. 24 overall recruit in Alabama.
As a senior, Burnette has rushed for 493 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 carries.
Class of 2025 4-star DL talks Auburn visit
Class of 2025 four-star defensive lineman Andrew Maddox visited Auburn football in September for the Tigers’ game against No. 1 Georgia, but he wanted to see more.
So, Maddox, who attends Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss, returned to the Plains last Saturday for Auburn’s game against Mississippi State.
“It was great, again,” he said. “I really enjoyed it. It was a great game and I really had fun. My family enjoyed it, too. We had a great time. I love it at Auburn.”
Maddox’s mother, father and two brothers all were with him on the visit. They arrived in Auburn early Saturday morning and stayed until Sunday.
“I love it at Auburn and my family loves it, too,” he said. “I love the coaches and how they interact with me. Love how they show me attention and also how much they appreciate me because I appreciate them.
“Plus, at Auburn the school is nice. It’s a perfect area to be in. And it’s a family and loving environment. I just love everything about it.”
Maddox building bonds with Auburn coaches
Maddox has started to develop relationships with Auburn defensive line coach Jeremy Garrett and assistant defensive line coach Vontrell King-Williams.
“They both are already like second fathers to me,” he said. “They show a lot of love. Both show they care and show that they want me. Getting that type of attention is a different type of feeling. It makes you want to be up there and be around those type of guys. I just really enjoy talking to them.”
The two coaches, along with the two visits, are big reasons Maddox has high interest in Auburn.
“They are up there,” he said. “I love (Auburn). It’s a nice place to be.”
A third visit is almost a certainty.
“I will for sure be back up there,” he said. “I don’t know when, but I will definitely try and make my way back down there again.”
