2026 Auburn Commitments and Evaluations

A running list of Auburn's 2026 verbal commitments

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Jan 1, 2024 6:43 PM EST

In this story:

The impressive 2025 Auburn Tigers recruiting class is being augmented by Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff hitting the ground running with the 2026 recruiting class.

Auburn continues to do a tremendous job of evaluating prospects, bringing them to campus, and closing the deal. Bookmark Auburn Daily to keep up with the Tigers' recruiting efforts and everything else happening on the Plains.

Total Commitments: 2

Wide Receiver: 1

Denairius Gray

Brian Smith/Auburn Daily

Denairius Gray, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, Boynton Beach (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna

Committed Jan. 1, 2024

Gray plays for one of the nation's most prominent prep programs. To that point, despite playing with 2024 Miami wide receiver signee Joshisa Trader and 2024 Ohio State wide receiver signee Jeremiah Smith, Gray's two-year statistics include 81 receptions, 1,124 yards, and 25 touchdowns (Max Preps). There are several reasons he's putting up big numbers.

Gray's ball skills, even in traffic, are fantastic. He possesses the long arms that help a quarterback with high passes and the quick feet to get open in tight quarters. He's not just a big-bodied receiver either, as making defenders miss after the catch is something that comes naturally to him. Also showcases a good first step to explode by defensive backs. Gray's frame is exciting, too.

Already around 180 pounds, Gray's frame is going to allow him to easily surpass 200 pounds before he reaches college. Considering his on-field production, physical traits, and long-term size potential, Gray has a chance to be one of the nation's most highly-ranked recruits before he heads to the Plains.

Offensive Line: 1

Kail Ellis

Brian Smith/Auburn Daily

Kail Ellis, 6-foot-3, 290 pounds, White (Ga.) Cass

Committed on Nov. 30, 2023

Ellis plays center with the quickness and physical nature that will translate to the SEC. Powerfully built in the upper body, his explosiveness often overwhelms a defensive lineman before the opponent counters.

For instance, Ellis shows good timing by double-teaming an interior offensive lineman and then moving to the second level and engaging a linebacker at an angle that allows his running back ample room to break free.

All of this is made possible by Ellis trusting his feet first. He's a brute, but without the quick steps to position himself properly, the young offensive lineman would not move defensive players out of the way nearly as often as he does.

With two more seasons of high school football remaining, Ellis is on the right path. He needs to continue to work on hand placement, staying low after contact, and learning as much about pass protection as he can before enrolling at Auburn.