What's left for Auburn in the 2024 class after the addition of 4-star PG Tahaad Pettiford
Auburn on Wednesday added another top recruit to its 2024 class in On3 Consensus four-star point guard Tahaad Pettiford.
It was another big win for the Tigers, another big win for lead recruiter Ira Bowman.
Pettiford joins four-star center Peyton Marshall in Auburn’s ’24 class. The class currently ranks No. 4 in the country, according to the On3 team rankings. The Tigers trail only North Carolina, Baylor and Rutgers.
Auburn could add to its class on Friday. Four-star guard Labaron Philon will announce his commitment at 12:30 p.m. CT. He’s choosing between his six finalists: Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Tennessee and Ole Miss.
The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently favors Auburn at 77.3 percent, and for good reason. Philon has been a top priority for the Tigers since early in his high school career. Wes Flanigan has developed a very strong bond with Philon and family. Philon also has visited Auburn several times, including an official visit in September.
All signs point to Auburn.
Should Philon choose Auburn, he would join Marshall and Pettiford in forming the No. 2 three-man class in the country. Baylor, with a five-star and two top-50 four-stars committed, likely would remain ahead of Auburn.
5-star big remains top priority for Auburn
Should AU land Philon, the Tigers would be very selective in taking any other high school recruits.
Five-star big Flory Bidunga, who is ranked the No. 3 overall recruit in the country and No. 1 center, absolutely will remain a top priority. AU absolutely wants to add Bidunga to the class. Steven Pearl is heavily involved in Bidunga’s recruitment. So is Bruce Pearl.
Bidunga took an official visit to Auburn in November (STORY) and also has taken an official visit to Florida. The On3 RPM, however, currently favors Cincinnati at 94.4 percent.
According to On3 national recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw: “The prevailing thought is that Cincinnati is the favorite here. He has a relationship with recently hired Drew Adams. However, the five-star center has continued to take visits. The two officials he has taken so far are to Auburn and Florida. He has been on unofficial to Cincinnati, Purdue, Indiana, Butler, Michigan, and Michigan State.”
Remaining possibilities in the ’24 class
Should Auburn miss on Bidunga, it could make a bigger push for a guy like five-star power forward Asa Newell, the No. 10 overall recruit in the country. I wouldn’t think the Tigers would turn down Newell should they miss on Bidunga, but whether or not they have that chance remains to be seen.
Auburn is keeping an eye on others like four-star shooting guard Annor Boatang, but will not be in a rush to take another high school kid (besides Bidunga, maybe Newell).
I think it’s more likely, at least at this point, that Auburn takes Marshall, Pettiford and Philon, and then adds Bidunga/Newell if possible. If Auburn can’t get one of Bidunga/Newell, I doubt it pushes for anyone else. That includes five-star Rutgers commitment Ace Bailey. Unless something drastically changes with Bailey’s recruitment, he’s expected to stick with his commitment.
Any remaining needs in this class will be met via the transfer portal. I think Auburn will hit the portal hard after the season.
