How Auburns 2024 class looks following a very successful week
It was quiet over the plains for almost exactly two months then we heard the sound of a freeze warning. The last commitment for the Tigers was April 14th with the addition of Matavious Collins, a former Alabama TE/FB hybrid from Calhoun, Georgia. There were rumblings of a few prospects that could pop during May but to no avail. June looked to be a bit more promising as it meant more visitors, whether they be official visitors or guys coming in for camps or 7v7 tournaments.
Bryce Cain, Kensley Faustin, and Joesph Phillips are the newest recruits to commit and they all either camped or officially visited the Tigers this month. Cain, the first to commit was on campus July 9th for an Elite Camp where he built a very quick and strong bond with Walker White and this staff. He announced his commitment four days later. Kensley Faustin, a Florida native made the trip up for his official visit on the same day as Cain's camp, Faustin also committed four days later. Phillips came on to campus on the 14th for an unofficial visit and this seemed to change the game. Phillips was seen as a Georgia lock for the past three weeks, but this trip changed his mind and he committed to the Tigers a day later.
How the class looks
Walker White, Four-star Quarterback: 6'3 215 lbs, Little Rock, Arkansas
White is a four-star on all of the main sites, including 247, On3, and Rivals.
He is considered by most the best quarterback in the state of Arkansas. You can see why as he has 48 touchdowns and 4,000 passing yards during his two years as a starter for Little Rock Christian. He also has gained over 1,200 yards rushing with 21 rushing touchdowns during this time. He committed to Auburn on Friday, February 3rd. White has been a key recruiter for the Tigers, as he has constantly hyped up his fellow prospects and has tried to hype up the Tigers to them as well.
Joseph Phillips, Four-star Linebacker: 6'2 250 lbs, Tuskegee, Alabama
Phillips is a consensus four-star across all sites.
He used to be considered the best JACK prospect on the board but following a decision to move to inside linebacker, he is now one of the best interior backers of the class. The four-star has totaled 82 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also has played tight end for the Golden Eagles, totaling 29 receptions, 336 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Phillips becomes the first defensive recruit that is not a defensive back in the 2024 class.
J'marion Burnette, Four-star Running Back: 6'1 225 lbs, Andalusia, Alabama
Burnette is a consensus four-star recruit.
A top running back in the state and the overall cycle, Burnette decided to stay home and committed to the Tigers on March 24th. Burnette was a highly coveted recruit and his addition marks the fourth blue-chip running back that has committed to the Tigers while Carnell Williams has been the RB coach. The only non-blue chip was now starter Jarquez Hunter. Burnette is a larger back and had an amazing Sophomore season where he had well over 2000 rushing yards. In his junior season, he was in more of a committee-style scheme and also dealt with an injury in the playoffs. He has also taken on the role of a recruiter for this class, similar to his future signal caller Walker White.
A'mon Lane, Four-star Cornerback: 5'11 180 lbs, Mody, Alabama
Lane rounds out this trio by also being a four-star on all the major recruiting sites.
The class is rounded out by the smaller, twitchy cornerback from Moody, AL. He was previously at Thompson but followed his coach and adoptive father, Jake Ganus to the Moody Blue Devils. Lane has immense speed and great ball skills that will make him a good prospect to watch the rise in the rankings. Lane has been committed since last year's Big Cat Weekend. Lane, similar to Lewis has received a slight drop, but this can be attributed to moving to a much lower classification in high school ball.
Jayden Lewis, Four-star Cornerback: 5'11 175 lbs, Anniston, Alabama
Lewis is a four-star on all sites.
Lewis is a rangy and fast cornerback who has a background in track. Lewis has been an intriguing prospect to watch as he could play anywhere along the defensive backfield for the Tigers. He has also dropped in the rankings and could potentially lose his four-star status The Anniston native joined fellow DB and Alabamian, A'mon Lane, by committing to Auburn on the first of February.
Kensley Faustin, Four-star Safety: 5'11 170 lbs, Naples, Florida
Faustin is a four-star on 0n3 and Rivals, but 247 has him as a three-star.
The Naples, Florida native plays for Naples which is in one of the more competitive regions in Florida high school football. Tough competition aside Faustin has made a name for himself, so far in his career he has 121 career tackles, 10 interceptions, 14 pass breakups, and five forced fumbles. The most impressive thing is the forced fumbles, Faustin is a smaller player at five-foot-eleven and 170-pounds his ability to hit and hit hard is intriguing and could help an Auburn team that has struggled to generate turnovers in the past.
Martavious Collins, Three-star Tight End: 6'3 245lbs, Rome, Georgia
The newest addition, Collins is a consensus three-star. Collins is the first high school commitment for new TE coach Ben Aigauama, as he got Rivaldo Fairweather in the portal. Collins is more of a hybrid end as in his HS film he can be seen blocking, lining up on the line, and going for a route, and even some out wide. When Fairweather was brought in the Auburn Daily staff acknowledged the history HC Hugh Freeze has had with dynamic tight ends, the addition of Collins seems to be further evidence that even in a more scheme-style offense Freeze makes the tight end a priority.
Bryce Cain, Three-star Wide Receiver: 5'11 170 lbs, Mobile, Alabama
Cain is the epitome of the slot receiver, fast, twitchy with spectacular hands. The intriguing thing about Cain is that he has only been playing football for the last year or so, as he was a baseball player up until his Junior season. Cain looks to do both for Baker High School in his senior season. Cain was productive in his first season on the football field, racking up almost 500 yards to go along with six touchdowns, one of which was a rushing touchdown.
How the class stands
The trifecta this week pushed Auburn in the 247 rankings from 48th to 29th. 247 also moved them up from 11th to eighth in the SEC. On3 has had Auburn in the high teens or low twenties pretty much all year, and with these three additions that is no different as they sit at 15th nationally. On3 has Auburn as the seventh-best class in the SEC. The recruiting site that views Auburn least favorably is Rivals, where Auburn sits at 30th nationally and 10th in the SEC.
The class looks to keep improving as many targets look to wrap up their recruitment before their senior seasons start. Malik Blocton, who commits on July 8th looks to be the next probable commitment for the Tigers.
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