Auburn Football Recruiting Hot Board: Defense
Auburn has eight commitments in its 2023 recruiting class with four projected to play on defense.
Needless to say, there’s still plenty of work to be done before the early signing period begins in December. There’s also plenty of time.
[ Auburn’s 2023 commitment list ]
What is left for Auburn on defense in the 2023 class? Who are the top recruits at each position and what are Auburn’s chances with them?
The Hot Board has the answers.
Below are who I believe are the top targets at each position and my guesses at Auburn’s chances of signing them. Keep in mind, the percentages are Auburn’s chances against the field.
Defensive linemen (3-4)
| Name (star rating) | Hometown | Offer | Previous | Current |
| Jamarrion Harkless (3) | Lexington, Ky. | Yes | 55% | 55% |
| Darron Reed (4) | Columbus, Ga. | Yes | LSU/25% | 40% |
| Derick Hunter (4) | Raymond, Miss. (JUCO) | No | 60% | 40% |
| James Smith (5) | Montgomery, Ala. | Yes | 35% | 35% |
| Joshua Horton (3) | Fairburn, Ga. | Yes | N. Carolina/35% | 35% |
| Elijah Davis (4) | Scooba, Miss. (JUCO) | Yes | – | 30% |
| TaDerius Collins (3) | Shreveport, La. | Yes | 30% | 30% |
| Ian Geffrard (3) | Mableton, Ga. | Yes | Arkansas/30% | 30% |
| Jordan Hall (4) | Jacksonville, Fla. | Yes | 20% | 20% |
| Naquil Betrand (4) | Philadelphia, Pa. | Yes | Texas A&M/15% | 15% |
Hunter will visit for the Penn State game, but Auburn has yet to offer and appears to be making some serious headway with Reed. Plus, Auburn is looking at Elijah Davis, another JUCO DT in Mississippi. Harkless, who will be in for an official visit for the San Jose State game, could be one to watch.
Edges (4)
| Name (star rating) | Hometown | Offer | Previous | Current |
| Ashley Williams (4) | Zachary, La. | Yes | Auburn | AU |
| Wilky Denaud (4) | Fort Pierce, Fla. | Yes | Auburn | AU |
| Keldric Faulk (4) | Highland Home, Ala. | Yes | FSU/35% | 35% |
| Qua Russaw (5) | Montgomery, Ala. | Yes | 35% | 35% |
| Rueben Bain (4) | Miami, Fla. | Yes | 25% | 25% |
| Tausili Akana (4) | Lehi, Utah | Yes | 20% | 20% |
| Gabriel Harris (4) | Valdosta, Ga. | Yes | Georgia/15% | 15% |
Auburn is off to a good start at edge, arguably the biggest need on defense. With Williams and Denaud both committed, the Tigers will try and add at least two more to the class before Signing Day. Auburn is in the mix for several elite ones, including Russaw, who visited for the Mercer game.
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Linebackers (2-3)
| Name (star rating) | Hometown | Offer | Previous | Current |
| Alex Sanford (3) | Oxford, Miss. | Yes | Arkansas/50% | 50% |
| Marcellius Pulliam (3) | Tyrone, Ga. | Yes | 50% | 50% |
| Jaiden Ausberry (4) | Baton Rouge, La. | Yes | Notre Dame/35% | 35% |
| Grayson Howard (4) | Jacksonville, Fla. | Yes | S. Carolina/20% | 20% |
| Lewis Carter (4) | Tampa, Fla. | Yes | Oklahoma/20% | 20% |
| Kaveion Keys (4) | Richmond, Va. | Yes | N. Carolina/20% | 20% |
| Dee Crayton (4) | Alpharetta, Ga. | Yes | Clemson/15% | 15% |
| C.J. Allen (4) | Barnesville, Ga. | Yes | Georgia/15% | 15% |
Auburn is looking for two linebackers in this class and appears to be in a good spot to add Sanford and/or Pullium. Both are set to visit for the Missouri game. The Tigers could take one of the two and and be selective with the remaining spot, or take both and try and add a third later.
Cornerbacks/Nickels (3-4)
| Name (star rating) | Hometown | Offer | Previous | Current |
| Jacorious Hart (3) | Loachapoka, Ala. | Yes | Auburn | AU |
| Tyler Scott (3) | Mableton, Ga. | Yes | 65% | 65% |
| Colton Hood (3) | McDonough, Ga. | Yes | 60% | MSU/35% |
| Jyair Hill (4) | Kankakee, Ill. | Yes | 20% | 20% |
| Ricky Gibson (3) | Trussville, Ala. | Yes | Tennessee/20% | 20% |
| Jakeem Jackson (4) | Kissimmee, Fla. | Yes | Florida/20% | 20% |
| Jahlil Hurley (5) | Florence, Ala. | Yes | Alabama/15% | 15% |
| Avieon Terrell (4) | Atlanta, Ga. | Yes | Clemson/15% | 15% |
Hart committed earlier this month and Scott might not be too far behind him. Hood surprised some folks earlier this week when he committed to Michigan State. Auburn has yet to push hard for him, but that could change.
Safeties (2-3)
| Name (star rating) | Hometown | Offer | Previous | Current |
| Terrance Love (4) | Fairburn, Ga. | Yes | Auburn | AU |
| Cedrick Hawkins (4) | Titusville, Fla. | Yes | Ohio State/35% | 35% |
| Conrad Hussey (4) | Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. | Yes | Penn State/35% | 35% |
| Dakaari Nelson (4) | Selma, Ala. | Yes | Penn State/30% | 30% |
| Tony Mitchell (5) | Alabaster, Ala. | Yes | Alabama/15% | 15% |
Love is committed, but Auburn is looking for at least one more safety, if not two, to go with him. The remaining top targets all are committed elsewhere, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see each in Auburn for at least one game this fall.