Skip to main content
Auburn

Auburn loses WR commit Gray to Kentucky

by: Caleb Jones07/01/25CalebJ_Rivals
Denarius Gray 6 copy 1
Photo by Chad Simmons/On3

Auburn has lost its second wide receiver commit in as many weeks.

Denairius Gray has flipped to Kentucky.

The No. 99 overall player in the country according to Rivals, who was Auburn’s longest-tenured commit of the 2026 class, flipped to Kentucky Tuesday. He had been committed to Auburn since Jan. 1, 2024.

Tigers’ momentum halted

It was a tough start to the dead period for Auburn. Linebacker Shadarius Toodle flipped to Georgia. Wide receiver Devin Carter flipped to Florida State.

Things appeared to be heading back in the right direction when the Tigers flipped quarterback Peyton Falzone from Penn State, days after landing offensive lineman Nikau Hepi. However, Auburn now takes a step back following the departure of Gray, who’s the third flip away from Auburn within the last week and a half.

How did we get here?

Gray spent exactly 18 months committed to Auburn after making his early pledge. He was the second member to join the class, before offensive lineman Kail Ellis reclassified into the 2025 class.

Other programs began expressing heavy interest in Gray as his junior season progressed. He finished his season with 48 receptions, 709 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns. Regardless, Gray remained committed to the Tigers and made multiple in-season visits last fall.

As official visit season arrived, two other SEC programs became clear contenders for Gray and threats to Auburn — Ole Miss and Kentucky. Both programs hosted him on an official visit in June, with his Auburn official in the middle.

“I’m really just sitting down with my family, taking my visits, and making sure I make the best decision possible,” Gray said following his Auburn official.

It was ultimately Kentucky that won Gray over following his slate of officials. The Tigers are now down to six commits in the 2026 class: QB Peyton Falzone, RB Eric Perry, OL Parker Pritchett, OL Nikau Hepi, EDGE Hezekiah Harris and DB Wayne Henry.

You may also like