Auburn Tigers head coach confirms the team has identified five key recruits they need to bring to campus this spring.
Auburn Tigers head coach confirms the team has identified. The Auburn Tigers are actively working on their 2026 recruiting class. On Friday, Rivals’ Adam Gorney reported that five-star safety Jireh Edwards has scheduled an unofficial visit to Auburn on April 5.
Edwards also plans to visit Alabama (March 20), Texas A&M (March 22), LSU (March 27), and Oregon (April 18). Standing at 6-foot-2 and 192 pounds, he is ranked as the No. 2 safety and top player from Maryland, according to Rivals. He holds 28 total offers, including from Arkansas, Boston College, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland, and Michigan.
Auburn is already familiar with Edwards, having hosted him for two previous unofficial visits. He also has an official visit scheduled for May 16. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently favors Maryland (22.5%) in his recruitment, followed by Auburn (19.7%), Oregon (14.1%), Ohio State (9.4%), and Georgia (9.4%).
Auburn has yet to secure a five-star commitment in the 2026 class. If Edwards joins, he would be part of a recruiting group that includes four-star edge rusher Hezekiah Harris, receivers Devin Carter and Denairius Gray, linebackers Shadarius Toodle and JaMichael Garrett, and three-star safety Wayne Henry.
Auburn’s 2025 season kicks off on August 30 against Baylor, though the game’s start time has not been announced.
It’s impossible to discuss Auburn football over the past two years without mentioning Eugene Asante.
While he wasn’t an All-American or a player who would rack up 100 tackles in a season, Asante became a crucial leader at a time when Auburn needed one.
After transferring from North Carolina ahead of the 2022 season, Asante faced immediate adversity. Just weeks after arriving at Auburn, he lost his father to kidney disease, a tragedy that weighed heavily on him. Before the 2024 season, he admitted there were moments when he considered stepping away from football.
Despite the challenges, Asante persevered and emerged as the vocal leader of Auburn’s defense. His signature phrase, “Let’s work!” became a rallying cry, and he led the team with 86 tackles in 2023. Although his production dipped in 2024, his leadership remained constant.
Now, Asante is preparing for the next chapter in his career at the professional level. He has already made an impression at pre-draft events, including the NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash—second among linebackers, just behind UCLA’s Kain Medrano (4.46). His strong performance followed an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, where he stood out in drills and live reps.
When asked about his draft process, Asante highlighted his ability to cover ground, rush the passer, and shed blocks, emphasizing his versatility as a linebacker.
Auburn’s Pro Day gave Asante a moment to reflect on his time with the program as he reunited with former teammates and coaches. Looking back, he said Auburn shaped him more as a person than just a player.
“I think it shaped me into a great man,” Asante said. “I always think about how my father would view me and what I’ve become. I constantly reflect on that, striving to set a good example for the youth and Auburn football supporters.”
