Could Auburn Fill Its Offensive Tackle Recruiting Needs From The State Of Alabama?
Auburn has a trend of coming up short on numbers at offensive tackle. It's been that way for more than five years. That trend finally looks to be changing
After a tremendous 2024 recruiting class overall, Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers must build upon that foundation with more elite prospects. Finding top-notch offensive tackles is a primary key to making that happen. It's a highly-valued position and there are numbers to think about.
From the 2024 recruiting class, Favour Edwin is coming to Auburn. He has the physical tools to one day be Auburn's starting left or right tackle. However, he's only one offensive tackle when the Tigers needed two in the class. To offset signing just Edwin, the 2025 class ideally has at least three prep offensive tackle recruits come to the Plains.
Auburn is on its way to bringing that goal to fruition and it begins with 2025 commitment of Spencer Dowland. At 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds, Dowland's frame is great for an emerging prep offensive tackle. He still possesses room to add muscle as well. He could end up in the 320-pound range after a year or two at Auburn.
Beyond Dowland, here's a look at three more in-state offensive tackle recruits that already hold Auburn offers.
The Tigers are the leader for Micah DeBose. From Vigor High School in Prichard, the massive prospect made an original pledge to the Georgia Bulldogs before opening up his recruitment. Auburn has been pushing for his commitment.
To go along with his 6-foot-5 and 315-pound frame, DeBose has the athleticism to play left tackle at the SEC level. He's one of the rare offensive tackle prospects who could make an impact as a freshman. DeBose is likely to be a top 100 prospect by major recruiting services like Rivals, 247, On3, and ESPN.
DeBose comes from the Mobile area, and so does Carde Smith. He's playing for Williamson High School inside of Mobile. At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Smith is another nimble offensive tackle with the natural size who could potentially play early during his college career.
Smith has offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt among other college football programs.
Mal Waldrep is the third offensive tackle prospect to watch from inside the state of Alabama borders. Playing for 7A state champion Central-Phenix City, he's accustomed to playing in big-time games and producing. Waldrep is already 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds. So again, another massive young man from within the Yellow Hammer State.
Waldrep is an offensive lineman with guard and tackle experience, another bonus as versatility is an excellent attribute. As of early January, Auburn is considered the frontrunner for his services by many in the recruiting industry.
He has offers from the likes of Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida State, and Clemson, to name a handful of programs. With multiple visits already to the Plains, Waldrep is a player Auburn has a good chance of signing.
If the Tigers could add two from the combination of DeBose, Smith, and Waldrep, to go along with Dowland, Auburn would finally be on track at the offensive tackle position. Do not discount the Tigers signing all four either. Offensive tackle is that important to commit to those four scholarships.
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2024 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations
2025 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations
2026 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations
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